5 Best Things to Do in Pigeon Forge as an Alternative to Dollywood
We all know how fun Dollywood is! With roller coasters, musical performances and sweet treats everywhere, it’s a great vacation activity. But what do you do after you’ve explored all that Dollywood has to offer? Luckily for you, Pigeon Forge is filled with great attractions and entertainment! Here are 5 of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge as an alternative to Dollywood:
1. Ride a Mountain Coaster
Just because you aren’t at a theme park doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few coasters. Being at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is home to some awesome mountain coasters that you won’t want to miss out on. Head over to the Smoky Mountain Snowpark in Pigeon Forge and take a ride on their Laser Gun Coaster and Power Coaster. You are able to ride single or double on either of these coasters and you can take in the Smoky Mountain views from a whole new perspective.
After you’ve explored the rides at the Snowpark, make your way towards the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. Here, you can speed through the trees as you cut corners and zig-zag towards the bottom of the mountain. If you’ve got a need for speed, this is a great place to fulfill that adrenaline rush when you aren’t in Dollywood.
2. See a Dinner Show
Ready for dinner and a show? Then you’ve come to the right place! Pigeon Forge hosts tons of award-winning shows all throughout the year. While you can find a few of these shows in Dollywood, there are plenty more along the Pigeon Forge Parkway. If you’re looking for some hilarious family comedy, get your group tickets to the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud! Chow down on some Southern specialties like delicious fried chicken and biscuits, all while watching the oldest family feud in history play out right in front of you.
Did you know that you can find pirates in the Smokies? At Pirates Voyage in Pigeon Forge, you can watch as Blackbeard and his crew sail the seas in search for adventure and treasure! Enjoy a meal fit for a captain, featuring herb-basted potatoes, sugar-cured ham and creamy vegetable soup, while enjoying this one-of-a-kind show!
3. Explore a Museum
Whether you’re interested in history, film or pop culture, you’ll find a museum that you’ll love in the Smokies. One of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge is to explore all the fun and educational museums available to the public. Buy your boarding pass to the Titanic Museum and explore a replica of what this world-famous ship looked like. You’ll even be able to browse through real recovered artifacts from the ship and feel water as cold as the ocean on the night of the fateful sinking.
If you’re a fan of true crime, you can spend a day learning about some of the most infamous crimes and criminals in history at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Enjoy exhibits filled with crime scene evidence, discover the details of well-known cases and learn the behind the scenes of how these criminals were brought to justice.
4. Enjoy Some Shopping
You can’t come to the Smokies without doing a little bit of shopping! Whether you’re treating yourself or buying some goodies for those who couldn’t make the trip, you have tons of options. For a little bit of everything, we suggest spending some time exploring the shops at The Mountain Mile. With everything from a general store and boutiques to a Nike Clearance Outlet and REI, this shopping center has something for everyone.
If you’re looking for a shopping experience a little more geared towards Smoky Mountain merchandise, head to The Island! The Island is by far one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge, not only for their shopping, but also the fun attractions located within this entertainment complex.
5. Sample Some Appalachian Moonshine
While you’re at The Island, make sure to stop into Ole Smoky Moonshine and sample some of this Smoky Mountain specialty for yourself. Moonshine tasting is one activity you won’t be able to find in Dollywood, so feel free to take a day to explore all the awesome distilleries located throughout Pigeon Forge. In addition to Ole Smoky, try Old Forge Distillery, Tennessee Shine Co. and Junction 35.
Now that you have a better idea of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge other than Dollywood, you can begin planning the rest of your vacation. Do you want to save some money on these attractions? Check out all of the coupons and savings we offer and enjoy your mountain getaway all while staying under budget!
