The best things to do in Pigeon Forge cover everything, from the fun amuseument parks to the interesting museums and stunning national wonders; the region offers something for everyone.
Pigeon Forge is a charming mountain town located in Eastern Tennessee, popular with families and those that love the outdoors. Just a short drive from Knoxville, it serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
Due to many visiting Dollywood, Pigon Forge is popular with families; not only can you visit the amuseument park but you can enjoy the vibrant entertainment complexes like The Island, and a variety of dinner shows, museums, and outdoor adventures.
The town’s blend of natural beauty, Southern hospitality, and a wide range of activities makes it a beloved destination for both families and travelers seeking a mix of relaxation and excitement in a picturesque setting.
Best Things to do in Pigeon Forge
1. Dollywood
Dollywood is the premier attraction in Pigeon Forge, offering a unique blend of thrilling rides, live entertainment, and Southern hospitality. The park is nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains and features themed areas reflecting the culture and history of the region.
Visitors can enjoy the many rides in Dollywood, with roller coasters like the Lightning Rod, family-friendly shows, and traditional crafts.
During seasonal events like the Smoky Mountain Christmas, the park transforms into a festive wonderland, making it a must-visit destination year-round.
2. The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island is a vibrant entertainment complex offering a wide array of attractions for all ages. The centerpiece is The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot Ferris wheel providing stunning views of the area.
The area also features shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, including the dancing fountains and live music, making it a great place to stay near and spend an evening in.
3. Titanic Museum
Step back in time at the Titanic Museum, where visitors can explore more than 400 artifacts from the ill-fated ship.
The museum is shaped like the Titanic itself and offers an immersive experience, allowing guests to feel like they are aboard the historic liner.
Highlights include walking the Grand Staircase, touching a real iceberg, and experiencing what it was like to be in the cold Atlantic waters. This educational attraction is both poignant and fascinating, making it a top choice for history buffs.
4. Dollywood’s Splash Country
For a day of water-filled fun, Dollywood’s Splash Country is the place to be. This sprawling water park offers a variety of attractions, including thrilling water slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool.
The park is designed to cater to all ages, with areas specifically for younger children and plenty of shaded spots for relaxation. With its Smoky Mountain-themed environment and high-quality facilities, Splash Country is perfect for beating the summer heat.
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Just a short drive from Pigeon Forge, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
The park offers numerous hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and breathtaking vistas. Popular activities include exploring Cades Cove, hiking to Clingmans Dome, and enjoying the beauty of waterfalls like Laurel Falls.
The park is open year-round and offers something special in every season, from wildflower blooms in spring to vibrant foliage in fall.
6. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
The Alcatraz East Crime Museum offers a deep dive into the world of crime and punishment in America. With exhibits ranging from the history of crime to modern forensics, the museum provides an engaging and educational experience.
Visitors can see artifacts like Al Capone’s rosary, a John Dillinger death mask, and even O.J. Simpson’s white Ford Bronco. The interactive exhibits, such as a CSI lab, make this museum a hit with both adults and older children.
7. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest downhill ride in the United States, offering an exhilarating experience through the picturesque mountains.
Riders control the speed of their descent, making it as thrilling or as leisurely as they desire. The coaster operates year-round, providing unique experiences depending on the season, from lush greenery in summer to sparkling snow in winter.
8. WonderWorks
WonderWorks is an interactive science museum housed in an upside-down building, instantly recognizable from the outside and another one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge.
Inside, the attraction features over 100 hands-on exhibits that combine education and entertainment. Highlights include an indoor ropes course, a 4D motion ride, and the Space Zone, where visitors can experience zero gravity.
9. Parrot Mountain and Gardens
Parrot Mountain and Gardens is a serene attraction where visitors can interact with a wide variety of tropical birds in a beautiful garden setting. The park is home to colorful parrots, toucans, and other exotic species, many of which can be hand-fed by guests.
The gardens themselves are lush and well-maintained, creating a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of other Pigeon Forge attractions.
10. Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
Experience a uniquely Southern dinner show at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, where you’ll enjoy a hearty meal while watching a comedic retelling of the famous family feud.
The show features singing, dancing, acrobatics, and a variety of stunts, all set in a rustic, country-themed theater. The all-you-can-eat meal includes Southern favorites like fried chicken, pulled pork, and cornbread, ensuring you’re well-fed while being thoroughly entertained.
11. Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum brings the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to Pigeon Forge, with lifelike wax figures of celebrities. Visitors can pose with stars like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and modern icons like Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.
The museum also offers interactive exhibits, such as a mini-golf course and a mirror maze. It’s a fun and quirky attraction that’s perfect for pop culture enthusiasts and families.
12. Old Mill Square
Old Mill Square is a charming historic area centered around the Old Mill, one of the oldest continually operating gristmills in the country. The square features a variety of shops, restaurants, and craft stores, all housed in quaint, historic buildings.
Visitors can watch pottery being made, sample fudge from the candy store, or enjoy a meal at the Old Mill Restaurant, which serves Southern comfort food.
13. Goats on the Roof
Goats on the Roof is one of Pigeon Forge’s most unique attractions, where, as the name suggests, goats live on the roof of the building. You can feed the goats using a special pulley system and then explore the quirky gift shop filled with souvenirs and novelty items.
The attraction also features a gem mining station and a mountain coaster for added fun; making this one of the fun things to do in Pigeon Forge, especially for those with children.
14. The Track Family Fun Park
The Track Family Fun Park offers a variety of activities that cater to both kids and adults. The park’s main attractions include go-kart tracks, mini-golf courses, and thrill rides like the SkyFlyer and Blaster Boats.
For younger children, there’s a Kid’s Country area with smaller rides and activities.
15. MagiQuest
MagiQuest is an interactive adventure game where visitors use magic wands to complete quests and solve puzzles in a fantasy-themed environment. This popular things to do in Pigeon Forge combines elements of a scavenger hunt with role-playing games, offering an immersive experience that’s both challenging and fun.
MagiQuest is particularly popular with children and teens, but adults can also enjoy the engaging gameplay. It’s a unique and entertaining way to spend a few hours in Pigeon Forge.
16. Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Stampede is a dinner show that combines delicious food with high-energy entertainment. The show features a friendly competition between two sides, complete with horseback riding stunts, musical performances, and plenty of audience participation. The meal is a hearty Southern feast, served in courses throughout the show.
The Stampede is a must-see for fans of Dolly Parton and those looking for a uniquely Pigeon Forge experience.
17. Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
The Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is one of the newest and most exciting attractions in Pigeon Forge, offering a thrilling ride through the mountains. The coaster features multiple drops, twists, and turns, with riders controlling their speed as they navigate the track.
The experience is enhanced by the beautiful mountain scenery and the option to ride at night, when the track is illuminated with colorful lights. It’s a perfect adventure for thrill-seekers.
18. Pigeon Forge Snow
Pigeon Forge Snow is America’s first indoor snow park, providing year-round snow fun regardless of the weather outside. You can enjoy snow tubing down one of the park’s lanes or play in the snow-covered play area. The snow is made from 100% real water, ensuring an authentic winter experience without the cold temperatures.
It’s a great option for families, offering a unique and enjoyable way to escape the summer heat or experience winter fun in any season.
19. Crave Golf Club
Crave Golf Club is a candy-themed mini-golf course that’s fun for the whole family. The course features colorful and imaginative obstacles, with two different 19-hole courses to choose from—one indoor and one on the rooftop.
Crave also offers escape rooms and a candy store filled with sweet treats, making it a perfect stop for anyone with a sweet tooth.
20. Mountain Valley Winery
Mountain Valley Winery offers a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge’s more fast-paced attractions. Adults can enjoy free wine tastings, tour the winemaking facilities, and shop for a variety of locally-produced wines.
The winery specializes in sweet fruit wines, but also offers a selection of dry and semi-dry options. It’s a perfect stop for wine lovers looking to experience the local flavors of Tennessee.
21. Pirate Voyage Dinner and Show
Another one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge is the Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show.
Set in a pirate-themed arena, the show features acrobatic stunts, sword fights, and impressive special effects as two pirate crews battle for treasure on land, sea, and in the air.
The immersive experience is enhanced by a four-course meal that includes Southern-style dishes like fried chicken, creamy vegetable soup, and a sweet dessert.
22. TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena
TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena in Pigeon Forge is an adrenaline-filled adventure park that offers a variety of activities for all ages and is the perfect family-friendly thing to do in Pigeon Forge.\The facility features massive trampoline areas where visitors can jump, flip, and play dodgeball, as well as a ninja warrior course that challenges agility and strength.
23. Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show
When looking at the best things to do in Pigeon Forge, you will notice plenty of dinner shows. Another option os the lumberjack Feud; which features two logger teams competing in a series of thrilling events, including axe throwing, log rolling, and speed climbing.
24. Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
For one of the more relaxing things to do in Pigeon Forge, head to the Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay mini-golf couse. Set in a fantastical world of pirates and mermaids, the course is intricately themed, with each hole featuring elaborate sets, vibrant colors, and interactive elements.
25. Wears Farm City Park
Wears Farm City Park in Pigeon Forge is a peaceful, family-friendly park that offers a welcome escape from the bustling attractions of the town.
Spread over 40 acres, the park includes plenty of walking trails, picnic areas, and multiple playgrounds for children, making this one of the ideal things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids.
26. The Tomb
We always love an escape room experience and The Tomb is a unique option, with visitors becoming archaeologists.
Set within an ancient Egyptian tomb, the attraction challenges participants to solve puzzles, decipher hieroglyphics, and navigate through hidden chambers to escape before time runs out.
27. Big Top Arcade
Looking for something to do to escape the heat or rain (depending on the time of your visit)? The Big Top Arcade in Pigeon Forge is a vibrant, circus-themed entertainment center that offers a fun and exciting experience for visitors of all ages.
The arcade features a wide variety of games, from classic favorites like skee-ball and air hockey to the latest video games and interactive attractions. Players can earn tickets from the games, which can be redeemed for a range of prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the experience.
28. Legacy Mountain Ziplines
For one of the more exhiliarting things to do in Pigeon Forge, check out the Legacy Mountain Ziplines.
With seven ziplines spanning over 4.5 miles, including some of the longest and highest in the area, participants can experience the thrill of flying at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
The course provides breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys, and forests, making it not only a heart-pounding activity but also a scenic journey through nature.
29. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Just a short drive from Pigeon Forge, the Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies is a world-class aquarium and one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge.
The aquarium features a variety of exhibits, including the mesmerizing Shark Lagoon, where visitors can walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, rays, and other marine life.
Interactive exhibits, such as the Penguin Playhouse and the hands-on Touch a Ray Bay, allow guests to get up close with some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures.
Helpful Resources
Travel essentials:
- We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
- For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs.
- We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first).
- This is our favourite travel insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offer year coverage.
What to pack
- No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizers and a mini first aid kit.
- We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage.
- We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips.
- I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like these and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.
We value and appreciate all our readers and supporters. If you wish to support ThemePark247 then please use our Amazon affiliate for your next purchase, it doesn’t cost you anything extra but we make a small commission, allowing us to continue building this website and sharing our love of travel with you.
