Margaritaville for a Month: First Stop in Pigeon Forge
Packing Up
Packing for a month-long trip—especially one where we’d be working remotely—felt completely different than packing for a typical week-long vacation. We had to think beyond the usual travel essentials and consider what we’d actually need to live and work comfortably for a full month.
That meant bringing along work tech, of course, but also things we don’t normally pack—like favorite cookware, utensils, and seasonings. We knew we’d be balancing dining out with cooking at home, just like we do in everyday life.
And to fully lean into the Margaritaville vibe? We added a few tropical shirts to the wardrobe… and yes, we officially drank the Kool-Aid and bought Crocs.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
At last, it was time to hit the road.
Our first stop was Pigeon Forge, where we booked a night at the Margaritaville Island Inn. The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area has no shortage of Margaritaville properties—Island Inn, Island Hotel, Compass Hotel, Camp Margaritaville, and the resort over in Gatlinburg.
We arrived around 2 PM and headed straight to lunch at the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill at the Compass Hotel. We shared a large pretzel with stone-ground mustard and cheese sauce; Pat had shrimp, and I went with a grilled steak salad.
The Compass Hotel was brand new—just completed earlier in the year—so we took some time to walk the property. There was a covered outdoor bar area with comfortable seating, and just beyond that, a full resort-style pool setup with a zero-depth entry, waterslide, lazy river, and even a giant margarita glass feature.
Adirondack chairs were scattered throughout the lawn, along with a fire pit and outdoor games like cornhole and oversized Connect 4—perfect for relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere.
We were staying over at the Island Inn, located in an area known as The Island (appropriately named). It’s home to the Margaritaville restaurant and retail store—where we’d already picked up a fair share of souvenirs during our April trip—as well as a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, and attractions.
It was raining when we checked in, but the forecast showed it wouldn’t last long. We relaxed for a bit, then headed out anyway, grabbing a seat on the porch at the Margaritaville restaurant. Sitting dry in comfortable Polywood Adirondack chairs, listening to the light rain—it was actually a pretty perfect start.
Since we’d already had a late lunch, we focused on exploring and trying something fun I’d spotted while planning the trip: SkyFly: Soar America.
A Quick Detour: My Love of Motion Simulator Rides
I’ve loved motion simulator rides for as long as I can remember. My first experience was at Six Flags Great Adventure in the early 1980s. It wasn’t even a traditional ride—more like a dome theater where scenes were projected all around you while motion effects made you feel like you were flying, racing, or speeding through city streets.
It instantly became my favorite attraction.
That original experience eventually disappeared, but it was replaced with newer motion rides like The Right Stuff: Mach 1 Adventure, which recreated a 1940s Air Force base and flight experience. Over the years, those rides evolved—Dino Island, Escape from Dino Island, and even a Fright Fest attraction called Superstition all followed.
More recently, I’ve kept that interest alive with VR—using my Meta Quest for roller coaster simulators and immersive 180° and 360° videos.
Back to the Present: SkyFly
So there was no way I was passing up SkyFly.
This version added wind, mist, and even scent effects. Pat isn’t much of a ride person, but I promised him this one would be fun. He was skeptical—understandably, given my track record of convincing him to try rides—but he ended up enjoying it.
Afterward, we caught the light and music fountain show and wandered through the shops.
Pat surprised me by wanting to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel—the large Ferris wheel at The Island. Then I remembered how much he enjoyed the one in Myrtle Beach back in 2018. The nighttime view was beautiful, even with raindrops still clinging to the windows from earlier.
We headed back to the Island Inn for a good night’s rest—ready for the drive to our home away from home the next day.
Friday, June 13, 2025
We took a slower start the next morning, with 379 miles ahead of us to Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.
Breakfast at the hotel was excellent—a full buffet—and we took a little extra time to appreciate the décor, which fully embraced that relaxed Margaritaville tropical style.
The hotel also offered a discount at the St. Somewhere Spa, so I took advantage and booked a wonderfully relaxing massage. We even picked up some Margaritaville hand lotion on the way out.
Before leaving town, we made a stop at Byrd’s Famous Cookies (a must, from what I’d read) and grabbed a variety of cookies. Naturally, we also made one more stop at the Margaritaville store—because you can never have too much merch. Beach towels, a magnet, t-shirts, and a beautiful oversized ceramic coffee mug with a colorful parrot and tropical scene all made their way into the car.
We didn’t want to arrive too late, so we hit the road. The drive south was smooth and uneventful.
But the arrival? That felt different.
This time, we weren’t just visiting.
We had a lease.
For a month, we were residents.
Our names had already been provided by Rich, the cottage owner, and we pulled in early evening—right next door to Alan and Carie.
We were neighbors.
Dinner was simple at the B&C, followed by some time next door catching up before turning in.
Our month-long Margaritaville adventure had officially begun.
🔗 Related Links
- Finding Our Own Margaritaville: A Road Trip Story That Changed Us
- The Trip That Started It All: Car Camping to Margaritaville
- What’s Not to Love? The Next Chapter in Our Margaritaville Story
- Back to Margaritaville: How a One-Week Trip Turned Into a Month-Long Stay
- Margaritaville for a Month: First Stop in Pigeon Forge
- COMING SOON:
- Living the Good Life at Margaritaville: Food, Friends, and Everyday Moments
- Day trips to Savannah, Charleston, Beaufort, and more
- The road trip stops along the way
- And how the music became part of the story
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