Fall Fun At The Old Mill

There’s nothing quite like a cozy cabin getaway in November. The air is crisp, the trees are bursting with color, and the Smoky Mountains make the perfect backdrop for a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or a quiet escape with friends, here’s how to make the most of your cozy cabin stay this fall.

1. Settle In and Get Cozy

Start by creating that classic cabin atmosphere. Light a fire in the fireplace, curl up with a blanket, and enjoy a good book or conversation by the glow. Make use of the cabin’s amenities, play a round of pool or board games, watch a movie on the big screen, or soak in the private hot tub while taking in the cool autumn air. With a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor grill, you can cook up a hearty dinner and enjoy your meal on the deck surrounded by the beauty of fall.

2. Explore the Great Outdoors

When you’re ready to venture outside, take advantage of the season’s stunning scenery. Drive along scenic routes like Cades Cove Loop Road or the Blue Ridge Parkway for breathtaking views of fall foliage. Go for a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just start early to avoid crowds. You can also visit a local pumpkin patch, explore Gatlinburg’s charming downtown, or stop by the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival for crafts and seasonal fun.

3. Plan Ahead for a Perfect Trip

November is a busy month in the Smokies, so book your cabin and activities early. For a quieter experience, try visiting midweek instead of the weekend. And don’t forget to plan your meals and stock up on groceries before you arrive so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your autumn escape.

If you're ready to take the plunge or are just interested in where you should stay this fall click here for the best autumn cabins around.

When September becomes the month on the calendar, there are many things we look forward to that the atmosphere of the Smokies takes on to remember the past and bring them to the present - the Autumn colors are obvious as well as the pumpkins and corn stalks, but also the people who are the literal lifeblood of the Smoky Mountain Appalachian culture. The stores and town square that past represents this spirit and culture in Pigeon Forge is our wonderful Old Mill area - and we have two events coming up that perfectly exemplify the season!

The Old Mill Heritage Festival (September 22nd - 2018)

Want a full day of festival to get hyped up for Harvest Festival? The Old Mill Heritage Festival on September 22nd is just about as perfect a way to do that as possible! The square opens up and becomes the very spirit of Autumn with arts and crafts demonstrations, pumpkin painting, quilts and quilting, moonshine making, sorghum making, bluegrass music, traditional folk songs, clog dancers, square and line dancing, a petting zoo, a farmer's market and much more.

In between those items of festivity, you can see the many wonderful shops that keep the Old Mill as iconic now as it has been for decades. The Old Mill has a huge general store with gifts, clothes, kitchen items, cooking items, books, toys and more. It also has a huge pottery store where they make all kinds of high-quality items for all areas of the house, a hiking store, a VERY unique bookstore, a store for cat lovers, home decor, jewelry, patchwork, more kitchen goods, and southern cooking/baking items, ironworks, artworks... the list goes on. It's a day memories are made of and you can get more information on this day at http://oldmillheritageday.com/ and https://www.old-mill.com/.

The Rotary Club Craft Tent ( September 29th - Oct 27th - 2018)

Adjoining the Old Mill is one of our city parks with Patriot Park - a large, largely flat, riverside park where you can often find families and individuals riding bikes, feeding geese, fishing or playing any number of sports. Patriot Park, from September 29th to October 27th, adds another large attraction to the park with a can't-miss red and white tent. This is the Rotary Club Craft Trent and it is in its 39th year of being a fundamental tradition in Pigeon Forge's Harvest Festival!

Inside the craft tent is a bit like the Pigeon Forge version of the seasonal Craftsmen's Fair in Gatlinburg - many local arts and craftspeople gather together to showcase their wares and demonstrate their art while music performances and snacks are provided. You can expect Halloween decorations and Harvest Festival fare, but there's also fine crystal jewelry, Native American traditional items, hand-knit clothing, upcycled decor, wood carvings, and even Christmas shopping opportunities! See more on the Rotary Club Craft Fair.

If any of the fun the Old Mill has to offer sounds good to you, then take a look at our cabin selection and find the one that's closest and best accommodates your needs towards enjoying the Old Mill Harvest Festival events. We hope to see you soon!