I visited the Great Smokey Mountains NP last year, which meant a good deal of driving through Pigeon Forge. That was the most plastic feeling place I’ve ever been in. Zero shred of authenticity. Most tourist traps, I find if you go off the main strips, explore the fringes, you can find something authentic (including nearby Gatlinburg). Nope, not with Pigeon Forge. The fucking Buc-ees up the road off the interstate felt more real than Pigeon Forge.

(Townsend was nice though, that had some nice local flavors and a cool little railroad museum)