Overview
Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, 5 mi north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2 sights · 10 things to do · 8 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 36 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pigeon Forge
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
Formerly the National Museum of Crime & Punishment from Washington DC, a glimpse into the world of crime and forensics, with such artifacts as vehicles belonging to Ted Bundy, John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, and OJ…
Hollywood Wax Museum
Claims to be the only wax museum in the US devoted entirely to celebrity figures.
Titanic Museum
Housed inside a half-scale replica of the doomed ocean liner, this is one of the largest Titanic museums in the world with over 400 artifacts on display, and galleries to explore highlighting the infamous voyage. Plus th…
Dolly Parton's Stampede
Music show and horse stunts while you have a feast.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
Another dinner show with dancing and slapstick comedy.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby Asheville)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 24 mi away (major hub). Directions
- AVL Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville — 63 mi away. Directions
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), about 10 mi south of Knoxville.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $39–$165 a night (typical $57), from 29 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$130, comfortable ~$330.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Cabin rentals in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Alcatraz East Crime Museum, The Island In Pigeon Forge, Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park
- Lunch Alamo Steakhouse
- Afternoon Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Dolly Parton's Stampede
- Dinner Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que
- Evening Mill Bridge Winery
Day 2
- Morning Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, Hollywood Wax Museum
- Lunch Bullfish Grill
- Afternoon Titanic Museum, Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show
- Dinner Huck Finns Catfish, Chicken and Steaks
- Evening Old Forge Distillery
Day 3
- Morning Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Lunch Log Cabin Pancake House
- Afternoon Rapid Expeditions
- Dinner Marble Slab Creamery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Pigeon Forge is a tourist destination that caters primarily to Southern culture and country music fans. The city's attractions include Dollywood, Dollywood's Splash Country, gift shops, outlet malls, amusement rides, and musical theaters. In 2019, it was home to 6,300 people.
History
After the Treaty of Dumplin Creek in 1785, Robert Shields and Samuel Wear took advantage of lands ceded by the Cherokees to build forts in the area. Wear's fort, the site where Pigeon Forge City Park is today, came under attack.
Later, around 1820, a fellow named Isaac Love built an iron forge and gristmill along the Little Pigeon River, hence the name of the town. Even though the forge was dismantled, the mill was restored and is like the centerpiece of the town, with tourists flocking to eat at the restaurant there.
When Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened up in 1934, entrepreneurs started toying with the idea of tourism on this stretch en route to the park. First there was a Rebel Railroad attraction, then a Silver City Amusement Park, and finally what Pigeon Forge is seemingly synonymous with today - Dollywood. It is chock full of other tourist attractions and resorts, however, so you may have to plan your time carefully.
Get in
By air
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), about 10 mi south of Knoxville.
By car
From Knoxville, US Route 441 connects directly to Pigeon Forge.
Get around
The Pigeon Forge Trolley is a public transportation system serving Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Fares range from $0.50 to $0.75, and it has over 100 trolley stops throughout the city. Trolley stops include places such as Dollywood, Dolly's Splash Country, Tanger Outlets, and many other stops along the parkway and other points of interest. The trolleys run daily 8:30AM to midnight during the months of early March to October and daily 10AM to 10PM in November and December but close on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
See
See Great Smoky Mountains National Park
See Alcatraz East Crime Museum
Formerly the National Museum of Crime & Punishment from Washington DC, a glimpse into the world of crime and forensics, with such artifacts as vehicles belonging to Ted Bundy, John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, and OJ Simpson; forensics labs; jail cell replicas; and moonshine stills.
Do
- Dollywood Amusement Park and Splash Country.
Do Titanic Museum
Housed inside a half-scale replica of the doomed ocean liner, this is one of the largest Titanic museums in the world with over 400 artifacts on display, and galleries to explore highlighting the infamous voyage. Plus the chance to take on a passenger's identity and see your fate.
Buy
Eat
Eat Huck Finns Catfish, Chicken and Steaks
Eat Old Mill Restaurant at Old Mill Square
Where it all started, Isaac Love's Pigeon Forge with a gristmill and all - kind of.
Eat Grand Majestic Theater
Buffet dinner and live musical performances.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Cabin rentals
Campgrounds
Nearby
Dollywood
City / town · 4 listings · 2 mi away
Sevierville
City / town · 22 listings · 5 mi away
Gatlinburg
City / town · 38 listings · 6 mi away
Kodak
City / town · 2 listings · 13 mi away
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Park · 19 listings · 14 mi away
Knoxville
City / town · 61 listings · 23 mi away
Townsend
City / town · 42 listings · 23 mi away
Maryville
City / town · 5 listings · 23 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.