We have visited Pigeon Forge for years and thought we had seen almost all of the attractions, but we had never heard of Parrot Mountain. When I informed the kids we were visiting they asked, “Where is it?” Using the map from the brochure we were able to find it easily by keeping an eye out for the small signs by the side of the road. Upon arrival we were greeted by an amazing sight: lush flowers, exotic birds and a replica of Thomas Kinkaid’s Stairway to Paradise. We stopped to take pictures of the birds before we walked up the staircase to enter the garden and tried to say, “Hello!” to them.
The path begins in a secret garden nestled among the trees. We strolled through the woods, stopping by to see the exotic birds on their perches, talk to them and gaze at the birds in their cages. Amidst the trees we entered an enclosure with birds flying freely or sitting above us in the trees. It was fun to see birds behaving naturally with no fear of being around humans. Then came the piece de resistance! WE entered an area with over 70 birds sitting on perches that we were able to interact with and feed. I asked the kids if they wanted to feed the birds and they stared at me blankly. I dug around in my purse and gave everyone a quarter for their food and the fun began. The birds ate out of our hands, hopped up on our shoulders and called out to us to get our attention. I had never thought about birds having distinct personalities before. The kids got into the act and begged for more quarters to keep feeding the birds. We could have stayed in this area all day!
We also paid extra ($2 per person) to move into the Lory aviary and feed the birds a cup of nectar. It’s breathtaking to watch these birds land on our arms, hands and shoulders and sip nectar directly from the cup in our hands. Who knew that birds could be so fascinating? Another one of our favorite places to visit was the Bird Nursery. I have to admit I knew very little about birds. Ben, the nursery attendant, described characteristics and traits of the birds available for purchase, showed us where the birds were raised and patiently answered all of our questions. Although birds could be purchased in the nursery, there was no pressure to buy, just plenty of information and fun holding the birds. I was also impressed with how Parrot Mountain took in rescue birds and rehabilitated them.
My kids could have stayed at Parrot Mountain all afternoon. We are already planning to return on our next trip because the kids can’t wait to interact with the birds again. Be warned that Parrot Mountain is located on the side of a mountain. The parking lot is on an incline and the trails lead uphill. This is an attraction that requires comfy shoes and clothing for strolling along the paths. Parrot Mountain is open daily from March through November.
I have had bad things happen with all the Lorikeets! =)
So jealous. I’ve dreamed of going to this place for years.
I’d have a blast in there and I am certain the kids would too (once the youngest got over his initial fear of a bird landing on him…which I know he’d have at the start). 😉
I’d go here in a heartbeat and will give a try if we’re in that area.
Wow these are some gorgeous photos, I love them! Adorable parrots – I love birds so much and these are just so cute and colorful!
These parrots look like this is such a beautiful refuge for them. My kids’ aunt has a tropical bird and they love spending time with her.
Oh my goodness this is beautiful. I would so love to be here! I love birds but don’t want to own them, just visit. 🙂
Looks like a beautiful and spiritual place!
Oh wow your pictures speak for themselves, beautiful!
At first I thought that was too touristy (and let’s be honest, that’s total tourist stuff), but then I realized that I LOVE tourist stuff and I’d enjoy that place!
I’ll be honest, birds freak me out. But this place looks beautiful. Definitely someplace I’d love to visit with the kids.
My kids would love this place. I must check if we have anything similar close to us
These parrots are so beautiful I’m a bird lover so will have to go for a visit.
Oh I love stuff like this! I went to one in Florida once and one in S.C. It is so cool when the birds land on you! Great pics!
My son would love to visit there! He went to an aviary with grandma a year ago and still talks about it. I imagine that he would be mesmerized by this place.
That must have been a wonderful time. I would love to visit there some day.
Oh wow. That looks awesome. The birds are too cute. What fun.
What a beautiful place this is! I love it! Pictures turn out wonderful too… Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh, how fun!! That looks like a lot of fun feeding them and letting them sit on you!!! Too cute, and that looked like One BIG Pumpkin!!
That is a BEAUTIFUL place. I wouldn’t have thought it would be warm enough for the tropical-like birds. I will definitely check this place out next time I’m in the area.
Great review!!!
Those big parrots scare the heck out of me! But, it looks like a magical place to visit!!! I like the littler birds… I could hang out with them. 🙂
This looks like such a wonderful place to visit! I would just love to be able to feed those beautiful birds, looks like you all had a great time!
I didn’t know there was such a thing as Parrot Mountain. It looks like a beautiful place and a great way to spend the day with the family. I love feeding the birds like that it is really fun.
That looks like an incredible place! I love that you can get so up-close-and-personal with the birds! 🙂
I’ve never heard of Parrot Mountain, either, but that’s not surprising. I’m terrified of birds. So, if not for the parrots, I probably would enjoy that place LOL
Parrot Mountain is a place I would love to go myself. What beautiful birds and in such a beautiful setting. I would really like to be able to interact with the birds too. What a fun day.
That place looks amazing. There is a parrot store right down the street called Cape Cod Parrots, but they are all inside – nothing like this amazing set up!
What a beautiful place. The size of that pumpkin in your first pic is amazing! It sounds very familiar to me and I would definitely love to go visit some day. I’ll add it my bucket list! Thanks.