A Fall Cabin Weekend in Pigeon Forge

Thursday: Buc-ee’s, the cabin, and Golden Tee

We clocked out at 4, packed quickly, and picked up my mom and the kid. Buc-ee’s became the dinner stop, where we ordered brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and turkey by the pound before continuing toward the cabin.

Once we arrived, we settled into the woodsy surroundings, spread out the food, and ended the night with a competitive round of Golden Tee. It was an easy beginning that immediately made the trip feel like a vacation.

Friday morning: Breakfast and The Island

We got up early and headed to The Island, a place we had not visited in a long time. Breakfast at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen came family-style and included peppered bacon, piggies in a blanket, scrambled eggs, hashbrown casserole, biscuits, and gravy. It was enough food to make us feel as though we had barely made a dent.

We walked around The Island until our 11:45 escape-room reservation. A moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky filled part of the wait, although the low-proof samples did not feel worth the price to us.

The Gold Rush escape room started slowly—we needed a few hints before everything clicked—but we found our rhythm and escaped in 46 minutes. That was easily one of the most satisfying parts of the day.

Friday afternoon: Junction 35, golf, and a long wait for pizza

We explored the shops and games around Junction 35, sampled more spirits, and tried sweet tea before returning to the cabin around 3.

My brother-in-law and I squeezed in nine holes at Creekside. The course had some rough spots, but it worked for a quick round. Dinner came from Tennessee Pizza Company. The wait stretched well beyond the expected pickup time, but the pizza itself was good enough to soften the frustration.

Back at the cabin, Golden Tee settled the remaining arguments for the night.

Saturday: Crafts, Old Mill Square, and the meal of the trip

The morning started in the hot tub before we headed to the craft tent at Patriot Park. Vendors formed a circle around the tent with handmade items and plenty to browse.

We walked over to the Old Mill area and looked through the kitchen store’s seasonings, sauces, and specialty foods. At Old Forge Distillery, a five-dollar bar tasting included peach-habanero whiskey—the sweet heat made it the most memorable sample of the stop.

Lunch brought us back to Junction 35. I ordered a smoked tequila Old Fashioned while the table filled with Brussels sprouts, a smoked bologna sandwich, BBQ nachos, a fried green tomato sandwich, and BBQ fries. This was the food stop that justified a return visit.

After another round of tea and tastings, we chose an early finish and spent the rest of Saturday relaxing at the cabin.

Sunday: One crowded stop on the way home

Our last morning followed the usual pattern: pack up, make one or two stops, and start home. Buc-ee’s supplied cheap gas and breakfast, but it was packed. Getting back onto the main road took close to half an hour, and the runny breakfast eggs still were not for me.