This small town in Tennessee that has a population of about 6,000 people. It is a popular tourist destination as it sits nestled in between picturesque mountains, just a short half hour drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The town itself is the perfect destination for those looking to get out into the wild in comfort. From Pigeon you can easily explore the surrounding nature hotspots and enjoy the local wildlife. If hiking and the outdoors aren’t your thing, there are plenty of things to do in Pigeon Forge! It’s a great destination for all kinds of travelers, from families to extreme adventure lovers.
In this post, we'll cover:
16. Hollywood Wax Museum
Are you a cinema and TV enthusiast? Do you follow pop culture closely? You’re going to love the Hollywood Wax Museum! The museum is full of life size models of famous actors and singers from around the world.
You can walk down the red carpet and get up close to Madonna or have a dance with Michael Jackson. The wax models are highly realistic, giving you the opportunity to live out your teenage dreams of meeting your idol!
The museum has lots of props and costumes you can play around with, so you’ll look great in all the pictures you take during your visit! There’s also lots of information about each model, so you can learn more about your favorite famous people.
15. Country Tonite Theatre
Pigeon’s Tonite Theatre brings you the on-stage entertainment you love, with a country twist. The theatre hosts comedy shows, concerts, and theater productions. Often all of them are combined into one big show!
Whether you’re looking for something that suits the whole family or wanting to have a fun night out with friends on your holiday in Pigeon, this is a fantastic option for everyone!
You can check their online website to find out what shows they have on during your stay. Once you’ve got a ticket all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the show!
14. MagiQuest
Magiquest offers its visitors the chance to be transported into a realm of fantasy and magic. You’re given a magic wand and sent into an interactive role-playing game where you’ll fight all manner of evil creatures!
This destination is a four-in-one attraction. The Magiquest Center also has a pirate themed mini-golf course, a mirror maze you can get lost in, and an adventure arcade full of fun games and competitions for everyone.
With so much to do, MagiQuest is a must-see in Pigeon. It’s an ideal destination for a family trip; you can keep the kids entertained for the whole day there’s so much on offer at MagiQuest!
13. Arcade City
Arcades have been a highlight of holidays for decades. This arcade has lots of game machines you can have a go at, and plenty of prizes up for grabs!
The arcade has Wizard of Oz themed machines that are a favorite among visitors, be sure to check them out whilst you’re there. If you don’t like playing on the flashy arcade machines, you can also shoot some hoops and try to beat the latest high scores.
You get a card at the arcade that you can use to play on all the machines and games, so don’t worry if you’re short on change. Arcade City is a fun, easy, and memorable way to spend a few hours during your time in Pigeon.
12. Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
Are you looking to add a little drama to your holiday but struggling to fit in going to the theater? Look no further! The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show comes with a meal and entertainment, the best way to make the most of your limited holiday time.
The Dinner Show serves traditional Tennessee food alongside an on-stage theater production that’ll keep everyone on their seats. Dinners at Hatfield and McCoy’s are all you can eat, so make sure you come hungry.
There are two show times each day, and a selection of meals available for any dietary preference. A fun, no-hassle way to spend an evening with family or friends.
11. The Comedy Barn
Pigeon’s Comedy Barn run a variety of family-friendly comedy shows that will have the whole family falling off their seats laughing. The Barn offers its audience hysterical, clean, and theatrical comedy that is great for all ages.
The production team bring comedy to life on a small farm-themed stage. You can expect to see lots of actors in overalls during your visit. In a single show you’ll get to see dancing and singing and listen to plenty of silly jokes.
The Comedy Barn hosts different shows throughout the year, and each performance lasts about two hours. So, no matter when your holiday to Pigeon is or how long, you can join in on the fun!
10. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
When you arrive at the Alcatraz East, you might think you’ve come to the wrong place as the Museum is built and designed to look like a prison from the outside.
The Museum has five different galleries where you can dive into the states penal system, dig up shocking and scary criminal profiles, and read victim’s stories. You’ll learn about how forensic scientists and crime prevention teams work tirelessly to bring justice to victims and their families.
The whole family can test out their detective skills in the museum’s child-friendly interactive exhibits. You’ll also get the opportunity to experience the conditions that prisoners live in and try your hand at escaping from the law!
9. WonderWorks Pigeon Forge
This up-side down indoor amusement park is a place for the curious and inventive! MindWorks has it all, educational exhibits, and action-packed fun all in one place. A great destination for families on a rainy day.
The upstairs of the building has over 100 hands-on exhibits that will put everyone’s minds to work. You can try out real-life experiments, hop into an astronaut suit, and take a trip to the Antarctic in the buildings extreme weather zone.
Afterwards, head downstairs and take part in the amusement park’s adrenaline-filled activities. You can put your bravery to test on the indoor rope course, bring out your competitive side in the laser tag arena, and experience new realities onboard the 4D simulator ride.
8. Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine
Located on the popular Island Drive, the Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is visited by locals and tourists alike. It’s known as the Ole Smoky Barn and has a distillery and shop that you can explore on your trip.
The smell of whiskey will draw you in, and luckily there are lots of free tasters you can pop in and try! Once you’ve had your fill, you can head to their shop and buy your favorite whiskey. There are plenty of flavors to choose from.
The Ole Smoky Barn was built in 2014 and closely resembles the Ole Smoky Holler distillery that is nestled up in the nearby hills. If the Ole Smoky Barn sparks your curiosity, and you want to take a tour of a Moonshine distillery you can head there too!
7. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
There are lots of alpine coasters in the area, seven to be precise. So, how should you decide which to ride? Well, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster was the first to be built, and it’s just over a mile away from Pigeon!
This alpine coaster goes as fast as 27 miles per hour on its winding route down the hill. It covers some 5,400 feet of distance in the exhilarating eight-minute ride. It’s not the fastest alpine coaster in the area, but you won’t get that impression as you whizz along the metal tracks, raised above the ground.
The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is sometimes open at night, offering visitors a lit-up night-ride. You can check their online website for group deals and ticket prices!
6. Parrot Mountain & Gardens
If you’re wanting to get out of town for the day and experience something out of the ordinary, then the Parrot Mountain and Gardens is the perfect place for you! Away from the busy streets of Pigeon, you can enjoy the peace and quiet and spend the afternoon wondering at exotic birds.
The green landscape gardens are home to lots of exotic bird species, like Toucans, Horn bills, and colorful parrots. They fly around the center’s gardens, chirping away. Sometimes they even give visitors a sing and dance or stop for a little chat!
On your visit you can also enjoy a delicious lunch at the deli, and pick up lots of cute, handcrafted gifts to take home at the small cottage-style shop.
5. Old Mill Square
The Mill has been open for almost 200 years, and it continues to produce grains and other traditional products, like candies, that you can purchase at their shop. Since, the Mill has been joined by a ceramic center, the Pigeon River Pottery, and a restaurant.
You can watch potters at work on their turntables, where they create elaborate pieces that are later painted and decorated. Alternatively, head into the Mill and get an idea of how life was two centuries ago, when food was primarily produced in this traditional way.
The location is surrounded by greenery and a small river that powers the mill. A simple, yet delightful, place to spend an afternoon browsing through locally crafted products.
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fishing, hiking, swimming, wildlife watching – the Smoky Mountains National Park has it all. The area is known for its exceptional nature and diverse fauna. The National Park is a hotspot for nature and wildlife enthusiasts from every neck of the woods.
The Park is home to a variety of native species, such as salamanders, coyotes, deer, black bears, bobcats, and elk. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one on your hike! But be careful, they’re not all friendly, especially if you have food with you.
There are lots of streams within the National Park, that anyone with a fishing license can try to catch a fish in! The Sugarlands entrance to the park is just a short 20-minute drive from Pigeon Forge, the perfect daytrip into the wilderness.
3. The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island has it all – restaurants, shops, arcades, hotels, and even its own London Eye! If you’re looking for somewhere to spend the day that suits the whole family, this is definitely it. There’s something for everyone on this fun-filled Island.
This destination is frequently visited by locals and tourists alike. You can spend the day hopping between the island’s funfair riders, visiting the many interactive museums, or getting rid of your loose change at the Arcade City.
Most of Pigeon Forge’s biggest attractions, like the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, and entertainment centers are on the Island. There’s something for every budget and interest.
2. Titanic Museum Attraction
The world was shaken when the Titanic, the most luxurious liner ever built up to that point, sank on its way to the US. The Titanic Museum is commemorating the events and passengers by offering visitors the chance to experience the Titanic for themselves.
As you walk along the museum’s hallways and cabins, all designed to replicate those in the Titanic, you’ll be surrounded by more than 400 artifacts recovered from the sunken ship and its passengers.
You’ll also get to experience being onboard a sinking ship as you stand on the Museum’s sloping decks. Try not to fall! There’s cold water and icebergs nearby!
1. Dollywood
The Smoky Mountains are the home of the internationally loved country singer Dolly Parton. In celebration, Pigeon Forge has its very own Dollywood! The destination combines an amusement park with restaurants, a theater, shops, and lots of entertainment centers.
Dollywood is full of rollercoaster rides, with plenty of options for all ages. One of the most extreme and popular rides is the Drop Line, that lifts riders high into the air and then plummets to the ground. Make sure you bring waterproofs so you can ride on the waterpark rides!
Once you’re full of adrenaline, you can head to one of Dollywood’s theater productions, enjoy a bite to eat, or do some light shopping. Dollywood is great for families with kids of all ages.
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