Have you been wanting to go on a memorable vacation to a small town with everything from rich culture and history to scenic beauty and the calmness of the country?
Pigeon Forge is just the place for you if this is what you’ve been looking for. It is famous for the powerful punch it packs with its heap of things to do and places to explore. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, visit this city every year to see Dollywood, Parrot Mountain, Gardens, Wear Farm City Park, and Wonder Works, among other astonishing places.
Pigeon Forge has approximately 70 tourist spots that a person can visit, but you cannot fit all 70 in your schedule. Hence, this article brings you the top places you must visit while you go there on your vacation or a small family trip.
- Dollywood
Dollywood gets its name from the famous country singer Dolly Parton. She was brought up here in Pigeon Forge. Dollywood extends to about 150-acres and is the busiest tourist attraction in the city. It is usually open from May to September for tourists, and they are the town’s busiest months. Dollywood is a mini-Pigeon Forge enclave; spending a day here can help you understand the local population. It has everything from heart-stopping rides to amazing restaurants that specialize in confectionery. This place must be on your go-to list.
- Scenic Wears Valley
The Wears Valley is one of the most scenic places in Pigeon Forge. Many tourists and visitors try to look for places to stay in Pigeon Forge near such calm and picturesque destinations. It helps them relax and recharge before going back to their busy routines.
The Valley has cafés and arts and crafts shops. They are open to visitors, and you can get a feel of the local culture by going there. Wears Valley is a photographer’s heaven because of the beautiful view of the Valley before sunrise and after sunset. Dewdrops and streambeds paint a beautiful picture in the morning.
- Old Mill Square
The Old Mill was built in the 19th century to serve as a grain grinder and flour producer. It employed hydropower to function and provided jobs to many people. This mill is registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places because of its extreme popularity and its history.
It is the best place to experience Southern hospitality. Millions of people come here every year to live and feel the friendliness and cooperative ambiance of the place.
- Titanic Museum
Pigeon Forge has one of the two Titanic Museums in the world. People who want to experience the ship and its ambiance can visit this beautiful museum and experience what it was like in the 20th Century.
Visitors can see the actual pictures of the ship and artifacts and can even sit in lifeboats to get the full experience. Moreover, as a visitor, you are also issued tickets and boarding passes for the ship to make the experience a lot more relatable.
- WonderWorks
The WonderWorks is a huge colonial-style building built upside down; yes, you read that right, upside down. It leaves its visitors in awe, amazement, and speechless. It is a state-of-the-art amusement park that combines both education and entertainment. WonderWorks has various active sites where you can experience different artificially generated stimuli to make your experience more worthwhile. The Hurricane Shack is one example; it hits its visitors with strong artificially generated winds. This amusement park is a must-visit place whenever you go to Pigeon Forge.
- Alcatraz East Crime Museum
The Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a dream come true for murder mystery and crime show fanatics. Its design is very similar to the Tennessee State Prison. It has a castle-like architecture. People from the crime division hold sessions all year round and talk about their experience in this field and how they believe crime and criminology will be shaped in the next few years. They share how this gruesome field has shaped their lives and are open to questions from the visitors.
- The Island
The Island is one of the most popular tourist spots in Pigeon Forge. It is one of those places where people who want to see a burst of local activity and heritage with all sorts of entertainment can come and enjoy. The Island is like a big fair, where people can play games, try local food, visit beautiful places, and try different kinds of rides. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is a 200 feet tall Ferris Wheel that you can enjoy as part of the carnival on the Island. It gives you an astounding view of the city and the Smoky Mountains.
- Hollywood Wax Museum
Aside from going to the Island, the other important site is the Hollywood Wax Museum. The iconic statue of King Kong is attached to the Empire State Building and is placed over the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center in Pigeon Forge. It is surely a great sight for King Kong lovers. While people often spend their time taking pictures to commit the amazing statues of celebrities to memory, the museum offers great diversions for entertainment as well. Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors is a great example.
- Paula D’s Lumberjack Feud Show
The Paula D’s Lumberjack Feud Show is the most exciting logger sports event in the city. The show typically lasts for about 1.5 hours and is filled with many competitive competitions like speed climbing trees, rolling logs, etc. If you want a thrilling experience while exploring Pigeon Forge, you should go to this place.
Bottom Line
It is always good to take a break from your mundane life and visit a reenergizing place such as Pigeon Forge, filled with fun activities and great scenic views. Almost all the tourist attractions in the area are beautiful and have their heritage and culture. However, the destinations mentioned above are among the most exciting places and must be on your go-to list in Pigeon Forge. If you want to have a more organized and memorable experience, it is advised to hire a vacation guide.
Hope this article is of help. Happy Reading.
