Just an hour outside of Knoxville, hidden in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, lies Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The ultimate family fun vacation destination, this colorful tourist town has so much to offer.
Mini golf, wax museums, mountain coasters, ziplines… the list goes on. Book your stay with Nofie and fully immerse yourself in the colorful atmosphere that is Pigeon Forge!
Outdoor activities in Pigeon Forge
The beautiful weather in Pigeon Forge along with the breathtaking scenery along the Smoky Mountains make outdoor activities in town all the more enjoyable. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline activities, or just want to spend the day doing something casual outdoors, it’s easy to plan your perfect day.
Mountain coasters & gondolas
A staple of the Smoky Mountains, the mountain coasters in Pigeon Forge never get old, nor do the views from their several scenic gondolas. Open night and day, these alpine rides get you fully up to speed and winding through the mountains. Be sure to check out Rocky Top, the longest ride in East Tennessee with the most diverse track maneuvers.
Mini golf
Mini golf is the perfect way to enjoy the weather while going at your own pace and spending quality time with friends and/or family. With several different courses in Pigeon Forge, it’s almost as if you have to try them all and decide the winner for yourself! We recommend night-putting at the notorious Scooby-Doo Mystery Putt!
Extreme sports
If you’re looking to take things to the next level, there is no scarcity of extreme sports in Pigeon Forge. Whether you want to be zipping through the air or traversing through white water (or both), your thirst for adrenaline can be quenched through a variety of thrilling activities!
Strap up and clip in at any of these exciting activities and make your Pigeon Forge trip an unparalleled experience:
- Legacy Mountain Ziplines – intense, elevated ziplining.
- Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) – white water rafting!
- Smoky Mountain River Rat – white water rafting!
- Climb Works – fan favourite – guided tour through various sky bridges, massive ziplines, and repelling.
A maze of specialty museums
Unlike places like Washington D.C., that are known for their broadened art and history museums, the plethora of unique and themed museums makes Pigeon Forge a hub of interactive fun, learning and experience. The variety of museums in town is unmatched, and the excitement is limitless.
Titanic Museum
This self-guided, interactive exhibit allows you to immerse yourself in the reality that was the Titanic crash of 1912. You can feel the weight of the disaster as you see an exquisite replica of the grand staircase, tons of artifacts from the ship, stories of those on board, and even a place where you can feel the cold, black water for yourself.
Hollywood Wax Museum
This exciting museum will have you fully engaged before you even step in the door. The design of the building alone (King Kong climbing the side wall, for instance) is enough to get people inside. Once you walk in, you find yourself completely immersed in decades of pop culture, with their realism making you question if it’s really wax…
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
For the crime history fans, or anyone who wants to learn more about the most famous prison in the history of the United States, the Alcatraz East Museum has more than enough to do and see. This museum goes in depth on the history of the original Alcatraz, what life was like for both prisoners and guards, and has many displays and replicas of cell blocks and other artifacts. It has many exhibits on infamous prisoners, such as Jeffrey Dahmer and John Dilliinger.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is an open-daily showcase of some of the most iconic cars and motorcycles in pop culture history. Featuring a plethora of vehicles from the Fast & Furious series (like Brian’s Nissan GTR, for starters), the museum also boasts several of the original Batmobile’s, 007’s Astin Martin, the General Lee and more vehicular staples from movies and tv.
Along with that, this museum has exhibitions for vehicles previously owned by big names, including Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson, and Elvis.
Get a glimpse of their full inventory here.
Great restaurants in Pigeon Forge
With everything to do and see taking up most of your daily schedule, it’s important to block off a few hours a day to go and eat at some of the most beloved places in Pigeon Forge.
Blue Moose 4.5 ☆ $10-20
A family friendly restaurant with a fun atmosphere, exciting cocktails and a small tv at each table!
The Local Goat 4.6 ☆ $20-30
This New American scratch kitchen is a local favorite. Known for their fresh daily ingredients, excellent bar, and lunch/dinner menu including various burgers, ribs, seafood and more.
Azul Cantina 4.6 ☆ $20-30
Delicious Mexican restaurant with incredible drinks, appetizers, platters and addicting desserts!
The Old Mill Restaurant 4.6 ☆ $20-30
The Old Mill Restaurant is known for their homestyle country food, hearty portions and excellent service. A great place to sit, eat and shop at any point in your day.
Sunliner Diner 4.8 ☆ $10-20
This ‘50s themed American diner is known for their retro aesthetic and delicious American comfort food.
Other notable tourist attractions:
Dollywood – Dedicated to the Queen of Nashville herself, Dollywood is an epic theme park with rides, restaurants, live shows and more!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not – A family-friendly attraction with tons of exhibits, artifacts, stories and interactive games. Exhibits can vary from space exploration to prehistoric Smoky Mountain adventures!
Ferris Wheel – Seen as the face of Pigeon Forge, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is a must-try attraction in the heart of Pigeon Forge, offering a 360 degree view of the town and the Smoky Mountains.
WonderWorks – The notorious “upside-down house” is an interactive, indoor amusement park with 100+ hands-on exhibits!
Nofie is here to help you find the best booking, for the best price.
We connect you with rental property owners directly, completely cutting out the middlemen and fees you’re accustomed too. Book now, and start looking forward to your Pigeon Forge vacation today!
Brody Samson
Writer
About the Author
Brody, a recent Colorado State University undergrad, spent his time in Fort Collins studying Journalism & Media Communication. He interned at College Avenue Magazine and also received a minor in Global & Environmental Sustainability. His lifelong passion for writing drove him to pursue a career in journalism.
In his free time, he can be found hiking, biking or swimming outdoors. He fiercely enjoys competition in sports along with reading, and playing music on the guitar.
