The Apple Barn is actually not in Pigeon Forge but in the closely neighboring town of Sevierville, the historic county seat. How close? Well, if you know how to throw a stone you know how to mark the dividing space between Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, as the city limits are divided by a bend in the Little Pigeon River, where the Parkway of Pigeon Forge turns into the Parkway of Sevierville.
Keep that stone handy because if you turn off Parkway to the west on Apple Valley Road, just a stone’s throw after you cross the river heading north, you find yourself in the Apple Barn enclave nestled along the river bank. This valley is replete with history, and thousands of apples trees in a working farm that yields a bounty of treats for the visitor.
Images courtesy of the Apple Barn
Part of a working farm from the beginning, the Apple Barn is the old cattle barn built in 2010, now hosting humans with a Cider Mill and Bar, along with a General Store selling preserves and many other delicious items. The old farmhouse was renovated into the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, which we’ve featured as the superb and very popular restaurant that it is, along with the later addition to the enclave of the Applewood Farmhouse Grill. You won’t go away hungry from a visit to the Apple Barn property!
The Apple Barn, ALMOST in Pigeon Forge
The Apple Barn itself was built from chestnut and English walnut trees that grew on the property, and everything about this complex today is just as authentic and native to the farm operation. Both restaurants offer a farm-to-table experience, and the outlying establishments offer a chance to observe the farm’s work in progress, such as apple butter being made, candy apples being hand dipped, old-fashioned stick candy being rolled out, or apple cider being squeezed.
The Apple Barn History offers a fascinating glimpse of steady and productive Appalachian hard work turning over the years into a prosperity that has come to be shared with thousands of visitors and locals alike. Today, kids can play along the riverbank while the family rests after a fabulous meal at either restaurant, but meanwhile, let’s go shopping!
What to do at the Apple Barn
The Apple Barn Cider House offers hard cider tastings for visitors, and a Cider Bar to relax and enjoy a glass, and maybe a fried apple pie (legendary and delicious!) or other snack. To one side is the Apple Barn General Store, where you can purchase all of the products available here, including of course the famous Apple Butter, and bags of dried apples straight from the farm.
Tot the other side are the Apple Barn Creamery and the Apple Barn Candy Shop, where the kids will become extremely interested in the farm-fresh ice creams and desserts in the old-fashioned soda fountain, and the hand-crafted sweets such as candied apples and caramel fudge. For a mellower taste, walk next door to the Apple Barn Winery, and sample and purchase apples and other fruit wines with a notable Tennessee taste.
And while you’re here in Applewood Valley, save a winter errand by visiting the year-round Christmas & Candle Shop, where it’s Christmas every day, and browse the huge variety of Christmas items for purchase. Candles are hand made on the premises, with over 30 fragrances, including the now familiar smell of crisp, fresh apples.
So that’s the tour of the Apple Barn, just a stone’s throw outside of Pigeon Forge, nestled in pretty much its own world along the riverbank. This is fun world to visit, and a great place to eat.
Useful Information
The Apple Barn and Cider Mill
230 Apple Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
Tel: (865) 453-9319
Web: applebarncidermill.com
