A First-Timer’s Itinerary in Pigeon Forge

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You’ve heard friends talk about it. You’ve seen pictures online. Now you’re finally ready to experience the beauty and excitement of the Great Smoky Mountains for yourself. Well, get ready for a family vacation you’ll always remember in Pigeon Forge!

Get started by searching through our Pigeon Forge cabins to find the perfect starting place for your Smoky Mountain vacation this year. We have cabins of all sizes—for couples, single families, or multiple families looking to get away. We also have cabins with a variety of entertaining amenities including game rooms, theater rooms, and hot tubs as well as budget-friendly cabins, pet-friendly cabins, and so much more. Be sure to contact our reservation specialists today. They are available 24/7 to get you started on the vacation of your dreams.

Once you’ve booked your cabin, it’s time to begin making plans for how to make the most of your Pigeon Forge getaway. Below, we’ve listed some of the most important information first-timers need to know about the area before they come. For more information, be sure to check out other articles and blog posts on our website, where we’ll keep you up to date on all the ins and outs of Pigeon Forge.

First Things First
One of the first things first-timers should do when they arrive in Pigeon Forge is stop by the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center located at 1950 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. This large visitors center offers informational brochures, maps of the area, and coupons for local attractions, restaurants, and events. There’s also a theater room where you can learn more about the history and culture of the area you are visiting. The Pigeon Forge Welcome Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feel free to call 1-800-251-9100 for more information.

Getting Around
To save you money and the headache of steering through traffic while you’re in Pigeon Forge, try the Pigeon Forge Trolley – the Fun Time Trolley – instead. This public transportation service is fun, convenient, and affordable, making it an easy way for newcomers to get around while they’re visiting the Smokies. The Pigeon Forge Trolley takes passengers to North Parkway, South Parkway, the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Wears Valley, and the Courthouse for fares between $0.50 and $0.75. You can also purchase an all-day pass for $2.50.

Must-See Attractions
Two of the attractions on the trolley route—Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country—are two of the most popular attractions not only in Pigeon Forge but in all of the Smokies! Owned by Dolly Parton, both parks include tons of fun rides, shops, and restaurants for families and guests of all ages to enjoy. Other popular attractions in Pigeon Forge include the Titanic Museum Attraction – where you can walk the Grand Staircase and feel the chill of 28-degree water – and WonderWorks, where kids can have fun while expanding their imaginations. Finally, one of the newest Pigeon Forge attractions that has quickly become one of the area’s most popular is The Island. Featuring a variety of restaurants, including Margaritaville, and fun rides like the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, The Island has something fun for everyone!

Outdoor Adventures
A trip to Pigeon Forge isn’t complete without at least one visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most visited national park in the U.S., this park features hundreds of miles of hiking as well as historic sites dating back to the 19th century, a variety of plant and wildlife, bike paths, natural swimming holes, and so much more. Along with exploring the national park, outdoor enthusiasts new to Pigeon Forge should try whitewater rafting down the Pigeon River, Smoky Mountain Ziplines, or a picnic in the mountains. There are dozens of ways to enjoy the great outdoors during your stay in Pigeon Forge!

Dining Out
Although our Pigeon Forge cabins come equipped with full-size kitchens, where you are welcome to prep and serve homemade meals during your stay, there are also a variety of delicious restaurants in Pigeon Forge that deserve your attention. One of the long-time favorites is The Old Mill, which serves Southern-style dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Simply look for the large watermill—which was built in the 1800s and continues to be operational to this day—and get ready for country cookin’ the way your mama used to make it. But if a 4-course feast accompanied by first-class entertainment sounds more to your liking, then the Dixie Stampede is the place go. You can make this a group outing, a family dinner, or even a date during your first visit to the Smokies. The rodeo-style show and Southern-style meal will be a perfect introduction to Appalachian cuisine and culture during your Pigeon Forge stay.