Top Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains lives an all-American town with a huge amount of thrills. I’m talking about Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Growing up I always knew Pigeon Forge to be home of the famous Dollywood theme park. Can we all take a moment to appreciate the incredible Dolly Parton? 

But that is not the only thing attracting visitors to this gorgeous mountain town. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature or let it out on a heart-pumping thrill ride – Pigeon Forge is THE place for hard workers looking to escape the daily grind and unwind on a long weekend escape. 

In this post, I’ll be sharing my top things to do in Pigeon Forge in 2020, as well as my favorite hotels, food, and more

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Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Pack your bags and book a weekend getaway to Pigeon Forge to experience all these wonderful things. 

Take in those gorgeous Smoky Mountainous views

One of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge is undoubtedly going to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Reconnect with nature on a hike to a waterfall or dozens of trails. Woosah. Where do I even begin with waterfalls? There are some good ones here. You will definitely want to check out Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls. 

Laurel Falls is an easy hike while Grotto Falls is considered a moderate hike. Both will take you around 2-3 hours round trip so plan accordingly. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, an emergency kit, and slip-resistant shoes. 

After you’ve explored via foot, jump in the car for a scenic drive. My favorite is the Newfound Gap Road drive. It’s so majestic. It reminds me of Ireland. The Newfound Gap is fully paved and will take you through the center of the park. It’s a great drive if you only have the weekend but still want to see the park.

Cruise on the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest alpine coaster in the United States. What the heck is an alpine coaster? An Alpine coaster aka mountain coaster is a bobsled-like cart you sit in and track up and down hills/mountains. The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is over a mile long and passengers can control how fast they go. 

The coasters are much longer than extreme coasters. Tickets are $15 per adult with $8 same-day ticket deal should you want to ride a second time.

Spend the day at Dollywood

Dollywood is a major amusement park offering over 40 rides, tons of dining and shows to fill up an entire day (or two days) worth depending on how fast or slow you want to move. There is award-winning entertainment happening every season including the Festival of Nations happening this spring. Follow the passport to food and savor the diverse culinary options feature

Hungry? Don’t miss the best dinner show in town – Dolly Parton’s Stampede. A feast and show featuring over 32 Grab $3 off your ticket with this online coupon.

Shop dine and play at the island

It’s the #9 best amusement park in the world and for good reason. Similar to Dollywood, the Island offers tons of dining and entertainment options. It’s a great playground for adults looking for a night out. You can grab a craft beer at Yee-Haw Brewing Company (yee-haw shouts are highly encouraged), or test your dining limits at Dick’s Last Resort. After, you can take a spin around the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and catch the popular Island Show Fountains.

TopJump Trampoline and Extreme Arena

Challenge your inner ninja warrior and take on the Fire & Ice Ninja Course, or test your acrobatic skills in the trampoline park at TopJump. This is an all ages place offering tons of activities from obstacle courses to virtual reality. To get the full experience you will want to purchase the Extreme Activity Package which gives you 2 hours of fun for $23.99. Make sure to pack grip socks like these or purchase them there for $2.

Tour the Historic Old Mill

Built in 1830, the historic Old Mill is still in operation today. Pay tribute to the pioneer days and see firsthand how hydropower technology is used to create things such as flour. There are a variety of stations you can visit including pottery making. Just don’t forget to stop at the general store and pick you up some homemade candy and jam. It’s pioneer living at its finest. If you’re hungry, the Old Mill Restaurant is a great choice to kick back and surround yourself with the history and comfort food of the Smokies

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Our Sunliner Shoutout of the week goes to Kalah and Doina! Kalah is a lead server and trainer for us. She injured her knee recently but didn’t let it hold her back and has came back even stronger! Doina started in food running but has moved to serving and she is doing a wonderful job! We are hiring for spring and summer positions and there’s so many reasons to join the Sunliner family! #SunlinerGirls #Shoutout #NowHiring #StarTeam

A post shared by Sunliner Diner (@sunlinerdiner) on Feb 10, 2020 at 5:17pm PST

Sunliner diner is a new 50’s style diner

To keep the classic vibes going, you can stop off at Sunliner Diner. A 50s style diner offering all the traditional menu items and aesthetics. I can’t even begin to describe how adorable this diner is. Grab a milkshake and shake it to some classic bubblegum music. Instagram pics highly encouraged.

Experience Life Aboard the Titanic

Visit Titanic Pigeon Forge – a half-built scale of the original ship. You can board the Titanic and tour through the story that surprised the world. Guests will receive a boarding pass with the name of a real passenger. You will get the opportunity to experience what it would have been like to have traveled on the Titanic from 28-degree water to the grand staircase. It’s an interactive experience not to miss, especially for history buffs. You can purchase tickets in advance online. Adults are $27.

Best Places to Stay in Pigeon Forge, TN

Deciding where to stay is half the fun. You can cozy on up at a traditional cabin or stay in style in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Here are my recommendations.

• The Ramsey Hotel

• Alpine Mountain Chalets

• Margaritaville Island Inn

We all work hard and there is no better way to unwind, relax and reset from the day to day grind than over a few days away. No matter if it’s one day, a weekend, or months away from home – something about shifting your entire surrounding to somewhere unfamiliar works wonders on the soul. From scenic beauty to live entertainment, you can now see why Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the perfect escape.

If you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway this year then put Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at the top of your bucket list.

Does this place sound amazing or what? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Thank you to Pigeon Forge for sponsoring this post. Though sponsored all opinions are 100% my own. Also, this post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission (at no cost to you) when you purchase through these links, which helps me keep my lights on so I can create more content for you! I am extremely grateful. Thank you.