Pigeon Forge is the entertainment capital of the Smoky Mountains. When you’re looking for a fun day of family adventure with world-class museums, amusement parks, shopping, and restaurants, Pigeon Forge is the place to be!
The best part is that you don’t have to settle for lackluster options that only appeal to the kids. Below you’ll find tons of fun things to do in Pigeon Forge everyone in your family can enjoy together, even the adults.
Things to Do in Pigeon Forge TN
Below you’ll find our top 3 picks under each category including attractions, museums, amusement parks, shows, events, shopping, and restaurants. You can also scroll to the bottom to find hundreds of additional ideas for family-fun including free things to do, things to do with toddlers, and so much more!
Top 3 Attractions in Pigeon Forge
1. Beyond the Lens! Family Fun
This quirky museum lets you explore pop culture through fun games and interactive exhibits. You can engage in a variety of virtual reality games, walk the red carpet, search for Big Foot, have an alien encounter, and take tons of cool themed-selfies.
2. Magi Quest
In this live-action role-playing game, players will embark on a magical quest in an enchanted world of wizards, fairies, and magic wands that actually work!
3. The Escape Game
You and your crew will have 60 minutes to escape from a locked room using clues and puzzles to guide you. There are several themed rooms to choose from and the rooms are updated periodically to keep things fresh.
Top 3 Museums in Pigeon Forge Tennessee
4. Titanic Museum
Step back in time as a passenger aboard the famous Titanic cruise ship. At the beginning of the tour, each member of your party will be given a ticket with the name, age, and a short biography of a REAL passenger on the Titanic.
As you explore the museum, you can see how your passenger would have lived on the ship. At the end of the tour, you’ll find out whether or not your passenger survived the wreck.
5. Hollywood Wax Museum
At this fun and quirky museum, you can snap a photo with tons of pop culture icons including Michael Jackson, Lucille Ball, Sandra Bullock, and many more. These wax figures are so incredibly realistic, you may even be able to trick your friends with the photos you take!
6. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
This forensic-themed museum will take you on a captivating journey through the history of crime through modern times.
You’ll see historic artifacts and learn fun facts about some of our nation’s most infamous criminals including mob bosses, moonshiners, and of course Bonnie and Clyde. You can also explore a state-of-the-art interactive forensic lab where you solve crimes.
Top 3 Pigeon Forge Amusement Parks
7. Dollywood
This mountain wonderland has tons of activities for kids of all ages. The Wildwood Grove area is filled with parent-and-me rides the whole family can enjoy together, even toddlers!
When you’ve got your fill of thrills, you can continue the fun at one of Dollywood’s many musical shows. There is also a large section of the park filled with artisan crafters giving free demonstrations and personalizing gifts.
8. Splash Country
Slip, slide, and plunge until your heart’s content at the most popular water park in the Smokies.
9. XTreme Racing Center of Pigeon Forge
This expansive track claims to have the fastest go-karts in all of Pigeon Forge. Riders as young as 3 may ride with an adult.
Top 3 Shows in Pigeon Forge
10. Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud
This fantastic dinner show adds a little fun and flair to the real-life feud. You’ll enjoy a variety of fast-paced song and dance numbers while feasting on delicious southern favorites like fried chicken and mashed taters. There are also gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan meals available.
11. Lumber Jack Feud
This is truly one of the most unique shows in the Smokies. Here you’ll see lumberjacks competing in a real lumberjack competition. Events include things like chopping through logs, ax throwing, log rolling, tree climbing, chainsawing, and more. Since this isn’t a dinner show, it’s one of the cheapest shows in town.
12. Pirate’s Voyage
This acrobatic sea adventure features high-flying stunts, song and dance numbers, and best of all, mermaids! You’ll also enjoy a 4-course feast including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Top 3 Anual Events in Pigeon Forge
13. Wilderness Wildlife Week
Held annually in early May, this completely free festival pays homage to everything wild and wonderful in the Smoky Mountains. You can attend free workshops and talks about local animals and ecology. There are also guided hikes, kids activities, and park programs scheduled throughout the week.
14. Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
Throughout the fall Pigeon Forge will be decked out in festive seasonal decor including scarecrows, hay bales, and plenty of pumpkins.
15. Winterfest
Beginning in November each year, you can enjoy a variety of winter and holiday-themed light displays throughout Pigeon Forge. Most local businesses and common areas will be dripping with gorgeous lights.
Top Shopping Districts in Pigeon Forge
19. The Island
Of all the things to do in Pigeon Forge, visiting The Island is one of the most popular. This open-air complex features an assortment of quirky gift shops including eclectic Smoky Mountain souvenir stores with a southern flair, a puzzle store, a magic shop, sweet treat shops, and much more!
There is also an arcade, a variety of delicious restaurants, a ropes course, and amusement park rides. It is truly a one-stop shop for family-friendly fun.
20. Old Mill Historic District
In addition to the quaint historic architecture, this fun shopping district boasts a working grist mill, artisan crafts, and unique themed gift shops. It is also home to some of the most delicious restaurants in all of the Smokies.
Top 3 Pigeon Forge Restaurants
16. The Old Mill Restaurant
This is the flagship restaurant in the Old Mill Historic District and it serves up home-cooked southern favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Favorites include country fried steak, chicken pot pie, country ham, BBQ, and rainbow trout. This restaurant is also home to a gorgeous grist mill just begging to be photographed.
17. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
This celebrity restaurant offers delicious southern meals family-style. As a table, your party will choose 2-3 entrees from a delectable assortment of menu items like fried chicken, spare ribs, fried catfish, pot roast, meatloaf, and chicken and dumplings. You can also choose up to 4 sides. The dishes are then delivered in serving bowls like a big holiday meal. Yum!
18. Harpoon Harry’s Crab House
If you like seafood, Harpoon Harry’s has all your favorites including shrimp, crab, oysters, lobster, yummy steamer buckets, and a wide variety of fish. They also have steaks, burgers, and sandwiches for the seafood hater in your life.
Erica has lived in East TN for over 10 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!