Best Things to Do in Pigeon Forge TN
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Pigeon Forge is an energetic, endlessly evolving town full of attractions designed to entertain the entire family. If your idea of a great vacation involves theme parks and retail therapy, this Tennessee town delivers. Read on, for Randy and my list of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Sitting at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is chock-full of Appalachian hospitality and fun. The town is home to Dollywood, sing-along dinner shows, adventure rides (think zip lines and mountain coasters), and every type of outlet imaginable.
In this guide you’ll learn about the town’s location, weather, best time to visit, hotels, tours, and the top things to do in Pigeon Forge TN. Strap in, for a Smoky Mountain good time!
PIGEON FORGE THINGS TO DO
WHERE IS PIGEON FORGE TENNESSEE
Pigeon Forge is a resort town in eastern Tennessee (USA). It is located between the towns of Sevierville and Gatlinburg. The little city sits about 20 minutes from the Sugarlands entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The closest airport is McGhee Tyson in Knoxville (approximately 40 miles away).
The Pigeon Forge Parkway is laid out in one long 6-lane, 5-mile roadway with loads of traffic lights and turn-offs. “The Strip” is lined with stores, attractions (e.g., mini-golf, laser tag, escape rooms, and arcades), shows (e.g., dinner, country music, and lumberjack), and restaurants.
Beyond the Parkway there are several larger attractions like Dollywood, Parrot Mountain, and the Island at Pigeon Forge. A car is the most convenient way of getting around. There is a trolley that runs along The Strip (with a large parking lot by a transport center). On weekends, holidays, and in the summer, traffic is often bumper to bumper.
PIGEON FORGE WEATHER
Pigeon Forge TN has a subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid; July temperatures average around 86’F. Winters are cool with occasional snow; January temperatures vary between 27-50’F. It rains frequently; often in short bursts.
PIGEON FORGE ADVENTURES
BEST TIME TO VISIT PIGEON FORGE TN
Pigeon Forge is a year-round resort town. Even when the weather is rainy or cool, there are dozens of indoor attractions to keep vacationers busy. The town has a festive feel with the majority of businesses decorating for major holidays throughout the year.
For clear, dry weather and fewer crowds the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are a great time to visit Pigeon Forge (excluding peak foliage weeks).
BEST HOTELS IN PIGEON FORGE TN
Stay on ‘The Strip’ if you love lots of neon and a high-energy vibe. Choose a hotel a little further from town for a quieter Smoky Mountains feel. There are a wide range of accommodations in Pigeon Forge ranging from motels to amenity-rich resorts.
Try one of these well-reviewed Pigeon Forge resorts:
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
BEST THINGS TO DO IN PIGEON FORGE TN
There is so much to do in Pigeon Forge that mapping out a plan can feel overwhelming. In crafting our list of the top things to do in Pigeon Forge TN, Randy and I developed two main categories. Hopefully, this will help you organize.
The categories are:
Must-Visit locations: Dollywood, The Island at Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Pigeon Forge Attractions for Families: Activities, Tours, Shows, Adventure Rides, Shopping, and Being Outdoors
MUST-VISIT LOCATIONS IN PIGEON FORGE
Dollywood
Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park, is a one of a kind celebration of thrill rides, live music, shows, and shops – all with a fun southern flair. The theme park has over 40 rides with huge roller coasters. A water park features extreme slides. Throughout the park there is top notch entertainment with stage productions, fireworks, festivals, and Appalachian crafts.
On the Dollywood grounds there is a resort with luxury pools and amenities. Lastly, before you leave, take a walk through Dolly’s museum of costumes and memorabilia.
TRUSTED TRAVEL RESOURCES
The Island at Pigeon Forge
The Island at Pigeon Forge is a family-friendly destination equally fun in the day or at night. The complex is bustling hub of entertainment, eateries, and shops. The Island’s focal point is a 200’ Ferris Wheel with panoramic views. There are roving musicians, arcades, amusement rides, a Jurassic Dinosaur Adventure, and a dancing fountain show that plays every half hour.
Enjoy free parking and a shuttle to get to “The Island.” The complex is home to the Margarita Hotel and Restaurant as well as many other restaurants and distilleries offering (mostly) southern-style fare. There are lots of Adirondack chairs for relaxing and people watching.
Try this activity on the Island at Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge Escape Game: 60 minute adventure
The Old Mill Pigeon Forge TN
The Old Mill is a small neighborhood of restaurants and shops clustered around an historic grist mill. The 1830’s mill still produces flour and cornmeal. Around the mill, the district features southern fare and products. There is an ice creamery, general store, iron works, pottery studio and stores specializing in candy, vinegar, and other treats.
Everyone in your family will find something to love about a trip to the Old Mill.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, the epic scenic drives and hiking trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park make it the most visited US National Park. Running through the heart of Appalachia, entrance to the 500,000 acre park is only about 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge.
Don’t miss the Cades Cove and Roaring Forks motor roads. See Newfound Gap, Clingman’s Dome, Elkmont Ghost Town, and Laurel Falls on your Smoky Mountains adventure.
Try these tours:
BEST PIGEON FORGE ATTRACTIONS FOR FAMILIES
Activities
Many unusual, fascinating and fun attractions are found in Pigeon Forge. Here is a sampling:
Hollywood Wax Museum: Lifelike celebrity statues and a maze of mirrors
Goats on the Roof: Country store, ice cream shop, and petting farm with real goats on the roof
Titanic Museum Attraction: Ship artifacts housed in a Titanic-shaped museum
WonderWorks: Entertainment for the mind; over 100 hands-on brain challenges
MagiQuest: Solve puzzles and high tech fantasy games
Tours
For those who want to get out of town, engage a local guide to help make your dream adventure come true. From hiking and biking challenges to helicopter rides, distillery tours, and off-road trips there is a lot do in the mountains of Tennessee.
Try these tours:
Shows
Pigeon Forge is an entertainment mecca. On any given night find live variety shows, music, comedy, and dinner shows. Here is a sampling:
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Fued: Comedy, music, stunts, dancing, and dinner
Comedy Barn Theater: Comedy shows
Paula Deen Lumberjack Fued: Lumberjack competitions
Dolly Parton Stampede: 4-course meal with music and horse show
Pirates Voyage Dinner Show: Feast with skits, competitions, music, and magic
Grand American Opry: at the Grand Majestic Theater
Adventure Rides
It would be tough to find a location more saturated with adventure rides than Pigeon Forge (and neighboring Gatlinburg). A sampling of what the town has to offer includes:
Smoky Mountain Zipline: Guided canopy tours let visitors soar on lines up to 800’ long
Alpine Mountain Coaster: Coast downhill through forests and mountain terrain
East Tennessee ATV Guided Adventure: Off-road ATV adventures and tours
Rowdy Bear Snowpark: Year round snow tubing and mountain fun
Shopping
The entire 5-mile Pigeon Forge parkway is lined with stores. Shop boutique high-end outlets, national chains, and discount factory stores. Along the strip find souvenirs, crafts, gifts, clothing, tools, and more.
Here are a few of our favorite stores:
Christmas Place: the largest Christmas store in the south
Smoky Mountain Knife Shop: the largest knife store in the world
Stage West: western wear and boot store
Three Bears General Store: Largest gift shop in the Smokies
Smoky Mountain Outfitters: hiking gear and goods with a mountain theme
Outdoor Activities
Outside the borders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park there is a lot to do outdoors. Try some of these Pigeon Forge outdoor activities:
Parrot Mountain & Garden: Tropical bird park and lush gardens adorned with Bible verses
Crave Golf Club: Indoor and outdoor mini-golf and family fun
The Ripken Experience: State of the art baseball and softball facilities for training and games
Riverwalk Greenway: A quiet (and free) way to explore the beauty of Pigeon Forge
Get ready for the spectacle of Pigeon Forge, Laura and Randy
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