TripAdvisor Names Pigeon Forge one of America’s Top 10 Destinations on the Rise

The reviews are in, and it’s official: Pigeon Forge, TN has more fans than ever before! The popular travel website TripAdvisor recently named our Smoky Mountain city one of America’s top 10 “destinations on the rise”. Here at Visit My Smokies, we are thrilled to hear that more vacationers are finding out about all of the fun there is to have in Pigeon Forge. Read on for a quick look at what brings over 11 million people to the Smokies each year.

What Makes Pigeon Forge a “Destination on the Rise”

To determine which of America’s vacation destinations are growing the fastest, TripAdvisor analyzed the millions of reviews submitted by the website’s users. The data showed that Pigeon Forge and nine other cities had the most significant year-over-year increase in positive reviews in 2016. You can see all of TripAdvisor’s Top Destinations on the Rise here.

What People Love About Pigeon Forge

There is so much to love about Pigeon Forge that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few things! Of course, our city’s proximity to the most visited national park in the United States is a big part of its appeal. With over 800 miles of pristine hiking trails and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a paradise for nature lovers.

In addition to all of the fun in the great outdoors, Pigeon Forge offers a seemingly endless variety of family attractions. Dollywood, the famous theme park owned by Dolly Parton, is a hugely popular destination filled with thrilling rides and great shows. The Parkway, the main highway in the Smokies, is lined with a parade of dinner theaters, go-kart tracks, museums, arcades, mini golf courses, old time photo studios, shops, restaurants, and everything else you could possibly want to do on vacation.

To get a taste of what people love about visiting Pigeon Forge, check out these TripAdvisor reviews:

• “I have been going to the Smoky Mountains since I was little. One of my favorite places in the world, especially in the Fall. There is so much to do. Hiking, horseback riding, bear watching and playing in the cold mountain stream. This place holds a special place in my heart.”

• “Whether you ride the rides or just like to look, Dollywood is a great place to visit for couples or for families. The atmosphere is light and carefree. The food is great and there is always an adventure to be found. We loved the glassblowing demonstrations, the animal area (like a miniature zoo), and our most favorite of course was the roller coasters. Dollywood by far has the best roller coasters around!!”

• “It’s easy to get around in Pigeon Forge on the Trolley. You can even take it into Gatlinburg if you like. It picks up at many locations around both cities as well as several stops along the parkway. It only costs $0.50 to ride. It’s air conditioned and heated too!”

• “I have been dying to go to Dixie Stampede since I was 16 (now 27) and it was everything I’ve dreamed of. The horses were magnificent and obviously taken care of and treated very well. The stunts were great, the staff was very kind…everyone had a smile on their face. The food was more than you could eat and delicious at that. This is well worth the cost of the tickets…This is a must see show!!!!”

Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge

There is certainly no shortage of great places to stay in Pigeon Forge! The Smoky Mountain area is filled with cabin rentals, condo rentals, campgrounds, and bed & breakfasts that offer stunning mountain views and proximity to all of the best things to do in the area. To start planning your vacation, browse the hundreds of properties on our Pigeon Forge Lodging page.