Things to do in Pigeon Forge
Summer vacation is filled with road trips, cook outs, and family time. Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are very popular family vacation destinations with a number of attractions and things to do. And it is closer than you think! Less than 5 hours away from Atlanta, Charlotte, Birmingham, Cincinnati, and Nashville the area is perfect for your next family vacation! As the kiddos get ready to finish the school year and you are planning your next family vacation, here are the top things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN!
1. visit the Island
The Island is Pigeon Forge’s one stop for affordable family fun! There are more than sixty retail stores, numerous restaurants, rides, and games. Day or night, there is so much fun to be had at The Island. Make sure you set aside some time to sit by the dancing fountain or catch one of the bands that play at Ole Smoky. The best part about it? So much is free, including parking. Make sure you take a ride on the Smoky Mountain Wheel for great views of the Smokies!
2. Check out the Alcatraz east Crime Museum
After you spend some time at The Island, you can hop on over for a bit of crime history. The Alcatraz East Crime Museum is full of really cool artifacts, ranging from Piracy roots and the wild west to modern day movie sets and present day crimes. There are 20 different exhibit areas covering pop culture, crime scene investigation, history of American crime, and crime fighting. You can even see the infamous white Bronco from the OJ car chase.
3. Spend a day at Dollywood
The Smoky Mountains are Dolly Parton country and Dollywood is no different! The theme park ranks among the best, year after year, for its shows, food, special events, and rides. If you are a thrill ride lover, you will have a blast on roller coasters like Wild Eagle, Drop Line, and Lightning Rod!
If you are like me and roller coasters aren’t your thing, fear not! There are plenty of shows and other rides to check out. Dolly fanatic or not, you are sure to have a great time at Dollywood!
Save time and get your tickets ahead of time: Buy Your Dollywood Tickets Here
4. Soak up the sun at Dollywood’s splash Country Waterpark
Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark is a great way to get out of the summer heat! The waterpark has an amazing lazy river that is perfect for some mountain relaxation! And don’t think that Splash Country is just slides and rides, there are plenty of places to sit a spell, relax, or enjoy a lunch.
5. Rent a cabin
The magic of the mountains and staying in a cabin is part of the experience! Whether it is a family vacation or just a quick weekend getaway, renting a cabin will make your vacation incredibility memorable. You can sit on the patio and take in the amazing mountain views as you drink your coffee in the morning and maybe light the fireplace or fire pit if its a chilly summer night.
Check out some of these awesome deals with Mountain Laurel Chalets! Just click the offer to book your cabin stay!
Book 3 nights and Get 4th night FREE at Mountain Laurel Chalets : Book Your Cabin Stay HERE
6. Explore Science at Wonderworks
WonderWorks will demand your attention the moment you see the building! And the moment you walk inside your mind will be engaged with more than 150 interactive exhibits. This indoor amusement park combines education and entertainment covering natural disasters, physical challenges, space discovery, imagination, and a far out gallery. Just make sure you wear close toed shoes, though!
6. Gain Speed on a mountain coaster!
This is one thrill ride you can control! As you zip through the mountains, you are in control of how fast you go. There are a number of mountain and alpine coasters in town, so there are plenty of options for you to choose from! If you are feeling extra adventurous, why not try out a few?
7. Mountain Valley Winery Tour
Get a behind the scenes and informative tour of the wine making process at Mountain Valley Winery, the largest of about two dozen wineries in Tennessee. With free daily wine tours and wine tastings, you will get a chance to try more than a dozen wines all of which are made with local vineyard grown grapes.
8. Stop by a Moonshine Distillery
Moonshine and East Tennessee go hand in hand! With numerous moonshineries all over the area, you can sip your way through Moonshine history. If you are feeling adding a little extra fun to the mix, download the Tennessee Whiskey Trail App and visit more than one!
9. Do dinner and a show
Dinner shows are a great way to get more bang for your buck. Pigeon Forge has a bunch of options from huge arenas to intimate settings and every story line imaginable. Here are some of our favorites for you to check out.
Dolly Parton’s Celebration, a Spectacular Dinner Show : Book Your Tickets HERE
Joseph, the Story of Jesus at Biblical Times Theater : Book Your Tickets HERE
Heaven’s Heroes at Biblical Times Theater : Book Your Tickets HERE
Murder Mystery Dinner Show : Book Your Tickets HERE
Dolly Parton’s Stampede : Book Your Tickets HERE
10. Spend sometime at the old mill Historic district
The Old Mill district is centered around the Old Mill of Pigeon Forge which was built in 1830! There are a number of shops and restaurants along the rivers edge so it is easy to spend a whole afternoon there. With its close proximity to Patriot Park, it is a popular location for special events. If you head over to Pottery House Cafe, give the peanut butter pie a try and grab a cup of the loaded potato soup!
Thanks for the excellent guide