Thursday, June 27, 2013

New Big Wheel Turns Over Pigeon Forge


I think it goes without saying that there are a lot of great places in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to get nice views of the surrounding mountains and landscape, but now there's an even better vantage point available: the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.

Standing an impressive 200 feet tall, the Wheel is a part of a new development named The Island in Pigeon Forge.  The retail, dining and entertainment center is located just off the busy Parkway that is lined with tourist attractions, though with that giant wheel towering over the area I don't think it will be hard to locate.

© The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Wheel has fully enclosed gondolas that seat up to eight people at a time - the fact that they are enclosed also allows them to be climate controlled.  A trip on the wheel includes four revolutions and lasts longer than your typical Ferris wheel due to its larger size.  Especially impressive at night, the Wheel is lit up with tons of LED lights that create a visual spectacle.

For those who really want to go all out, there is a VIP cabin available as well.  Seating only four passengers at a time, it includes plush leather seats and a special glass floor - that last part might make for quite a thrill for some riders!

The Island in Pigeon Forge also features a Carousel and plenty of shopping and dining, and is filling up fast with more tenants.  There are also plans for a large Las Vegas style fountain show as well, according to this article.  When completed it sounds like this could be a great place to stop by after a day at Dollywood!


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