Margaritaville Restaurant - Pigeon Forge

We've eaten at Margaritaville probably six times now, and honestly, it's our go-to when we want to feel like we're on vacation without leaving the Smokies. The two-story setup at The Island is perfect — you can snag a table on the outdoor deck overlooking the Little Pigeon River and pretend you're in Key West instead of Tennessee.

The Cheeseburger in Paradise is exactly what you'd expect, but those Volcano Nachos are the real star. Seriously massive portion that'll feed four people easy, and they don't skimp on the toppings. We usually split them as an appetizer and still take half home. The margaritas are strong too — Shandi got the watermelon one last time and couldn't finish it.

Live music happens pretty regularly on both the indoor stage and the outdoor 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar area, which is clutch if you're trying to keep the kids entertained. The fire pit seating is perfect when it's not blazing hot outside. Just don't expect cheap eats — most entrees run $20-30, but the atmosphere makes up for it.

One thing though — parking at The Island can be a nightmare on weekends after 6pm. We've learned to either get there early for an early dinner or just accept the walk from the far garage. And fair warning, it gets loud when there's live music, so maybe not the best spot for a romantic anniversary dinner.

The retail store attached is dangerous if you're a Jimmy Buffett fan. They've got everything from blender cups to Hawaiian shirts, and it's open the same hours as the restaurant.