Pigeon Forge Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
Dollywood
Island at Pigeon Forge showing a pond and a fountain
The Comedy Barn Theater

On the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this Tennessee town beckons with thrill-seeking adventure, family activities, live entertainment and history.

Pigeon Forge is a major tourist stop near Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Tennessee. The town has dozens of theatres and entertainment venues that host everything from musicals to magic shows. Visit amusement parks, museums and the ever-popular Dollywood.

Catch a trolley to explore the town. Trolley fares are low and the fun, green-and-yellow cars stop at more than a hundred different destinations.

Spend a day at Dollywood, the theme park named after country music star, Dolly Parton. You’ll find rides for all ages, along with classic country music, restaurants and gift shops. Go for a wet ride in the nearby Dollywood Splash Country Water Adventure Park. Older kids and adults will love the selection of slides and rides, while youngsters can splash around in a specially designed play area.

Go prospecting in the Pigeon Forge Gem Mine buy a bucket of dirt and sort through it to find gems of all shapes, types and sizes. Visit WonderWorks to try more than 100 hands-on activities, including lying on a bed of 3,500 nails.

History buffs and boat lovers should investigate the Titanic Museum. It features interactive exhibits and dozens of entertaining and educational activities.

For some local history, stop by Old Mill Square. Admire the old buildings, enjoy the atmosphere and have a meal or shop for souvenirs. 

Take a break in a natural setting at Parrot Mountain and Gardens, a refuge for injured or homeless birds. Here you can admire the rescued birds close enough to feed them from the palm of your hand. Alternatively, spot life-sized models of famous celebrities at the Hollywood Wax Museum.

For a fun evening out, head to one of the many comedy clubs, see a musical or be amazed by magicians. You’re bound to find something to your taste at one of the many entertainment venues around town.

Pigeon Forge is just over 30 miles southeast of Knoxville, Tennessee, and 3.5 hours by car from Nashville.

Where to stay in Pigeon Forge

Smoky Mountain Fantasy Golf in Pigeon Forge, TN. A fairly standard mini-golf scenario with the fiberglass mountain and waterfall with the additional whimsy of a Pegasus and other mythological creatures dotting the course. Certain holes did have a wheel of chance to spin that would land various handicaps on your opponent for the hole.

Downtown Pigeon Forge

While visiting Downtown Pigeon Forge, you might make a stop by sights like Island at Pigeon Forge and Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall.

Downtown Pigeon Forge
Best Western Plaza Inn

Best Western Plaza Inn

2.5 out of 5
3755 Parkway Pigeon Forge TN
The price is ₹5,468 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
₹5,468
₹6,137 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,162 reviews)
This is a great place to stay. Clean rooms, daily housekeeping, and great, friendly staff. Quiet place to stay. Already making plans for another trip back to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and this is the place to stay.

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Best Western Plaza Inn
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville

3 out of 5
125 Music Mountain Drive Pigeon Forge TN
The price is ₹6,566 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
₹6,566
₹8,919 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Dollywood and Titanic Museum are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,013 reviews)
We really enjoyed our stay and cannot say enough about the housekeeping staff. They were courteous and considerate and kept the property spotless. We stayed 4 nights and they daily offered assistance and provided towels and linens freely. We will recommend the facility to others.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville
Country Cascades Waterpark Resort

Country Cascades Waterpark Resort

3.5 out of 5
204 Sharon Dr Pigeon Forge TN
The price is ₹23,016 per night from 14 Feb to 15 Feb
₹23,016
₹25,836 total
14 Feb - 15 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,399 reviews)
Our stay at Cascades Country Resort was great! Rooms are perfect for families and they do not charge an arm and a leg for the stay. The only thing thatvI would change would be their breakfast at the restaurant. They used to have to cutest waffl3s, well now theyvare gone. And the used to have a buffet/family ...

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Country Cascades Waterpark Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Viewpoint Condominiums

Viewpoint Condominiums

3.5 out of 5
448 Day Springs Rd Pigeon Forge TN
Stay at this apartment in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and meeting facilities. Popular attractions Dollywood and Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (266 reviews)
The bed room doors would not close and stay close

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2025

Viewpoint Condominiums
The Lodges at the Great Smoky Mountains

The Lodges at the Great Smoky Mountains

4 out of 5
222 Whistling Wind Way Pigeon Forge TN
Stay at this aparthotel in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy free parking, meeting facilities and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Dollywood and Island at Pigeon Forge ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (72 reviews)
Lodge was great but pictures and description did not say some views in the trees and no view to mountain. Kinda disappointed booked beginning of year was stuck on bottom floor and tree view. But lodge was great would lovevto come back.

Reviewed on 12 Sept 2025

The Lodges at the Great Smoky Mountains
Whispering Pines II

Whispering Pines II

3 out of 5
205 Ogle Drive Pigeon Forge TN
Stay at this condo in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy balconies, in-room washers/dryers and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Dollywood and Dolly Parton's Stampede ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
It was a great stay. We love Whispering Pines

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2025

Whispering Pines II
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Pigeon Forge

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved Pigeon Forge. It was a little piece of Las Vegas in Tennessee!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It’s a very tourist-y town, so expect a lot of billboards, gimmicky restaurants and amusements etc. But it’s a good place to stay to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee side.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Enjoyed free moonshine tasting..easy access to Gatlingburg and Somky mountains

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Plentu to do for families

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

So musch to see and do. Great location

Cities near Pigeon Forge

Explore a world of travel with Expedia