You're Going to Love Pigeon Forge
If you love country music, visiting Pigeon Forge is essential. That's because this welcoming little town in Tennessee is the home of Dollywood, Dolly Parton's very own amusement park and concert venue.
Experience the thrills of roller coasters like the Lightning Rod or the Tennessee Tornado, cool off in Splash Country, take a steam locomotive ride through the Smoky Mountains woods, and dine at great on-site restaurants before taking your seat for a country music showcase.
Outside Dollywood, Pigeon Forge has plenty of high-quality accommodation, and there's no shortage of gourmet dining opportunities. If you love BBQ ribs, fried chicken, and meatloaf, family-run restaurants like the Old Mill will leave you completely satisfied.
One of America's finest family vacation destinations, Pigeon Forge is fun, friendly, and a great place to head for your next trip.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Pigeon Forge
1. Dollywood
Pigeon Forge grew up around Dollywood - a massive amusement park conceived by country music legend Dolly Parton. Visitors to the park can splash in water parks, ride roller coasters, dine on southern cooking, and catch musical performances, all in the same day.
2. Racing
The area around Pigeon Forge is obsessed with motor racing, so feel free to test your driving skills at local Go Karting centers like the Bear Country Fun Park. Alternatively, head to the NASCAR Speedpark in Sevierville, which features eight tracks of varying difficulties.
3. The Great Smoky Mountains
When you visit Pigeon Forge, you can easily mix the attractions of Dollywood with excursions to sites of outstanding natural beauty. The Great Smoky Mountains have some gorgeous spots, including the spectacular views from Clingman's Dome and the rolling tree-topped hills of Sugarlands Valley.
4. Dining
If you love Southern cooking, you'll adore Pigeon Forge. Don't miss the country-fried pork or the meatloaf at Mama's Farmhouse or the BBQ country ribs at the Old Mill.
5. Music
Pigeon Forge is as much about music as rides, water parks and Go Karts. You can catch a different musical style every night at Dollywood venues like the Wings of America Theater, or learn about the giants of gospel music at the SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum. You may even have the chance to hear Dolly herself, as she regularly performs at Pigeon Forge venues.
What to do in Pigeon Forge
1. Watch a Musical Performance
Dollywood was created by the singer Dolly Parton, and it's a unique mixture of music venue and amusement park. The attraction regularly stages musical festivals, including events dedicated to gospel, musical performances from stage shows, Appalachian Christmas concerts, and country music showcases. Head to the Back Porch Theater, the Pines Theater or the Valley Theater for a constantly changing musical feast.
2. Cool Off at the Dollywood Water Park
Summertime can be very warm in the Smoky Mountains, which is why Dollywood hosts a variety of water-based family attractions. Head to Splash Country for a huge selection of slides, lazy rivers, river rapids, and wave pools that all members of the family can enjoy.
3. Ride the Rollercoasters at Dollywood
You don't have to get wet to experience an adrenaline rush at Dollywood. Other attractions include the world's fastest wooden roller coaster (the Lightning Rod), a ride which simulates a 19th-century village fire and more sedate rides aimed purely at kids.
4. Take a Steam Train Ride into the Smoky Mountains
The scenery around Pigeon Forge is spectacular, and the best way to see it is by boarding the Dollywood Express. This authentic steam locomotive provides a 20-minute tour of the nearby countryside, giving passengers a flavor of the past at the same time.
5. Try Go Kart Racing
Pigeon Forge is a great place for racing enthusiasts to visit. There are a number of Go Karting tracks in the area, including the Blake Jones Racing Center, Bear Country Fun Park, and Adventure Raceway. All of them offer options for adults and kids, and all of them let you test your skills against other drivers and the clock.
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When to Visit Pigeon Forge
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Pigeon Forge is open all year-round and there's hardly a bad time to visit. Winters may be chilly, but with festive concert seasons and a warm welcome, it's still a good time to visit. Spring and fall feature mild weather (and beautiful foliage in the Smoky Mountains). Although summer can be hot and humid, there's always the chance to splash around in water parks and cool off with a cocktail - so every month has its appeal.
How to Get to Pigeon Forge
Plane
If you are arriving in Pigeon Forge by air, the best place to touch down is McGhee-Tyson Airport in nearby Knoxville, which is around 35 miles to the west of the resort. To get from McGhee-Tyson to your hotel, either rent a car and drive along Routes 441, 321, 411, or book a taxi. Taxis take about 1 hour and should cost between $35 and $50.
Car
The easiest way to get to Pigeon Forge from most eastern, southern or mid-western American cities is by driving. I-40 passes 20 miles to the north of the resort and links Pigeon Forge with the Eastern Seaboard and destinations as far west as California. If you are coming from Texas or Louisiana, take I-75 northwards as far as Farragut, change onto I-40 then Route 441.
Bus
There are no direct buses to Pigeon Forge, but visitors can take Greyhound services from cities like Nashville, Washington D.C., Chicago, and New York to nearby Knoxville. After that, it's just a short taxi ride to the town itself.
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How to Get Around Pigeon Forge
Public Transportation
Pigeon Forge has its own special public transportation network. The Fun Time Trolley covers all of the major hotels and resorts and also runs between Sevierville and Dollywood. Single fares cost between $0.50 and $0.75 and buses run between 8:00 a.m. and midnight for most of the year.
Taxis
Taxis are a good way to get to and from Dollywood if you don't feel like using the Fun Time Trolley. There's a flat rate of $12 for journeys anywhere in Pigeon Forge, or $20 between Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. However, given the good coverage of the buses and the short distance to Dollywood by foot, most people won't need to book taxis during their stay.
Car
Renting a car at Knoxville Airport is a good option, and major names like Hertz and Avis are represented. Expect to pay between $20 and $30 a day for your vehicle. If you are driving to Dollywood from country hotels, it makes sense to park away from the amusement park itself. There are parking lots in central Pigeon Forge and Sevierville which offer much cheaper daily rates, and the Fun Time Trolley can get you to the attractions just as quickly as driving.
Where to Eat in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge offers a huge selection of dining options for visitors. If you are visiting Dollywood, there are a number of highly-rated, on-site restaurants, including the unbeatable value of Aunt Granny's All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet and traditional meat dishes at Hickory House BBQ. In town, the best places to eat include the Old Mill, which specializes in old-time Southern fare, and Poynor's Pommes Frites - a German eatery that serves up delicious hot dogs in home-made rolls. Expect to pay around $20 in Dollywood and $15 outside for a mid-range meal.
