Reading Time: 9 minutes Things To Do In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (From A Family Who Visited!)
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As a family based in St. Louis, we’ve fallen in love with the charm and excitement of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
A couple of years ago, we went on a cousin’s trip to Pigeon Forge. It was an unforgettable vacation in a beautiful mountain town.
Very quickly Pigeon Forge became a favorite destination. This summer, we’re planning another trip to immerse ourselves in everything this amazing place has to offer. We plan to spend most of our time at Dollywood.
Join us as we share the best of Pigeon Forge and share tips for a fantastic visit!
Table of Contents
Entertainment in Pigeon Forge
The best thing about this town is that it also offers live musical numbers, jaw-dropping acrobatics, magic shows, and concerts in many of its theatres.
Since Christmas is around the corner, multiple theatres will open up for tourists. The theaters offer various musical variety shows to celebrate the holiday spirit.
The fun doesn’t end here. One of the most successful shows is held at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge. You can bring your family and kids and enjoy a night filled with laughter and astounding magic tricks.
Traveling can be exhausting, and watching a movie to relax for a while is a good idea, especially when Pigeon Forge offers its tourists enjoyable movie theatres. Just because you are on vacation does not mean you have to miss out on the newly released movies you’ve been anticipating. When in Pigeon Forge, Google movie theatres near me to find the best options.
Amusement Parks
The adrenaline rush and the cool breeze hitting your face will be the best parts of a rollercoaster this vacation. Let’s dive into the amusement parks that Pigeon Forge has to offer:
Dollywood
This amusement park by the famous singer, Dolly Parton, has one of the best rollercoasters in Tennessee. Not only that, but it also has a water park.
Your kids can enjoy the day splashing around the pool using the slides and splash pads. That will be a fun day for the kids while the adults can sit back and relax.
Related:
- Dollywood Insider: How to Experience More for Less
- The Best Silver Dollar City Review And Discount From A Family Of Five!
Smoky Mountains Alpine Coaster
This experience will be different from the rest. Surrounded by green trees and scenic beauty, this ride is one you can’t forget. What is so different about it is that it allows you to control and manage the speed as per your liking.
For example, you can prefer to slow it down if kids are on board. On the other hand, for an instant adrenaline rush, you can crank it up to the highest speed.
Parrot Mountain And Gardens
Parrot Mountain and Gardens is a four-acre haven of landscaped gardens positioned right across the street from the famed Dollywood theme park.
This wonderful outdoor attraction allows visitors to spot hundreds of tropical birds and observe thousands of flowers, plants, and trees in bloom.
The destination is open for most of the year, from March till December, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Outdoor Gravity Park
This park offers multiple track options for a unique Zorbing experience every time. Zorbing is rolling downhill in a giant 11-foot inflatable ball. It was invented in New Zealand.
The minimum age requirement is five years or older. Some tracks allow up to three people to ride together in one inflatable ball.
Dollywood’s Splash Country
Dollywood’s Splash Country is the place to be during the hot summer months. Though it is open seasonally, the water park is worth the cost of admission.
This Tennessee destination is a great place to cool off. It features multiple slides, a giant wave pool, a long lazy river, and other notable attractions.
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
Riders will have incredible views of Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tickets for ages 12+ are $15 per person, and children ages 3-11 are $10 per person. Discounts are available for groups, military members, and senior citizens.
The Island
Pigeon Forge is best known for its entertainment, shopping, and dining experiences. It provides you with a lot of options to have a good time. You can spend the day at the arcade with your kids or ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
You can enjoy the view overlooking the beautiful mountains two hundred feet above the ground. If you plan to visit this town, add “the Island” to your bucket list.
The island remains top-tier for its shopping experiences. When you return, you will undoubtedly want to bring souvenirs or gifts for your friends and family. If you plan to splurge, Pigeon Forge is the right place.
The island offers more than 60 retail and specialty stores, famous for their souvenirs and holiday shopping. The hustle and bustle around Christmas Eve is a sight to behold. The island is decorated with bright Christmas lights, and you can walk through giant Christmas trees that are sure to amaze you.
Big Top Arcade
Another favorite at the Island is the Big Top Arcade. This arcade has new and classic games that adults and children will love.
You can find Big Top Arcade to the left of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
Pigeon Forge Snow
Indoor tubing all year long? Yes, you can do it! Pigeon Forge Snow offers visitors an hour of tubing, thirty minutes of snow play, or a combination of the two.
Everyone can play in the snow, but guests who wish to play on the tubing hill must be at least 38 inches tall.
Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark
Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark is the place to be for the ultimate outdoor experience. Visitors can take on the tubing challenge, go wild with axe-throwing, and enjoy a heart-pumping ride aboard the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster.
The tubing hill is outfitted with snow in winter and a sliding mat for summer tubing, plus there’s even a playground area where kids can release their extra energy!
The Track Family Fun Park
The Track Family Fun Park has something for everyone in the family! Kids of all sizes will find rides tailored to their height in Kid Country, while older children can have a blast with Blaster Boats, Bumper Cars and Go-karts.
And when the whole family needs a break, there’s an indoor arcade and mini golf for even more fun.
Pink Jeep Tours
Tour the Smoky Mountains differently by taking an open-air Pink Jeep Tour. Tours can take visitors through the Great Smoky Mountains, on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, or to see Christmas lights.
World’s Largest Titanic Museum
Honoring the RMS Titanic, Pigeon Forge has the world’s largest Titanic museum. Featuring more than 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers, the Titanic Museum gives visitors a personal look at one of history’s most famous sailing tragedies.
Visit Alcatraz!
Alcatraz East Crime Museum stands along the main parkway next to the island. It offers a two-story experience packed with over 100 interactive exhibits that explore criminal profiles, the penal system, crime prevention, victims’ stories, and more.
General admission is open to those aged 8+ – additional audio tours, “Top Detective Challenge” and “The Heist” experiences come as add-ons to entry. Visitors also get the option of a VIP route, including admission plus extras.
The Old Mill
With its ancient history, the Old Mill is a must-see. This mill produced clothing for Union soldiers during the Civil War and was a makeshift hospital.
With its rich history, it has been listed as a historic place. In addition, with its colonial building structures, the site gives off a cultural vibe.
What’s more to love about this place is its hospitality and delicious food. You can also avail yourself of a complimentary wine tasting at the Mill Bridge Winery. So, make sure that you stop by!
The Escape Game
The Escape Game has several locations across the US, including Pigeon Forge.
Teams work together to solve puzzles and unlock clues to solve a crime or break out of one. Escape games can be pricey, but it is worth it because of their friendly staff, clean facilities, and interactive games.
Pirate’s Voyage or Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, might be the dinner show capital of the country. If not, it is close. Pirate’s Voyage and Dolly Parton’s Stampede are two of the best shows in town.
The food and shows are different. However, the quality of the shows and food is virtually the same.
Little Pigeon River
As the name suggests, this river is not very large but attracts many tourists. The main reason is a natural beauty it is surrounded by. This river is a perfect spot for families. It is safe, and you can also take your kids fishing.
Catch a trout or two to make your dinner at night. Moreover, you can also rent out a tube for water sports and let your kids splash around and have the day of their lives.
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Tasting
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Tasting Room can be found on the island, inviting guests aged 21+ to sample their range of moonshine flavors for just $5 per taste.
After tasting, you can purchase some of the moonshine and Ole Smoky merchandise.
This is a great way to cap off a visit to Tennessee! It’s what we did.
Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride
Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride is a classic Pigeon Forge staple. It’s cheesy and fun and not very expensive compared to other area attractions.
The ride features animatronic dinosaurs that “pop up” during a dark boat ride through the jungle. While not scary for older children or adults, it may be too frightening for young children who can’t tell the difference between reality and animatronics.
MagiQuest
MagiQuest is an entertaining indoor attraction. Combining “spell” casting, riddle solving, and other fun challenges, MagiQuest is a massive hit with older children and adults.
Inside the building, they also have a laser maze, mirror maze, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Save a few dollars on your total cost by purchasing admission to all of the activities.
SkyFly Soar America
Before arriving at the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, check out SkyFly Soar America. The ride theater suspends guests in the air while their feet dangle, and they take in scenes from across the United States.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The national park is famous for its diversity of plants and animal life. The view is as outstanding in the winter as in the summer, and the trails are open throughout the year.
The trails here offer everything, be it hiking, cycling, or a simple jog. Moreover, you can also camp overnight and enjoy a night under the stars. Remember to visit the waterfall nearby when you are on a hike.
Kid-friendly trails are also available if you plan on coming with your family. Remember to keep a trail map with you to stay aware of your location.
There is ample parking for most of the hiking routes, however, depending on the season of your visit and your arrival time, you may have to walk a way to start your hike. We lucked out on our visit and timed our hikes early enough that we were able to get nearby parking.
Traffic in and out of the park also backs up quickly. So while your drive may only be a couple of miles, it may take an hour or more due to traffic.
Expect Traffic In Pigeon Forge
Ok, one thing we hated was the traffic. Navigating traffic in Pigeon Forge, especially during peak seasons and holidays, can be a challenge. When we visited a couple of years ago, we quickly learned some tricks to avoid the worst of it.
Traveling early in the morning or later in the evening helped us dodge the heaviest traffic. We also discovered that using back roads like Teaster Lane and Veterans Boulevard, which run parallel to the main Parkway, saved us a lot of time.
Staying in accommodations close to the attractions allowed us to walk or take short drives, minimizing our time in traffic. Additionally, the Pigeon Forge Trolley system proved to be an affordable and convenient way to get around without the hassle of driving and parking.
Planning activities wisely, like visiting Dollywood as soon as the park opens, helps avoid the midday rush.
Final Thoughts
Pigeon Forge is a fantastic place to spend your vacation, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The natural beauty is captivating and leaves you wishing the vacation doesn’t end, so give this place a try! It offers luxury accommodations without burning a hole in your wallet.
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