A weekend getaway is just what you need to take a break and refresh yourself, and a fantastic option for your little holiday is the mountain city of Pigeon Forge. Located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee, Pigeon Forge offers relaxing retreats and thrilling adventures, making it a popular tourist destination. The city’s rich history and breathtaking mountainous landscapes add to its charm.
This hidden Southern gem is a magical place that caters to vacation-goers of all ages with its plethora of enthralling activities. To help you decide to choose Pigeon Forge as your next weekend getaway, we have prepared an itinerary:
1. Day 1 – Night Stop ─ Country Tonite Show
Source: pigeonforgetickets.com
After a long day of traveling, you don’t have the energy to go sightseeing or take on anything too adventurous. However, you can still make the most of your first night in Pigeon Forge by catching Country Tonite Show, the ‘Best Show in the Smokies’ as per the Readers Choice Awards. It is a country music show organized from April to December at the Country Tonite theatre, which is located on Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
The two-hour show is jam-packed with entertainment, including great music, fun dance sequences, and hilarious comedy. The best part is that the Country Tonite is a family-friendly show with clean jokes and heartening performances that all ages can enjoy.
Having won the title “Show of the Year” for five consecutive years by the Country Music Associations International, Country Tonite is undoubtedly one of the best shows in Pigeon Forge, making it the perfect activity for your first night in town.
2. Day 2 – Morning Stop ─ Dollywood Theme Park
Pigeon Forge is famous for many things, and Dollywood Theme Park is at the top. Moreover, Trip Advisor rates as Dollywood Theme Park as the country’s best theme parks. The local trolley service has regular routes to Dollywood Theme Park from all over the city, so find your nearest stop and hop on!
Dollywood Theme Park has dozens of thrilling rides for kids and adults alike. You can ride atop the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Lightning Rod, or explore the park on the Dollywood Express Train. Also, the theme park is home to an array of eateries and hosts live music performances.
3. Day 2 – Afternoon Stop ─ Titanic Museum Attraction
After Dollywood, we recommend you relax and explore the city. A great place to start is the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, which you will especially love if you’re a history buff. The Titanic Museum Attraction is an interactive Titanic-themed museum built inside a structure identical to the RMS Titanic.
The Titanic Museum Attraction pays homage to the 2,208 passengers and crew that were part of the tragedy by sharing their stories with visitors. The museum is home to more than 400 real artifacts from the Titanic and allows visitors to travel back in time to 1912 with its full-scale replicas of the Grand Staircase and other parts of the great ship.
For those interested in delving further into the experience, the museum also allows you to sit in a real-size lifeboat and experience chilling 28-degree waters similar to the night of the tragedy. This museum pays tribute to the tragic incident and is a must-visit spot during your trip to Pigeon Forge.
4. Day 2 – Night Stop ─ The Island
The perfect end to a fun-filled day can be at Pigeon Forge’s favorite entertainment spot, the Island. A carnival-style entertainment complex, the Island is home to exciting activities, beautiful museums, great shopping outlets, and delicious food. You can walk around the Island to relax, unwind, and enjoy the wonderful water fountain show that starts every half hour.
The Island’s central attraction is the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200 ft. tall observatory wheel that offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, which are all the more breathtaking at night. The aerial view of the Pigeon Forge city lights against the majestic landscape of the Great Smokies is a sight you’ll never forget.
5. Day 3 – Morning Stop ─ The Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Source: lonelyplanet.com
How is it justified that you come to the edge of the Great Smokies and don’t visit America’s most visited national park? Start your last day in Pigeon Forge with an early morning trip to the national park. It is the perfect opportunity to try out one of the many adventurous activities, such as ziplining.
However, if you want to do something less thrilling, the hiking trails at the Great Smokies are just there. There are dozens of trails, each with unique but equally beautiful landscape views. You can explore the park at your own pace and marvel at the striking natural structures, such as waterfalls or stop to admire the local wildlife.
Other things you can do at the park include bicycling across the trails, horseback riding, fishing, or exploring the historic buildings preserved within the Great Smokies. A morning at the national park will have you feeling refreshed and energized.
6. Day 3 – Afternoon Stop ─ The Mountain Mile Mall
The final stop to end your Pigeon Forge weekend getaway is the Mountian Mile Mall. Another great family entertainment spot, the Mountain Mile, offers much fun and dining. However, we recommend the Mountian Mile as the final stop because of the Tower Shops.
You can’t return home after a vacation without getting a souvenir or two for your collection and gifts for your loved ones. With big brands and local specialty shops, the Tower Shops at Mountain Mile are the best place to find everything you need and sign off on your Pigeon Forge adventures with a delicious local lunch.
Final Words
Pigeon Forge is a fantastic choice for a holiday for solo travelers, groups of friends, and families alike. In addition to the above, many other activities await you in Pigeon Forge. So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets and start packing! We guarantee that this weekend getaway in Pigeon Forge will be the best time of your life.
