The effervescent Parrot Mountain and Gardens is located just outside Pigeon Forge and is a must for families, friends, locals, and visitors. The four acres harbor hundreds of tropical birds and thousands of trees, plants, and flowers. Guests are given the opportunity to interact directly with the beautifully plumed birds, petting and feeding them in the designated area. There is even a nursery where guests are welcome to hold the baby birds. Overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains is the deck, where lunch from the deli may be enjoyed while the birds serenade. A secret garden is lush with birds flying freely and pathways that display all of the gorgeous flowers.

This nature reserve offers plenty to entertain visitors, but its definitive highlight is the nightly parade of penguins returning ashore and heading to their sand dune homes at sunset after spending the day hunting for fish. Expect to sight anywhere between a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand penguins.

A half-day walking tour puts the spotlight on Parma's famous cuisine with stops at the locals’ favourite eateries and shops. Explore the city's main attractions and make stops for small bites and interesting stories from food vendors. Start with a visit to a traditional Prosciutteria and try Culatello di Zibello, Salame Felino, Coppa, Culaccia and Spalla Cruda. Next, explore the selection at a fresh pasta shop and taste different ageings of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese at a deli. Explore traditional bistros for a glass of exquisite wine. Try some street food from an old sandwich shop. Get a flakey dessert at a patisserie and finish with a refreshingly cool and creamy artisanal gelato.