After days of planning and budgeting, you have finally decided to go on a fun-filled vacation trip. The kids are excited, the towns are already bustling with excited families and tourists, and the weather is beautiful. Now, one of the toughest decisions you and your family are left with is where you should go. You may be thinking about a lot of destinations overseas or preferring to go local, staying close to home. Here are 5 reasons to visit Pigeon Forge?
If you’re searching for a location within the States filled with activities for adults and kids alike, one of the friendliest and most welcoming destinations is none other than Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Also, no matter if you have visited that place earlier or are ready to experience it for the first time, it is indeed a great city to visit, offering exploration and entertainment opportunities around every corner.
Need more convincing? Here are the top five reasons why Pigeon Forge should be your next destination for a thrilling trip.
Nearby Destinations
One of the biggest reasons people prefer to visit Pigeon Forge is that it is surrounded by great views and unlimited activities all the time. Since it is located just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it offers exploration adventures for families and solo travelers. For instance, if you and your family want to explore nature at its best, you could go to a breathtaking waterfall like Laurel Falls in Gatlinburg. Moreover, you could drive through Cades Coves to catch a glimpse of the white-tailed deer or Black Bear in the nearby town of Gatlinburg, which provides hundreds of fun attractions.
Similarly, when looking for other adventurous and exciting things to do near Pigeon Forge, don’t forget to visit the one-of-the-kind SkyLand Ranch in Sevierville. All you have to do is hop onto a chairlift and watch nature’s splendor unfold. From miniature animals to food trucks and a mountain coaster, SkyLand Ranch has something for everyone!
Affordable Options
Like most people, you must also be looking for and planning an affordable trip. Well, this makes Pigeon Forge one of the best choices. Firstly, it’s within the States, so you don’t have to pay for expensive air tickets. Secondly, the city offers plenty of budget-friendly options, such as discounted lodging without worrying about parking or fuel, as most of these lodges are located mid-city and close to all the fun attractions.
Besides lodging, you can also save tons of money as the city offers many affordable and even free things to do, such as the island that is free to enter. You can also visit Patriot Park, attend a free event like Old Mill Heritage Day, or see the Old Mill absolutely free of cost.
The Dining
No vacation is fun or memorable unless you get some great options for dining, and Pigeon Forge offers just that. In fact, it has now become quite the dining destination with hundreds of mouth-watering restaurants to serve your whole family and every taste. From delicious southern food to BBQ and pancakes, there’s so much you can eat here.
For instance, you can visit the Smoky Mountain Brewery if you are craving a delicious burger, pizza, or microbrew. Similarly, if you like vintage dining or wish to take a step back in time, you may also visit The Old Mill, which is a family-style restaurant doing business since the 1830s.
Fun Things for Everyone
The best part of visiting Pigeon Forge is that it has something for everyone, from couples to families with kids to even a big group of friends. So whether you just want to relax, kick back and enjoy the view, or look for a thrill, you can do it all in Pigeon Forge. For instance, if you are with family, you can visit Dollywood, The Island, and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. If you are visiting with friends and looking for some fun activities for adults, you can try moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky, a night out at Smoky Mountain Brewery, or complete the Rocky Top Wine Trail.
Similarly, if you are on a romantic getaway, you can admire the panoramic views of Pigeon Forge and the Smokies by riding the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel or enjoy a dinner for two at Bullfish or Calhoun’s Grill, as well as many other luxury restaurants.
The View
The city is known as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains and is home to a breathtaking National Park and mountain range. There are several hotels and cabin rentals full of fabulous views of the Smokes, providing a serene and relaxing atmosphere like no other place. Moreover, the city is conveniently located in East Tennessee, within a day’s drive of 1/3 of the U.S.
This also means that you can save a lot of money on fuel or by avoiding ticket fares while you get to enjoy a budget-friendly and eco-friendly family vacation destination.
Since now you know why you should prefer staying in Pigeon Forge for your next vacation, start planning your trip right away. There is no end to the reasons why the city is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. As a year-round family-friendly vacation destination, it is full of fun activities, award-winning shows, thrilling attractions, countless shopping options, dining, and lodging —some of the many reasons why people consider it their home away from home.
The nearby destinations sound perfect for exploring nature with the kids, and the affordable options make it even more enticing. Plus, the diverse dining scene and fun activities for everyone ensure there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.
I’ve always been someone who leans towards international destinations for vacations, but your vivid descriptions and compelling reasons have put Pigeon Forge high on my list of must-visit places. The excitement of discovering new places while staying closer to home is very appealing!
I’ve never heard of Pigeon Forge before but it sounds like a lovely place to take my kids. My husband would love to check out the brewery.
After reading about Pigeon Forge and all it has to offer, I am incredibly intrigued and excited to plan a visit to this charming destination. The combination of diverse dining options, affordable accommodations, stunning views, and a wide array of activities make Pigeon Forge a dream destination for travelers seeking a memorable experience.
I have heard a lot of great things about Pigeon Forge and it is supposed to be a great family destination. There are lots of fun things to do there.
I have Smoky Mountains on my bucket list so will definitely keep Pigeon Forge in mind for that time
Wow! It looks fascinating. This is the first time I knew the pigeon.
We only drove by Pigeon Forge when we went to Gatlinburg before. I’d love to go and explore the place one of these days. Thank you for all the ideas.
I like the nature areas, but other than that, I’m not a huge fan of Gatlinburg/Sevierville/Pigeon Forge. I’m glad you highlighted nature instead of the touristy areas!