I am a big Dolly fan. Not just “when Jolene comes on I tap my foot” kind of fan. I love everything about her!
So when I took a group of my readers to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, it was really all about Dollywood – which I’d been to last year for a reccy!
I wrote this post on everything you need to know before you go to Dollywood.
But Pigeon Forge surprised me. Yes, it is Dolly country, and yes, you’ll find her Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dolly’s Stampede and more rhinestones than you can shake a coat of many colors at.
But this mountain town is also packed with family fun, dinner shows, moonshine tastings, mini golf courses, museums, scenic drives, mountain coasters (different to roller coasters), delicious food and some of the most beautiful views in the United States.
*This post contains some affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase I may make a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Where would you recommend to stay?
This time I stayed at Margaritaville Island Hotel, right in the heart of Pigeon Forge (not to be confused with Margaritaville Inn), and it was the perfect way to explore at our own pace.
You’ll probably have a car, but we Ubered to Dollywood, got picked up for our Smokies day tour and Ubered to Sevierville for dinner.
From my balcony I could look out over The Island, watch the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel turning slowly and wander downstairs for restaurants, shops, live music and a good time without even needing the car.
The first time I visited, I stayed in DreamMore, one of the two resorts owned by Dollywood. The second time we couldn’t get in there, so chose Margaritaville Island Hotel (not to be confused for the smaller Margaritaville Inn in front).
Margaritaville Island Hotel
If you’re coming for more than Dolly, or even more than a couple of nights, Margaritaville Island Hotel is a great place to base yourself because it sits right in the middle of The Island in Pigeon Forge, the town’s busiest center, absurdly dotted with roaring dinosaurs – oddly there are a lot of dinosaurs in Pigeon Forge!
It has the Jimmy Buffett vibe, comfortable rooms, balconies, fireplaces, hot tubs in some suites, and everything you need within a short walk. Step outside and you are surrounded by live music, restaurants, little boutiques, a gift shop or three, sweet treats and plenty of people-watching.
Tip: Avoid room P299 which sits overlooking the light up bridge. It shines red, white and blue all night long making the room light up like a disco!
The Island is also home to the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, an iconic landmark in Pigeon Forge and a lovely way to get your bearings. It rises above the town with breathtaking views across the surrounding mountains, especially if you time it for sunset.
The whole area is family-friendly, but it is just as fun for couples, groups of friends or solo travellers who like to potter around. You can grab a coffee, listen to live entertainment, find a bar, buy a souvenir, sit by the fountains, eat something tasty, and call that sightseeing.
Top tip: Don’t try to do everything
Use this post to give you ideas. Scroll through and see what grabs you, given the time frame you have. Pigeon Forge looks manageable on a map, but once you arrive, the list of things to do gets very long, very quickly.
There are museums, coasters, mini golf, dinner shows, water parks, scenic drives, live music, shopping, family attractions and mountain adventures. You could spend a week here and still not tick everything off.
So choose your top attractions, book the must-dos, and leave space for spontaneous stops. That is often where the best memories happen.
My perfect Pigeon Forge itinerary
TLDR: If I were planning my first visit, I’d do this:
Day one: Settle in at Margaritaville Island Hotel, ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, explore the shops on The Island and enjoy some live music.
Day two: Visit Dollywood, and if you’re here in summer, make sure you stay for the nightly fireworks and I Will Always Love You drone show.
Day three: Visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take a private tour, or self-drive Cades Cove if it fits. Do some moonshine tasting (they are only a thimble full) and hopefully some bear spotting.
Then use any extra time for things like the Titanic Museum Attraction, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, Pigeon Forge Snow, ride a mountain coaster, play mini golf, shop at Old Mill Square and do one of the other dinner shows.
That would give you a lovely mix of Dolly, mountains, family fun, delicious food and the wonderfully over-the-top attractions that make Pigeon Forge such a memorable place.
The best things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the US covering over 522,000 acres, which is around 816 square miles or 2,114 square kilometers.
We designed a six-hour private tour for views, bears and moonshine, which I write about below.
So here are my favourite things to do in Pigeon Forge, from the top attractions to the slightly bonkers ones.
Spend (at least) a day at Dollywood
Did you know that Dollywood was ranked #1 theme park in the US in 2025? There are 60 rides here and 10 of them are in the extreme category. There are also many little shops, museums of Dolly’s career, costumes and live theatre shows – her niece Heidi was performing when we were last there.
You can read all about my Dollywood tips in this post.
But if you love roller coasters, Lightning Rod is one of the big names, and Big Bear Mountain is Dollywood’s longest roller coaster with nearly 4,000 feet of track that twists and turns and had us screaming ourselves hoarse.
If you are visiting in summer, Dolly’s Splash Country is the water park next door with water slides, splash zones and pools tucked into the mountain setting. It opens around mid May for summer.
Even if you are not a huge amusement park person, Dollywood is still a unique experience. Go for the music, the museums, the gardens, the cinnamon bread, the mountain views and the shopping.
See Dolly’s Stampede Dinner Show
We umm’d and ahhh’d about spending over US$130pp on Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show, and decided we would. We’d come all this way! And let me tell you, it is a whole thing.
It’s held in a large arena, with a whiff of horse manure, and surrounded by bench seating with long tables upon which your four-course dinner is served – fast-food style.
This family-friendly show has horses and carriages, talented riders and other animals for small interludes. There some audience participation, and a friendly rivalry between opposing sides of the arena and “our” teams.
This is not a quiet night out and it’s very kid-centric with comedy and obscure games like pig racing and chicken racing. The riders are incredible, but I found the whole experience not to be my kind of event.
And the food! There was so much of it – a whole chicken per person, tonged onto your waiting plate by your server. Then a dollop of pulled pork, potato mash and a half corn cob. That was after the bowl of soup with a hot biscuit.
However it was recommended by so many people we met and is one of the top attractions in town so if you love live entertainment and a rollicking dinner show, it is an unforgettable experience.
Country Tonite is another dinner show and a long-running favourite for music, dancing and top-notch entertainment.
Or try Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud which is all about comedy, stunts, music, family feuding and lots of laughs.
Or Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show.
Head into Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Our day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was one of the highlights of the trip. The park is right on Pigeon Forge’s doorstep, which is why this town is such a great base for exploring the great outdoors.
We took a private tour with Tennessee Mountain Tours, which we tailored from their day trip into the Smokies to include moonshine and wine tasting. Don’t bother with the latter!
You could also download this self-driving Smoky Mountains tour guide, which does not require wifi wqhile you’re driving. It gives you lots of great info about where you’re going.
We drove scenic roads framed in leafy oaks, maples, pines and poplars, alongside little streams and waterfalls – on our bear hunt. And were rewarded with a little black one sleeping in a tree.
The giveaway was the long line of cars on the one-way road that had slowed to crawling pace and the true bear spotters with their monstrous camera lenses walking beside us.
Black bears can be seen from May until August. The National Park Service states visitors must stay at least 150 feet from bears and other wildlife, and never feed them. The official government website is the best place to check current rules, closures and safety information before you go.
A private tour is a perfect way to experience the park if you want local knowledge, hidden stops and a relaxed day in the mountains.
Drive Cades Cove
Cades Cove is one of the most famous scenic drive areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and this is the one we took.
Think open valleys, historic wooden cabins, old churches, mountain views, wildlife, picnic tables and you feel like you have slipped back into another century. It is also one of the best places in the park to spot wildlife, including deer, turkeys and, if you are lucky, black bears.
The drive is best done slowly and in summer time it can take hours. Roll down the window, pull off for photos, walk through the old buildings and take in the views at your own pace.
If you are planning a picnic, this is a gorgeous spot to pack lunch, although do remember the bear rules. This is not the place to leave snacks sitting around unless you want to become the afternoon entertainment.
Visit Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Another great stop in the national park is Oconaluftee Visitor Center, especially if you love history as much as scenery.
There are historic cabins and farm buildings nearby, plus trails and displays that help explain the mountain way of life. It is also a good place to ask rangers for current advice on road conditions, wildlife sightings and scenic trails.
This side of the park is a little further from Pigeon Forge, but if your tour heads that way, it adds another lovely layer to the Smokies experience.
Moonshine Tasting
I’m not saying you have to taste moonshine when you come to Tennessee. But … you kind of have to taste moonshine when you come to Tennessee.
I had tasted it before and it was like rocket fuel, but this time I was pleasantly surprised. We stopped at Tennessee Shine Co, at the end of our day trip and met Bubba, the moonshine maker who poured out our tastings.
He makes moonshine in all sorts of flavours and not as highly alcoholic as the one I’d had previously. In fact several of our group bought a six-sampler pack to bring home.
Ride a Mountain Coaster
Pigeon Forge is famous for mountain coasters, which are different to roller coasters. They look rickety as all heck, but these alpine-style rides let you control your speed as you zip down the mountain on a track.
You can go full throttle if you are brave, or brake your way down like a nana who anticipates too much. No judgement.
Popular options include the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster and the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster. Some have more than a mile of track, some twist through the trees, and some are especially fun at night when the lights come on.
Visit Alcatraz East Crime Museum
If you like true crime, mystery, forensic science or anything a little bit dark and fascinating, Alcatraz East Crime Museum is one of the top things to do in Pigeon Forge.
This museum is packed with interactive displays, hands-on exhibits and stories from American crime history. You’ll find exhibits on law enforcement, infamous criminals, forensic science, prison life and crime-solving.
It is a very different kind of Pigeon Forge attraction, especially among all the pancakes and mini golf, but that is what makes it interesting. It gives older kids and adults something to really dig into, and it is a good indoor option if the weather turns.
There are thousands of square feet of exhibits, so allow more time than you think you’ll need.
Step aboard the Titanic
The Titanic Museum Attraction is hard to miss. The building itself looks like the ship, complete with a grand staircase inside, and it is one of the most recognisable attractions in Pigeon Forge.
You walk through with a boarding pass connected to a real passenger, explore rooms and galleries, see artefacts and interactive exhibits and learn about the stories of the people who sailed on Titanic.
It is moving, beautifully done and much more substantial than you might expect from the outside. This is not just a quick photo stop. It is one of the top Pigeon Forge attractions and a unique experience for history lovers.
Get upside down at WonderWorks
WonderWorks is the giant upside-down building that you’ll double-take at as you drive by.
The story goes that it was once a top-secret laboratory from the Bermuda Triangle that landed upside down — because why not? Inside you’ll find interactive exhibits, science activities, optical illusions, a ropes course and plenty of things for kids to poke, pull, press and test.
It is part museum, part indoor amusement park, part “what on earth is happening here?” and is especially good for families if you need a break from the weather.
Selfies with stars at the Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a classic tourist stop that is just silly enough to be fun.
Walk the red carpet, pose with celebrity figures and take ridiculous photos you will absolutely send to your friends. Is it high culture? No. Is it fun? Yes. And that is exactly the point.
It is a good rainy-day option, and it sits near several other attractions, so you can bundle it into a bigger afternoon.
Play Mini Golf
Pigeon Forge does mini golf very well. You’ll find pirate themes, fantasy golf, indoor courses, outdoor courses, glow-in-the-dark options and wonderfully over-the-top designs.
Toy Box Mini Golf is a colourful, family-friendly option with giant toys and playful scenes, while MagiQuest has that magic wand, fantasy adventure feel that kids love.
Try an Escape Game
Ok, I have done an escape room and they’re not for me! Fortunately my former-detective husband was with me and had the patience to follow the clues while I sat on the slide from which I’d entered the room and looked for the secret door to get out.
But if you like puzzles, this is another great rainy day activity in Pigeon Forge.
The premise is you get locked into a themed room and have to solve clues before the clock runs out. It is all very dramatic and there is always one person who suddenly becomes head of operations.
Visit The Old Mill and Old Mill Square
For a change of pace, head to Old Mill Square.
This historic area is built around the old grist mill and has shops, restaurants and a lovely old-fashioned feel. The Old Mill Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in town, known for hearty Southern food, big portions and comfort eating.
Patriot Park is nearby too, with walking paths and open space, and it is a nice place to pause between attractions.
Old Mill Square is a great place to browse for gifts. Pick up a souvenir, a food treat, a gift card, pottery, sauces or something for the kitchen that will remind you of Tennessee long after you get home.
Visit Pigeon Forge Snow
Pigeon Forge Snow is one of the more unexpected attractions in town: indoor snow tubing.
Yes, real snow. Indoors. Pigeon Forge gets a little snow annually – usually 3-6 inches and it melts pretty quickly.
This is a fun option for families. Kids can tube, play and burn off energy while adults either join in or supervise from a safe, warm distance with coffee.
Look out for Live Goats
Only in the Smokies would “live goats on a roof” be a legitimate roadside attraction.
Goats on the Roof is one of those quirky stops that makes road trips fun. There are live goats, mountain coaster rides, gem mining, sweets and a gift shop. It is silly, cute and very Pigeon Forge.
Not every travel experience needs to be profound. Sometimes you just need goats on a roof.
Try Ziplining and Horseback riding
If you want more time in the great outdoors, look at zipline courses, horseback riding and adventure parks around Pigeon Forge and nearby Gatlinburg.
Horseback riding is a lovely way to slow down and enjoy the scenery, while ziplines let you fly through the trees tops with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
There are also adventure parks with ropes course options, climbing challenges and activities for different ages. Check opening times before you go, as many attractions are open daily in peak season but may change hours seasonally.
Visit Wear Farm City Park
If you are travelling with kids and need a free place to let them run around, Wear Farm City Park is a useful local stop.
There are sports fields, playgrounds, walking paths and picnic tables, making it a good place for a low-key breather between bigger attractions and letting everyone stretch their legs.
Shop for Souvenirs
Pigeon Forge is full of gift shops, outlet stores (Tanger Outlet Mall), local crafts, sweet shops and places selling everything from vintage and antiques to Dolly-themed tat.
The Island and Old Mill Square are good places to browse, but you will find shopping all along the Parkway too. I bought some sweet ceramic measuring cups from Paula Deens on The Island and my eye was caught by the antique shops I spotted as we drove past them on our Smoky Mountains day trip.
Eat all the delicious food
You will not go hungry in Pigeon Forge.
This town does pancakes, barbecue, Southern comfort food, steaks, burgers, cinnamon bread, fried things, sweet things and “I probably shouldn’t but I’m on holiday” things very well.
The Old Mill Restaurant is a classic. The Margaritaville Island has plenty of casual options, and Paula Deens is super popular from breakfast through to dinner.
Local diners and family restaurants are everywhere. And if you are looking for lower prices, head a little away from the main drag or eat earlier in the evening.
For families Pigeon Forge, it is an easy win. For Dolly fans, it is a pilgrimage. For nature lovers, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is right there. And for anyone who enjoys a quirky, fun-filled town with lots to do, Pigeon Forge is an unforgettable experience.
Ther are so many lovely places to stay around Pigeon Forge, including mountain cabins and modern hotels. Check them out on this map. Just zoom out to see more.
