Written by Caly Behymer, Photographed by Randy Behymer

Pigeon Forge is a wildly popular destination along the east coast, located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Packed with family-friendly entertainment and surrounded by the gorgeous Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you’ll have difficulty deciding where to start and end your trip. Here’s a list of the top 10 things you should take advantage of during your stay in Pigeon Forge.

Be sure to download your free PDF copy of the Top 10 Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee by clicking here! Join in on the fun as Randy and Caly talk about Pigeon Forge on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!

10. Ride an Alpine Coaster—Scattered throughout Pigeon Forge, you’ll find the wildly popular alpine coasters. Coasters start at the top of the mountain, then zigzag and loop down to the bottom. Coaster carts are individual or tandem, and riders sit with their feet in front of them and can apply a brake to slow down if needed. The rides are exhilarating, fast and fun.

9. Eat at a Pancake House—Pigeon Forge is home to many pancake houses, each touting they’re the best. You can’t go wrong picking any pancake house for a delicious breakfast of fluffy pancakes piled high, served with bacon. All the pancake houses are popular, so be prepared for a wait or try choosing an odd time to visit to avoid some of the crowds.

8. Parrot Mountain and Garden of Eden—Nestled high up on the hills and located just behind Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Parrot Mountain is home to hundreds of exotic birds that were once neglected, abused, sick or unable to be cared for by their owners. Many birds are cage-free and can be found napping, preening, hanging upside down off their feeders or wanting to strike up an in-depth conversation of “hello” and back-and-forth cat-call-whistles. This unique bird sanctuary sits among beautiful gardens and buildings straight from a Thomas Kinkade painting. It’s a beautiful, relaxing place to visit and learn about some gorgeous, intelligent creatures.

7. Abrams Falls Hike—Named after a Cherokee Indian chief who lived just a short distance away, Abrams Falls is one of the most famous falls and hikes in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Located off the Cades Cove Loop, the fast-rushing Abrams Creek dumps hundreds of thousands of gallons of water over the 20-foot drop to the pool below, providing spectacular views to the fall’s visitors. The trail is a moderate 5-mile out-and back-hike that follows along Abrams Creek, taking hikers up and over 340 feet in elevation before finally descending to Abrams Falls for epic views. Be on the lookout for black bears, as this is a popular place to spot them.

6. Drive the Foothills Parkway—Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge? The Foothills Parkway is a beautiful, scenic 33-mile drive tucked away off Wears Valley Road and is unknown to most area visitors. Portions of the road make you feel as if you’re driving to the heavens, unable to see the end of the road and where it leads. Bridges hang precariously off the side of the mountain, twisting around corners that overlook expansive vistas. The photo opportunities are endless on this stretch of road, and there are plenty of overlooks and pull-offs to take full advantage of the views.

5. Cades Cove Drive—Scores of tourists flock to this road to drive the 11-mile, one-way loop in hopes of spotting the abundant wildlife often found here. Sitting in a valley surrounded by mountains, the views in Cades Cove are beautiful. The visitor center and historic grist mill are located about halfway through the loop and are a great place to stop to learn more about the area. Be sure to stop at the many historic homesteads and churches that can be found dotted throughout the loop, grab some photos and see how people used to live.

4. Visit the Strip—No trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without driving up and down the “strip” and stopping at various attractions. Routes 441 and 321 converge to create the Parkway through Pigeon Forge. This strip of road runs roughly 4.5 miles through Pigeon Forge (incorporated) and is filled with outlet shopping, restaurants, go-kart tracks, arcades, dinner shows, RV parks, museums, attractions, alpine coasters, hotels, motels and so much more. Though there are three lanes in each direction, expect a lot of stop-and-go traffic. The Parkway is the only major route through Pigeon Forge and home to most all the iconic sights and attractions that have made Pigeon Forge so wildly popular.

3. Pirate Voyage Dinner & Show—There’s no shortage of great dinner shows in Pigeon Forge, but Pirate Voyage Dinner & Show might be the most incredible dinner show you may ever witness. The show is built around acrobatics and high-diving acts surrounding a pool designed to look like a pirate ship. This is Vegas-level talent found on “this” side of the Mississippi mixed with the Southern hospitality you can’t find anywhere else except in this part of the United States. The food is served hot and delicious and timed perfectly to enjoy during the entire show. The staff ensures you’re well taken care of and allows you to enjoy the show without disturbance.

2. Visit Dollywood—Dollywood is an amusement park owned by Dolly Parton located right off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The park is divided by different themes, and their steam locomotive (once used during WWII) can be heard hissing and chugging patrons throughout the park. Home to rides, attractions, great music, boutique-style shopping and their famous cinnamon bread, Dollywood is the perfect mix of rides, food, music, shopping and fun regardless of your age or family situation.

1. Catch a Sunrise at Clingmans Dome—At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome takes the cake as the Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s highest point. On clear days, visitors can peer across the tops of the mountains into seven different states. For a truly epic experience, arrive at Clingmans Dome before sunrise to watch one of the most breathtaking shows as the sun kisses the mountain tops. To get there, take the scenic Route 441, which cuts straight through Smoky Mountain National Park. Driving Route 441 should undoubtedly be on everyone’s bucket list, especially first-time visitors to the park. This road twists and turns through the Smoky Mountain wilderness while climbing up to the top at Clingmans Dome. Arguably one of the best drives in the area, you pass through some of the most stunning scenery the park offers, following the Walker Camp Prong and West Prong Little Pigeon Rivers.

Pigeon Forge is a family-friendly destination packed with many things to see and do, so many people return year after year. This list is a great place to start planning your next trip.

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