Situated in the heart of the Smoky Mountain range, Pigeon Forge is one of the fastest growing tourist cities in the South. There are plenty of reasons for this mountain town's growth; however, bottom line, the action-packed entertainment, natural beauty, and mountain hospitality of this jewel of the mountains keeps visitors coming back year after year.
Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at one of the many pancake houses and enjoy the incredible selection of pancakes that are popular local fare (from chocolate chip to Hawaiian and everything in between!), biscuits and gravy, farm fresh eggs, grits and sizzling ham, bacon or country sausage. Tempt your taste buds with a breakfast (and Southern service) you can find nowhere else!
Days are filled with variety for visitors as Pigeon Forge continues to add new and unique attractions and entertainment. Years ago, when bungee jumping and bumper boats were just being noticed around the country, Pigeon Forge had all the family fun! Still, today you can take part in all of these activities as well as ride go-carts, take a scenic helicopter tour, go indoor skydiving or check out a museum (one's even upside-down!). One of the most recent additions is the "Zorb" - the sport of rocking and rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball. This action-adventure activity is not widely available across the country, and Pigeon Forge is leading the way yet again!
Visitors to Pigeon Forge can also find more fun, music, and action at Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country - by far the top two attractions in the area. Or you can head off to any number of local shows, some serving Southern-style dinners and musical revues, while others feature comedy and animals. Some nights you may just want to bring food back to your cabin or hotel in the mountains and enjoy a quiet night of romance!
In addition to family entertainment, there are more than 200 retail stores and six factory outlet malls in Pigeon Forge, lining the "Parkway" off US 441. Days can be spent finding bargains at any of the major retailers located at the outlets.
Like the neighboring town of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is a "gateway to the Smokies". That's pretty much where the similarities end. After driving through the tunnel that separates Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (be sure to honk; everyone does), the roads open up and there is a Parkway and side streets to explore (Hint: Use the backroads and side streets when the Parkway is backed up; usually Fridays and Sundays are prime time!). Sevier County (home to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville) is a dry county, with the exception of the city of Gatlinburg, which was grandfathered in. Within the city limits of Pigeon Forge, beer is available in grocery and convenience stores, and wine can be purchased at the Smoky Mountain Winery on the Parkway. Many restaurants allow you to bring your own beer or wine and just charge a corking fee!
In addition to the everyday entertainment and attractions that can be found in Pigeon Forge, there are a series of local events that take place throughout the year. No matter the season, there's always something going on. Family favorites are the Smoky Mountain Winterfest (November through February) and the Harvest Festival (September and October). Before you visit, take a look at the local calendar and see what annual events you'll be able to join in on!
There are many reasons why the city of Pigeon Forge entertains more than 11 million tourists a year: It's entertainment can't be beat, you'll find family fun at its best, and the genuine beauty of the surrounding mountains make this city a vacation destination certain to continue to grow in popularity.
This tidbit of real travel information was contributed by Jeffrey Abrams.