5 Fun Facts About the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is one of the most popular attractions in Pigeon Forge! Sitting in the heart of The Island, it provides visitors with a stunning view of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains. Read on to learn 5 fun facts about the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge:
1. You can see the Wheel from the peak of Clingmans Dome at night.
It’s impossible to miss the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at night as it lights up The Island, but did you know you can see the Wheel from the peak of Clingmans Dome? At night, the Wheel lights up with more than 1 million LED lights, which makes it visible from the peak of Clingmans Dome!
2. Can seat up to 340 people at one time.
If you see that the line for the wheel is long, don’t let that stop you from riding it! The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge can seat about 340 people at one time. It is made up of 42 all-glass gondolas. Each glass gondola can seat up to 8 guests with the exception of the VIP gondola, which seats 4. That means the whole family can enjoy the experience together!
3. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel took only 8 days to build.
You might think that the wheel took a while to perfect, but the truth is that it only took 8 days to build! The wheel is turned by 4 200-horsepower motors and can go up to 12.5 miles per hour. It first opened on June 21, 2013, and since then has provided visitors with an unparalleled view of the Smoky Mountains.
4. You can ride both during the day and at night.
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is open both during the day and at night! Ride both times for a completely different experience. During the day, you can see gorgeous views of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains, and at night you can see the city illuminated with twinkling lights! With so many fun things to keep you busy at The Island, we recommend getting a Day/Night Combo ticket and enjoying it both in the light and the dark.
5. It’s one of the tallest attractions in the Southeast.
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel in Pigeon Forge towers at 200 feet tall, making the observation wheel one of the tallest attractions in the Southeast. Its height is part of what makes it one of the best attractions to visit when you want a gorgeous view of the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge.
More About The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island in Pigeon Forge is your one stop for affordable family fun! The variety of shops, restaurants, rides, and fun will keep you entertained for hours. When you visit to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, enjoy everything else The Island has to offer as well. Watch The Island Show Fountains put on a dazzling performance of water dance and light, grab a bite to eat at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, or shop for souvenirs! You’ll never run out of things to do at The Island.
Get your tickets to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel from us at Visit My Smokies and save $2!
