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Writer's pictureKristina Light

10 Fun Things to Do in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are favorite towns for tourists visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. These are our favorite things to do on a Smoky Mountain Vacation:


Dollywood Theme Park in Tennessee
Dollywood Theme Park in Tennessee

Best Attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee


Titanic Museum: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Titanic Museum: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

The Titanic Museum is a favorite attraction for our family. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of Titanic memorabilia. Through interactive exhibits, visitors experience the story of the Titanic. You have the opportunity to walk through replica living quarters, the grand staircase, and interactive exhibits. Each guest is assigned a passenger aboard the ship as their "character" throughout the museum, and they learn about their assigned passenger and the ill-fated ship.




Dollywood at Christmas
Dollywood at Christmas

Tennessee's premier theme park is a family favorite. Dolly Parton grew up in the Smokies and her love for the community and signature brand of entertainment can be found throughout the area, including Dollywood and Dolly's Stampede. Artisans demonstrate crafts on site from blacksmiths to glassblowers. World-class roller coasters, a steam train ride, and amusement park rides are included in admission.



Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud


On one of our trips to the Smoky Mountains, we experienced both Paula Deen's Lumberjack Adventure Park and the Supper Show.


At the Adventure Park, we all enjoyed the elaborate ropes course, lumberjack course (complete with the barrel role), and zipline roller coaster. The park truly offered an exhilarating experience we all loved.


The show was also terrific. We watched as lumberjacks showcased their talents through competitions in log rolling, climbing, sawing, and entertaining antics. The show's year-round availability, including a special holiday edition during Christmas, made it a highlight of our trip.


In the end, experiencing both the Adventure Park and the show added a perfect blend of excitement and entertainment to our family vacation in the Smoky Mountains.



Dolly Parton's Stampede
Dolly Parton's Stampede

My daughters love Dolly Parton's Stampede, This fantastic live dinner theater show is a good time for the whole family. Spectators gather in the arena, ready for rodeo-style entertainment. Everyone is served a tasty meal including juicy chicken, hearty soup, corn on the cob, and a sweet treat for dessert. The show is packed with over thirty magnificent horses, a variety of animals, and music. It's a festive experience for all ages.



The Escape Game: Pigeon Forge, TN
The Escape Game: Pigeon Forge, TN

One of the highlights of our family vacations is engaging in Escape Games. The Escape Game offers top-notch escape rooms across the country. Work together as a team to solve puzzles and escape from a themed room within a 60-minute challenge. We've tried cabin, submarine, and prison themes with The Escape Game and all were a blast. This interactive adventure is popular among tweens, teens, and adults alike.




Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

Mountain Coasters are one of my girls' favorite things to do in the mountains, and it all started with their first-ever mountain coaster ride on Rocky Top Mountain Coaster in the Smokies! Riders control their speed on a silent track as they ride down the mountain. This smooth, scenic ride is one of our favorite mountain thrills. You may ride during the day or at night when the track is colorfully lit.




Smoky Mountain Jeep Tour
Smoky Mountain Jeep Tour

Roaring Fork Motor Trail is one of the most scenic roads through Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and this half-day sightseeing tour is a memorable way to experience the waterfalls, wildlife, and nature of the Smokies.



Light Family Whitewater Rafting in the Smoky Mountains
Light Family Whitewater Rafting in the Smoky Mountains

My girls still talk about our family's whitewater adventure in the Smoky Mountains. This is a bucket list experience for the entire family. Whether you're a first-time or experienced rafter, the Smokies offer great whitewater options for everyone. For beginners, we recommend checking out a local outfitter. Our guides offered training, clear instructions, and a fun personalized experience (they even let us make decisions along the way - how many times do you want to spin in a circle?). Local companies provide transportation to the river, trained guides, safety equipment, and a variety of half-to-full-day routes.



Gatlinburg Zipline Tour
Gatlinburg Zipline Tour


This zipline tour will take you soaring high above the Great Smoky Mountains with breathtaking 360-degree views. The Gatlinburg Mountaintop Zipline and Sky Bridge Experience offers six thrilling zipline rides through the treetops, four sky bridges to cross, and the opportunity to rappel onto the end platform. Additionally, enjoy an exhilarating ATV ride to the mountain's summit for a convenient and enjoyable experience.



Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing
Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing


The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers excellent trout fishing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced angler, allow Smoky Mountain Guides to lead you to the prime fishing locations within the park on this 4-hour excursion. Participants are required to bring a valid fishing license from either Tennessee or North Carolina, along with a Great Smoky Mountains parking pass.



Great Lodging Options:




Pro Tip: Discount on Smoky Mountain Attractions

Save up to 30% off admission costs at top attractions in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Smoky Mountains with a Sightseeing Flex Pass. Explore Tennessee your way with a 3- or 5-attraction pass. Purchase the Smoky Mountain Flex Pass.



More Smoky Mountain Attractions:



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