If you have never been to Pigeon Forge in East Tennessee, you’re missing out. Over 11 million vacationers visit this bustling city every year, making it one of the top travel destinations in the US. Its popularity is because it has something to offer everyone and is only a few minutes drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can easily drive up here with your family and friends.

Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian mountain range, Pigeon Forge is famous for Dollywood and its family-friendly activities. Other famous attractions include country music revues, live entertainment, museums, shops, and countless dining spots.

Therefore, if you want to visit all the hotspots and make sure you get everything exciting, follow this guide for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

1.    Book Your Stay

It is better to book your stay before arriving in Pigeon Forge because it is busy year-round. Feel free to bring along everyone and book your rooms according to your group size. Hotels in Pigeon Forge offer immense amenities from the fireplace, indoor and outdoor pool, private Jacuzzi and balcony, complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast bar, and discounted group attraction tickets for the nearby places. This way, you can enjoy your private stay while availing of discounted deals.

Moreover, you can also book a room in a hotel with a river view and enjoy your breakfast by the Little Pigeon River. As soon as you arrive, you can expect refreshments in the lobby as a warm welcome while enjoying the riverside views.

Parkway in Pigeon Forge is the ideal place to stay as it offers numerous attractions, shopping areas, dining spots, convenient parking spaces, and other amenities. You can also explore nearby places on foot, which is the best way to immerse yourself in a vacation spot.

2.    Know What Each Season Offers

Unlike most travel destinations, Pigeon Forge is truly a year-round destination. Its pleasant weather during fall attracts tourists from all over to indulge in the autumn foliage. When winter arrives, it brings snow-tubing, ice skating, and skiing amid a winter wonderland. It is the perfect place to spend your Christmas holidays with your family, especially if you belong to a hot region. You can visit the famous Christmas Place to shop for Christmas presents with shopkeepers dressed as elves. Kids can visit Santa Claus, get family photos, and witness Santa at work.

Sunny winter days are perfect to go for a picnic, explore the distillery, take a walk in the gardens, and hike along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Spring brings a spring festival with blossoming flowers, flower exhibitions, pottery, farm fresh produce stalls, and creativity shows for kids. Meanwhile, summer is best to indulge in water activities like white water rafting, swimming, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking.

Therefore, no matter in which season you wish to visit Pigeon Forge, it offers something interesting to everyone.

3.    Have a Grand Breakfast

Photo by Mike Esparza on Pexels

Breakfast is the day’s most important meal, especially in a mountain resort. You need to eat your fill if you have a whole day planned for activities. Pigeon Forge is the pancake capital of the US, so you want to take advantage of it. You will come across pancake houses at almost every stop. A full stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes with fruits should fuel you for the day.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a variety of breakfast specials like waffles, eggs, donuts, teacakes, and bagels served with coffee or tea. Eating well before going on a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is especially important. Your hike may take an entire day, especially if you intend to stop to explore some extraordinary views.

You will also find healthy meal options in some breakfast joints, like low-carb dishes and home-style Southern cuisines served throughout the day. You have various options. Make sure you explore a different one for each day of your stay for a wholesome breakfast experience.

4.    Getting Around Pigeon Forge

If you drive to Pigeon Forge, your car is the best way to get around the city. Exploring the nearby places on foot can also be an exhilarating experience. Alternatively, you can hop on a Pigeon Forge Trolley with other tourists. It is excellent for newbies who want to look around new places and want to learn more about Pigeon Forge. You will get around North and South Parkway, the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center, Wears Valley, Courthouse, and Dollywood’s Splash Country at reasonable rates. You can also purchase an all-day pass.

If you hit the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center, ensure you get the entire city’s information. It offers maps of the area, informational brochures, coupons for events, local attractions, restaurants, and cafés.

Moreover, you can book a scenic jeep ride or rent a bike or a horse to cross the hiking trails. Jeeps are best if you are traveling with small children, while bikes are excellent for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. When you book a horse, you will get a guide as well. Therefore, you do not need to know how to ride a horse to get on one.

5.    Stop By Major Landmarks

The Parkway in Pigeon Forge is full of landmarks and fun attractions like the giant medieval castle, a replica of the Empire State Building, the upside-down building, and the RMS Titanic. You can take a guided tour to learn all the interesting facts and discover the city’s rich history.

The Pigeon Forge Mill, or The Old Mill, is as old as 185 years along the Little Pigeon River. You can even indulge in the Mill’s freshly ground products from the nearby cafés and restaurants. The restaurants mostly use flour from the gristmill in their baked goods.

The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, or the Ferris wheel, stands at 200 feet and is hard to miss. It towers over most of the buildings and attractions with glass gondolas easy to fit up to eight people.

The Hollywood Wax Museum is another enchanting landmark climbed by King Kong, a cinematic character. Outside the museum, you will see giant carvings of Elvis Presley, John Wayne, Charlie Chaplin, and Marilyn Monroe.

Conclusion

If you plan to visit Pigeon Forge for the first time, bring everyone and explore the most famous hotspots. Book your stay in a hotel with a river view and other amenities for the most comfortable stay. Since Pigeon Forge is open year-round, you can visit at any time. However, ensure that you take full advantage of what each season offers.

Moreover, immerse yourself in as many outdoor activities as possible for a wholesome experience and visit the major landmarks. There are multiple ways for you to get around the city and visit every famous place. Discover Southern cuisines and explore pancake houses to get the most out of your visit.

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