Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

Looking for the best things to do in Pigeon Forge? Whether you're planning a family vacation, romantic getaway, weekend trip, or Smoky Mountain adventure, Pigeon Forge offers plenty of ways to fill your itinerary.

You can spend the morning exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the afternoon riding coasters or playing mini-golf, and the evening enjoying a live show or dinner theater.

From outdoor adventures and famous attractions to shopping, dining, entertainment, and seasonal events, Pigeon Forge gives visitors plenty of choices. The official tourism site highlights everything from Dollywood and The Island to museums, hiking, go-karts, mini-golf, shows, and dinner theaters.

Best Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

Some of the most popular Pigeon Forge activities include:

• Visit Dollywood
• Explore The Island
• Visit the TITANIC Museum Attraction
• Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Ride a mountain coaster
• Race go-karts
• Play mini-golf
• See a dinner show
• Visit WonderWorks
• Explore museums
• Go shopping
• Enjoy live entertainment
• Take a scenic drive
• Try an outdoor adventure

The best itinerary depends on how long you're staying and who you're traveling with.

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The mountains are one of the biggest reasons visitors come to Pigeon Forge.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, historic structures, streams, and spectacular mountain scenery.

You can spend a full day exploring the park or simply take a scenic drive and stop at a few overlooks.

For families, choose shorter trails and destinations that match your children's ages and abilities.

Spend a Day at Dollywood

Dollywood is a natural choice for anyone looking for a full day of entertainment.

The park offers roller coasters, family rides, live music, dining, shopping, crafts, and seasonal festivals.

Because there is so much to see and do, plan enough time to explore rather than trying to fit several other major attractions into the same day.

Visit The Island

The Island combines attractions, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment in one location.

Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, play games, grab a meal, shop for souvenirs, or simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.

It's a flexible option when different members of your group want different things to do.

Visit Pigeon Forge Museums

Pigeon Forge has museums for a variety of interests.

You can learn about the Titanic, explore science exhibits, discover crime history, see celebrity wax figures, or experience unusual interactive attractions.

Museums are particularly useful on rainy days.

Ride a Mountain Coaster

For a more adventurous experience, try a mountain coaster.

These rides combine mountain scenery with the excitement of a coaster and are popular with families, couples, and groups.

Check individual attraction requirements before riding.

Go-Kart Racing

Go-karts are another classic Pigeon Forge activity.

With several tracks throughout the area, you can easily fit a race into your itinerary.

They're particularly popular with older children and teenagers.

Play Mini-Golf

Mini-golf is a fun low-commitment activity.

Pigeon Forge has several themed courses, so you can choose a course that matches your group's interests.

It works well between meals, attractions, or shows.

See a Pigeon Forge Show

Pigeon Forge is known for its live entertainment.

You can choose from music, comedy, magic, variety performances, action shows, and dinner theaters.

The city's official tourism site lists numerous live shows, including Country Tonite Theatre, Comedy Barn Theater, Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud, and several dinner shows.

Enjoy a Dinner Show

A dinner show combines a meal with live entertainment, making it an easy option for families and groups.

Popular choices include:

• Dolly Parton's Stampede
• Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
• Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
• Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery
• Other seasonal and theatrical productions

Show schedules and performances can change, so check current information before booking.

Go Shopping

Pigeon Forge has a wide variety of stores, from outlet shopping and specialty shops to souvenir stores and local crafts.

Shopping can easily be combined with other activities along the Parkway.

Explore the Old Mill

The Old Mill is one of Pigeon Forge's historic landmarks.

The water-powered gristmill dates to the 19th century and provides visitors with a glimpse into the area's history.

The surrounding Old Mill area also includes dining and shopping, making it easy to combine history with a meal.

Categorized Highlights

Free and Low-Cost Things to Do

You don't need to spend money on an attraction every hour of your vacation.

• Exploring the Smokies
• Scenic drives & Hiking
• Walking through The Island
• Window-shopping
• Exploring the Old Mill area
• Watching seasonal events & Mountain scenery

Mixing paid attractions with outdoor activities can also help manage your vacation budget.

A Three-Day Pigeon Forge Itinerary

Start Planning Your Pigeon Forge Trip

The best thing about Pigeon Forge is the variety.

You can create an action-packed vacation filled with rides and adventure or slow things down with mountain scenery, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Mix major attractions with outdoor experiences, leave room for unexpected discoveries, and plan around the interests of your travel group.