11 Amazing Things to Do in Pigeon Forge with Kids
There are so many fun things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids – you’ll never have a dull moment! The town is packed with rides, museums, tours, dinner shows, shopping, dining, and more.
We spent a weekend in Pigeon Forge and couldn’t believe all of the attractions the city has to offer!
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Where is Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a mountain town located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s an easy road trip for families, as two-thirds of the US population lives within driving distance of the park.
If you are driving, Pigeon Forge is about 3 hours east of Nashville, 4.5 hours north of Atlanta, 4.5 hours south of Cincinnati, and 7.5 hours southwest of Washington, DC.
Pigeon Forge has approximately 7,000 full-time residents, but there are an endless number of fun attractions for families.
What to Do in Pigeon Forge with Kids
When people think of Pigeon Forge attractions for kids, they might think of the famous Dollywood theme park or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both of these are great places to visit with kids, but there are a ton of other super fun places that shouldn’t be missed. Here are some of our favorite things for kids in Pigeon Forge!
1. The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island in Pigeon Forge should be your first stop. Parking is free at this entertainment complex with shopping, dining, and family fun.
Take a ride on The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for a stunning view of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains beyond. Play arcade games at Arcade City, ride The Flying Horse Carousel, or try some thrill rides.
When everyone has had their fill of attractions, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, like Dick’s Last Resort or Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen.
2. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
There are several attractions at The Island, including this crime museum, which houses memorabilia from some of the world’s most notorious criminals.
The museum features crime through the ages, from torture instruments of medieval times to OJ Simpson’s white Ford Bronco.
Know that there is a lot of reading, so this activity might be better suited for older kids. There are a few interactive experiences, including The Heist, where kids attempt to navigate a laser maze. My son enjoyed visiting the museum, but liked the hands-on activities the best.
3. Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show
Don’t miss the Lumberjack Feud Show, where professional lumberjacks compete in different events as the audience cheers them on. It’s a fun time for all ages.
4. Ride an Alpine Coaster
If your family loves alpine coasters, you’re in luck, as there are three different ones in Pigeon Forge.
Hop in and take a thrilling ride through the mountains of East Tennessee! There’s the Coaster at Goats on the Roof, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster, and Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. Try them all and choose your favorite!
5. Crave Golf Club
My kids always request a stop at the local mini golf course on vacation. Crave Mini Golf is right on the Parkway (the main street in downtown Pigeon Forge) and offers indoor and rooftop miniature golf courses, all decked out in a Candyland theme.
Each hole has a spinner with different twists to the spot, such as standing on one foot while putting or closing your eyes when you swing. It takes the game to a new level of fun, and adults and kids alike will love it.
6. Pink Adventure Tours
For a unique tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, head out in a Pink Jeep. There are different adventure tours to book, including the Roaring Fork and Cades Cove.
We took an amazing tour of Newfound Gap, and loved learning about our guide’s life stories and knowledge of the area.
Next, we headed into the park, where we kept an eye out for black bears, hiked a couple of different trails looking for waterfalls, and eventually made our way to Newfound Gap.
Located on the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina, this spot sits around 5,000 feet in elevation and is definitely cooler than Pigeon Forge.
Jeanie took us off-roading just outside the park to wrap up our Great Smoky Mountains tour. After shifting the car to 4-wheel drive, she maneuvered the Jeep like a champ on steep inclines while we flew around the back seat. This is one tour families will be talking about for years to come!
Want to explore the park on foot? Don’t miss these day hikes in the Smoky Mountains!
7. Anakeesta
Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park in Gatlinburg, just a short drive from Pigeon Forge, offering a full day of fun for the whole family. Once you arrive, hop aboard the Chondola, an enclosed gondola that takes you 600 feet up to the summit. Take in the sweeping views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the way.
Once you’ve arrived, kids will love exploring the BirdVenture play area, the Treehouse Village playground, and the Treetop Skywalk. The Skywalk has over 800 feet of suspended bridges hanging 50 to 60 feet above the forest floor (keep your eyes peeled for black bears below!).
Thrill-seekers can add on the mountain coaster or Dueling Zipline for an extra charge. Those who want a slower pace can stroll through the Vista Gardens or climb the AnaVista Tower for 360-degree views.
Stick around after dark for Astra Lumina, an enchanted night walk through the forest lit up with magical light and sound. It’s truly one of those experiences the kids will talk about for years. GET YOUR ANAKEESTA TICKETS HERE
8. Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Dinner theaters in Pigeon Forge are a must-do activity and there are an endless number to choose from. We had to choose between Dolly Parton’s Stampede and the Pirates Voyage Dinner and Adventure Show. We chose the pirate-themed show and were not disappointed.
Inside the venue is a giant pirate ship, and guests sit on either side, rooting for the Sapphire or Crimson pirate teams. Pirates Calico Jack and Blackbeard play major roles in this fun and mostly friendly competition among pirates.
Everyone will love the pirates, mermaids, live animals, and amazing acrobatics by the cast. The wait staff will expertly serve a four-course meal during the show, so everyone leaves with full bellies.
Be sure to add this to your Pigeon Forge itinerary!
9. Dollywood
Dollywood is one of the more popular attractions in Pigeon Forge and it offers fun for the entire family. This theme park is part-owned by Dolly Parton and offers everything from thrill rides to water slides. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this is consistently voted one of the top amusement parks in the US.
For families that love roller coasters, be sure to head to Dragonflier, Drop Line, and Lightning Rod for a ride you won’t forget! During the warm summer months, head to Dollywood’s Splash Country, a water park with a massive wave pool and some incredible water slides. Young kids are sure to love Little Creek Falls Splash Pad and The Cascades lagoon with waterfalls and small slides.
10. Zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park
If your kids ever wondered what it’s like to be a hamster in a plastic ball, then zorbing is something they need to try! Kids can take turns rolling down the track completely out of control! If this is something they want to do, wear a swimsuit and bring a towel because they are sure to get wet! Be sure to book your tickets in advance.
11. Titanic Museum Attraction
All ages will be blown away by the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge. You can’t miss it, since the building is shaped like the ship itself!
Each guest receives a boarding pass with the name of an actual Titanic passenger, and you follow their story throughout the self-guided tour. Along the way, kids can touch 28-degree water to feel just how cold the sea was that night, shovel coal in the boiler room, and take the wheel on the Captain’s Bridge.
The museum’s centerpiece is a stunning replica of the Grand Staircase, built from the original blueprints. With more than 400 artifacts, interactive exhibits, and costumed crew members sharing fascinating details at every turn, plan on spending at least an hour and a half to two hours exploring.
Don’t forget to stop at Titanic Ice Cream shop after you’ve finished. Advance tickets are recommended, so be sure to book ahead.
Where to Eat in Pigeon Forge with Kids
The good news – there are a ton of places to eat in Pigeon Forge with kids. These were some of the ones we enjoyed.
The Old Mill Restaurant is actually built on the site of a former grist mill built in the 1830s. The entire area has restaurants, candy shops, and a general store. Come to the Old Mill with an empty stomach, because meals are ginormous.
We tried the fried chicken platter and the turkey dinner. Both were excellent and came with mashed potatoes, green beans, corn fritters, soup, and melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. See, I told you it was a lot of food!
Local Goat features menu items that are sourced from local farms. It bills itself as a “New American restaurant with a scratch-made kitchen”, and it does not disappoint.
Try their fried green tomatoes or deep-fried deviled eggs with bacon jam to start. We recommend ordering one of their gourmet burgers, Pimiento Cheese Cheeseburger or the TN Whiskey Glazed Burger. Both are mouth-watering!
ROAD TRIPPING TO PIGEON FORGE? DON’T MISS OUR FAVORITE ROAD TRIP ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS!
Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge with Kids
Pigeon Forge lodging comes in all shapes and sizes, from mom-and-pop bed and breakfasts to vacation rental condos and mountain cabins. Whatever you are looking for in a family vacation to Pigeon Forge, you are sure to find it!
There are so many hotels, condos, and rentals in Pigeon Forge, it can be hard to choose the perfect one. We highly recommend RiverStone Resort and Spa. This condo property offers rentals of all sizes.
Our condo had 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with a view over the neighboring golf course. There was also a full-sized kitchen, dining table, living room, and balcony.
This condo in Pigeon Forge was the perfect place to come back to after a long day out. They had excellent WiFi, so my son could complete his virtual schooling at the end of the day.
RiverStone Resort sits away from the Pigeon Forge crowds, but it’s close to all the action. It never took us longer than 10 minutes to get anywhere we needed to go. It occupies an excellent position overlooking the Little Pigeon River.
Some of the resort amenities include a spa (which I really wanted to try, but couldn’t find the time), a lazy river, an indoor pool, an awesome playground, and a giant kids’ bounce pillow. We promise your kids will never be bored on this property.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT RIVERSTONE RESORT
Other places to stay in Pigeon Forge:
Pigeon Forge combines the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains with an endless number of fun and unique family-friendly attractions. We can’t wait to return next year with the rest of our family.
