Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a quaint little town at the base of the Great Smokey Mountains. Above all, Pigeon Forge is well known for being a destination in Tennessee with many things for families to do. We loved traveling through Tennessee and while Chattanooga and Knoxville captured our heart, Pigeon Forge definitely has the most things to do for families. Let’s check out our favorite 12 things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids.
Pigeon Forge’s Shining Star
1. Dollywood
To kick things off, we give you Dollywood. This amusement park hosts millions of people a year, making it one of the top Pigeon Forge attractions to visit. Obviously, the theme park is partially owned by Dolly Parton, the famous singer, and actress which gives it some fun flair. For your convenience, I recommend purchasing a Smoky Mountain Theme Park & Museum Attraction Pass, which will include your admission to Dollywood and the other major attractions.
In Dollywood, you can enjoy many thrill rides such as the whitewater rafting ride, Smoky Mountain River Rampage, or the Tennessee Tornado rollercoaster. The park has as ten themed areas, most of which include a restaurant, theater show, and thrill ride. To name just a few; Showstreet, Craftsman’s Valley, Country Fair, and Adventures in Imagination.
2. Dollywood Waterpark
Tennesse summers call for a thrilling waterpark, and Dolly delivered. Dollywood Waterpark sits on thirty-five acres that feature rapids, waterslides, and waterfalls. Even better, there are eight different restaurants to choose from once you’ve worked up an appetite.
The Watering Hole offers healthier food options such as fruits, salads, and sandwiches. As well as, there are plenty of kids options as well from chicken tenders to personal pizzas.
Fun Museums in Pigeon Forge
3. Pigeon Forge’s Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum was moved to Pigeon Forge from Gatlinburg back in 2012 and is now the largest wax museum in the country!
The museum houses celebrity wax replicas as a monument to those in the U.S. film industry. Dolly Parton, Ellen Degeneres, John Wayne, and Michael Jackson can be seen with striking realism inside the Hollywood Wax Museum. There is no age restriction and tickets cost about $33 for adults and $20 for children ages 4-11. It’s located in a central entertainment shopping center where there is also Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors, Castle of Chaos, and Outbreak – Dread the Undead. Check out current ticket prices here!
4. Alcatraz Crime Museum
The Alcatraz Crime Museum is a unique activity that the whole family will surely enjoy. The fortress is actually the first ever state prison built in Tennessee in 1898. Resemblances of Alcatraz Prison were incorporated into the architecture and a museum of American crime was created. Inside, you can learn the history behind some of the U.S.’s most notorious criminals. Alcatraz East is a two-story building with 25,000 square feet of galleries detailing prominent times in history. Here is a list of their galleries:
- A Notorious History of American Crime
- Punishment: The Consequence of Crime
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Crime Fighting
- Counterfeit Crimes and Pop Culture
There are several snack booths with the building and you can rent lockers on a first come first serve basis. Tickets cost about $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 8-12. Here is current pricing, although we do recommend the Smoky Mountain Theme Park & Museum Attraction Pass as mentioned above if you plan on doing multiple things on this list.
5. Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is another great stop along your journey. This one is particular is the largest of its kind in the United States. There are $4.5 million dollars of actual Titanic artifacts at this museum. Learn the stories of the passengers on board the ship that fateful day, and you can even experience the feel of the looping decks as the ship descended.
All ticket sales require a scheduled date and time. Click here to get yours!
Family Fun in Pigeon Forge
6. Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
The tallest Ferris wheel and attraction might be what to do first in Pigeon Forge. A glass gondola that carries up to eight people gives a view of the Great Smokey Mountains unlike any other you will find in Tennessee! The 200-foot structure began rotation on June 21, 2013, and was dubbed the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
Take a look at some of their pricing, click here to purchase now:
7. Pigeon Forge Mini Golf
When you’re trying to decide what to do first in Pigeon Forge, you can never go wrong with some good ol’ mini golf. Pigeon Forge has several mini golf locations to choose from. Here are the top three rated places to indulge in a little putt-putt:
Fantasy Golf- Two 18-hole mini golf courses played around a castle, protected by its iconic green dragon. Runs May-October.
Crave Golf Club- A candy-theme mini golf course with 19 holes of delicious fun. You can put the green on the rooftop or inside and also enjoy mini-bowling, the sweet shop, and the milkshake bar.
Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini Golf- One of the largest mini golf spots in town, Ripley’s has 54-holes complete with animated farm characters for that down on the farm feel.
8. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
Have you ever wanted to skydive, but just can’t seem to summon up the courage? Take the plunge in a less frightening way, Flyaway Indoor Skydiving! After taking a fifteen minute training course on body control techniques and safety procedures, you’re given your equipment (a fly suit, helmet, etc). Every fifteen minutes, guests get their unique chance to defy gravity and experience the thrill of skydiving. Each rider gets about three minutes of air time. Get to booking your experience today!
Note that they are closed on Wednesday.
9. Kart Racing
Go-carts are a go-to attraction for most people visiting Tennessee. It’s fun for people of all ages and you can find one around just any corner. Here are three of our favorites:
Xtreme Racing Center of Pigeon Forge- No advanced booking. Grand Prix Special is $30 per rider. Riders must be at least 11 years old and be 52 inches tall.
Black Jones Racing Center- Try their Spin Zone Bumper Cars, Indoor Electric Go-Karts, or the Figure 8 Slick Track. Single riders must be ten years old, but there are double car seat options available.
The Track- Top-rated Kart Racing out of all the Pigeon Forge attractions. Multi-level racetracks allow for a quick and smooth ride, and there are an arcade and mini-golf for those who want to stay inside.
10. Country Tonite Theater
You don’t have to be a fan of country music to enjoy the phenomenon that is Country Tonite Theater. Located in a 1500-seated amphitheater, this show has been around for over two decades. It is routinely voted the #1 show in the Smokies. The show begins at 8 PM every night, and you just have to make time to squeeze it in if you’re visiting Pigeon Forge.
Tickets are free for children under 12.
Adults: $32.50
Teens: $27.50
11. Coaster at Goats on the Roof
This is not your typical coaster. Goats on the Roof is a popular alpine coaster that will take you on a thrilling zip throughout the mountain forests. Even better, you have control of your own hand brake so you can go at your own pace. Ultimately, this is the best way to get a beautiful view of Pigeon Forge.
Keep in mind, there is a 376 lb maximum for these rides as well as a 54-inch height requirement. You must also be 16 years old or older to drive the coaster carts.
- Small Child: (3-6) $5 (tax included)
- Children: (7-12) $12 (tax included)
- Adults: $15 (tax included)
12. Island at Pigeon Forge
This is an all-day fun stop in Pigeon Forge that offers anything you want for the entire family. Here is where you’ll find the Great Smokey Mountain Wheel as well as attractions like The Island Snow Fountains and even a Margaritaville. You can eat, shop, play, and even stay on the island for a one-stop playground of Tennessee enjoyment. There are tons of restaurants at The Island, so it’s where I would recommend going for dinner because you’re sure to find something for the whole group! It’s a fun spot to just walk around and take in all that Pigeon Forge has to offer.
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