Great Smoky Mountains

Known for its mix of big attractions, outdoor adventure and family-friendly entertainment, Pigeon Forge is one of the most visited destinations in the Smoky Mountains. This city in east Tennessee offers lots of fun that will fill your vacation schedule, from theme parks and museums to nature tours, shopping and live shows. Many attractions are built with families in mind, making it simple to find activities for everyone. Here are some of the top things to do, see, eat and experience in Pigeon Forge! What to Do + Experience in Pigeon Forge Dollywood When you think of Pigeon Forge, the first word that usually comes to mind is Dollywood. This theme park in the Smoky Mountains has something for every member of the family: rides and roller coasters, shows, food (get the cinnamon bread!) and seasonal events, like the Flower & Food Festival in the spring and the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival during the holidays. Owned in part by Dolly Parton, the park also features Appalachian culture and music, plus many interactive exhibits that tell Dolly Parton's story from childhood until today. During the summer months, Dollywood's Splash Country water park is open and ready to cool you down during a hot summer visit. And if you decide to extend your stay, there are two resorts on the campus to choose from: Dollywood's Heartsong Lodge & Resort, or Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa. Overall, Dollywood is a wholesome place to spend the day at one of the most visited family destinations in Pigeon Forge. Titanic Museum Attraction The Titanic Museum Attraction is where families can learn about the famous Titanic ship through interactive exhibits and real artifacts. Built to resemble the Titanic, the museum allows visitors to explore recreated rooms, touch iceberg-temperature water, and hear stories about passengers and crew members. Each guest receives a boarding pass tied to a real person from the ship, adding a personal element to the visit. Children can participate in hands-on activities while adults explore historical displays and photographs. After your visit, be sure to stop into the Titanic Ice Cream Shop for a cool treat! Pink Adventure Tours Experience the Smoky Mountains in a whole new way with Pink Adventure Tours, a guided outdoor tour company that help families explore together. Like the name suggests, guests ride in custom pink Jeep vehicles, while knowledgable guides share information about local history, wildlife and scenic areas around the national park. Tours range from easy scenic drives to more rugged off-road experiences, giving families several options based on comfort and age levels. Tours typically last anywhere between two and four hours, and they are a great way for everyone in the family to relax and take in the scenery. Ripley's Illusion Lab If you're looking for a way to change up your family's perspective, Ripley's Illusion Lab is that place! This interactive lab is where families can experience interactive exhibits focused on optical illusions, puzzles and visual effects. Walk through rooms that challenge your depth perception, create unusual photos, and test how your eyes and brain see images. Almost all of the exhibits have a hands-on element to them, so this place is especially fun for kids and teenagers. Plus, there are lots of selfie opportunities around every corner. Ripley’s Illusion Lab is a great option for an indoor activity for a rainy day, or when you want to take a break from outdoor sightseeing. Ride an Alpine Coaster Did you know: Pigeon Forge has some of the most alpine coasters in the United States? So this is a great place to feed your need for speed! Powered by gravity, an alpine coaster combines the features of a roller coaster and a bobsled track. Riders sit in individual carts attached to a track built along hillsides or mountains. Because you can control the speed of the coaster, they are a fun and not-too-fast ride for even the youngest of thrill seekers. Two places where you can experience an alpine coaster is at Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, which features the longest alpine coaster in the U.S., and Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, where you can race side-by-side on the only dual-track mountain coaster in Pigeon Forge. Go Shopping Pigeon Forge is a great place to indulge in some retail therapy, and has multiple places that you can visit that combine shopping, dining and entertainment. The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops is an outdoor shopping and entertainment area that offers activities for both kids and adults. Families can browse stores (like Jewelry Love, pictured below), eat at restaurants, and relax in open gathering spaces while spending time along the Parkway. One of the main attractions is the Mountain Monster, which includes thrill rides such as a drop tower and swing ride for older children and teens. The Island in Pigeon Forge is another popular shopping and entertainment complex. Visitors can ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a large observation wheel with views of the area, or enjoy smaller rides and arcade-style games. The Island also includes fountains with scheduled water shows, live music, and places to sit and relax. What to Eat + Where to Dine Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction For an unforgettably fun dining experience, mosey on over to Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction, which combines food and live entertainment. Guests can enjoy a four-course feast while watching talented riders, cute horses and bison, musical productions, and stunts all taking place in an arena. The show is Southern hospitality combined with fun special effects and comedy, and is fun for all ages. There's one country-style menu that's served to everyone (including a whole rotisserie game hen for each person!), plus soup and a biscuit, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and a slice of cake for dessert. Contrary to what some people might think, you do NOT have to eat completely with your hands -- you are provided with utensils! Sawyer's Farmhouse With two locations -- one in Pigeon Forge and one in nearby Wears Valley -- Sawyer's Farmhouse is a great place to fuel up on a big breakfast before starting your adventures. The menu features family favorites like pancakes, Belgian waffles, crepes and breakfast platters, as well as homemade syrups (be sure to try their peanut butter syrup!). Gluten-free options are also available. Frizzle Chicken Cafe Come for the great breakfast and lunch menu, but stay for the animatronic chickens that will serenade you every 15 minutes. Frizzle Chicken Cafe is a must-visit if you're looking for a fun restaurant that families with kids of all ages can enjoy. The restaurant serves Southern favorites, such as biscuits and gravy, pancakes, omelets, fried chicken and sandwiches. But the main attraction is the group of chickens -- with clever names like HENifer Aniston and Elvis PresLAY -- that sing songs throughout the day, keeping kids entertained while families eat. You'll be laughing and clucking throughout your meal! West By God CoalFired Pizza Ask a Pigeon Forge local to name the best pizza in the area, and you will probably hear West By God CoalFired Pizza mentioned multiple times. Known for its authentic coal-fired pizzas, the restaurant features crispy yet chewy crusts and creative pizza flavors, like pistachio pesto or The Rock Lake, which features bacon, bacon jam and pineapple. Inside the restaurant is Country Roads Axe Co, so you can try your hand at axe-throwing in between bites of delicious food. Where to Stay Hearthside Cabin Rentals There are multiple accommodation options in Pigeon Forge. But if you're visiting with a large family or group, one of the best ways to stay in the Smoky Mountains is at a Hearthside Cabin Rentals property. The company offers a range of vacation cabin rentals, from smaller units to larger multi-bedroom cabins that can fit extended families. One of their largest properties is the Grand LeConte Lodge, with 21 bedrooms, two gourmet kitchens, a 57-seat movie theater, a video arcade, a private indoor swimming pool, and even an elevator. Staying at a cabin is a great choice for families who want to control the narrative of their stay in Pigeon Forge.

Great Smoky Mountains

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