Pigeon Forge is a small town in Sevier County, Tennessee, with a population of 6029, according to the 2024 census. However, it is a major tourist destination, and many people visit the town yearly.
This historic old town has a lot of rustic country charm, making it ideal for a vacation and a getaway from the noisy and chaotic life of the city.
1. The Top 10 Things To Do In Pigeon Forge Tennessee
Back in the late 1700s Pigeon Forge was under the jurisdiction of North Carolina. With that, the first settlers came in 1788. In the 1820s, a well-renowned entrepreneur named Isaac Love founded an iron forge along the western branch of the Little Pigeon River, followed by his son building the Historic Old Mill in 1830.
Almost two hundred years later, this structure remains the oldest standing structure in the city and the sole establishment recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Mill is just a fraction of the many attractions that Pigeon Forge offers.
1.1. Smoky Mountain Escape Games
Smoky Mountain Escape Games in Pigeon Forge is an immersive escape room game featuring each room with a unique theme, mission, decor, and series of puzzles.
The Room is an interactive adventure escape game that requires teamwork, quick thinking, and determination to find clues and solve puzzles.
Each escape room is fun for couples, groups, and kids and has proven to be a fun activity for all ages and occasions.
Smoky Mountains Escape Rooms separates itself from the rest of its competitors by offering guests various rooms and difficulty levels. While other venues may only have three escape rooms available, this location provides visitors with five unique adventures.
The rooms have some difficult challenges for adults, yet the clues (if required) can be used to create an ideal difficulty level for children. The escape room has many game options, including Quest, Versus Mode, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Haunting, and Diamond Heist.
1.2. Ripley’s Super Fun Park Pigeon Forge
Ripley’s Super Fun Park is a nonstop fun activity for families in the heart of Branson’s entertainment district, from gameplay that includes Ripley’s Smash Dash, LaseRace, outdoor maze, laser tag, and the target shooting gallery.
With all the arcade games in one place, This fun center provides hours of entertainment for the entire family with unlimited gameplay for the day.
The interactive outdoor maze is 12,000 square feet full of suspenseful surprises. Smaller children can race on the Kiddie and Rookie tracks and have fun riding on the carousel.
The Riplet’s Super Fun Park is at the 4061 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, right at the entrance to the Smoky Mountains.
1.3. Outdoor Gravity Park
This Park is a relatively new attraction in Pigeon Forge, one of the first in the U.S. offering visitors a chance to experience zorbing, making it the only zorbing amusement park in the U.S.
The park has been designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities, it features two zorbing courses, one for beginners and one for more experienced participants. The adventure park also includes a variety of other attractions like zip lines, rock climbing walls, and more.
Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge, TN is the exclusive destination for zorbing in the United States. At Outdoor Gravity Park, visitors have the option to select from several tracks. One track meanders in a zigzag pattern down the mountain, another offers a straight descent with a focus on speed, and a third combines elements of zigzagging and speed.
To improve the experience, water is introduced into the inflatable balls, with cool water during the summer and warm water during the winter, creating a slip-and-slide effect. Additionally, dry zorbing is available from November through March.
Numerous visitors have attested to the laughter-inducing nature of zorbing down the hill. Travellers have described this activity as incredibly enjoyable and distinctive, with many praising the exceptional staff.
While some cautioned about the relatively high cost, particularly for multiple rolls, most agreed that the experience was well worth the investment. Additional rolls should be purchased upfront to maximize savings.
1.4. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is a must-visit family fun attraction in Pigeon Forge, located at The Island, The wheel offers a breathtaking view of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains. It lights up The Island at night with over 1 million LED lights. Surprisingly, visitors can even spot it from the peak of Clingman Dome. It can accommodate up to 340 people at once.
The Wheel consists of 42 glass gondolas, each seating up to 8 guests and 4 seats for VIPs, powered by 4 200-horsepower motors, the speed reaches up to 12.5 miles per hour.
A 200-foot observation wheel featuring stunning mountain views, The Wheel is the center of attraction at The Island entertainment district in Pigeon Forge. In the evenings, riders can enjoy a mesmerizing 24,000 LED light show.
1.5. The Track Family Fun Park
The Track Family Fun Park in Pigeon Forge, TN, is an entertainment center with multiple go-kart tracks, blaster boats, Kid’s Country rides, an arcade, and more. It is a fun place for people to enjoy with their kids, families, and friends.
The Track’s signature attraction is the elevated Wild Woody go-kart track, where drivers race up three and a half stories and then circle back down with an exciting drop at the bottom. Single and double karts are available on both the Wild Woody and Family Track, and younger kids can drive on the Rookie Track and Kiddie Karts.
The other entertainment area is Blaster Boats, which offers serious fun on the water with boats attached to water cannons for blasting; it is a fun area for friends. There is also Kids Country, a special place designed specifically for kids; it features rides such as the Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Planes, Spin Tops, Train, Swings, and more.
The Track also features bumper cars and an adventurous miniature golf course. And for visitors who want a rush, the Track’s 75-foot tall SkyFlyer is a must-try; at the flyer, up to three people can fly together.
There is also Fat Daddy’s Arcade, with countless games and incredible prizes. The arcade has interactive games like The Walking Dead, Jurassic Park, and Fruit Ninja, or test your skills there is the Monster Drop Chaos, The Wizard of Oz, Skee Ball, Hoops, and more.
1.6. Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which welcomed over 14.161 million visitors in 2021, is recognized as the most frequently visited park in the United States.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its engaging hikes, stunning mountain scenery, and rich historical significance that is thousands of years old. The park is ranked among America’s premier national parks
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the park towering a height of 6,643 feet, with a remarkable 360-degree view from its 54-foot observation tower, visitors can enjoy the magnificent view from up top. From the dome, hikers can go on the renowned Appalachian Trail, making it an absolute must-visit destination within the park.
With an extensive network of over 800 miles of trails, the park offers a variety of options for hiking enthusiasts.
The Park offers a thrilling experience for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. With various rivers, it is an ideal location for this exhilarating activity. Rafters of all skill levels can find suitable options at the park, with reputable companies such as Smoky Mountain Outdoors, Rafting in the Smokies, and Big Creek Expeditions offering exciting trips.
Apart from its natural beauty, the Great Smoky Mountains are steeped in cultural heritage, particularly with the presence of the Cherokee Indians who have inhabited the area for centuries. The Museum of the Cherokee Indians provides an immersive experience through interactive videos and captivating displays, making it a standout attraction.
The Mountain Farm Museum is another highlight. It showcases a collection of historic farm buildings from various locations within the park. Visitors can explore a farmhouse, barn, apple house, spring house, and functioning blacksmith shop, offering a glimpse into the region’s past.
For a hands-on learning experience, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is an excellent choice. It features tours of 19th-century buildings, a Cherokee Native American collection, and engaging special events that delve into the area’s rich history.
For a scenic drive through the park, the Cades Cove Scenic Drive is a popular choice. This 11-mile loop offers breathtaking views of mountain peaks and verdant landscapes, with stops during the hike to explore restored buildings such as churches, log homes, and a working mill. The drive typically takes two to four hours, allowing visitors to savor the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
1.7. The Comedy Barn Theater
The Comedy Barn Theater is an award-winning family variety comedy show venue in Pigeon Forge. This theatre has been continuously putting on various comedy shows throughout the day and has entertained guests for over 25 years.
Guests can expect to see everything from the theatre show, including magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, live country and gospel music, the renowned Comedy Barn Canines, and Arnold, the Mind-Reading Pig.
The theatre is conveniently located at the corner of Parkway and Old Mill Road, Pigeon Forge.
1.8. Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark
Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark is located at 2155 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN, conveniently situated next to the Local Goat Restaurant and diagonally across from The Titanic Museum.
This exceptional adventure park is one of Pigeon Forge’s most exhilarating attractions. Its attractions include Tubing Hill, Outdoor Axe Throwing, and the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster.
The first indoor snow facility in the United States provides authentic snow and indoor snow tubing throughout the year. Utilizing cutting-edge snow-making technology, this attraction converts the 35,000-sq.-ft. indoor facility into a magical winter wonderland setting featuring 15 snow tubing lanes.
In the winter season, visitors can delight in Tennessee’s longest outdoor snow tubing hill, while in the warmer months, they can experience the unique thrill of summer tubing.
The Tubing Hill stretches over 500 feet, making it the longest outdoor tubing hill in Tennessee and offering the fastest ride. Purchase tickets online to secure a spot on Pigeon Forge’s most thrilling rides.
1.9. SkyFly: Soar America
SkyFly, an Epcot-style Soarin’ ride, has been awarded the title of the best new attraction in America by USA Today. It has a similar but better experience to the Soarin’ ride at Disney World’s Epcot.
Skyfly Soar America at The Island in Pigeon Forge is a cutting-edge ride system that gives guests a unique opportunity to feel as though they are flying. The system features some of America’s most famous scenes and settings for an immersive experience with added soaring motions and an epic soundtrack.
Guest will be hung suspended, feet dangling, before a 50-foot spherical screen while the custom film whisks you away on an exhilarating 6-minute journey across the United States. Special effects, including wind, mist, and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an immersive experience.
Skyfly will transport guests from The Island in Pigeon Forge to places they otherwise may never have the opportunity to see and experience the beauty of America uniquely and unforgettably!
1.10. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
The Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a museum that focuses on the history of American crime and law enforcement.
Situated at the gateway to the Island in Pigeon Forge with a 25,000 sq ft facility, Alcatraz East features 20 exhibit areas showcasing five main themes which include The Evolution of American Crime, Ramifications of Criminal Activity, CSI, Crime Prevention Efforts, Counterfeit and Pop. Culture.
The museum has many interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what it was like to be a detective or a criminal while visiting.
Visitors will get a chance to see the VW bug that once belonged to one of America’s most notorious serial killers, Ted Bundy. Another famous vehicle on display is the white Ford Bronco that O.J. Simpson was driving when he took the police on a wild, albeit notoriously slow, chase in 1994.
There are also displays that kids can enjoy, including the Jail Cell Escape, Prohibition Gallery, Modern Police Shooting Range, Heist Laser Maze, Various Photo Opportunities, and Top Detective Challenge.
2. Conclusion
What sets Pigeon Forge apart is its wide range of entertaining activities suitable for families and individuals of all ages. With amusement parks, unique museums, and other attractions, this charming mountain town ensures that tourist has plenty to do during their stay.
The town is bustling with live music performances and entertainment in theater and live shows, and for people who enjoy going outdoors, the town landscape is great for hiking and leisure walks. Pigeon Forge has got all the things covered for a beautiful vacation for anyone who wishes to take a trip out from the city.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani