If this is your first time visiting Pigeon Forge, you’re in for a real treat. It is one of the best tourist places you can go for a vacation. Situated in the Great Smoky Mountain Ranges in Tennessee, Pigeon Forge is home to some of the best tourist attractions, including theme parks, mini golf courses, museums, theatrical shows, and breathtaking natural sceneries.
Whether you’re going with your family or friends, you’ll find something that suits your taste and gathering. Pigeon Forge even has activities that little kids will enjoy and appreciate.
8 Important Tips For Visiting Pigeon Forge
To ensure you enjoy your first trip to the Smokies and Pigeon Forge, here are some expert tips:
1. Book a Hotel Beforehand
Pigeon Forge is one of the most visited vacation spots in the country and attracts almost 10 million tourists each year.
Whether you come in summer, fall, or winter, you’ll find the city jampacked with tourists. In these circumstances, finding a hotel room after arriving in Pigeon Forge isn’t a viable option, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. You should book a hotel room in advance to avoid any hassle.
You can find all kinds of hotels in Pigeon Forge, including the ones situated on the bank of the little river. Riverside hotels are the best places to stay in Pigeon Forge as they offer some of the best scenic views in all of Tennessee.
2. Explore the Seasons
Although Pigeon Forge is great to visit in any season, you should still explore which season suits your adventure needs. In the winter, smoky mountains get covered in snow, making it ideal for snowboarding and skiing. If you love snow activities, you should visit the smokies in the winter.
During the fall season, you can experience one of the best fall foliage in the country. The changing color of the leaves on the trees makes the mountains look crisp and beautiful. It is truly an ideal time for enjoying a good family vacation.
During the spring season, the temperature of the smoky mountains is moderate, and the city is not too crowded. If you visit during spring, you can enjoy the greenery, wilderness, and special fun-packed spring events.
If you visit the smokies in summer, you can enjoy warm weather, ideal for outdoor activities. Summer is the busiest season in the smokies. You can raft, ride water slides, and experience thrilling water rides in Pigeon Forge this time of the year.
When planning vacations to the smoky mountains, consider which season suits your adventure cravings.
3. Enjoy the National Park
Your trip to Pigeon Forge will not be complete if you don’t visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is the most visited National Park in the state.
Featuring an 800-mile hiking trail, this is an ideal place for people who love hiking. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery while you hike in the national park. The hiking trail is smooth and paved, making walking easier.
If hiking does not suit your taste, you can still experience the natural beauty of the national park by touring on a jeep. Pink jeep rides offer the best scenic views of the national park, along with the best view of Pigeon Forge city. If you’re visiting with your family, you can also enjoy a picnic in the park.
4. Visit Dollywood Theme Park
Dollywood theme park is one of the most visited attractions in Pigeon Forge. It boasts fun rides for kids, shopping stalls, arts, and crafts shops, water slides, and roller coaster rides. Whether visiting Dollywood with friends or family, you will surely find something that suits your needs.
There is a train ride that you can take to experience the beautiful scenic views of nature and a complete tour of the theme park as well. When visiting for the first time, taking a Dollywood express train ride is a must-do activity. It is a 20-minute ride that can take you to nature’s best sceneries.
Dollywood is known for its annual festivals and has hosted many festivals, including the Christmas festival, the festival for nations, the harvest festival, and the summer celebration festival. You can look for the exact dates for these annual festivals on the official website of Dollywood.
5. Don’t Forget the Pancakes!
If you’re visiting the smokies for the first time, you must try the fluffy pancakes here since they are a Pigeon Forge specialty. Pancake shops are dotted all over the area. You are guaranteed to enjoy the fluffy pancakes served with butter and syrup.
6. Take Your Kids to Golf Crave Club
If you’re planning your first trip to Pigeon Forge with kids, the golf crave club is a must-visit attraction.
The club features a 19-hole mini golf course indoors and on the rooftop, a perfect place for kids who love indoor sports. The club not only offers a golf course but also offers a candy store, a bowling club, and escape room attractions. It features differently-themed escape rooms for your kids to solve puzzles.
7. Visit Major Landmarks
Pigeon Forge is home to some of the best landmarks, including the upside-down building, wax museums, the titanic museum, and a giant medieval castle.
The wax museum features wax statues of your favorite Hollywood actors, while the titanic museum features many pre-discovery artifacts and a guided museum tour. If you’re visiting for the first time, you must visit these major landmarks to get the most out of your trip.
8. See a Theatrical Show
Pigeon Forge is host to many theatrical shows that you can enjoy. Whether you prefer comedy shows or magic shows, Pigeon Forge has something to suit your taste.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, Smoky Mountain Opry, Comedy Barn Theater, and Darren Romeo: Magic Beyond Belief are some of the city’s best shows. Some of these shows even provide a full meal you can enjoy while watching.
Conclusion
Pigeon Forge is one of the most visited vacation spots around the year. It boasts national parks, theme parks, water parks, theatrical shows, rafting, museums, and landmarks that’ll make you fall in love with the place. From beautiful natural sceneries to adrenaline-rush roller coaster rides, Pigeon forge has something for everyone – kids, adults, and teenagers. If you have not yet visited Pigeon Forge, plan a winter trip!
Read more from us here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is famous about Pigeon Forge?
A1. Pigeon Forge is known for family-friendly activities. Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country have rides and activities for all ages and are great places for the whole family to experience in the spring, summer and fall. WonderWorks is always a hit with the kids as well as the indoor trampoline park, TopJump.
Q2. Why is Pigeon Forge Tennessee so popular?
A2. With lots of great attractions such as Dollywood, top-notch entertainment, an abundance of things to do in the Smoky Mountains and so much more, it’s easy to see why Pigeon Forge is one of the most popular family vacation destinations in the Southeast.
Q3. How many days is enough for Pigeon Forge?
A3. Three days in the city is an ideal period because you can see everything the area has to offer. You can spend a day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or more if you want to camp or enjoy more time in nature.
Q4. Why is it called Pigeon Forge?
A4. Pigeon Forge, today a playground for vacationing families, was once a valley of golden wheat fields and lush farm lands with the majestic peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains for a backdrop. The town takes the first part of its name from the Little Pigeon River, and the river takes its name from passenger pigeons.
Q5. What big city is Pigeon Forge close to?
A5. Since Pigeon Forge is located off I-40, it’s positioned within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population east of the Mississippi River. The city is a mere 33 miles southeast of Knoxville, four miles south of Sevierville, and five miles north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
