According to Vacations Made Easy, there are over 40 fun things to do when visiting Pigeon Forge in Tennessee. But are all of these activities kid-friendly? Not quite. However, fear not, as this charming town has no shortage of exciting kid-friendly activities. Check out our top 10 favorites.
1. Go on an Epic Adventure to Anakeesta
Anakeesta is an elaborate family-friendly theme park less than 15 minutes from the Pigeon Forge’s center. Nestled amidst the majestic trees of the Great Smoky Mountains, this whimsical place offers an abundance of enjoyable activities for the whole family. Take a gondola ride, trek across the treetop skywalk, ride a 1,600-foot mountain coaster, or go ziplining; the choice is all yours (or your kids’!).
Your kids can even go on a gem-mining adventure surrounded by the interactive waterfall and sluice of the Anakeesta Gem Mine. If you’d like to sit the physical activities out, you can peruse the town’s botanical gardens or enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree mountain views.
2. Play in the Snow Year-Round
Do you want to enjoy the snow-kissed peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains? Do you want to play in the snow with your kids? Well, then you can come whenever you’d like!
That’s right, Pigeon Forge offers a unique attraction, the Pigeon Forge Snow, which uses innovative snow-making technology to maintain a winter wonderland year-round. Take your kids to this 35,000-square-foot facility and watch them hit the slopes and go snow tubing or join them for an epic snowball fight.
3. Experience the Thrills of Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark
If outdoor snow tubing is more up your alley, then Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark is the place to be. This amusement park is the home to the largest outdoor tubing hill in Tennessee.
But don’t let the name fool you; this monumental outdoor attraction offers fun-filled activities for every season. In the summer, you can enjoy riding a skylift, throwing axes, and riding a mountain coaster. You can even go tubing again, but this time without the snow.
4. Create Unforgettable Memories at Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Adventure
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park is a well-loved tourist attraction located at a shopping mall in Pigeon Forge.
If you want to kick back, relax, and enjoy impressive lumberjack feats, the Lumberjack Feud Show should be your choice. But those looking for more hands-on experience can compete in sawing contests, partake in logger sports, or just chop some wood. Beyond the lumber extravaganza, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind zipline coaster and two impressive 80-foot towers for free-fall jumping.
5. Saddle Up for a Peaceful Adventure
Going horseback riding is always fun. Throw 550 miles of trails and stunning views into the mix, and it becomes clear why this is one of the most sought-after activities in Pigeon Forge. Besides being an exciting way to enjoy the Great Outdoors in Pigeon Forge, this exhilarating experience offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility.
6. Stroll an Entertainment Paradise
Families looking for a fun time indoors should add the Beyond the Lens entertainment center to their Pigeon Forge itinerary. With over 150 interactive exhibits and galleries, you won’t know where to go first.
The intriguing “Search for Bigfoot” exhibition is undoubtedly a must for everyone interested in the mythical creature. At the same time, the two-minute escape rooms are the perfect opportunity to test your puzzle-solving skills under pressure. Wherever you go, you’ll be able to snap tons of cool Instagram-worthy selfies.
7. Step Into the Upside Down
Are your kids fans of the hit TV show “Stranger Things?” If yes, they’ll be thrilled to visit the more fun and less terrifying Upside Down in Pigeon Forge. The location in question is the extraordinary WonderWorks, an entertainment center that strikes the perfect balance between entertainment and education. Think of it as a mash-up between an amusement park, a children’s museum, and a science fair.
Here, you can visit interactive, hands-on exhibits that make learning fun and let the more active youngsters enjoy numerous fun-filled activities, such as taking an indoor ropes course or playing laser tag.
8. Journey Back in Time to the Titanic
The Titanic Museum tops numerous lists of the best kid-friendly activities in Pigeon Forge, and for a good reason.
This two-story museum is shaped just like the RMS Titanic (built half-scale to the original ship, of course). It offers one of the world’s largest permanent collections of Titanic artifacts and memorabilia.
When visiting this unique attraction, you’ll be given a boarding pass by a costumed cast member, instantly transporting you back to 1912. Aboard the ship, you and your kids can climb the famous Grand Staircase, learn more about the ship’s four-legged passengers, and stick your hand in 28-degree water.
9. Hang Out With Hollywood Stars
Another two-level stunner, the Hollywood Wax Museum, offers the chance to see some of your favorite Hollywood stars up close and personal. Strike a pose with the beautiful Sandra Bullock, dance with the King of Pop, or sit on the legendary bench of Forrest Gump next to the (wax) man himself.
10. Visit the Island for All-in-One Fun
The Island is the go-to destination in Pigeon Forge for families looking for some affordable fun. At this family-favorite location, you’ll find several live music events, numerous exciting rides and games, and dozens of shops and restaurants. In other words, there’s all you need to spend an entire day filled with laughter and joy in Pigeon Forge.
The Many Wonders of Pigeon Forge
One look at the top 10 kid-friendly activities in Pigeon Forge makes it clear why this enchanting haven has become a go-to destination for families across the U.S. Whether you prefer exciting rides that make your heart race, interactive exhibitions that ignite curiosity, or immersive shows that transport you to another time, Pigeon Forge has it all. With a unique blend of entertainment, education, and pure joy, every moment spent in this town is nothing short of extraordinary for the whole family.
