The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge is a working gristmill beside the Little Pigeon River, with shops, restaurants and demonstrations around Old Mill Square. For family activities in Pigeon Forge, this historic site offers a look at a mill that dates to 1830.
- Historic mill beside the Little Pigeon River
- Working gristmill using 19th-century hydropower technology
- Seasonal guided tours of the mill and surrounding area
- Restaurants, shops and daily pottery demonstrations
The mill and its place in Pigeon Forge
The Old Mill is a historic, working gristmill that has stood beside the Little Pigeon River since 1830. The Pigeon Forge tourism bureau says it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inside the mill, visitors can see how 19th-century hydropower technology is used to grind flour and meal. That working process gives the site a direct connection to the town’s past, alongside its present-day shops and dining.
What to see around Old Mill Square
Old Mill Square brings together the mill, demonstrations, shops and dining in one area. You can watch pottery demonstrations, which the site says are held daily, and see candy and jelly being made.
The historic mill and the surrounding area also have guided tours in season. Tour operations are seasonal, so check the official site before you go for current details.
Shops and food at Old Mill Square
Old Mill Square has two restaurants, the Creamery and six shopping destinations, according to the site’s visitor information. The Old Mill Restaurant and Pottery House Cafe are among the dining options named in its accessibility guidance.
Visitors can also get free Old Forge Distillery tastings if they are 21 or older. Check with the site before planning around food-making demonstrations or tastings, since offerings can change.
Access, parking and visit timing
The Old Mill says free guest parking is available in front of its restaurants and shops. Pottery House Cafe guests can also use additional parking on Butler Street, off Old Mill Avenue; overflow and paid parking are available near the site, including in Patriot Park and off Old Mill Street.
The property and its businesses are accessible to guests with disabilities, though walkways made of concrete, brick and stone may be bumpy. Designated accessible parking spaces are near entrances and ramps.
The Old Mill Restaurant has a multilevel ramp, an elevator from the parking level to the foyer and a lift to its first-level dining room; restrooms are on the entry level. Both Pottery House Cafe entrances are at ground level, with parking near each entrance.
Shops have entrances at ground level or level with the walkways, and Old Forge Distillery has a ramp. The first floor of the historic mill is accessible to tour guests, but there is no lift or assistance to the second floor. Only service animals are allowed inside the restaurants and shops.
For tours, admission is $8 for guests ages 11 and up, $4 for ages 6–10 and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are bought on the tour day at the Old Mill General Store, and prices and schedules may change. Check the official site before you go.
Pairing The Old Mill with nearby Pigeon Forge stops
Patriot Park, the Pigeon Forge Trolley system’s main hub, is a short walk from the Old Mill, and The Island in Pigeon Forge is another local attraction to consider.
If you’re comparing town-center stops, The Island in Pigeon Forge is another local attraction to consider.
For a Pigeon Forge base, this Super 8 by Wyndham Pigeon Forge Downtown hotel offers a place to plan your town-center stops.
The Old Mill is at 175 Old Mill Avenue in Pigeon Forge.
For a trip between towns, the route from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg is a separate outing to plan.
FAQs
Is The Old Mill still a working mill?
Yes. It uses 19th-century hydropower technology to grind flour and meal.
Are tours available year-round?
Guided tours operate in season. The historic mill’s first floor is accessible to tour guests, but there is no lift or assistance to the second floor.
Is parking available at The Old Mill?
Free guest parking is available in front of the restaurants and shops. Overflow and paid parking can be found nearby, including in Patriot Park and off Old Mill Street.