The 10 Best Cultural Hotels in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Large white pines frame a view of the Great Smoky Mountains from this Gatlinburg B&B, while a wildflower meadow below the inn completes the picture. Less than a mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Buckhorn Inn affords visitors easy access to all activities and attractions in the area, including hiking, arts and crafts and musical theater. Boasting four-course gourmet dinners, a comfortable library and complete workout facilities, Buckhorn Inn offers elegance and charm as one of east Tennessee’s classic country inns.

Take a walk alongside Little Pigeon River and you’ll find this aptly-named inn. While a little bigger than the others on this list, the Inn on the River is home to 128 newly renovated rooms with balconies overlooking the water. Downstairs, you’ll find an outdoor pool plus a daily complimentary breakfast bar. The Inn is family friendly and within striking distance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood.

Named after the family who lived at the property for 140 years, the Foxtrot Bed and Breakfast, now owned by Bob and Shirley Price, offers a quiet and comfortable retreat tucked away among the trees. The Foxtrot is situated high above the Gallatin Valley, giving guests an uninterrupted view of the entire park. The breakfast is decadent, the lunch is incredible – and large – and the rooms come with free Netflix and an abundance of baked goods to boot.

Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn and Cottages, run out of a 10,000sq ft (929sq m) Victorian-style farmhouse, has 12 guest rooms and five romantic cottages featuring fireplaces, handmade heirloom quilts, antique furniture, historic photos, original artwork and bed-side Jacuzzis. The view is a mix of valleys, rolling hills and mountains. When admiring the blue mist that rises from deep within the valleys, it’s no surprise why Norman and Sarah Ball chose to build their inn on the family’s 60-acre (24ha) farm at the top of a hill. Soak up the romantic surroundings or hide away amongst the cozy rooms at this resort that’s famous for its baked Blue Mist Cream Cake.

Smokies Bed and Breakfast is the most quaint place to stay in the area. With only two rooms – each complete with wood-burning fireplaces – the inn is a comfortable and unusual place to enjoy the sights of Pigeon Forge. Smokies is off the beaten track, but still close to the heart of Pigeon Forge itself and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This spot lets you enjoy birds singing in the morning air from the comfort of a fluffy featherbed.

Hippensteal’s Mountain View Inn is an 11-bedroom inn designed, built, and decorated, by Vern and Lisa Hippensteal. The black-and-white tiled floor of the lobby and ambient lighting makes any visitor feel like they’ve stepped back into the past, while the large porches tempt them to relax in rocking chairs and enjoy majestic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Each of the bedrooms is decorated around a painting by Vern, one of the area’s leading watercolorists, which gives them each a unique character. Known for its breakfast, which includes sausage pie and cheese soufflé, Hippensteal Mountain View Inn offers the feel of quieter, smaller Gatlinburg.

Quail Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast looks, and feels, like a luxurious mountain cabin with all the comforts of home. It is quaint and refined, offering the option of solitude in the privacy and comfort of your own room or the opportunity to socialize in the welcoming great room. Quail Ridge Inn is in a peaceful, wooded area, close to hiking trails and Pigeon Forge’s numerous attractions. There are plenty of attractions to keep you occupied during the day and they are all easily accessible from the Quail Ridge Inn – the staff will even go out of their way to inform you about local businesses and events in the area. Visit in fall to watch the fog lift from the hollows as the sun rises.

Laurel Springs Lodge is a renovated, historic, 1930s’ Smoky Mountain bed and breakfast just two blocks off the main parkway and overlooking the west branch of the Little Pigeon River. Laurel Springs Lodge embodies the quaint, quiet ambiance that’s characteristic of this Smoky Mountain area. Despite its commitment to refined tradition, you won’t be lacking any modern amenities here. Enjoy the covered gazebo or take a stroll to the trolley stop and head downtown for some local flavor.

With miles of private mountain trails perfect for horseback riding, a rustic mountain ranch-style escape awaits at Twin Valley Bed and Breakfast. The ranch experience is the focus at Twin Valley – there are goats, a llama, feathered friends and even a donkey named Monty. Dog- and horse-owners can take advantage of guest paddocks and the pet-friendly Luke’s Cabin. Try to come in summer when you can enjoy the trails at their best, and make sure to make time for a picnic in a meadow or a splash in the mountain streams.

Creekwalk Inn is a unique log cabin, featuring large timbers and cathedral ceilings in every guest room. Delicious, farm-fresh food served from the local area is something to look forward to, as well as gourmet tea and coffee. This is the ultimate destination for hiking enthusiasts, as the owner, Janice Haynes, is familiar with over 800mi (1,284km) of the hiking trails surrounding the inn. Tell her whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk among the flowers or a strenuous fitness challenge and she’ll send you on your way with a map and an anecdote!