22 Best Things To Do In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 2022
Pigeon Forge City in Tennessee
Pigeon Forge, a mountain town and vacation area in eastern Tennessee, is the home of Dollywood, country singer Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park consisting of rides, an adjoining water park and a museum of her costumes and memorabilia. The city’s other attractions include country music revues like the Smoky Mountain Opry, dinner theatres such as Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and outlet malls.
- Elevation: 305 m
- Area: 34.58 km²
- Weather: -6 °C, Wind SW at 0 km/h, 86% Humidity weather.com
- Local time: Thursday, 2:59 am
- Population: 6,229 (2019)
- Area code: Area code 865
- Named for: 19th-century iron forge along the Little Pigeon River
- Incorporated: 1961
- Settled: 1780s
Pigeon Forge is a charming town surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. The city is home to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood family amusement park and the Titanic Museum built in the shape of the original Titanic ship. Stroll through Old Mill Square, where you can see a watermill built in 1836, visit the largest Hollywood Wax Museum in the United States, and browse Elvis Presley memorabilia at the Elvis Presley Museum. Here are the best things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN.
1 Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
Dollywood is a theme park located on Dollywood Parks Boulevard and one of the main attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN. Owned by Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Dollywood is one of Tennessee’s most popular tourist attractions.
This theme park features rides, the Chasing Rainbows Museum, and traditional music and crafts that represent the local Smoky Mountains region. Dollywood hosts many concerts and music events, including Dolly Parton, her family de Ella, and local and national music artists.
Dollywood is also home to the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame and is one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge. In addition to Dollywood, the 295-acre amusement complex includes Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park.
2700 Dollywood Parks Boulevard, Pigeon Forge, 865-428-9488
2 Old Mill Square, Pigeon Forge, TN
Old Mill Square is a shopping and dining complex located on Old Mill Avenue. Includes a watermill built in 1836 on the banks of the Pigeon River in the Great Smoky Mountains. Over the years, the mill has been used to grind flour and flour. Later, it was used as a meeting place for locals, a place to house wounded soldiers during the Civil War, and a source of electricity.
Today it still functions as a mill and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. If you’re wondering what to do in Pigeon Forge today, this is a great place to start exploring. Old Mill Square is home to the Old Mill General Store, two restaurants, a pottery store, a jewellery store, and much more.
164 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge, 865-429-3463
3 Hollywood Wax Museum
Located on Showplace Boulevard, the Hollywood Wax Museum displays celebrity figures. Opened in 2012, it is the most prominent Hollywood wax museum in the United States and one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. There are two floors of wax figures from the US film industry and the Hollywood entertainment business. Some of the past celebrities include Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and John Wayne, among others.
Today’s celebrities include stars like Bradley Cooper, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey, Jr., Julia Roberts, and more. Visitors also learn exciting facts about celebs. In addition to viewing the figures, visitors can pose for photos with their favorite stars.
106 Showplace Boulevard, Pigeon Forge, Unit A, 865-428-5228
4 Titanic Museum, Pigeon Forge, TN
Located on Parkway in Pigeon Forge, the Titanic Museum is built in the shape of the original Titanic ship. Opened in 2010, four years after its sister attraction in Branson, Missouri, it is a two-story museum built half the scale of the original ship and is the largest permanent Titanic museum in the world. The museum is located in a pool of water that mimics the actual boat in the ocean.
There is a two-hour self-guided tour where guests can visit the museum’s 20 galleries and view its 400 pre-discovery artefacts. The experience gives visitors the feeling that they see the ship on its maiden voyage in 1912.
2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 800-381-7670
5 Elvis Presley Museum, Pigeon Forge, TN
The Elvis Presley Museum, located on Parkway at Walden’s Landing behind Fire House Golf in Pigeon Forge, is dedicated to the memory of Elvis Presley and features numerous exhibits and hundreds of artefacts. The museum displays clothing, memorabilia, movie props, personal items, photographs, and much more.
One of the most popular tours in Pigeon Forge is the museum’s audio tour, hosted by Ed Hill and Donnie Sumner, both friends and colleagues of Elvis Presley. The comments and memories of these hosts add to the experience as visitors tour the museum and see all the objects on display in the exhibits.
2530 Parkway #4, Pigeon Forge, 865-428-2001
6 Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction is a dinner theatre located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, one of two venues. The other is located in Branson, MO. Founded in 1988 near the entrance to Dollywood, the show begins in the transportation room with a bluegrass and country music performance by a live band called Mountain Ruckus. Visitors are then ushered into the arena, where dinner and a show occur.
The meal consists of chicken, pork, fresh corn on the cob, potatoes, soup, cookies, apple pies, and drinks. The show is a Wild West revue consisting of many cast members, more than 30 horses, and a variety of other animals.
3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865-453-4400
Seven jump top
Top Jump is one of the premier family fun centres in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, located along the city’s famous Parkway, just minutes from top attractions like Dollywood and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. The interest is Sevier County’s first entire trampoline park, offering safe extreme sports and ride adventures for visitors of all ages. Guests can challenge themselves to complete the challenges of Cliffhanger, America’s first sky-high climbing adventure, or enjoy open jumping, basketball and dodge time at the facility’s trampoline park area. Other attractions include the Fire and Ice ninja battle course,
3735 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, Phone: 865-366-3400
8 Mountain Valley Winery, Pigeon Forge, TN
Located on the Parkway, the Mountain Valley Winery specializes in the production of French and German-style wines and sweet fruit wines such as muscadine.
Founded in 1991, the winery is located in the heart of Tennessee’s beloved Smoky Mountain region. Some of the wines produced include dry wines like cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, semi-sweet wines like Mountain Valley White and Mountain Valley Blush, and sweet wines like Blackberry. Collier Reserve, Mountain Valley Red, Pink, Rhubarb, Winterfest Red, and more…
The winery also sponsors special events, a wine club, and a wine tour. Guided tours are held daily, and complimentary wine tastings are offered.
2174 Parkway, 865-453-6334
9 Old Forge Distillery, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The Old Forge Distillery, housed in a historic barn near The Old Mill, is a unique small-batch distillery where Master Distiller Keener Shanton creates moonshines inspired by recipes from The Old Mill kitchens.
Try the innovative Tennessee Roots line and visit the gift shop that features handcrafted moonshine mugs, locally forged knives, and other one-of-a-kind items.
170 Old Mill Avenue, 865-774-4126
Top 10 Attractions in Pigeon Forge: Alcatraz East
Alcatraz East is a fascinating crime museum in Pigeon Forge that explores different aspects of American crime history. The museum includes various artefacts from Alcatraz, but it is not dedicated exclusively to Alcatraz. The museum has more than 500 artefacts in 28 distinct areas within the five galleries called Crime History, Crime Aftermath, Crime Scene Investigation, Popular Culture, and Crime Fighting. The museum was modelled after the original, similar museum in Washington, DC, which closed in 2015. Of all the exciting exhibits, visitors are most fascinated by the white Ford Bronco, which OJ Simpson drove during the famous car chase…
2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, Phone: 865-453-3278
10. Smoky Mountain Ziplines and Canopy Tours
Located on Mill Creek Road, Smoky Mountain Ziplines and Canopy Tours is an adventure park that features multiple zipline tours for beginners and an advanced level zipline for experienced riders. Beginner tours include instruction from two experienced, professional tour guides, which begin at low speeds and lower altitudes.
As the guided tour continues, the pace picks up, and the lines are taller. There is a large building on the site available for parties and celebrations after the zip line tour. The advanced course consists of four side-by-side zip lines that are 800 feet long and 100 feet high.
509 Mill Creek Road, 865-429-9004
12. Top 10 Things to Do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The Appalachian gateway to America’s most visited national park, Little Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is home to only 6,000 permanent residents but welcomes a whopping 10 million visitors each year. Pigeon Forge attracts travellers of all ages and interests, defined by the magnificent Smoky Mountains, cosy cabin accommodations, family-friendly attractions, and wholesome entertainment infused with southern hospitality. Here are 10 of the best things to do while you’re in the city.
13. Have a hearty breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all, and Pigeon Forge offers plenty of tasty ways to start your morning off right. Choose from any of the traditional pancake houses this region is famous for. Or, upside down to a table at Mom’s farm for a feast of cookies, waffles, fudge sauce (!), cheesy grits, hash brown casserole, chicken tenders, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, and cinnamon served in the family. Style. And when was the last time you saw hickory-smoked pulled pork at a breakfast buffet? You, along with a host of other delicious made-from-scratch items, at Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que.
14. Spend a day in Dollywood
Whether you’re a fan of country music or not, everyone loves Dolly Parton. The sassy Smoky Mountain singer was born and raised here in Sevier County and generously gave back to the community through many philanthropic efforts. Plan to spend at least a full day at its namesake Dollywood theme park to appreciate everything from thrill rides and splash country water park to live entertainment, great food, and the “chasing rainbows” museum that commemorates the incredible life, music, and dolly run. The most significant addition in the already expansive park’s history, the newly discovered $37 million wildwood grove section ups the ante with 11 new experiences, including the Dragonflies roller coaster.
15. Explore the old mill square
Perched on the Little Pigeon River banks, the old mill has been a pigeon forge fixture since the 1830s and still processes grain for its line of retail products the old-fashioned way with a water mill. The charming shopping district built around the mill suggests many souvenirs: bags of cornmeal, exquisite pigeon river pottery, and old-fashioned treats from the candy kitchen, to name just a few. (For something with a little more kick, stop at the Old Forge Distillery to sample some flavoured moonshine.) The old mill restaurant serves generous portions of fried steak, roast beef, chicken and meatballs, meatloaf, corn chowder, catfish, and other classic country favourites for lunch.
16. Watch a show
Pigeon Forge supports a dozen different theatres, each with its distinctive entertainment brand. For example, Dolly Parton’s Stampede features a rodeo-style dinner and show incorporating live horses, buffalo, and other animals. At the same time, Dolly Parton’s new Pirate Voyage offers shows with a high-seas flavour. Other venues to consider include Mountain Smoke, Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Feud, Country Tonight, Comedy Barn Theater, and Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show, which anchors the new lumberjack square.
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17. Embark on a journey of titanic proportions
One of two permanent Titanic museums in the country, owned by the husband-and-wife team of Mary Kellogg-Joslyn and John Joslyn, a documentary filmmaker who personally conducted dives on the actual shipwreck, this emotionally moving attraction houses carefully recreated vignettes, authentic recovered artefacts, and costumed interpreters to bring passengers’ stories to life. This summer, the museum features seven of the remaining 12 Titanic life jackets still known to exist from the doomed voyage, the most extensive collection ever assembled.
18. Go at your own pace.
Satisfy your need for speed with a ride on the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, the first attraction of its kind in the southern United States. Riders use handbrakes to pace individual cars up to speeds of 27 miles per hour through a scenic mile-long track filled with twists and turns. Roller coaster operates year-round; For a real thrill, plan to go at night for an illuminated night ride.
19. Dine like a king
The Elvis Burger at the popular local Goat restaurant features a secret beef patty topped with bacon, peanut butter, and fried plantains served alongside a stack of crispy French fries and house-made ketchup. Elsewhere on the menu, the appetizer of fried deviled eggs with candied bacon and sriracha, jumbo buffalo wings, and decadent signature ice cream bread pudding also receive rave reviews from a loyal customer base.
20. Romp in the snow all year
Ignore what the calendar says. Pigeon Forge Snow keeps state-of-the-art indoor rinks and plays areas stocked with artificial white material for tube building and snowmen year-round, even in the height of summer. No need to pack a parka either; The climate-controlled facility always maintains interior temperatures hovering between 60 and 70 degrees.
21. I feel like a kid again at wonderworks.
With a striking upside-down facade and 35,000 square feet of interactive space to explore, Wonderworks attracts guests of all ages with more than 100 exhibits focused primarily on the stem, a glow-in-the-dark indoor ropes course, a laser tag. And live magic shows. If miniature golf is more your jam, Crave Golf Club has indoor and outdoor candy-themed courses, mini bowling alleys, soft-serve ice cream, and a fully stocked candy shop.
22. Escape to the island
Smoky Mountain’s Big Wheel is visible up and down Pigeon Forge Parkway, soaring 200 feet into the air for spectacular panoramic views of the local landscape. It’s also the centrepiece of the island: a one-stop destination for shopping at more than 60 unique stores, a plethora of dining options, entertainment for the whole family, and hospitable stays at the Margaritaville Island Hotel, where all accommodations include a room in the “Frozen Concoction Maker” room.
What are fun things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
Here are the 10 must-visit attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:
- Anakeesta. Anakeesta is an aerial adventure park in Gatlinburg. …
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. …
- Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. …
- Dollywood.
- Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Show. …
- The Island in Pigeon Forge. …
- The Old Mill Square. …
- Country Tonite Theater Show.
What can you do free in Pigeon Forge? Free Things to Do in Pigeeon Forge
- Patriot Park. …
- The Island in Pigeon Forge. …
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. …
- Sugarlands Visitor Center. …
- Cades Cove. …
- Newfound Gap Road. …
- Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community.
What is there to do in Pigeon Forge for adults? Top 6 Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Attractions for Adults
- Alcatraz East Crime Museum. …
- Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. …
- Moonshine Distilleries. …
- The Captured Escape Game. …
- Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.
Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?
Overall, Gatlinburg is more compact than Pigeon Forge, which creates a more pedestrian-friendly area. There are some downsides to being in a smaller valley. Since there’s not much open space or alternative routes, this mountain town tends to get more crowded than Pigeon Forge.
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