Best Pigeon Forge Attractions for Families
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One of the best things about Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the sheer number of high quality attractions for families. With amazing entertainment for kids of all ages, and easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this little city is sometimes called the "family fun capital of the Smokies." In this article find our list of the best Pigeon Forge attractions for families.
PIGEON FORGE ADVENTURES
THE MANY PIGEON FORGE ATTRACTIONS FOR FAMILIES
There is always something to do in Pigeon Forge, TN. There are theme parks, arcades, adventure rides, dinner theaters, comedy clubs, live music, and tons of shopping opportunities. Add to that, the town’s many festivals and the action never stops. Best of all, almost everything qualifies as family-style fun.
The main road through town is the Pigeon Forge Parkway (aka “The Strip”). The Parkway is laid out in one long 6-lane, 5-mile road. In the blocks behind the strip, there are several large attractions like Dollywood, Parrot Mountain, and the Island at Pigeon Forge.
Most visitors will utilize a car or the trolley to get around. Although the strip layout lacks the charm of small town, it does make it easier to find everything and there is always plenty of parking.
PIGEON FORGE THINGS TO DO
BEST TIME TO VISIT PIGEON FORGE
Pigeon Forge TN is a year-round resort town. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are cool with occasional snow. Most outdoor attractions remain open throughout the year. Indoor attractions offer AC in the summer, and heat in the winter. July, August, peak foliage weeks, and the holiday season are the most crowded times of the year.
For pleasant weather and fewer crowds, we think the best time to visit Pigeon Forge is during the spring and fall (April, May, June, September, and October (excluding peak foliage and school vacation weeks).
BEST HOTELS IN PIGEON FORGE
Most of the hotels in Pigeon Forge cater to families. Stay on ‘The Strip’ to be near all the action. Choose a hotel away from this area for a quieter Smoky Mountains feel. The following hotels offer amenities popular with multigenerational travelers:
Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa - Luxurious family resort at Dollywood
Margaritaville Island Hotel - Tropical vibe at the Island at Pigeon Forge
The Inn at Christmas Place - Year round Christmas decor and landscaping
Riverstone Resort & Spa - Condos with a lazy river and spa
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
With its waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and mountainous terrain, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a huge vacation destination in eastern Tennessee. Running through the heart of Appalachia, the Sugarlands entrance to the park is only a 20 minute drive from Pigeon Forge.
Using Pigeon Forge as your home base in the region allows you to be close to all the great Pigeon Forge attractions for families, and many of the best things to do in the National Park. Pair a morning excursion in the park with an afternoon adventure in Pigeon Forge.
Try one of these tours:
TOP THINGS TO DO IN PIGEON FORGE TN FOR FAMILIES
The 25 activities featured on this list were chosen because of their appeal to a wide-range of ages. If we feel an attraction is more popular with one age group than another, we have highlighted that in the descriptions below.
Dollywood
Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park, Dollywood, is the most popular Pigeon Forge attraction. The park combines 49 thrill rides with a waterpark and hotel. There are top notch stage shows, fireworks, concerts, restaurants, and shopping. Everyone in the family will find something to love about Dollywood.
The Island at Pigeon Forge
The Island at Pigeon Forge is a day- and night-time entertainment complex. The area offers fabulous restaurants and shopping that mom and dad will adore. In addition, there are carnival rides, a rope course, and Jurassic Park Adventure that kids and teens can immerse in.
At the Island, everyone will enjoy the dancing fountains show and comfy Adirondack chairs in the square. Try this activity on the Island at Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge Escape Game.
Arcade City
Arcade City is a fun attraction at The Island at Pigeon Forge. At the gallery, try your hand at shooting hoops, playing high-tech arcade games, and other mechanical and VR games.
TRUSTED TRAVEL RESOURCES
WonderWorks
WonderWorks is four-story interactive museum that packs in 100 hands-on exhibits into six “wonder zones.” Families can work together to design their own rollercoaster, experience weightlessness, and generate bubbles large enough to stand in.
Hatfield and McCoys Dinner Show
This hilarious dinner show combines a traditional southern dinner with the antics of the “Hatfield and McCoys.” While you eat, enjoy country music, comedy, physical feats, and high-energy dancing. This long-running show is a perennial favorite.
Smoky Mountain Zip Line
Two miles from the Parkway, Smoky Mountain zip line offers 7 lines and 4,200 feet of cable. Fly through the trees canopy with unbeatable mountain views on a heart-pounding adventure. Best for older children, teens, and thrill-seekers of all ages.
Hollywood Wax Museum
A trip to the Hollywood Wax Museum is a terrific time. Inside the building are life-like wax figures of famous celebrities. Pose for selfies with the “stars” and a range of props for sidesplitting photographs. An all-access pass includes an additional laser-blaster game, hall of mirrors, and zombie-infested lab.
Click on this link for tickets to the Hollywood Wax Museum
Titanic Museum Attraction
It is fascinating and a little eerie to step inside a half-scale replica of the RMS Titanic. Wander through some 400,000 artifacts of the ship’s memorabilia. See personal items of the passengers, the Grand Staircase, captain’s wheel, a “Jack and Rose” movie exhibit, and a memorial to the passengers who died.
Dolly Parton Stampede
Be entertained while you’re eating dinner at the Dolly Parton Stampede. This one-of-a-kind dinner show combines a four-course feast with lots of music. The main event is an exciting horse competition that features riding stunts, fire, and an aerial performance. You can even meet the horses.
TRY A TENNESSEE ADVENTURE TOUR
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
Explore American crime history in over 100 interactive exhibits at the Alcatraz Crime Museum. Younger crime fighters can learn about pirates and the old west. Older detectives can study artifacts and learn about the lives and misdeeds of notorious criminals.
Ripley’s Super Fun Park
Ripley’s Super Fun Park is your one-stop destination for an adrenaline-pumping good time. Thrill on the outdoor go-kart track, get wet on the bumper blaster boats, and win tickets playing arcade games. There is also a carousel for those who like a chill ride.
Big Rock Dude Ranch
Horseback riding as a family in the Tennessee hills is an experience everyone will remember. Just minutes from the Parkway, enjoy the ranch’s mountain trails. For those who don’t want to ride there is a petting zoo, stocked fishing pond, gem mining, and picnic grounds.
The Old Mill
The Old Mill historic district is a charming southern shopping compound. Nestled around an historic 1830’s grist mill and restaurant, find an ice creamery, general store, iron works, toy bin, pottery studio and stores specializing in candy, vinegar, and other treats.
Lumber Jack Feud
Paula Deen’s Lumber Jack Feud features live action lumberjack feats, comedy acts, and country music. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat southern buffet and lots of crowd interaction with the lumberjack cast. Settle in for some axe throwing, pole racing, and log cutting competitions.
Click here for tickets to the Paula Deen Lumberjack Fued
MagiQuest
Embark upon an interactive treasure hunt at the huge MagiQuest castle. Working together, use virtual magic wands to solve puzzles and mazes as you wind your way through a series of high-tech fantasy games.
Click here for tickets to MagiQuest
Goats on the Roof Mountain Coaster
Ten minutes from town find an attraction unlike any other. See (and feed) live goats roaming around the rooftop of the building. After, enjoy a ride on a mountain coaster, gem mining, a candy store, and souvenir shop.
Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snow Park
At this year-round attraction, hop on a colorful tube for some winter and summer (!) snow tubing. Also, find a ski lift coaster, axe throwing, and other fun family activities.
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show
Enjoy an energetic pirate dinner show. Watch swashbucklers battle each other on dry land, over the water, and high in sails of pirate’s ships sailing in a lagoon. Good pirate fun.
Parrot Mountain & Gardens
Observe hundreds of tropical birds in a series of gardens at the Parrot Mountain and Gardens attraction. Meander through four acres of landscaped green space dotted with unique parrot “cottages.” See birds in flight, feed them, and relax in shaded spaces.
The Incredible Christmas Place
Enjoy Christmas all year long at The Incredible Christmas Place. Wander through seasonal decorations, shop for holiday merchandise, buy personalized gifts, and meet Santa.
The Track in Pigeon Forge
At this family recreation center find thrill rides and games for all ages. Play mini-golf or ride on go-karts, bumper cars, and blaster boats. There are kiddie rides for the little ones.
The Comedy Barn
Voted by fans as the “funniest show in town” many years running, visit the Comedy Barn for a side-splitting good time. The Barn offers a variety of shows at different price points and times.
Space Race
At the Space Race attraction find cosmic oriented adventures. Battle it out in a laser tag arena, play space-themed mini golf, ride go-karts, and enjoy virtual reality games.
Beyond the Lens
Take family photos in unique and unusual settings. At this interactive museum enjoy VR experiences, escape games, pop culture (Big Foot and red carpets), and amazing photo ops.
Fun Stop
At this game gallery, try the SkyScraper or Slingshot thrill rides. Soar like an eagle on the zipline, ride go-karts, and zone-out playing the many arcade games.
We hope you get to try all the attractions on our list of Pigeon Forge attractions for families, Laura and Randy
For more information on travel to the Great Smoky Mountains, read our travel blog posts on:
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