Happy 60th Birthday, Pigeon Forge!
We can’t believe it’s been 60 years since vacationers began exploring our beloved City of Pigeon Forge in Tennessee. With the Great Smoky Mountains all around and an inviting atmosphere with kind locals, it’s no surprise that families and friends began to pour into this charming mountain town to escape their everyday life and make memories together in the early 1960s. This tradition has continued to create generations of vacationers that first visited the area with their parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents.
With so many visitors flocking to the area year after year, Pigeon Forge has grown to become one of the most popular vacation destinations in Tennessee. Now, you’ll find 100s of cabin rentals, exciting attractions, plenty of tasty eateries, and shops galore! Over the years, people have returned to visit their favorite Pigeon Forge places, attend annual events unique to the area, and relive precious memories made with loved ones.
Whether you consider Pigeon Forge as your second home and visit often or have never been here before, we invite you to plan a Smoky Mountain vacation with those closest to you. Pigeon Forge was built so people could get away to a happy place and enjoy mountain life to the fullest. It’s the perfect vacation destination to bring family and friends, start new traditions, and make memories. Come celebrate 60 years of Pigeon Forge fun with us!
Places Unique to Pigeon Forge
We want your Smoky Mountain vacation to be special and worthwhile. Instead of flocking to familiar chain restaurants, branded stores, and attractions you can find elsewhere, check out places unique to Pigeon Forge when you visit. After exploring a few, you’ll start to understand why so many people keep returning to our Smoky Mountain paradise.
Unique Things to Do in Pigeon Forge
- Experience Dollywood — a theme park that features a Dolly Parton museum, live shows, roller coasters, fried foods, and local crafts.
- Peruse The Old Mill Square that features shops, restaurants, and a working gristmill on the Little Pigeon River, originally built in 1830.
- Snow tube year-round at Pigeon Forge Snow, America’s first indoor snow park!
- Explore The Island that features The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a show fountain, The Escape Game, plus tons of shops and restaurants.
- Become a lumberjack after watching the pros at Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park.
- Splash at Dollywood’s Splash Country, a summer waterpark with a wave pool, water slides, and more!
- Play at area museums, like WonderWorks with interactive edutainment, the Titanic Museum Attraction (1 of only 2 in the country), and Alcatraz East Crime Museum.
- Enjoy the magic of Christmas any time of year at The Incredible Christmas Place.
- Skydive safely inside America’s first vertical wind tunnel at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving.
- See a show at an award-winning theater, like Country Tonite Theater or The Comedy Barn.
- Visit The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops, another shopping and entertainment complex with The Mountain Monster freefall ride.
- Treat your family to a dinner show, like Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, or the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show.
- Go zorbing, aka hop in a giant inflatable ball and roll around, at Outdoor Gravity Park, the first in the country!
Pigeon Forge Trivia
- How did Pigeon Forge get its name? It’s a combination of the Little Pigeon River, once known for attracting many passenger pigeons (now extinct), and an iron forge built by Isaac Love in 1817.
- When did the first public meeting take place in Pigeon Forge? May 30, 1961
- What is the most popular Pigeon Forge attraction? Dollywood! It’s one of the most-visited attractions in Tennessee.
- How many pancake houses are in Pigeon Forge? 8…because pancakes are the yummiest
- Which Pigeon Forge park boasts a replica of the Liberty Bell? Patriot Park, which also has flags from all 50 states and a Patriot Missile from the first Gulf War
- How many people live in Pigeon Forge? Around 6,000 currently
- How many people visit Pigeon Forge each year? Roughly 10 million!
- What is the most historic building in Pigeon Forge? The Old Mill, which used to provide electricity for Pigeon Forge and was also built by Isaac Love in 1830
- How many lights adorn the Parkway during Winterfest? 5+ million
- How far is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Pigeon Forge? 5 miles
Pigeon Forge TN Cabins
A great way to celebrate in Pigeon Forge is to live like a local — in a mountain cabin rental. Pigeon Forge TN Cabins offers 1-16 bedroom options with all kinds of amenities to keep everyone entertained and comfortable. Whether you want to treat yourself, vacation with close-knit family members, escape with friends, or host a full-on family reunion, we have the perfect cabin for you!
Cabin Amenities
- Mountain, river, wooded, or city views
- Private indoor pool with water features (waterfalls, spa areas, lights, etc.)
- Outdoor hot tub
- Firepit
- Wood burning, gas, or electric fireplaces
- Home theater with a projector or big screen TV
- Arcade games
- Pool, air hockey, foosball, and shuffleboard tables
- Wet bar
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Gas, charcoal, or dual grill
- King, queen, full, and twin beds
- FREE high speed Wi-Fi
Ready to celebrate 60 years of Pigeon Forge fun? Start planning your memorable vacation in the Smokies today. Need help? Reach out to 866.513.7885 anytime!