Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Loads of Fun for Everyone

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Recently, I wrote a blog post on vacations vs. road trips because I wondered if people distinguished between the two. We have visited Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, quite frequently within the last year. My friend and her husband joined us on one of our trips, and it was my friend who posed the vacation vs. road trip question to me years ago. Sitting in front of a campfire, my friend and I realized that Pigeon Forge might be the perfect town to please both the vacationer and the road tripper.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Until I vacationed in Pigeon Forge in 2017, it had been quite a few years since I had visited. Sean, Jackson, and Lucy had never been to Pigeon Forge. After going, I realized that my entire family loved the town. Our purpose that year was to take the kids to an indoor waterpark and Dollywood.

Dollywood

We had seasons’ passes to Stone Mountain in Georgia. Stone Mountain, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City (located in Branson, Missouri), and several other properties are managed and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment. The Herschend Family offers their seasons’ pass holders 50% off park entry fees at their other theme parks. So, we went to Dollywood using our Stone Mountain seasons’ passes and received 50% off our Dollywood ticket price.

We have since purchased season passes to Dollywood because we visit so much, which gives us 50% off at Stone Mountain. So if you plan to visit Dollywood, definitely check to see if a season’s pass will economically benefit your family.

We have been to many theme parks across the United States, and Dollywood is one of the best. The park is immaculate, friendly, and exhibits family values. Dollywood has excellent roller coasters and fabulous shows, food, and activities for all ages. You truly become immersed in the atmosphere of the Smoky Mountains and grasp the down-home feeling that Dolly Parton wants us to understand about the place where she grew up.

The holidays are no exception for Dollywood. We have been at Halloween and Christmas, and both have been spectacular. At Halloween, Dollywood has the Great Pumpkin LumiNights, where carved pumpkins serve as luminaries throughout the park.

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At Christmas, Dollywood has the lights at Glacier Ridge, where the light show display on the tree is magical. Dolly herself has high standards for the shows, both during the holiday season and beyond. We loved the production of It’s A Wonderful Life and Christmas in the Smokies. Unfortunately, we did not see all the shows we wanted, so we will visit again during the holiday season next year.

Dolly’s Splash Country

In the summer, Dolly has a waterpark, Dollywood’s Splash Country. Sean and Jackson love water slides, but Lucy and I do not. Splash Country is one of the best waterparks for those that would like to relax and enjoy a variety of pools. The boys take off to seek adventure on the great slides, while Lucy and I venture out for a relaxing day, floating the hours away.

Wildwood Grove

Dolly has recently opened Wildwood Grove, an expansion to the already large theme park that provides 11 new experiences, with six being new rides. We all loved the aesthetic of Wildwood Grove and enjoyed rides such as the Mad Mockingbird, the Dragonflier, and the Treetop Tower.

Family-Centered Activities in Town

Since our initial family trip in 2017, we have visited Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, many times. The family wanted to see what the town had to offer. We have since seen many shows such as the Biblical Times Dinner Theater, Country Tonite, Hatfield and McCoy’s, Dolly’s Stampede, and The Comedy Barn.

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The Biblical Times’s Holographic Dinner Theater will give your family a one-of-a-kind experience in the Smoky Mountains.

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Country Tonite is a wonderful variety show that pays tribute to country legends. The show includes music throughout the years, gospel, patriotic tunes, and some great comedy.

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Adventure also awaits on many alpine coasters and go-cart rides. If you love good food, Pigeon Forge is sure to please. We love eating at the Historic Old Mill, the Lil Black Bear Café, Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, and our new favorite, the Local Goat (Click here to read our article).

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Relaxation in the Mountains

One neat aspect of Pigeon Forge is that you can stroll from its busy entertainment strip to just off the beaten path, and you find yourself snuggled in the secluded Smoky Mountains. We often camp in Pigeon Forge, and although the campground is just a few miles from the main entertainment center, it feels like we are alone in the middle of the mountains.

Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and I have spent many days just snuggled up to the campfire, enjoying the campground, with maybe a little jaunt to Whaley’s, the local Amish grocery store, to purchase supplies.

The Ridge

One fantastic option for lodging in the Pigeon Forge area is The Ridge Outdoor Resort (Check out our article). Located just across the Sevierville line, the Ridge is a glamper’s (glamor camper’s) dream.

The Ridge can accommodate whether you are destination campers or looking for pure relaxation. Many lodging options are available at the resort, including large and spacious campsites, luxury tents, tiny houses, and treehouses!

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There is fun for everyone in your family, from the heated zero-entry pool to the covered pickleball court. Oh, and let’s not forget the state-of-the-art fitness center and a perfect internet signal!

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Smoky Mountain National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also located in the Pigeon Forge area. Our family loves visiting national parks, and this one is excellent and has no charge. The park is home to Cade’s Cove, where you can visit old homesteads and churches from settlers’ past. You can also bicycle or ride in your automobile to see nature at its finest around the 11-mile loop. Just watch out for black bears at dawn and dusk! If you visit during the summer months, be sure to tube down one of the many rivers in the area.

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On our recent trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, we were tourists for a few days and then relaxed for a few more. My family loves the town so much that we plan to return very soon. It is an easy trip for those in the southeast and an excellent vacation for those who live anywhere in the country. So, if you are a vacationer who wants to get away from the rat race to relax for a few days or a road tripper who is bustling to see what activities are in store in Pigeon Forge, the town has what you are looking for!

Are you interested in vacationing in Pigeon Forge? Check out Trip Advisor for fantastic lodging deals in the area! Prefer camping? Check out our comprehensive guide to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Townsend campgrounds!

To read our Road Trip vs. Vacationer article, click HERE.

Have you ever visited Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? What is your favorite activity? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!