What better way to enjoy the best of what Pigeon Forge, Tennessee’s best-kept secret could offer than heading down there with your family?
Best described as a haven of adventure, this charming mountain village is tucked away in the middle of nowhere. And from endless fun at the super-fantastic Appalachian-themed park, Tennessean dishes at the dinner theaters, scaling the Smoky Mountains among other to-dos, it indeed has the best of everything.
However, with so many things to do in Pigeon Forge, a day or two at this magical spot might not be enough for your family to see, enjoy and soak all of its adventures up. You’ll need a well-arranged itinerary designed to capture all the charming thrills of this buzzing tourist destination.
How you can plan your Pigeon Forge trip
1. First, do you have a list of where to go when you arrive?
It’s vital that you have a rough idea of what’s there to see and explore so that you craft an elaborate list of must-visit spots. At the top of your list should be The Island in Pigeon Forge, an exquisite amusement park that was ranked the 6th best by TripAdvisor. This all-family friendly with a gigantic Smoky Mountain Wheel will allow you to catch a breathtaking glimpse of the Smoky Mountains and the area around.
A little away, Dollywood and its exhilarating coasters, food malls and shopping spots will be waiting. You can even arrive there and participate in one of the spot’s regular festivals. Another area worth visiting is the Titanic Museum, a one-of-a-kind attraction for those who would love to know a thing or two about the famous Titanic ship before its fateful voyage. Of course, you shouldn’t visit Pigeon Forge and leave without taking a walk down to the Old Mill Square, an adventure-filled, family-friendly spot!
Pigeon Forge is known for a dose of the adrenaline-drawing go-kart adventure, served at the highly-rated SpeedZone Fun Park. Its custom-built race tracks are ideal for your little ones to have a round of mad racing as you tee away at the mini golf and an arcade nearby. For your trip to the Smoky Mountain, don’t forget to carry your camera because you’ll need to take a few shots of Whitetail deer, turkeys and, of course, the bears!
2. When are you traveling?
Pigeon Forge has a peak and off-peak periods, and it will be upon you to choose when you jet in. I’d prefer you avoid the May to early September peak season because it often gets crowded with lots of traffic and everything retailing expensively.
3. Ahead of your trip, choose an ideal accommodation
From hotels and motels to luxury cabins, campgrounds and reports, Pigeon Forge has an abundance of them all. The good thing with all these facilities is that they all are reasonably priced, from affordable to deluxe, top-notch accommodations. Head over to Airbnb or Booking.com and sample them.
4. Duration of your stay
Well, the entire period of stay will depend on your plans, the size of your wallet and maybe the size of your entourage. With a 3-day vacation, you will visit the Smoky Mountains National Park, Dolly Porton’s Dollywood theme park and possibly end the tour with a Titanic Museum Attraction visit. A 5-day trip will, however, give you the confidence of sampling everything about the destination.
5. Don’t forget to enjoy the indoor family activities!
You can escape the hustle and bustle of outdoor adventure and still make unforgettable memories. Just ensure that your itinerary has the WonderWorks, Ripley’s Aquarium, La Jolla Car Detail from SD, Hollywood Wax Museum and the Alcatraz East Crime Museum for your teenage sons and daughters.
6. Lastly, pack up all you’ll need
It’s important to know what to pack as this may slash your budget by a considerable amount. Depending on the nature of your trip, how long you’ll be there and your budget, these are the essentials:
- Light attire and shoes.
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray
- Snacks, clean drinking water, and beverages.
- Clean supplies.
- A camera
- Adequate cash – you’ll need them for tickets, food and so forth.
