Exploring the Charm of Pigeon Forge, TN: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

If you follow me on Instagram you know that the kids and I took a family vacation last week to Pigeon Forge with my mom. We had an absolute BLAST. Many of you have asked for our itinerary and our favorite things we did along with tips and tricks. You will find all of that below. Enjoy and please let me know if you have any other questions after reading the post.

Huge THANK YOU to the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and the below businesses for hosting us! #MyPigeonForge

Nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Pigeon Forge is a charming destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, thrilling outdoor activities, and vibrant entertainment. This alluring town is known for its warm hospitality, world-class attractions, and a plethora of recreational opportunities. In this comprehensive travel guide, we will delve into the wonders of Pigeon Forge, highlighting its top attractions, outdoor adventures, delicious cuisine, a few amazing places to stay, and recommended itineraries.

How long to stay? There is literally an ENDLESS amount of things to do in the Pigeon Forge area. Pigeon Forge is one of the Southeast’s most popular vacation destination’s du to the incomparable natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and this city’s 40+ Family attractions including Dollywood, countless shopping opportunities, wonderful restaurants, and amazing music shows. I would recommend at least a 3 day stay if at all possible but you could easily spend a week and not run out of things to do. We were there about 3 days total and did not have time to do Dollywood this trip and still didn’t even come close to touching all the fun that this area has to offer.

Where to stay? We stayed the first two nights at The Inn at Apple Valley. This hotel was adorable and super conveniently located to all the attractions in Pigeon Forge (within 5-10 minutes). You will love the affordability to this hotel, the convenience, along with the free apple cider, TWO pools (one outside and one inside), firepit, free breakfast, and the fact that the entire hotel smells like apples! It is located right in front of the apple barn and restaurant (a great place to eat by the way and to checkout for souvenirs)! It is SUCH an adorable hotel and the perfect place to stay close by! Check out some of our photos below.

Our 3rd night we ventured off to Townsend, TN and stayed in an ADORABLE glamping tent from Thunder Head Ridge Getaways just outside of The Great Smoky National Park. The drive from Pigeon Forge to this site was about 45 minutes but it was a beautiful drive. Townsend is a cute little city in and of itself with several coffee shops, a brewery, shops, and restaurants and lots of places to hike and explore. AND don’t even get me started on the million dollar views! The glamping was so fun! We stayed in the Flying Squirrel tent and it was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a living room and kitchenette (microwave, fridge, sink, etc.) They also have a large back porch overlooking the Smoky Mountains and a firepit and hot tub. The property includes access to a pool as well although we didn’t have the time to check that out this time around. They even had heated floors! It would truly be the PERFECT place to stay in the fall and hit our party of 5 perfectly! If you are looking for an option for just 2 or glamping isn’t quite your thing this same company offers adorable glamp sites for 2, cabins, and tiny homes all beautifully decorated and with insanely gorgeous views! Be sure to check out all the options they offer. And YES the glamp sites do have AC and heat! It was 90 degrees while we were there and the tent stayed super cool the entire time! Check out some of our photos from this site below.

Where to eat? You will find many options when it comes to eating in the Pigeon Forge area but I highly encourage you to visit Pizza Rio Wine Bar & Pizzaria. It was so delicious! For $28.50 a person you can enjoy a 5 course continuous styling dinging experience that includes soup, salad (choice of house ((so good)) or Caesar), wings (choice of flavor), and rotating pizzas along with a selection of handcrafted dessert pizzas! I highly recommend trying the Champignon, Nachos, and Brocoli Com Bacon pizzas (although you might as well try them all – they continuously bring them by in small slices on large platters to your table as they are made) and be sure to try the Nutella Com Morango for dessert (the kids recommend the chocolate and sprinkles)! It was a delicious and fun dining experience and one you won’t want to miss! My tip for this restaurant is if you do know there is a specific pizza you want to for sure try let your waiter or waitress know as soon as you sit down as if they don’t already have that one made it can take a while to have it made and brought to you. And go at sunset! You will love the sunset views from this restaurant. Their extensive menu offers something for everyone, with options for traditional toppings, gourmet ingredients, and even gluten-free crusts. With excellent service and a laid-back atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect for a casual family meal. Enjoy some of the photos from our dinner below. It’s also a great place to brunch. 😉

For a taste of authentic Tennessee barbecue, head to Trotters Whole Hog BBQ in historic Sevierville. Situated in the heart of downtown Sevierville, this renowned establishment uses traditional smoking techniques to create mouthwatering pulled pork, ribs, and other savory delights. A visit to Trotters promises a finger-licking experience that will leave the whole family satisfied. The great part of this restaurant is that you can actually order food to go! We ordered the Hank Jr. Box to go and took it back to our glamping site for a beautiful and delicious dinner with a view! The Hank Jr. Box comes with 2 meats, 2 sides (we had green beans and mac and cheese), 1 gallon of tea, and some of the best chocolate chip cookies you have ever tasted!

Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains: One of the greatest appeals of Pigeon Forge is its close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Explore the majestic beauty of the park, which is renowned for its dense forests, diverse wildlife, and scenic hiking trails. Discover hidden waterfalls, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, and immerse yourself in the serenity of nature.

Unforgettable Family Adventures: Pigeon Forge offers countless family-oriented attractions that ensure a memorable experience for all ages. Discover the excitement of bungee jumping, go-karting, or mini-golf. Dive into the realms of science and wonder at the Titanic Museum Attraction or interact with virtual reality at Beyond the Lens. From interactive museums to adrenaline-pumping adventures, Pigeon Forge has something for everyone. Below are some of the things we experienced and our timeline of fun.

Day 1: We started our day with driving through The Great Smoky National Park and enjoying the drive and stopping an many of the lookouts along the way. Upon arriving to Pigeon Forge our first stop was the Rocky Mountain Roller Coaster. Rocky Mountain Roller Coaster is one of the most thrilling and exciting roller coasters in the country. The ride itself begins with a 55-degree drop that speeds up to 70 miles per hour and takes riders through multiple twists, turns, and inversions. The coaster is also equipped with a unique “double-down” element that will take riders down a steep drop and then back up again before returning to the rest of the ride’s twists and turns. In addition to the coaster’s high-speed thrills, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain landscape. Riders can catch glimpses of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as they zoom along the track. One of the best things about this coaster is its accessibility. It is suitable for riders ages 3 and up  making it an excellent ride for families or groups of friends who want to experience the thrill of a roller coaster together. Kids shorter than 56″ will need to ride with a parent but they did have a wonderful parent swap option. Our entire group really enjoyed the Rocky Mountain Roller Coaster and really appreciate it that it was over 10 minutes long. I would highly recommend then to everyone visiting the area.

Our next stop was Pigeon Forge Snow indoor snow tubing and snow play area. Unlike traditional snow tubing, this attraction offers year-round tubing experiences without the need for natural snowfall. The attraction features a 35,000-square-foot indoor space that is kept at a chilly 60 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure the snow stays fresh and fluffy. It was great to get a break from the heat and to be comfortable in our shorts and t-shirts. Guests visiting this adventure can enjoy up to eight lanes of tubing that span over 150 feet long each, with a height of about 60 feet. The tubes are equipped with slick bottoms, allowing riders to reach exhilarating speeds as they slide down the hill. The 3 year old was not able to participate in the snow tubing but all the rest of us ages 5 and up enjoyed it! You pay for an hour of tubing but that was more than enough time to get our fill and enjoy the experience. They also have a play area but to be honest we were not big fans. It was basically just an ice zone and was very slippery and easy to fall. I would recommend going for the snow tubing and not the “snow play” or bring no slip shoes if you plan to get in the “snow play zone.”

Our third fun stop in Pigeon Forge was Beyond the Lens and FlyRide. We totally underestimated Beyond the Lens. FlyRide was fun but ultimately if you were pushed for time I would spend all your time in Beyond the Lens. This place was incredible. We didn’t know what to expect but could have literally spent an entire day there. This unique and immersive museum takes visitors on a journey through American pop culture and history. The museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience that combines cutting-edge technology with interactive exhibits, highlighting some of the iconic moments and events that have shaped our world. The museum features multiple rooms and exhibits, each with its own theme and storyline. Visitors can explore everything from famous conspiracy theories to Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, all while learning about the cultural significance of these phenomena. Beyond the Lens also includes interactive exhibits such as virtual reality experiences and augmented reality games, providing a more hands-on way to engage with the content. Guests also get to play life size arcade games and even play in a giant ball pit! Beyond the Lens is an excellent choice for families, groups of friends, or anyone looking for an immersive and educational experience in Pigeon Forge. Visitors of all ages will find something to enjoy at this dynamic museum. So if you’re looking for a way to spend an afternoon or evening exploring the fascinating history of American culture, be sure to check out Beyond the Lens.

We concluded our first day of fun in Pigeon Forge with playing mini golf at Toy Box mini golf. This was likely the cutest and most creative mini golf course I have ever been too! We all had a blast hitting our balls through old school toys such as Barbie’s Dream house, army men, hot wheel tracks, and MORE. At the end you even get to hit your ball into a Light Brite game to get bonus points and spin a giant game of Life wheel for a free prize. I can not recommend this as a fun night time activity the entire family will enjoy enough!

Day 2: We spent the first several hours of the day exploring and learning at the Titanic Museum. The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is an immersive and educational experience that transports visitors back in time to April 1912, when the RMS Titanic famously sank on its maiden voyage. The museum offers a unique look at the lives and stories of those aboard the ship (guests will even be given a new identity as a passenger of the Titanic and find out their fate at the end of the exhibits), as well as the incredible engineering and technology behind the ship’s construction. With interactive exhibits, authentic artifacts, and knowledgeable guides, the Titanic Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history or maritime culture. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just curious about this famous ship, the Titanic Museum is a fascinating and unforgettable experience. It truly is one of the most well done museums we have ever been to and something you will not want to miss when in the Pigeon Forge area. Also, be sure to checkout their giftshop for some awesome keepsakes of your experience.

After exploring the Titanic we headed to the Island in Pigeon Forge. You could easily spend an entire day at The Island, a shopping and entertainment complex that boasts an array of exciting activities for the whole family. From breathtaking views from the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a towering Ferris wheel that showcases the surrounding beauty to thrilling rides for the entire family, to incredible restaurants and stores (they even have a place you can do Moonshine tasting and Cider tastings) AND don’t miss the thrill of the ropes course! Test your balance and agility in a safe and controlled environment. Zipline above beautiful views and even experience the chance to bungee jump of the top of the ropes course! You will not want to miss out on all the fun the Island offers. You can purchase wrist band for unlimited access to all these attractions that is good for two days! And while at the Island don’t miss Sky Fly – this incredible experience was SO fun and a great way to “soar” around the United States! We loved it!

Our next stop was The Lumberjack Feud Show and Park in Pigeon Forge. This action-packed, family-friendly attraction that celebrates the rugged and competitive world of lumberjacks. Visitors can witness thrilling lumberjack competitions, including axe throwing, log rolling, and speed climbing, performed by skilled athletes in a rustic outdoor arena. The park also features a variety of interactive activities, such as hands-on log cutting and a lumberjack-themed ropes course. The zip line roller coaster is one of a kind and one of our favorite things we experienced the entire trip! It is a great thrill and does of fun and 10000% “worth it.” With entertaining performances, engaging displays, and opportunities for audience participation, the Lumberjack Feud Show and Park offers a unique and immersive experience that showcases the rich history and excitement of this iconic profession. It’s a perfect blend of entertainment and education for all ages.

We concluded our second day in Pigeon Forge by relaxing and enjoying an amazing show at Country Tonite Theatre. This high-energy production features talented musicians, singers, and dancers, showcasing the best of country music while keeping the audience entertained with their captivating performances. Our entire family loved the show and enjoyed singing along. The costumes were incredible and I am still not sure how the performers changed costumes so frequently! Don’t miss this amazing show when in town!

Day 3: Our first stop of the day was Top Jump for a thrilling and exhilarating experience. Top Jump offers a variety of activities that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. With a focus on safe and family-friendly fun, Top Jump offers the chance to experience trampoline park activities like never before. Bounce on oversized trampolines, practice your aerial moves on the foam pit, challenge your friends to a game of dodgeball, or even try the Ninja Course (far warning it is challenging). But that’s not all – Top Jump also boasts the tallest indoor ropes course in Pigeon Forge, where you can test your balance and agility while navigating through a series of challenging obstacles. The kids had a BLAST climbing rock walls of various shapes and sizes and even got to pretend to be Mario and climb the green tubes. This park was a blast for older kids and even adults!

After jumping we headed to Wonder Works. Wonder Works was overly crowded mid day and we didn’t have much time so we basically just walked through but they did have a lot that looked like it would be really fun included an indoor glow ropes course, vertical reality rides, laser tag, and more. My tip for Wonder Works would be to get there early or go late to avoid the crowds.

Next up we jumped in the car and drove about 45 minutes to Rafting in the Smokies on the Pigeon River. This was another one of our highlights of our trip. Rafting in the Smokies offers an exhilarating adventure for the whole family. Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, this popular destination promises a fun-filled and memorable experience. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty and cascading whitewater rapids, the Smokies provide a perfect setting for an adrenaline-pumping rafting journey. Families can enjoy a variety of rafting options suitable for different age groups and skill levels. From gentle and scenic family float trips (which is what we did) to thrilling whitewater runs, there’s something for everyone. Expert guides ensure the safety and enjoyment of every participant, providing instructions and tips throughout the trip. As you embark on your rafting adventure, be prepared to immerse yourself in the breathtaking surroundings. Majestic mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear waters create a picturesque backdrop as you navigate the rapids – you can even walk across a swinging bridge before heading out. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife like eagles, otters, deer, and even the elusive black bear. The Smokies’ family rafting experience is not just about the adrenaline rush; it’s an opportunity for bonding and creating cherished memories. Laughing together, enjoying the thrill of conquering rapids, and sharing the sense of accomplishment are moments that strengthen familial ties and create lifelong stories. So, gather your loved ones, embrace the beauty of nature, and embark on a remarkable rafting escapade in the Smokies – an experience that will undoubtedly hold a special place in your family’s heart for years to come. The family rafting trip took just about 2 hours to complete and was a blast for our entire family – yes even the 3 year old loved it!