Top Things to Do in Pigeon Forge for Families
Did you know Pigeon Forge welcomes nearly 10 million visitors each year? Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, this charming town is perfect for family vacations, offering plenty of fun activities for both kids and adults. Here, you can enjoy a holiday that combines excitement with relaxation.
From museums and theme parks to mountain coasters and beyond, there’s something for everyone. In this blog, we’ve curated a list of must-see, family-friendly activities to help you discover all the gems Pigeon Forge, TN, has to offer for you and your loved ones.
Before we start, here’s a little about us…
At Smoky Mountain Holiday, we offer a variety of cabins with amenities like hot tubs, full kitchens, fireplaces, cinema and game rooms, and even pet-friendly options. Check out our website to find the perfect cabin for your stay.
For more tips on what to do during your visit to Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, head over to our destination blog. From the best rainy-day activities to the top eats in each town, we’ve got tons of local spots and insider tips just waiting for you!
Ready for a fun-filled vacation in the Smokies? Let’s dive in!
Hollywood Wax Museum
Ever dreamed of walking the red carpet with your favorite stars? At the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, you and your family can make that dream come true. This interactive museum is filled with lifelike wax figures of celebrities — a perfect place for endless photo opportunities with your idols.
Visitors can explore various sections, each showcasing a different theme and era of Hollywood. You’ll encounter everything from classic movie stars to today’s pop culture icons, including Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, and even larger-than-life figures like King Kong and Iron Man.
The museum is more than just looking at wax figures. The exhibits are interactive, allowing you to engage with your favorite stars and use props and costumes to capture epic photos. You’ll also have the chance to learn more about their lives and careers along the way.
Dollywood
The famous theme park co-owned by Dolly Parton, Dollywood is a hub of fun for people of all ages. It’s a perfect spot in the Smokies for those seeking thrills, Southern charm, and top-notch entertainment.
The park’s incredible rides range from thrilling roller coasters to family-friendly attractions like Flying Elephants, Busy Bees, Lucky Ducky, and the beloved Dollywood Express, a vintage steam train offering scenic views of the Smoky Mountains. Beyond the exciting rides, Dollywood also features captivating exhibits, live shows, and a variety of dining options — don’t miss Aunt Granny’s Restaurant for some delicious Southern comfort food.
Looking for an extra dose of magic? The park hosts seasonal festivals, such as the Harvest Festival, along with Halloween and Christmas celebrations, each featuring stunning decorations, light shows, and special performances.
The Island
A perfect spot for a family adventure, offering a variety of attractions, shopping, and dining options in Pigeon Forge is The Island.
One of the highlights is The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, which provides breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. From the top, you can capture incredible photos and create unforgettable memories with your family.
There’s fun for everyone: shoppers can explore unique boutiques and specialty stores, music lovers can enjoy live performances, and kids will have a blast on rides like the Flying Horse Carousel and Spinning Parrots Coaster. There’s also a state-of-the-art arcade with plenty of games for the whole family to enjoy together. After all the excitement, refuel with a delicious meal at one of the restaurants, offering everything from casual to fine dining.
Tip: Don’t miss the spectacular fountain show, a mesmerizing display of water and lights that happens daily at The Island — a true spectacle that will captivate the entire family.
Pigeon Forge Snow
The ultimate destination for year-round winter fun in Tennessee? Pigeon Forge Snow — America’s first indoor snow park featuring winter fun and real snow no matter the season.
Whether you visit in summer or winter, you and your family can enjoy endless fun snow tubing, sliding down snowy slopes, building snowmen, and having snowball fights. This is a must-visit spot for any family exploring the Smokies—a perfect escape from hot summers and an ideal place to spend hours playing in the snow.
Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge offers a fascinating journey into history, providing a unique immersive experience that makes you feel as though you’re stepping aboard the legendary ship that tragically sank in the Atlantic.
Beyond having the opportunity to see full-scale models of the ship’s interior, like the Grand Staircase and first-class suites, you can learn details about the history of the people who sailed on the Titanic, over 400 personal and historical artifacts from the Titanic, and even experience what it was like to stand on the ship’s deck, with simulated views of the ocean and the sounds of the sea.
TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena
For more active fun, head to TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena in the heart of Pigeon Forge and unleash your adventurous spirit with your loved ones.
A big hit is the Clip ‘n Climb experience, offering a variety of climbing challenges for both kids and adults, all under the watchful guidance of TopJump’s well-trained staff. Other popular activities include Free Jump areas where kids can bounce to their heart’s content, basketball dunk lanes for aspiring athletes, and a Foam Pit that provides safe landings for aerial stunts.
The Track
For families who enjoy competition and speed, The Track in Pigeon Forge is a must! It offers a variety of rides, games, and attractions that will certainly tighten your family bonds and provide an epic vacation day in the Smokies.
Attractions include multiple go-kart tracks, bumper cars, blaster boats, family arcade games, and a kid-friendly area designed for younger children, offering smaller rides such as mini go-karts, a carousel, and the Red Baron Plane Ride. For those looking for a thrill, The Track offers bungee jumping and the SkyFlyer, which simulates the feeling of skydiving as you’re raised into the air and then dropped in a free-fall.
WonderWorks
Often considered one of the best indoor attractions in Pigeon Forge, WonderWorks combines the excitement of an amusement park with the learning opportunities of an interactive science museum, offering numerous hands-on exhibits.
Some of the most popular attractions include the Space Zone, where kids and adults can experience astronaut training through simulations, the Natural Disasters Zone, where you can explore the forces of nature with exhibits simulating earthquakes, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events, and the Imagination Lab, where you can unlock your creativity with interactive art and light displays, including the giant Lite-Brite.
Other highlights include a 4D XD Motion Theater for an immersive experience, a laser tag arena, live magic shows, and an indoor ropes course. WonderWorks is truly a full package of family fun, offering a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and interests—definitely, a must-visit if you’re traveling with your family to Pigeon Forge.
Parrot Mountain and Garden of Eden
Looking for a piece of paradise in the Smokies? Parrot Mountain Pigeon Forge is your answer. This is a serene retreat filled with nature’s wonders and best known as one of the best bird sanctuaries in Tennessee.
Perfect for family outings, especially for kids, you can walk through scenic gardens where you’ll meet hundreds of tropical birds — their colorful feathers and songs are captivating. It gets better! You can get personal with these incredible creatures and have encounters where you can feed parrots or have them sit on your arm for photos.
The garden paths are also filled with exuberant and exotic plants. Beyond being a feast for the eyes, these paths are great places to relax.
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
No family adventure in Pigeon Forge is complete without a visit to the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, the longest alpine coaster in the U.S. It offers a thrilling experience paired with spectacular mountain views.
As the track winds through scenic mountain terrain with exciting twists, turns, and drops, you can control your speed, blending the thrill of the ride with a sense of freedom. This feature also makes the coaster kid-friendly, allowing children as young as three to ride with an adult.
For an extra magical experience, visit at night when the track is beautifully illuminated, creating a whole new atmosphere for the ride.
Where Should You Stay in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?
Our short-term rental cabins provide the ideal blend of privacy, stunning mountain views, and a cozy atmosphere, ensuring a truly relaxing escape in the Smokies.
At Smoky Mountain Holiday, we offer cabins of various sizes and amenities, including hot tubs, full kitchens, fireplaces, cinema and game rooms, and even pet-friendly options. Explore our website to discover our fantastic range of cabin choices.
We’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family have the best possible experience in the Smokies. With Smoky Mountain Holiday, your vacation memories are guaranteed to be unforgettable.