Are you planning a weekend retreat with your family or a thrilling vacation with your friends? Then Pigeon Forge could be your destination! With its breathtaking views and stunning mountaintops, Pigeon Forge is one of the most attractive tourist spots near the Great Smoky Mountains, drawing over ten million adventure seekers each year. This small town is overflowing with exciting activities for kids and adults, making it the ultimate vacation spot for families, groups, and lone adventurers. 

If this is your first time visiting Pigeon Forge, you’ll be surprised by the variety of activities you can engage in during your stay. From nature exploration to adventure rides, delectable food, countless outdoor activities, and loads of shopping, there are plenty of options to spend a fun-filled holiday in Pigeon Forge. Keep reading to discover the top four things to do to make your vacation in Pigeon Forge truly unforgettable. 

Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee Drone Aerial.

Things to Consider When Planning Your Vacation to Pigeon Forge

If you’re planning your first trip to Pigeon Forge, you want to set off for your destination well-prepared. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re planning your next vacation to Pigeon Forge:

Where to Stay

Pigeon Forge offers many accommodation options, from traditional cabin hospitality to first-class hotels, motels, and guest houses. However, pre-booking your accommodation is always best to get the best pick. Search for various accommodation options and the amenities each of them offers. 

In Pigeon Forge, cabins are among the hot favorites for tourists as most of them provide spectacular views and world-class amenities and can accommodate large groups. No matter  in which season you plan to visit Pigeon Forge, you can always book one of the Pigeon Forge cabins with an indoor pool. Many cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge also feature indoor pools that imitate the natural water streams in Pigeon Forge, like cascades and lazy rivers. Besides pools, other amenities may include an attached kitchen, home theatre, game rooms, hot saunas, and more. 

Regardless of whichever cabin you choose to stay in, make sure to reserve your accommodations in advance. It will help you avoid any last-minute rushes or missed opportunities. Some cabin rentals also offer handsome discounts on online bookings, so why not save a few bucks and save the hassle of booking at the last minute?  

Travel Dates and Season

Pigeon Forge is a popular tourist destination, which means you’ll find this small town overcrowded with tourists year-round, especially during spring, summer, and early autumn. Plan your vacation around early winter, early spring, or late fall if you want to avoid extra crowds. You will get to participate in popular Pigeon Forge festivals and enjoy sensational winter outdoor activities like snowboarding and skiing, not to mention the mesmerizing views of snowcapped mountains. 

Weather and Packing

Pigeon Forge has a pleasant summer, but you may require an extra layer of clothing in the evening. When packing your stuff for your Pigeon Forge vacation, research on the internet to get a detailed weather forecast. Check out the temperature range and pack your clothing and accessories accordingly. 

Fun Things to Do on a Vacation in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is a small town, but there are just too many activities to engage in a single trip. If you’re making a list to plan your visit, here are some of the top fun things you would not want to miss out on your trip to Pigeon Forge:

  1. Go Hiking and Explore the Wonders of Nature

If you have an inborn obsession with exploring the untamed wilderness, Pigeon Forge has everything you have ever dreamed of. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has over 800 miles of hiking trails, and each of these trails is unique in their difficulty level, views, and track type. When you hike through these tracks, you get to observe nature’s splendor, witness spectacular water cascades and fast-flowing rivers, and interact with various wildlife in this area. 

Some hiking trails are family-friendly, as they are straight, paved tracks. Other tracks have natural bumpy trails that lead to mountaintops and historic places like centuries-old cabins, churches, and gristmills. You can challenge your friends for an hike up to the mountain peaks and revel in the majestic views of misty mountaintops. 

  1. Go Ziplining

You will have a memorable time whizzing through long zip lines. There are plenty of ziplining options in and around Pigeon Forge, the most popular ones include the Great Smoky Mountain Ziplines, Legacy Mountain Ziplines, Wears Valley Zipline, and Adventure Park Ziplines. 

The extraordinary height of these zip lines and the fantastic views in the depth of the valley and around the mountains make ziplining a thrilling adventure. You can feel your heart pounding and adrenaline rushing through your blood as you zoom through the zipline at remarkable speeds. If you’re visiting Pigeon Forge with your gang of adventurers, ziplining can truly quench your thirst for spine-tingling outdoor activities. 

  1. Spend a Day at The Island in Pigeon Forge

If you plan to spend a day filled with ultimate fun, Southern hospitality, loads of shopping, and live music, you can get it all in one place – The Island in Pigeon Forge!

Enjoy breathtaking views of Pigeon Forge and its surrounding areas as you take a ride in the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. Relish on lip-smacking food with a Southern flair as you listen to live music or watch the dazzling dance of fountains and lights. Above all, you can shop till you drop at The Island, where you can find some of the famous international brands, buy trendy local accessories and wearables, or pick your favorite souvenirs to cherish your trip for a lifetime. 

  1. Have a Blast at Dollywood Theme Park 

Dollywood is a popular theme park owned by Dolly Patron – the pride of Pigeon Forge. This tourist attraction offers fun, entertainment, and dining options for people of all ages. The theme park has over 40 rip-roading rides for children and adults, from kiddie rides to thrilling rollercoasters, mystery mines, and steam engine tours. After having a fun-filled day at the theme park, you can enjoy dinner show fiesta in the evening. Watch live performances and spectacular horseriding stunts while treating your ears with melodies and feasting on a 4-course meal. Your family and friends will indeed have a great time at Dollywood. 

If you’re visiting Pigeon Forge in peak summers, don’t forget to enjoy thrilling water rides at Dollywood Splash Country. You can take exciting water slides or play water cannon games with your loved ones. For those who love water adventure, Splash Country offers a stimulated river rafting experience where you can beat the roaring rapids and practice your rafting skills. 

Wrapping Up

Pigeon Forge is the ultimate tourist destination for people of all ages, offering everything you need for a vacation. For a hassle-free trip to this extraordinary place, we recommend arranging your accommodation and travel arrangements well. If you want to explore all the top tourist spots, plan your vacation for at least a week.