Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Travel Guide
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are the ultimate family vacation destinations in Tennessee. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, entertainment, or family fun, you'll find it in these vibrant mountain towns.
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Getting to Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg: The closest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s 47 miles from Knoxville to Pigeon Forge. The airlines serving Knoxville include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. For my Arizona friends, Allegiant Air has a non-stop flight from Phoenix to Knoxville. 🙌
Nashville International Airport: We flew into Nashville International Airport, which is a 3 1/2 drive from Nashville to Pigeon Forge.
How many days do you need?
We visited during spring break for 4 days but I think 5 days would be ideal. You could easily spend a week here and you won’t see everything. There is so much to see and do!
Where to stay?
The two main areas people stay when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. These two towns are about 8 miles apart via the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway.
Pigeon Forge:
Staying in Pigeon Forge over Gatlinburg offers several advantages depending on your preferences and itinerary. Pigeon Forge is home to many popular attractions, including Dollywood, The Island, and numerous dinner shows. If you plan to spend most of your time at these attractions, staying in Pigeon Forge can save you travel time. Pigeon Forge is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, with a wide range of accommodations, dining options, and entertainment suitable for visitors of all ages. While both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg can experience heavy traffic during peak tourist seasons, navigating Pigeon Forge's layout and traffic patterns is easier compared to the narrower streets of Gatlinburg.
Where to stay in Pigeon Forge:
Pigeon Forge offers a diverse selection of accommodations, from budget-friendly hotels and motels to luxury cabins and resorts, making it easier to find lodging that suits your preferences and budget. If you plan on visiting Dollywood you might want to consider staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Dollywood park perks while staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa:
•Complimentary Trolley Service from the resort to Dollywood
•Complimentary Dollywood TimeSaver Passes
•Saturday Early Entry To Dollywood Parks
•Priority Access To Dollywood Park
•Complimentary package delivery to the resort for purchases made at the park
Gatlinburg:
Staying in Gatlinburg offers a different atmosphere and proximity to certain attractions. Gatlinburg is located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, providing easier access to hiking trails, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for more upscale accommodations with modern amenities and luxury features with Mountain Views, then Gatlinburg may be a better option since it has several high-end resorts. Gatlinburg has a more compact, walkable downtown area with unique shops, galleries, and restaurants. Ultimately, whether to stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge depends on personal preferences and the type of experience you're seeking.
Unique stay in Gatlinburg:
Creekside Hideaway hot tub boat
•Creekside Hideaway has modern farmhouse cottages & tiny homes. I’m including this because they offer a hot tub boat experience that looks pretty amazing!
Exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains the most visited National Park in America. This park has over 800 miles of trails, stunning scenic drives, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Park does not charge an entrance fee. However, parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. We bought our $5.00 daily parking pass at a kiosk at the visitors center. You can also get a map and ask the park rangers for recommendations.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Highlights:
•Cades Cove- For breathtaking scenery, wildlife viewing, and historic structures.
•Clingman's Dome - Take a hike up to the highest peak in the Smokies for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Be sure to go up to the observation deck.
•Rainbow Falls: The roundtrip distance to the waterfall is 5.4 miles, and will take about 3-5 hours.
Laurel Falls
•Laurel Falls: The waterfall has an upper and lower section, divided by a walkway crossing the stream at the base of the upper falls. It is a popular destination in the park, and parking at the trailhead is limited. The roundtrip distance to the waterfall is 2.6 miles and takes about 2 hours to hike to the waterfall and back.
•Grotto Falls: The roundtrip distance to the waterfall is 2.6 miles and takes about 2-3 hours to hike.
What to do in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg:
Sevierville:
Buc-ee’s: If your family is a Buc-ee’s fan, visit the world’s largest Buc-ee’s in Sevierville, Tennessee. I think this was the highlight of our trip for our girls… They were so excited to buy Buc-ee’s souvenirs!
Statue of Dolly Parton: Don’t miss a visit to the iconic Statue of Dolly Parton in Sevierville, TN. It’s located in the center of the Sevier County Courthouse lawn in the heart of Sevierville. It is a beautiful tribute to the legendary queen of country music and a must-see for any fan. Her legacy and influence shine bright in her hometown. 🎶✨
Tennessee Shine Company: Popular for their free moonshine and wine tastings.
Pigeon Forge:
Dollywood Amusement Park: Dollywood is the top attraction in the Great Smoky Mountains! In 1982 Dolly gave an interview to Barbara Walters where she shared her dream of opening a theme park in her hometown. The owners of Silver Dollar City didn’t want her to compete with them, so they reached out to Dolly about a partnership. In 1986, Silver Dollar City’s name changed to Dollywood and the park got a makeover.
Dollywood has more than 40 rides, live entertainment, delicious Southern food, and a steam train that takes you throughout the park. One of the things we love about Dollywood is it’s much more affordable than other amusement parks.
Visit the Old Grist Mill so you can try their famous cinnamon bread. You can also find it at the Spotlight Bakery. Expect long lines!
We enjoyed walking through the replica of Dolly Pardon’s two-room childhood home. We also visited the Robert F. Thomas Chapel, named after the doctor who delivered Dolly. When Dolly was born, her father paid Doctor Thomas with a bag of cornmeal. Performers sing bluegrass and gospel music here throughout the day and don’t miss church services in this chapel every Sunday the park is open.
The Island in Pigeon Forge: Explore this outdoor entertainment complex featuring shops, restaurants, a Ferris wheel, and a beautiful fountain show. Take a ride on the giant Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the Smokies. One of our favorite things at the Island was the fountain show. The fountain show goes every half hour and plays two songs.
Dinner Shows: Pigeon Forge has a variety of dinner shows with amazing entertainment and delicious food. The top dinner shows often sell out, so get your tickets in advance.
Here are some popular options:
•Dolly Partons Stampede: Enjoy a spectacular show featuring horse riding stunts, musical performances, comedy, and a delicious four-course meal.
•Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud: Step into the hilarious feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families with a high-energy show filled with comedy, singing, dancing, and Southern-style dining.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
•Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show: Embark on an adventure with acrobatics, live animals, and a pirate-themed dinner as you join Captain Blackbeard and his crew on the high seas. We loved this dinner show!
•The Comedy Barn Theater: Laugh the night away at this family-friendly comedy show featuring hilarious skits, magic tricks, music, and audience participation, along with a Southern-style buffet dinner.
•The Murder Mystery Dinner Show: Solve a mystery while enjoying a delicious meal at this interactive dinner theater experience, where guests become detectives and actors play out a thrilling whodunit story.
•Soul of Motown: Immerse yourself in the sounds of Motown with this electrifying tribute show featuring classic hits performed by talented singers, accompanied by a Southern-style dinner.
Hollywood Wax Museum
Hollywood Wax Museum: My girls (ages 16 & 10) picked this activity and they had a blast! Charlotte & Cicily loved exploring lifelike wax figures and seeing their favorite celebrities from movies, music, and pop culture. I was excited to see Snoop Dogg… I had him on one of my flights and he was so nice! He was with his bodyguard and sat by the window while his bodyguard sat on the aisle.
We bought the combo tickets, including the Castle of Chaos, Hannah's Maze of Mirrors, and Outbreak- Dread the Undead.
WonderWorks: Unleash your curiosity at this interactive science museum with over 100 hands-on exhibits.
Titanic Museum: Step aboard a replica of the Titanic and learn about its tragic voyage through interactive exhibits and artifacts.
Get your Titanic Museum tickets here.
Old Mill Square: Discover the charm of this historic area with a working grist mill, shops, and restaurants serving Southern comfort food.
Whitewater Rafting Tour: Discover the beauty of the Pigeon River as you cruise through the Smoky Mountains!
Click here to book your tour.
Family-Friendly Floating Tour: The whole family will love a float down the Pigeon River through laid-back rapids. Not suitable for children under 3.
Click here to book your tour.
Gatlinburg:
Anakeesta is a popular mountaintop attraction. To get to the summit, you have two options, ride the Chondola, an open-air chairlift with enclosed gondolas, or take the Ridge Rambler Adventure Vehicle. Some of the things to do included with admission are the observation tower, treetop skywalk, a couple of challenge courses, a treehouse village play area, and a splash pad (if you are there in the summertime). Anakeesta also has some other activities for an extra cost including zip lining, mountain coaster, gem mining, and Astra Lumina (a night walk).
SkyLift Park: Take a ride on the iconic Gatlinburg SkyLift to the top of Crockett Mountain for panoramic views of the Smokies and stroll across the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies: Immerse yourself in an underwater world filled with colorful fish, sharks, sea turtles, and interactive exhibits, including a walk-through tunnel.
Ober Gatlinburg: Ride the Aerial Tramway to this mountaintop amusement park and ski area, where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, and wildlife encounters.
Gatlinburg Space Needle: Take an elevator ride to the top of this iconic observation tower for 360-degree views of downtown Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains.
Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community: Explore the nation's largest organization of independent artisans along an 8-mile loop road, featuring studios, galleries, and shops showcasing handcrafted items.
Gatlinburg Trolley: Hop on board one of Gatlinburg's trolleys to explore the town and its attractions without worrying about parking.
Gatlinburg's Distilleries: Sample authentic moonshine and whiskey at one of Gatlinburg's distilleries, including Ole Smoky Moonshine, Sugarlands Distilling Company, and Doc Collier Moonshine.
