You might remember we did a story on Dolly Parton’s Dollywood themepark at Pigeon Forge a few days ago, well we found another great attraction at Pigeon Forge- The world’s largest private collection of Elvis memorabilia. Founder Mike Moon has been collecting Elvis stuff since the king himself gave him a belt. The museum is jam packed full of great Elvis memories, theres cars, clothing, jewellery even Elvis’s guns and a orange toilet seat cover which Elvis once owned. The guy has everything, he even has his swim trunks and a set of Elvis’ bibles and encyclopedias and even some bottles of his aftershave and cologne plus his final set of sunglasses and even his last tube of toothpaste. There’s hours of kitsch fun here and guess what the exhibition has a great gift shop where you can buy your very own Elvis memorabilia. The Elvis Museum is at 2638 Parkway, Pigeon Forge in Tennessee.
In the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee USA at Pigeon Forge lies one of America’s best family theme parks, Dollywood. Owned by country music superstar Dolly Parton the family friendly park has over 125 acres of rides and attractions, shops, dining and a whole array of music and entertainment. One of the highlights of the park is the magnificent Dollywood Express steam train. This authentic 110 ton coal fired steam engine takes visitors on an amazing five mile journey through the foothills of the great Smokey Mountains and into the adjoining farmland. Here visitors can see some of the USA’s most scenic countryside and even see a critter or two. For visitors planning a trip to Dollywood in the warmer months you better plan a couple more days because Dollywood’s Splash County theme park has just opened next door to Dollywood and is becoming one of the region’s biggest hits.
Jack Daniels is a American as apple pie and is also the country’s oldest distillery beginning way back in 1866. Producing sour mash Tennessee Whiskey which is loved all around the world. The tiny town of Lynchburg in Tennessee is home to the distillery and has under 400 residents. The distillery has a fantastic tour of their facilities which includes a guided tour of the slow process to produce this fine whiskey which is made from cave spring water and sour mash then charcoal mellowed in special oak barrels. Tours take a little over an hour and start every 15 minutes between 9 and 4. They operate every day except some holidays. Interestingly the county is a dry county and no liquor can be purchased but the White Rabbit Bottle Shop is just down the road and they have some great Jack Daniel’s merchandise to purchase.
Its hard to believe but the King of Rock and Roll Elvis died 30 years ago today at his Graceland estate in Memphis Tennessee USA. Today Graceland has been transformed into a lasting memorial to the King, tours of the house where he lived and loved are available where you can see the famous jungle room, Elvis’s den, kitchen even his fridge. The huge complex also features museums shops and other somewhat kitsch attractions and for something really special you can get married at the Chapel in the Woods which is Graceland’s own Chapel a perfect setting for an Elvis inspired wedding. The chapel like much of the huge complex was built after the King left the building and some might say they are really only cashing in on the Elvis legend, but its all fun and it sort of suits the style of Elvis. Opposite the Graceland mansion is a magnificent collection of Elvis’s possessions including many of his automobiles and motorbikes. His custom jets the Lisa Marie and the Hounddog II are also on display. There are of course plenty of his stage costumes including his glasses and those amazing jump suits, and guess what there’s plenty of gift shops where you can buy some interesting Elvis merchandise including Elvis Cookbooks, photos, DVDS, key rings, you name it you will find it. Read the rest of this entry »
