25+ Exciting Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with Kids

The Great Smoky Mountains is THE MOST VISITED National Park in America. It’s partly because 2/3 of the people in the USA can get to this National Park within a day’s time. It is also a beautiful area full of fun and exciting activities that the whole family will enjoy – and Pigeon Forge is our FAVORITE! Whether you are looking for adventure, great food, nature, or educational fun – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has something for everyone!

So, you know me…I took a million pictures. listed a bajillion details and direct links to help you with your travel planning…so this is a long post. But, here is a quick preview of the Top 25 Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee:

• The Island
• Dollywood & Dollywood Splash Country
• Titanic Museum
• Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud and Adventure Park
• Parrot Mountain and Gardens
• Hiking Trails
• Wonderworks
• Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
• See a Show
• MagiQuest
• Crave Mini Golf
• The Track Family Fun Park
• Beyond The Lens
• Hollywood Wax Museum
• Outdoor Gravity Park
• Big Top Arcade
• Toy Box Mini Golf
• Goats on the Roof
• Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
• Pigeon Forge Snow
• Sweet
• Top Jump Trampoline Park
• Alcatraz True Crime Museum
• Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park
• Rockin’ Raceway Arcade
• Shopping

The Island

What to do:

• Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
• The Island Ropes Course
• 7D Dark Ride Adventure
• Alcatraz East Crime Museum
• Arcade City
• Battleground: Tactical Laser Tag
• Funny Cars
• Gatlin’s Bumper Cars
• Gatlin’s Mirror Maze
• Happy Swing
• Lil’ Ribbits
• Old Time Photo
• Reverse Time
• Shooting Gallery
• Sky Tykes
• SkyFly: Soar America
• Spinning Parrots Coaster
• The Escape Game
• The Flying Horse Carousel
• Twist ‘N Shout
• The Island Show Fountain
• Thunderdome

You can purchase an Unlimited Rides Pass for rides/activities on The Island. This Pass is a 48-hour unlimited pass that allows you to ride everything as many times as you want for two days!

Where to Eat:

• Auntie Anne’s
• Big Rock Candy Mountain
• Margaritaville & Margaritaville Coffee
• Bill’s Lemonade
• Cinnabon
• Byrd’s Famous Cookies
• Dick’s Last Resort
• Kapop! Gourmet Popcorn
• Fin’s Bar & Chill
• Dude’s Daquiries
• Mellow Mushroom
• Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen MENU
• Sweet!
• The Bakesale
• The Fudgery
• Timberwood Grill
• The Island Creamery
• Yee-Haw Snack Shack
• Yee-Haw Brewing Company

Shops and Boutiques:

• Be Free Boutique
• Beef Jerky Experience
• Big Rocky Candy Kitchen
• Bootleggers Winery
• Build-A-Bear Workshop
• Byrd’s Famous Cookies
• Cosmic Pen
• Earthbound Trading Co
• Emery’s 5 & 10
• Farmhouse Decor & Gifts
• For the Health of It
• Growin’ Up
• Hand-Blown Glass Gift Gallery
• Island Tiki General Store
• Kapop! Gourmet Popcorn
• Kryptonite Character Store
• Margaritaville Store
• Master’s Editions
• Monogram Boutique
• Natural Comfort Footwear
• Ole Smoky Moonshine
• Parrot Mountain
• Patriot Peddler
• Paula Deen Retail Store
• Pepper Palace
• Puzzled
• RideMakerz
• Savannah Bee Company
• Smokies Vapor & Cigar Shop
• Smoky Mountain SunShades
• Southern Charm Boutique
• Southern Sportz Shop
• Sparkles Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories
• St. Somewhere Spa (at Margaritaville Island Hotel)
• Sweet!
• Tennessee Sock Company
• Tervis
• The Island Trading Post
• The Sneaky Squirrel
• The Toy Chest Company

Places to Stay:

• Margaritaville Island Hotel
• Margaritaville Island Inn

Things to Know:

• Parking is FREE in marked lots. The main parking lot is located between The Island and the LeConte Events Center. Guests who park here can take a complimentary tram from the lot to the front of The Island.
• Complimentary trams run during The Island’s operating hours.
• Entrance to The Island is FREE. There is no admission charge for The Island in Pigeon Forge. You only pay for what you want to do once you arrive.
• The Island is pet-friendly and dogs on leashes are welcome. However, it is up to the individual shops and restaurants as to whether they are allowed inside the businesses. Service animals are always welcome (but they may not be permitted on certain rides). The patio of Mellow Mushroom allows all pets – not just service animals.
• Enjoy The Island Show Fountain at the Island.  The shows are every Monday through Sunday. They play about every 30 minutes beginning at the top of each hour. You can watch during the day or see the fountains lit up at night. The shows run from 10 am until 11:30 pm. There are chairs all around the fountain if you want to sit and rest and/or watch the fountain show

The Island // 131 Island Drive – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865.286.0119

WEBSITE

Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country

• Spend a day or two riding roller coasters or water rides at Dollywood. and/or Dollywood’s Splash Country 

See my ultimate guide to Dollywood HERE.

Visit the official Dollywood Website HERE.

Titanic Museum

Things You Can Do During Your Tour of the Titanic Museum:

• Receive a Boarding Pass of an actual Titanic passenger/crew member
• View Titanic artifacts (valued at over 4.5 million dollars)
• Walk the rotunda and the exact replica of Titanic’s Grand Staircase (personal photos are allowed)
• We got to feel 28-degree water
• Passengers can shovel “coal” in Titanic’s Boiler Room
• We learned how to send an SOS distress signal
• Stand (or try to stand) on the Sloping Decks of the Titanic’s stern as it descended
• There is an area where you can sit in an actual size lifeboat and hear stories of real passengers
• Small kiddos can visit Tot-Titanic – an interactive area for young ones aged 8 and under
• Find out your passenger’s fate in the Titanic Museum’s Memorial Room (Passenger from your Boarding Pass)
• Fun Fact:  the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge cost $25 million to build!

You probably want to allow 1-2 hours to tour this museum, especially if you want to stop and read everything and/or listen to the full audio tour. The exhibits and personal stories are so captivating – you will want to spend some time here.

See more from our trip to the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge HERE.

Titanic Pigeon Forge //2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 800-381-7670 or 417-334-9500
WEBSITE

Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud and Adventure Park

• The Flying Ox – – This is what happens when a zipline and a roller coaster have a baby. You’ll fly over LumberJack Square as you swing side to side. This is a very unique activity – the first of its kind in the world.
• Timber Towers – Find your inner Spiderman with two 80-foot free-fall jumps
• The High Woodsmen Challenge – A multi-level lumberjack-themed ropes course
• Logger Sports – Compete in your own Log Roll, Boom Run, and Speed Climb
• LumberJack Feud – An 1-1/2 hour show featuring world champion athletes competing in lumberjack activities -funny show with lots of crowd interaction

  Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud and Adventure Park // 2530 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 //865.366.3330

  WEBSITE

Parrot Mountain & Gardens

Let the kids see Parrots, Magpies, and other birds while walking through the Secret Garden at Parrot Mountains and Gardens. There is an area where you can hold and feed some of the bigger birds. You can also visit the “Nursery” to see a young parrot (and possibly have one hop on your shoulder)!

Parrot Mountain and Gardens won Tripadvisor’s 2022 Traveler’s Choice Award and was voted in the top 10 things to do while in Pigeon Forge.

Parrot Mountains and Gardens // 1471 McCarter Hollow RoadPigeon Forge, TN 37862 // 865.774.1749

WEBSITE

Hiking

Hiking Trails near Pigeon Forge:

• Porters Creek Trail – This is a nice and shaded trail that features a 60-foot waterfall (Fern Branch Falls) which is located about 2 miles into the hike.
• Laurel Falls Hike – This hike is about 2.6 miles and leads you to a 2-level, 80-foot waterfall (Laurel Falls). This is one of the most popular hikes in the Smokies and can get very crowded in the summer months.
• Grotto Falls –  You can follow Trillium Gap Trail (roundtrip distance of 2.6 miles) to get to this waterfall. This trail is wide and great for families (tell the kids to look for salamanders!) It takes you through an old-growth hemlock forest. Grotto Falls is about 25 feet and you can actually walk behind it.
• Ramsey Cascades Trail – This hike is about 8 miles roundtrip and leads you to the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Keep in mind that this trail gains 2,000 feet in elevation over the 4 miles you’ll hike to the waterfall, and can take anywhere from 5 to 7 hours to complete.
• Alum Cave Trail – On this trail, you’ll see scenic views, geological markers, and a natural arch called Arch Rock. The hike to the bluffs and back is 4.6 miles round trip and takes about 3 hours.

Wonderworks

It’s hard to miss the WonderWorks Museum in Pigeon Forge. First of all, the whole building is upside down! The museum is 3 stories of over 100 interactive activities and fun games. These activities are divided into 6 zones: Extreme Weather Zone, Physical Challenge Zone, Space Discovery Zone, Light & Sound Zone, Imagination Lab, and the Wonder Art Gallery. See the brochure for WonderWorks HERE.

Things Your Kiddos Will Love About Wonderworks:

• Laser Tag
• Laser Light Ropes Course
• Wonder Coaster
• Rock Wall Climbing
• Earthquake Simulator – See What it’s Like to Try to Eat Lunch During an Earthquake
• 4D XD Theater – Motion Theater
• Large Sized Games
• Astronaut Training Gyro
• Extreme Bikes 360
• Giant Bubble Zone
• Science Experiments and Games
• Dr. Suess Art Gallery

Wonderworks // 100 Music Road – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // (865) 868-1800

WEBSITE

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

Things You’ll Love About the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

• It is the longest coaster in East Tennessee
• Features FOUR uplifts!
• The ride covers 20 acres of beautiful Smoky Mountains scenery
• This coaster has 360-degree turns
• There are several tunnels throughout the ride
• Every single sled can go up to 30 MPH!
• The driver controls the speed
• This ride is over 9 minutes long!
• It is fun for all ages, and appropriate for riders ranging from 3-90 years old!
• You can ride at nightfall when beautiful lights will guide you
• See more from our trip to Rocky Top Mountain Coaster HERE.

Hours:

• Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – Midnight
• Sunday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster // 867 Wears Valley Road ​Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // (865) 365-5000

WEBSITE

See a Show

• Spend the evening at the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud Show, The show is full of singing, dancing, professional stunts, and comedy acts that the whole family will enjoy. The dinner service also has gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan food options on request. 
• Located in Pigeon Forge, the Dolly Parton Stampede is the World’s Most Visited Dinner Show! Enjoy a four-course feast (gluten-free and vegetarian options available) and a fun, family-friendly show.
• You will find the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. The whole family will love watching Blackbeard and his pirate friends in their adventure as well as a four-course meal.
• At Country Tonight, you’ll hear new and classic country music and family-friendly comedy. This show has been popular for over 25 years and is updating its choreography, costumes, comedy acts, etc. This show is the only one in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area with youth performers and is a show even the kids will enjoy.
• You don’t want to miss the Soul of Motown Show at the Grand Majestic Theater – it’s a tribute to Motown legends. You want to dance and sing along to all of your favorite songs of the Motown era.
• For over 25 years, the Comedy Barn has been the most attended clean comedy theater in the whole world. This family-friendly show features animals, magicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, live country music, and gospel music.

MagiQuest

Black-Light Pirate Golf

This black-light, 18-hole miniature golf course is set in a Caribbean pirate village. It’s a fun mini-golf game and treasure hunt with villagers entertaining you along the way. If you hit a hole-in-one on the 18th hole, you’ll be serenaded by Blackbeard and his friends. This mini-golf game is great for all ages and is perfect if you want to play mini-golf on a day that’s hot, cold, or rainy.

Adventure Arcade

This is the newest addition to the MagiQuest castle! There are lots of new and classic games here. Like Chuck E Cheese or Dave and Buster’s, you get points (loaded to a card) and you can redeem the points for prizes.

• Halo
• Jurassic Park
• Wizard of Oz
• NBA Gametime
• Mario Kart
• World’s Largest Pac-Man
• Skee-Ball

Odyssey Mirror Maze

At the Odyssey Mirror Maze, you are given gloves (in case you touch the glass/mirrors) and then make your way into the maze. This whole area is bright and colorful with lots of lights and music. We all enjoyed trying to find our way through the many loops, twists and turns. It was a lot of fun!

MagiQuest

Get your magic wand and explore the village, the dungeon, and the pixie forest. Here are the activities and adventures you can go on here:

• Find hidden treasure
• Discover secret doors
• Complete quests
• Battle the dragon
• Search for the princess’ jewels
• Fight the goblin king

Magic Quest // 2491 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865-686-5586

WEBSITE

Crave Mini Golf

Voted the #1 Mini Golf Course in America by THE TRAVEL, Crave Golf Club is a candy-themed mini golf course that can be enjoyed indoors and/or outdoors. Here are all the activities you’ll find at Crave Golf Club in Pigeon Forge:

• Indoor family miniature golf course
• Outdoor rooftop adventure miniature golf course
• Escape rooms
• Mini bowling
• Candy store
• Soft serve ice cream
• Handicap accessible

Crave Golf Club // 2925 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865.366.3403

WEBSITE

Outdoor Gravity Park

Outdoor Gravity Park offers THE ONLY ZORBING PARK IN THE USA!!

Things to Know:

• You’ll jump in an 11-foot giant inflatable ball and roll down our 1000 ft hill.
• This is the only zorbing park in the USA.
• Outdoor Gravity Park has a total of three tracks.
• The inflatable ball is filled with cold water in the summer and 90-degree warm water in the winter.
• They even have a RUNNING OF THE BALLS Charity Event where you try to outrun an 11-foot orb chasing you down a mountain. Proceeds go to help the Sevier County Food Ministries.

**Bring a change of clothes and a towel, you will get wet!

There are three tracks:

• The Funnel -Up to 3 people can ride the Funnel track – it Combines the turns of the Zig Zag course with the speed of the Fast Tracks
• Fast Tracks –  A total of 3 people can roll (speedily) down this 1000-foot hill.
• Extreme ZigZag – so extreme, only 1 person is allowed to ride in the inflatable ball

Hop inside the 11-foot ball (with or without water) and roll down your favorite track. Read more about Zorbing and pricing HERE.

Outdoor Gravity Park // 203 Sugar Hollow Road – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865.366.2687

WEBSITE

Beyond The Lens

This HUGE Complex offers:

• 150 exhibits (including games about pop culture)
• Augmented reality and VR games
• 2-minute escape rooms
• A hunt for Big Foot
• Interactive Games
• A pop culture walkthrough from the 1960s through Modern times
• FLYRIDE – a four-story-high flying adventure

Beyond The Lens // 2115 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 // 865.366.1609 

WEBSITE

Hollywood Wax Museum

We visited the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge (pictured above). I thought it would be cheesy, but, oh my goodness, we had so much fun! I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. It was so much fun. And, now, with an All-Access Pass, you can also go to the 2nd building for a Zombie Breakout Room, Mirror Maze, and Haunted House.

Hollywood Wax Museum // 106 Showplace Blvd – Pigeon Forge, TN // 865.428.5228

WEBSITE

Goats on the Roof

Ride the alpine coaster at Goats On A Roof. on Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge (it’s impossible to miss). This mountain coaster is thrilling but smooth and enjoyable. There are goats to feed, gems to mine, and a quaint gift shop. It’s also a great place to get fudge and/or ice cream. The staff is very friendly!

Goats on a Roof Alpine Coaster // 1341 Wears Valley Road – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865.366.7139

WEBSITE

The Track Family Fun Park

Things to do at The Family Fun Park:

• Go Carts – 3-level Wild Woody Track & a Family Track with single and double go-carts
• Fat Daddy’s Arcade
• Mini Golf
• Blaster Boats
• Bumper Cars
• Kids Country Rides (Mini Carousel, Ferris Wheel, etc)
• The high-flying SkyFlyer

The Track Family Fun Park // 2575 Parkway (Traffic Light #3) – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863

WEBSITE

Big Top Arcade

Circus-themed arcade with lots of games (modern and classic) and go-carts. Lots of fun for the whole family and a great place to take the kiddos when it is too hot, cold, or raining.

Big Top Arcade // 3275 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // (865) 365-4243

WEBSITE

Toy Box Mini Golf

Things to do at Toy Box Mini Golf:

• Mini Golf – 18-holes, toy-themed
• Laser Maze
• Candy Shop
• Toy Store with Games and Costumes
• Instagram & Photo Spots with Giant Toys

Toy Box Mini Golf // 112 Dollywood Lane – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865.229.9922

WEBSITE

Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

This alpine coaster has the longest downhill track in the USA. It has over 1 mile of track and is the ORIGINAL ALPINE COASTER in the Smokies! This coaster has won TripAdvisor’s 2022Travelers’ Choice Award. You’ll find yourself riding along surrounded by nature and have some fantastic views of Pigeon Forge. You can control the speed of your cart, taking as much time as you like or going as fast as you’d like. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is open rain or shine (or even snow!).

Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster // 867 Wears Valley Road ​Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // (865) 365-5000

WEBSITE

See a $5 Movie at Forge Cinemas

Take the whole family to see a movie at Forge Cinemas located at Lumberjack Square. Movies are only $5! See the latest showings HERE.

Also nearby in Lumberjack Square:

• Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud and Adventure Park
• Smoky Mountain Brewery
• Five Guys Burgers and Fries
• Sweet Candy Shop
• Calhoun’s
• The Yard Milkshakes
• Gallery of Light
• Trapped Escape Room

Forge Cinemas // 2530 PARKWAY –STOPLIGHT 2B – PIGEON FORGE, TN 37863 // (865) 774-6602

WEBSITE

Sweet

If you need to satisfy a Sweet tooth, you’ll love this candy shop. There are three locations in the Smokies – LumberJack Square in Pigeon Forge, The Island in Pigeon Forge, and another one nearby in Downtown Gatlinburg.

• Sweet! Lumberjack Square – 2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
• Sweet! The Island – 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

WEBSITE

Top Jump Trampoline Park

• Open Jump
• Air Bag
• Fire & Ice Ninja Course
• Basketball Dodgeball
• Climbing Center
• Kids Zone

TopJump has the nation’s first sky-high climbing adventure called Cliffhanger Challenges. There are 21 different climbing lines in the climbing arena. Kids will also love the arcade and Candy Shop. And, the best part, there is a place for parents to relax, see the whole park, and watch their kiddos.

Top Jump Trampoline and Extreme Park // 3735 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 865.366.3400

Top Jump is located between lights #8 and #10 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge near Dolly Parton’s Stampede 

WEBSITE

Alcatraz True Crime Museum

The Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a top-rated attraction located at The Island in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The museum offers visitors a unique perspective on American history through its five galleries, which delve into criminal profiles, the penal system, victims’ stories, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement, and the justice system. With a 25,000-square-foot facility, the museum is a perfect activity for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs.

Alcatraz True Crime Museum // 2757 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 // (865) 453-3278

WEBSITE

Pigeon Forge Snow

What to Know Before You Go:

• This indoor park is open year-round, no matter how the weather is outdoors.
•  There are snow-covered tubing hills and a huge Snow Play area.
• Everyone can race down the slopes, build snowmen and snow forts, and have all kinds of wintry excitement
• You don’t have to wear a coat or long johns. It is going to be between 60-70 degrees inside.
• No reservations are needed. Just show up when you’re ready to go tubing.
• This snow is made every day from 100% water.

Hours:

• Monday – Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM
• Friday 10 AM to 10 PM
• Saturday 9 AM to 10 PM
• Sunday 9 AM to 9 PM

Pigeon Forge Snow // 2533 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 // 865-366-1334

WEBSITE

Rockin Arcade

So, if you and your family love arcade games, you might want to head over to Rockin’ Raceway Arcade. It has actually won a TripAdvisors’ Traveler’s Choice Award for 2022. On our last trip to the Smokies, we ate breakfast next door at Sawyer’s Restaurant and visited this arcade next door. There are lots of games here that the whole family will love. Get a discount Play Card online HERE.

Rockin’ Raceway Arcade // 2839 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 // (865) 428-3392

WEBSITE

Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park

Attractions at this Park:

• SKI LIFT SHOOTOUT COASTER – North America’s first Alpine Flyer, a 2-seater suspended coaster that swings, dips, and soars while you shoot lasers at targets.
• SNOW TUBING and SUMMER OUTDOOR TUBING
• OUTDOOR AXE THROWING
• MOUNTAIN COASTER

Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park // 2155 Parkway – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 // 865.365.1883

WEBSITE

Shopping

Great Places to Shop in Pigeon Forge:

• Sugar Bears Cafe & Creamery – This cafe is also a gift shop with clothing and souvenirs.
• Country Barn Gift Shop – clothing, souvenirs, and handmade goods made locally
• 3 Bears General Store – jewelry, apparel, toys, home decor, fudge, candy, and ice cream
• Pigeon Forge River Pottery – dinnerware, bakeware, specialty, and serving pieces with unique glazes
• Christmas Place – all things Christmas

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