The once sleepy town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has become the gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. A variety of amenities await adventurous travelers to this region of eastern Tennessee, but none is more synonymous with this bustling tourist community than the Pigeon Forge, TN restaurant known simply as The Apple Barn.
Tucked along the west branch of the Little Pigeon River, The Apple Barn is a charming shopping village unto itself, composed of an orchard, cider mill and bar, winery, candy factory, creamery, general store, and two restaurants. Perhaps the best known restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN, The Apple Barn boasts a friendly family atmosphere, down-home cooking, and numerous recipes featuring the Tennessee heritage fruit that gives this restaurant its name.
When considering a trip to The Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge, savor these particulars that help make The Apple Barn one of the most unique restaurant experiences in the area:
This Pigeon Forge, TN restaurant is officially named The Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store.
The restaurant’s iconic barn was originally built in 1910, part of a traditional working farm. The site’s original farmhouse was replaced in 1921.
This 65 acre farmstead was purchased in 1972, and the first apple trees were planted just four years later.
In 1981, the first evolution of The Apple Barn was born.
The Apple Barn, as it exists today, retains its original black walnut and chestnut planks, as well as its stables and feeding rack.
Soon after opening, The Apple Barn expanded to include a Cider Mill and Cider Bar, featuring an interactive look at the apple pressing process, including samples.
The growing success of The Apple Barn inspired the 1986 construction of the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant within the walls of the six room farmhouse, and later, the Farmhouse Grill, today both renowned restaurants in Pigeon Forge, TN.
In 1995, The Apple Barn Winery opened, featuring a medley of apple and fruit inspired wines.
The Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge supplies the Cider Mill, Winery, and Restaurants with apples from its own orchard of well over 4,000 trees.
The orchard features over 10 varieties of apples, it’s most popular being the Mutsu or Crispin apple.
A visit to this most popular Pigeon Forge, TN restaurant is not complete without sampling a variety of apple inspired treats located around the grounds of The Apple Barn village. The Candy Apple & Chocolate Factory features homemade candy apples and other confections, while the Creamery churns its own special brand of apple infused ice cream, and bakes bread fresh every day. Homemade apple butter and apple cider can be purchased in The Apple Barn’s General Store, along with a variety of other unique gifts reflective of Smokey Mountain heritage, while the site’s Christmas Shop offers a selection of specialty holiday gifts. The Apple Barn Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN is a standalone attraction highlighted by numerous amenities inspired by the fruit that started it all.
