When staying at Cherokee Lodge Condos, you are conveniently just one mile from the premier entertainment destination in the Smokies known as the Island! This massive complex features over 60 retail and specialty shops, as well as popular restaurants such as Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen and Margaritaville. The Island is also home to several fantastic attractions to appeal to guests of all ages! Check out these top attractions to enjoy at the Island in Pigeon Forge:
1. Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
For a fantastic bird’s eye view of Pigeon Forge, climb aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at the Island! This 200 foot tall Ferris wheel rests at the foot of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is one of the tallest attractions in the southeast United States. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel opened in 2013 and is the centerpiece at the Island, providing riders with a spectacular view of the Smokies. The comfortable gondolas seat up to 8 guests and feature large glass windows so that you can easily look out in every direction.
2. The Island Fountain Show
While exploring the Island, you can’t miss the incredible state-of-the-art Island Fountain Show! This show features a mesmerizing presentation of light and water dance that is perfectly choreographed to 14 pieces of music. The fountain contains over 89 vertical nozzles to create the movement while 6 motion-based nozzles swirl water sprays to the music. Finally, a geyser nozzle sprays a massive burst of water 60 feet into the air! The fountain shows take place daily from 10 AM to 11:30 PM, running about every 30 minutes starting at the top of each hour.
3. The Island Ropes Course
Whether you are a kid or a kid at heart, you will love climbing along the Island Ropes Course! There are actually two courses available, the Sky Tykes course for guests less than 48” and the three-story Sky Trail course for anyone over 42” tall. The Sky Tykes is perfect for children as it offers a challenge that is a bit closer to the ground where parents can walk along for encouragement. The Sky Trail course contains 30 different elements, zip lines and even a simulated free fall called the Quick Jump! The courses are completely safe as participants are secured in a harness attached to a sling line and a certified employee is always on the course.
4. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
For a unique glimpse into a fascinating aspect of American history, step into the Alcatraz East Crime Museum located right outside The Island in Pigeon Forge! This museum features 20 exhibit areas highlighting five themes: History of American Crime, Consequences of Crime, CSI, Crime Fighting, and Counterfeit and Pop Culture. Kids will love participating in the Top Detective Challenge, Jail Cell Escape, Modern Police Shooting Range and the Heist Laser Maze! There are also several interesting artifacts at the museum, including the famous OJ Simpson Bronco.
Check out our 2 and 3 bedroom condo units today to stay near all of the action at the Island in Pigeon Forge! We look forward to seeing you at Cherokee Lodge Condos!
