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Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg TN | Family Vacation Favorites
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items Planning a trip to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, Tennessee? These are some of my favorite family-friendly places to stay, attractions to visit, and things to do in the Smoky Mountains. From Dollywood and mountain adventures to cabins, shopping, food, a...
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Dollywood & Dolly Parton Favorites
Cabins, Hotels & Places to Stay
Family Attractions & Things to Do
Gatlinburg & Smoky Mountain Adventures
Best Places to Eat & Treats
Shopping, Souvenirs & Local Favorites
Dollywood & Dolly Parton Favorites
Celebrating Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain legacy with favorite Dollywood attractions, shows, places to stay, and family experiences in Pigeon Forge. ❤️🎢
Perfect for a hot summer day in the Smokies! 💦❤️ Splash Country has water slides, pools, a lazy river, and areas for younger kids too. It’s a fun way for the whole family to cool off while enjoying another part of the Dollywood experience.
Dollywood's Splash Country
A Pigeon Forge must-do! 🎢💗 Dollywood has exciting rides, family-friendly attractions, live shows, great food, and plenty to see and do for all ages. A perfect place to make Smoky Mountain memories with the family! 🏔️
Dollywood
Cabins, Hotels & Places to Stay
Cozy cabins, family-friendly hotels, and fun places to stay around Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg. From mountain views to resorts close to the attractions, these are places I’d recommend checking out for a Smoky Mountain getaway. 🏔️🏡
Beautiful mountain views and a great option for a relaxing Smoky Mountain getaway. I love the cabin feel for families who want more space and a peaceful place to come back to after a busy day in Pigeon Forge. 🏔️🏡
Cabins, Hotels & Places to Stay
A beautiful place to stay for a Dollywood-centered vacation! ❤️🎢 You’re close to the parks and can enjoy resort amenities while keeping that Smoky Mountain feel. A great option for families wanting to make Dollywood a big part of their trip.
Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa
Family Attractions & Things to Do
Fun family attractions we love around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! 🎢 From rides and mountain coasters to aquariums and unique attractions, these are great places to add to a Smoky Mountain family vacation. ❤️
Such a fun and unusual place to explore! There are tons of strange, surprising, and interesting things to see, and it’s a great stop when you want something different to do with the family in Gatlinburg. 🤩
Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Aquariums, Attractions, Museums
One of our favorite places to spend a relaxing day! Shopping, restaurants, fun rides for the kids, a hotel, and plenty to walk around and see. Grab a lemonade and enjoy the atmosphere. 😎🍋
The Island in Pigeon Forge
This one is still on my must-do list! The mountain views and SkyBridge look amazing, and I’d love to experience it on a future Gatlinburg trip. 🏔️❤️
Gatlinburg SkyPark | Home of the Record Setting SkyBridge ...
So much fun! It can be a little pricey, but we thought it was worth it. Riding through the Smoky Mountains makes it such a fun experience for the family. 🎢🏔️
SMOKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE COASTER - Home
A fun stop for families who love go-karts! 🏎️ Lots of racing fun and activities for the kids. A great place to spend a few hours while you’re in Pigeon Forge.
Nascar Speed Park - NASCAR Speedpark
One of our favorite Gatlinburg attractions! 🐠🦈 There’s so much for the family to see, and the underwater exhibits are amazing. Definitely worth adding to your Gatlinburg plans, especially with kids.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies | Top things to do Gatlinburg, TN
Such a fun mountain coaster experience! 🎢 Enjoy twists, turns, and beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery along the way. A great Pigeon Forge activity for families looking for a little adventure! 🏔️❤️
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
Such a fun place for families! 🤩 There are tons of hands-on activities and things for kids to explore. It’s also a great indoor option for a rainy day or when you need a break from the heat.
WonderWorks Pigeon Forge
Such a unique experience in Pigeon Forge! 🚢 There’s so much to look at and learn as you explore the exhibits. A great choice when you want something different from rides and outdoor attractions.
Titanic Museum
Such a fun and different Pigeon Forge experience! 🪓 The lumberjack competitions and stunts make this an entertaining family activity and a great addition to a Smoky Mountain vacation.
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud: Pigeon Forge Dinner Show
A fun dinner-and-show experience for the whole family! 🤠 You get a meal along with comedy, music, stunts, and plenty of entertainment. A great choice for an evening in Pigeon Forge!
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
A classic Pigeon Forge experience! ❤️ Enjoy a full dinner while watching an exciting show filled with horses, music, comedy, and incredible performances. A special way to enjoy a piece of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain legacy.
Show Information for Dolly Parton's Stampede Branson, MO
Such a fun family night in Pigeon Forge! 🏴☠️ The show is packed with action, acrobatics, music, and pirate adventures while you enjoy dinner. A great choice when you want an attraction and dinner all in one!
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Such a fun place for a summer Smoky Mountain trip! 💦☀️ Soaky Mountain has water slides, pools, a wave pool, and areas for younger kids too. A great way for the whole family to cool off after spending a few days exploring Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Such a beautiful and different Pigeon Forge experience! 🦜🌺 Walk through gorgeous gardens filled with colorful birds, and you can even get up close with some of them. A great family activity when you want something a little more relaxing than rides ...
Parrot Mountain and Gardens
A fun Pigeon Forge stop for the whole family! 🏎️⛳ Race the go-karts, play a round of mini golf, check out the arcade, bumper cars, and kids’ rides. Great when everyone wants something different to do! ❤️
The Track - Pigeon Forge
Perfect for go-kart fans! 🏎️ SpeedZone Fun Park has multiple tracks with different racing experiences, making it a fun stop for families looking for some friendly competition while visiting Pigeon Forge. 🏁❤️
Pigeonforgetracks
Such a fun and colorful place for mini golf! ⛳🍭 Crave Golf Club has a sweet candy-themed atmosphere that makes putt-putt extra fun for kids and adults. A great family activity to add to a Pigeon Forge day! ❤️
Crave Golf Club
Gatlinburg & Smoky Mountain Adventures
Beautiful views, mountain adventures, scenic drives, and outdoor fun around Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. 🏔️ These are some of the best ways to enjoy the mountains and make memories together. ❤️
Beautiful mountain views and lots to explore! ⛰️ Anakeesta is a great place to spend several hours enjoying the scenery, attractions, food, and activities. A fun stop for a Gatlinburg family trip!
Anakeesta
You can’t visit the Smokies without enjoying the mountains! ⛰️❤️ Beautiful drives, overlooks, waterfalls, wildlife, and trails make this a great addition to a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg vacation—and there are options even if you don’t want a long hik...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A fun Gatlinburg stop with beautiful Smoky Mountain views! 🚠⛰️ Ride up the mountain and enjoy attractions, activities, food, and seasonal fun. It’s a great place to add to a family day in Gatlinburg.
Ober Mountain
One of the prettiest places to explore in the Smokies! 🦌⛰️ Take the scenic loop for gorgeous mountain views, historic buildings, and a chance to spot wildlife. It’s a wonderful break from the busy Pigeon Forge attractions.
Cades Cove
Such a fun way to experience the mountains! 🎢⛰️ You control your own speed as you race down the mountain, making it as thrilling—or as easygoing—as you want. A great Gatlinburg activity for families and adventure lovers!
Moonshine Mountain Coaster
This looks like SO much fun! 😍⛰️ Race down a huge 500-foot outdoor tubing hill with an incredible mountain view. No snow needed, so you can enjoy the tubing experience even during a Smoky Mountain summer vacation!
Rowdy Bear's Smoky Mountain Funpark
One of the prettiest places to explore in the Smokies! 🦌⛰️ Take the scenic loop for gorgeous mountain views, historic buildings, and a chance to spot wildlife. It’s a wonderful break from the busy Pigeon Forge attractions.
Cades Cove
Best Places to Eat & Treats
A popular Pigeon Forge spot for a good meal after a busy day! 🍔❤️ They have plenty of choices for the family, and it’s a great dinner option to add to your Smoky Mountain vacation plans.
Local Goat
A great Smoky Mountain spot for classic Southern comfort food! 🍎❤️ Come hungry—the apple fritters and apple butter are a favorite, and it’s a nice choice for a family breakfast, lunch, or dinner while visiting the area.
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
A fun breakfast stop when you’re spending the day in Gatlinburg! 🥞❤️ Known for its pancakes and big breakfast choices, it’s a great place to fuel up before exploring the Smokies and nearby attractions.
Pancake Pantry
A sweet little Gatlinburg stop! 🍩❤️ Grab a fresh donut or pastry while you’re exploring downtown. It’s an easy treat to add to a morning or afternoon walking around The Village.
Donut Friar
A great Pigeon Forge choice when you’re craving Southern comfort food! 🍳❤️ It’s especially good for a hearty breakfast before a full day of attractions, but there are plenty of homestyle favorites to choose from throughout the day.
Five Oaks Farm Kitchen
A fun stop when you’re craving something sweet! 🍫🍌 Chocolate Monkey has chocolate-covered treats, caramel apples, fudge, ice cream, and plenty of goodies to choose from. Perfect for a vacation treat in the Smokies! ❤️
Chocolate Monkey
Shopping, Souvenirs & Local Favorites
Favorite places to grab a meal, sweet treat, or snack around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! 🍔🍦 From family-friendly restaurants to those must-stop vacation treats, these are places worth checking out while you’re in the Smokies. ❤️
Such a charming Pigeon Forge stop! ❤️ The Old Mill area has shops, Southern food, treats, and plenty to look around at. It’s a great place to slow down, shop for something special, and enjoy a little piece of Pigeon Forge history.
The Old Mill Restaurant
One of my favorite stops if you love finding a bargain! 👟🛍️ Check out discounted Nike shoes, clothes, and accessories while you’re shopping in the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area. You never know what kind of deal you’ll find!
Nike Factory Store - Sevierville
Definitely save some time for shopping! 🛍️ Tanger Outlets has tons of name-brand stores all together, and you can find some really good deals. It’s a great break from the attractions—and I could easily spend a few hours here! 😂
Tanger Outlets Sevierville
Such a unique Pigeon Forge stop! 🐻❤️ This huge general store has souvenirs, gifts, sweets, and a live black-bear habitat you can visit. It’s one of those places that’s fun to stop at and look around even if you’re not planning a big shopping trip.
Three Bears General Store
Seasonal Events & Special Experiences
There’s something special to enjoy in every season! 🎄🎃 From Christmas lights and holiday events to fall fun and seasonal attractions, these experiences can make a Smoky Mountain trip even more memorable.
A nostalgic Smoky Mountain family attraction that has been around since 1966! 🎅🎄 Visit Santa, enjoy rides and shows, and explore the Christmas-themed park and zoo. A fun throwback stop to add to a Cherokee day trip with younger kids.
Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo
“Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Trip Planning”
Helpful resources for planning a Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg vacation! 🗺️ Find ideas for attractions, places to stay, things to do, and other helpful information for putting together your Smoky Mountain trip.
A helpful roundup of family-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Great for getting ideas and planning out your vacation days so there’s always something fun on the schedule. 🏔️❤️
7 Things To Do In Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg | Young House Love
A great place to start when planning a Pigeon Forge vacation! ⛰️❤️ Find ideas for attractions, places to stay, restaurants, events, and family activities all around Pigeon Forge. I like having everything in one place when deciding what we want to do ...
Pigeon Forge, TN | Official Vacation Planning Guide | My Pigeon Forge
SMOKY MOUNTAIN DAY TRIPS
A popular adult stop in Cherokee, NC, for visitors 21+. 🎰 The resort also makes this an option to check out while planning a Cherokee day trip from the Smoky Mountains.
Cherokee Casino, North Carolina