With the busy schedules of work, school, kids’ activities, weddings, and family visits, you may not always have time for a whole weekend or week vacation. Luckily, Pigeon Forge is a great place for a quick trip. It’s also fairly convenient to many major cities, so if you only have a short amount of time, it’s still worth the drive. So if you want to visit the Smokies but only have 1 day to explore the area, you’ll probably want to get in as much as you can. You’re probably coming for 1 of 2 reasons: relaxation or fun. Of course, you’ll enjoy a little bit of both, but below we’ve broken it down for you. Read on for our top ideas of what to do if you only have 1 day in Pigeon Forge.
An Exciting Getaway
Go skydiving! Get the experience of flying without having to jump out of a plane at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge. Both kids and adults can enjoy this awesome experience in the first vertical wind tunnel in America.
Take a ride on the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. “Ride the hill, feel the thrill!” is the motto at one of the newer attractions in Pigeon Forge. With more than 1 mile of track letting you race to speeds of up to 27 mph, the coaster is an exciting downhill ride that’s the longest in the United States! It’s also a pretty quick ride, so you can fit it in on a quick day trip to Pigeon Forge.
Grab a quick pizza before heading back out. If you want something quick to eat, stop by one of the many pizza places along the Parkway before heading back out for more Pigeon Forge fun. From popular chain restaurants to local favorites, you’ll have many options for pizza (or any other food you’re craving).
Take a scenic helicopter tour of the Smokies. You won’t get views like this anywhere else. If you want to experience the true beauty of the Smokies from a new perspective, go to the professionals at Scenic Helicopter Tours in Pigeon Forge – they have been flying over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1972.
Drive go karts at NASCAR SpeedPark. With 8 go kart tracks to choose from, NASCAR SpeedPark will provide the adrenaline rush you’re seeking. They also have rides, a rock climbing wall, and arcade games.
Have some fun at Foxfire Mountain. Home to the Smokies’ largest scenic zipline, a waterfall, America’s longest swinging bridge, a climbing wall, hiking trails, and more, Foxfire Mountain is for the young and young at heart!
Taste moonshine at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine at The Island. Located in The Island in Pigeon Forge, Ole Smoky Moonshine boasts about 6,000 square feet of space with an onsite still and tasting area. Taste their many different flavors and proofs (jarred and labeled onsite) while listening to live music on their stage outside.
A Restful Retreat
Start with breakfast in your cabin. Our comfortable Pigeon Forge cabins come with fully equipped kitchens, so you can whip up a tasty breakfast before heading out for the day. You can get some great pancake and muffin mixes (along with premade goodies) from The Apple Barn, or you can add a breakfast gift basket when you call to reserve a cabin with us!
Tour the Titanic Museum Attraction. Offering the most authentic experience you can get, a tour at the Titanic Museum Attraction will make you feel like you’re really a passenger or crew member aboard the RMS Titanic. At the start of your tour, you’ll receive a boarding pass of an actual passenger or crew member who was aboard the ship on that fateful trip. You’ll explore the hallways and cabins, walk the Grand Staircase, and then find out if “you” survived or not.
Fill up at The Old Mill Restaurant or The Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille. The Old Mill is an important part of Pigeon Forge history; stop by to learn more and to sit down for a delicious Southern meal after a busy morning.
Enjoy a tasting at Mountain Valley Winery. Before you head back to your cabin for the night, stop by the Mountain Valley Winery for a taste of some favorite local wine. They have everything from dry white wines to rich dessert options like Muscadine and Mountain Berry. Enjoy a tasting, learn about the wine-making process, and buy a bottle to enjoy back at the cabin or back home.
Take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. A great way to end a relaxing night is with a scenic ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. The all-glass gondolas go 200 feet above the city, offering stunning city views (especially at night). They even have VIP tickets which offer you a ride in the VIP gondola – complete with plush red leather interiors, seating for just 4 (instead of 8), a souvenir bag and a personal escort to the front of the line, and a glass floor for awesome views.
