Pigeon Forge is a great place to take the family for a vacation. There are many great attractions to entertain both kids and parents, from exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to visiting Dollywood, an amusement park founded by country music legend Dolly Parton. Pigeon Forge also offers a variety of other attractions, including live shows, go-kart tracks, and museums. Families will find plenty to do on vacation.
Here are 15 fun family activities to do while you’re in Pigeon Forge.
1. Book A UTV Rental With ExoRent
The first thing that many families do is book a UTV rental to explore Pigeon Forge in a street legal, family friendly way. This is a unique experience due to the quality of the UTVs available and the many places you can travel in style. Contact us and we’ll help you plan your next adventure!
2. Take A Scenic Drive Down The Parkway
The 11-mile stretch of road is lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. The Parkway is the main drag through Pigeon Forge. There are many scenic overlooks where you can stop and take in the view. This is an enjoyable way to take in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city.
3. Visit Dollywood
Dollywood is the number one reason why people visit Pigeon Forge.This world-renowned theme park is a must-visit for families. With rides, shows, and eateries, there is something for everyone at Dollywood. The park features more than 40 rides, including roller coasters, water rides, and family-friendly rides.
When the weather’s hot, splash around at Dollywood’s Splash Country. If you’re looking to cool off on a hot day, Dollywood’s Splash Country is the perfect place to go, boasting more than 25 water slides and rides. There’s something for everyone at Dollywood.
There are also live shows featuring country music and bluegrass performers, as well as a variety of food options.
4. See A Show
Pigeon Forge is known for its live entertainment. There are many shows to choose from, ranging from country music to Broadway musicals. Experience tribute shows, including Elvis and Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show, The Hatfields and McCoys, comedies, murder mysteries, and the iconic Patty Waszak Show, the longest-running variety show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Patty first performed in Pigeon Forge in 2002!)
5. Check Out The Most Popular Local Spots
There are many places in Pigeon Forge that are unique to the area such as:
- Old Mill Square is one of the country’s best destinations for big and small families. Stop in the Old Mill Restaurant or Pottery House Cafe & Grille for a bite to eat. The Old Mill Creamery is the place to get a scoop of ice cream. Old Mill Square is one of the country’s best destinations for big and small families. Pick up a souvenir at the General Store, Farmhouse Kitchen, Candy Kitchen, or Toy Bin. Pigeon River Pottery has been making pottery for over 70 years.
- Visit The Island: The Island is a shopping complex that features restaurants, shops, a carousel, an aquarium, and a Ferris wheel. There’s also a fountain show set to music that runs every hour, Arcade City, 7D Dark Ride Adventure to name a few!
6. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Pigeon Forge is nestled among the Smoky Mountains, so there are plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors hiking, biking or just picnicking. See exotic animals at Cades Cove Wildlife Tour. Cades Cove Wildlife Tour offers visitors the opportunity to see deer, bears, turkeys, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
7. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Discover a world of strange and wonderful sea creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is an 80,000 square-foot facility that houses more than 10,000 exotic sea creatures.
The kids will love seeing all the different fish and sea creatures up close. It’s an underwater adventure the whole family will enjoy.
8. Play Miniature Golf
Pigeon Forge is the place to be for fun family activities. One of our favorite things to do is mini golf! There are so many mini golf courses in Pigeon Forge, you’ll never run out of options. You can choose from indoor or outdoor courses. If you’re looking for a fun activity with your kids, this is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. Your kids will love it, and so will you.
9. Go Go-Karting
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your family while you’re in Pigeon Forge, look no further than go-kart racing. There are several tracks around town where you can race your family, friends, and even the kids. You can race indoor electric karts or outdoor gas-powered karts depending on your preference and the weather. Don’t miss out on an activity that everyone, from kids to adults, loves!
10. Visit Nearby Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a nearby town (about 8 miles away) that is full of fun things to do. There are shops, restaurants, and attractions galore in Gatlinburg. Take a ride on the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. This aerial tramway takes passengers up 2 miles to an observation deck where they can take in sweeping views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains. Explore Ober Gatlinburg-an amusement park and ski resort that offers something for everyone in your family. During ski season, you’ll find slopes for beginners and experienced skiers alike.
11. Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park combines a high-energy show with the chance to experience the adventure for yourself. With this combo package, you’ll have the chance to watch a group of talented athletes compete in a lumberjack feud, doing everything from chopping wood to log rolling. Plus, you will have a chance to enjoy various self-guided courses that include ziplining, ropes, and tree climbing. The themed adventure area surrounds Lumberjack Square, where there are a variety of food and shopping options for your group to explore while hanging out at the Adventure Park for the day.
12. Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Experience
At Rocky Top Mountain Coaster, you can take a ride on a sled through the Great Smoky Mountains. Zip through the beautiful forest landscape and take in the mountain scenery while you ride. Navigate several twists, turns, and drops through the lush forest landscape and enjoy a fun ride through the mountains at night when it’s lit up! Control your cart with hand brakes, feel the wind in your hair while you ride and experience the mountains in a different way!
13. Pigeon Forge Wineries, Distilleries, & Breweries
Wineries
Pigeon Forge wineries offer visitors a chance to unwind and take in the stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. When you visit Pigeon Forge, be sure to stop by one of these wonderful wineries and sample local wine, delicious food, and the beauty that is Tennessee.
- Apple Barn Winery
- Mountain Valley Winery
- MIll Bridge Winery
- Hillside Winery
- Currahee Vineyards and Winery
- Cades Cove Cellars
Distilleries
Moonshine is an unaged corn whiskey that was traditionally made by the light of the moon in the mountains of East Tennessee. Moonshine became illegal during Prohibition and remained so until 2009, when a change in state law legalized its sale. Today, you can taste moonshine at a number of distilleries that have opened in the Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains area. Here are six distilleries you can visit during your stay.
- Ole Smoky Moonshine
- Old Forge Distillery
- Sugarlands Distilling Co.
- Tennessee Shine Company
- Tennessee Legend Distillery
- Old Tennessee Distilling Co (formerly Thunder Road Distillery)
Breweries
If beer is more your speed, we’ve got you covered, too! The growth of craft beer and small breweries brings beer-lovers the opportunity to taste a myriad of fantastic brews and this is as true in the Pigeon Forge area as anywhere else. You can head out on a quest to find your favorite East Tennessee beer while vacationing in Pigeon Forge. Here are six breweries to visit:
- Pigeon Forge Brewing Company
- Yee-Haw Brewing
- Smoky Mountain Brewery
- Gatlinburg Brewing Company
- Schulz Bräu Brewing Company
- Crafty Bastard Brewery
14. Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is one of the most exciting things to do in Tennessee. It’s located inside a full-scale replica of the ship, with more than 400 artifacts from the actual vessel. A costumed staff member accompanies you through the experience, just as they would have done if you were a passenger on board. You can learn about the people who were actually on board and really get to know what life was like for them during this tragic voyage. You can even touch an iceberg and see how cold 28 degrees Fahrenheit really feels!
15. Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a fun place to visit in Pigeon Forge with your family. The museum features many celebrities in lifelike wax figures, including Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne, as well as more recent additions like Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway and many more. Be sure to bring your camera so you can capture memories of this unique attraction.
PRO TIP: Whatever you choose to do in Pigeon Forge, be sure to travel in style with a UTV Rental from ExoRent. Pigeon Forge is a great place to explore in a street legal, family friendly UTV. Click here to book your UTV online or call us with any questions.
As you can tell, Pigeon Forge is a great place for a family vacation because there are so many things to do that everyone will enjoy. There’s something for everyone here and we look forward to seeing you soon!