When you think summer, you probably think swimming pools and family picnics. But sometimes—especially when the nation is experiencing record-breaking highs, like this summer—it’s just too hot! So we’ve put together 10 ideas for summer fun where you can have a great time without breaking a sweat.
- Try to “escape” at The Island. Think you’ve got what it takes to decode a secret service mission? Or navigate through a prison passageway? Put your skills to the test at Pigeon Forge’s The Island, where you’ll find one of America’s top-rising attractions known as The Escape Game.* Your 6- to 8-person group will have an hour to find your way out of a locked room. This is a great attraction for teenagers, small groups of adults, coworkers, and couples.
- Visit one of the top-rated aquariums in the world. That’s right, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies* has been ranked the #5 aquarium in the world! And when you book your stay in Pigeon Forge, you’ll be just minutes from this Gatlinburg attraction. Even if you’ve visited before, Ripley’s Aquarium has a brand-new Pearl Harbor exhibit that’s open this summer and a 4-story playground for the kids! Check it out during your Smoky Mountain stay.
- Take the family to a magic show. Another top-rated indoor attraction in the Smokies is Magic Beyond Belief*, the premier Pigeon Forge magic show hosted by Darren Romeo. Dubbed “Entertainer of the Year” and “Magician of the Year,” Darren Romeo brings Las Vegas–style entertainment to the heart of Smokies. Enjoy his 2-hour show that’s packed with grand illusions, exotic animals, and a few surprises along the way.
- Play for hours at a local arcade. While many of our Pigeon Forge cabins come with their own game tables and mini arcades, you’ll find even more entertainment just a few miles away in the heart of downtown. Choose from several local arcades, including Big Top Arcade and Arcade City. You can even visit multi-functional recreation centers like Lazerport Fun Center with a variety of indoor activities from laser tag to blacklight mini golf.
- Take a selfie with your favorite celebs. While we can’t promise that Dolly Parton will be in town during your Pigeon Forge visit, we can invite you to the Hollywood Wax Museum, where all your favorite celebrities past to present are always on display! Ladies, have you ever wanted your picture beside Bradley Cooper or Brad Pitt? Men, what about Marilyn Monroe or even the hero of the West, John Wayne? You’ll find all these celebs and more at the Hollywood Wax Museum.
- Feel some serious wind with the indoor skydiving experience. Here’s the great news: no planes are involved in this Pigeon Forge skydiving experience! This indoor attraction is all about simulating the freefall experience without putting you or your loved ones at risk like jumping out of plane. So get out of your comfort zone (baby steps, people), and stay cool this summer at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving.
- Go back in time for a family photo. If it’s an unbearably hot summer day, why not get a jump-start on your family Christmas photos for the year at Old Time Photo in Pigeon Forge? This unique attraction has been popular with our guests for years—and it’s a great place to create a Smoky Mountain memory (and take-home souvenir) that will last for a lifetime!
- Solve a mystery in Pigeon Forge. Solve the mystery of how to feed your family and entertain them at the same time by visiting the Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge. You’ll have 3 different shows to choose from: “Moonshine Murders,” “Frankly, Scarlett, You’re Dead,” and “The Killbillies.” Each one invites you to chew your pipe, scratch your chin, and satisfy your appetite in the Smokies!
- Expand your kids’ imaginations at WonderWorks. We know it’s hard on a hot summer day to find something your kids will love besides the games on their devices. So we’re letting you in on a little secret: WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge is gadget-free, exhibit-full fun where you kids will explore, create, and even (shhh!) learn, all while having an amazing time in the different zones!
- Visit the only place you’ll still need a jacket even on a 100-degree day. No, we’re not making this up. When you visit the Forbidden Caverns in nearby Sevierville, you’re not only going to wish you had a jacket, but also some jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. That’s because this deep-within-the-earth attraction remains 58 degrees year-round. This is environmentally friendly air-conditioning at its best! But the Forbidden Caverns are more than just a place to cool down; they also take you past sparkling formations, towering natural chimneys, and a crystal clear stream. All trails are well-lighted, and an entertaining and educational tour guide rounds out this attraction as one of the Smokies’ most unique.
*Pigeon Forge Cabins partners save you money on some of the area’s most popular attractions. For more information about our partnerships and the discounts available to you simply by booking your stay in one of our Pigeon Forge cabins, please call 1-866-513-7885 or begin an online chat with one of our reservation specialists today.
