What-To-Do Issue 1 2024-2025 - Magazine - Page 87
Come see the birds! Hundreds of birds in exotic
colors - bright red, royal blue, vivid green, brilliant
yellow, soft pink, sparkling white, and shiny black. See
over 180 species of tropical birds, including the giant
macaws from Central and Southern American with
their three foot wingspan. They will be the first birds
to greet you as you drive up to Parrot Mountain and
Garden of Eden, located in Pigeon Forge just down
the road from Dollywood.
Walk up the stone stairs, modeled after Thomas
Kinkade’s Stairway to Paradise, and you will enter
a magical oasis. Not only are the gardens beautiful with flowering seasonal and exotic plants and
bushes, but the Smoky Mountain foothills peek
through the hardwood trees. And everywhere are
birds: birds on perches, birds in cottage style houses,
birds in the free-flying Magic Garden, and birds in the
elevated jungle-like Bird Walk.
Plaques give information about each species of
bird, such as their country of origin and feeding habits. You’ll see black-headed Caiques from northern
Africa, Golden Conures from Brazil, the Grand Ecletus
Parrot from Australia, South American Toucans
of Fruitloop fame, and Moluccan Cockatoos from
Indonesia. One light pink Cockatoo named George
will greet you saying “I love you!”
Spend some time interacting with the birds.
They will respond. They are as curious about you as
you are about them. You can touch, feed, and hold
the birds in the Parrot Garden. Have your picture
taken with a bird sitting on your shoulder and
share your experience with your friends back home.
Offer seeds and nuts to a rare purple Hyacinth
Macaw, the largest of all parrots. Stop in at the
Lory Aviary, where the rainbow-colored Lorikeets,
among the smallest of parrots, will walk down
your arm to drink nectar out of cups you hold. The
friendly Lorikeets are a particular favorite of children of all ages. You can even purchase a baby bird
from the nursery at Parrot Mountain to take home
with you.
This amazing family friendly attraction has
a unique history. Owners Fletcher and Isabel
Hollingsworth came to Pigeon Forge as the result
of a vision. According to Fletcher, he was to build
a glorious garden with thousands of flowers and
fill it with beautiful birds. They opened their bird
sanctuary in 2002. It is a testament to the glory of
God’s creation and includes a prayer garden. Parrot
Mountain and Garden of Eden has repeatedly
been named the #1 attraction in Pigeon Forge by
Trip Advisor.
Stay for lunch as they have delicious food at
their gourmet Deli. Groups are welcome. For more
information, visit ParrotMountainAndGardens.com.
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