Below is a list of the qualifications for each category in our Best Of Pigeon Forge annual contest. For a business to be nominated in any of the following categories, they must meet the terms listed in the description. For other general rules in our Best Of Pigeon Forge contest, please see our contest rules page. PigeonForge.com reserves the right to alter these categories and their respective restrictions at any given time.

Attractions & Events

Animal Encounter

An attraction in the Smoky Mountain area primarily offering services focused around interacting with live animals.

Arcade

Any arcade in the Smoky Mountain area. An arcade is defined as a venue housing coin or ticket operated games. These games include but are not limited to video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, merchandisers, billiards, and air hockey.

Axe Throwing

An attraction in the Smoky Mountain area primarily focused on competitive axe throwing at a bullseye or target.

Bowling

An attraction in the Smoky Mountain area that offers any variety of bowling.

Car Show

An annual event involving a public exhibition of specific auto models, debuts, classic vehicles, or out-of-production automobiles. Eligible car shows must have at least 2 past annual events on record.

Escape Room

Any escape room in the Smoky Mountain area. An escape room is a game where people are required to solve a series of puzzles within a time limit to accomplish a goal.

Festival

An annual event or celebration involving organized entertainment, showcases, competition, and/or vendors at a singular venue. Eligible events must have at least 2 past annual events on record. Car shows are excluded from this category. Periods of seasonally themed decor at amusement parks do not qualify as festivals for the purpose of this category.

Go Karts

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area with a go kart track on the premises.

Horseback Riding

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area that offers guided horseback riding tours or horseback riding trails. Private vendors within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are accepted in this category.

Indoor Attraction

Any attraction in the Smoky Mountain area that offers exclusively indoor activities. This category excludes shows and dinner theaters as well as attractions that offer both indoor and outdoor activities.

Mini Golf

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area that offers putt putt or mini golf. Standard full-sized golf courses are excluded from this category.

Mountain Coaster

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area with a mountain/alpine coaster track on the premises. A mountain coaster is defined as an outdoor rail with passenger carts whose speed is controlled by the rider.

Museum

Any attraction in the Smoky Mountain area whose venue houses objects of historical, scientific, artistic, amusing, or cultural interest. Museums may also host interactive activities of the same nature. Aquariums, zoos, and similar attractions can fall under this category. Dollywood museums are excluded from this category.

Rafting

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area that offers guided whitewater rafting tours.

Ride

Any single specific amusement park type ride on the premises of a business in the Smoky Mountain area, or a business that primarily operates as a ride. Mountain coasters, go kart tracks, horseback riding, guided tours, vehicle rentals and Dollywood rides and roller coasters are excluded from this category. Standard zip lines are also excluded from this category unless they offer a unique experience different from traditional ziplines. Virtual reality games are excluded unless they include full motion seating.

Show

Any regularly scheduled performance at a business in the Smoky Mountain area with live performers on stage or within the venue. This category includes dinner theaters, comedy, music, and more. This category excludes the fountain show at The Island and any Dollywood performances or theaters.

Guided Tours

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area that offers guided (not self led) tours. Guided tours may include motor vehicle excursions, helicopter rides, food or drink based tours, and companies that offer recreational activities alongside professionals. Whitewater rafting is excluded from this category.

Water Park

An amusement park featuring water play areas like swimming pools, water slides, splash pads, wave pools, lazy rivers, and other barefoot environments.

Zipline

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area with a zipline course on the premises.

Dining & Drinks

Asian Food

A dining establishment in the Smoky Mountain area offering cuisine that incorporates significant provincial cooking styles from the continent of Asia. Elligible categories include but are not limited to Chinese food, Japanese food, and Indian food.

Bar/Pub

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that primarily serves alcoholic beverages.

Barbecue

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that offers barbecue. Restaurants at Dollywood are excluded from this category. Dinner shows are excluded from this category.

Breakfast

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that offers breakfast. Individual breakfast food items are not accepted. Restaurants at Dollywood are excluded from this category.

Brewery

An establishment in the Smoky Mountain area that primarily brews their own beer.

Burger

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that offers burgers. Restaurants at Dollywood are excluded from this category. Dinner shows are excluded from this category.

Coffee Shop

A dining establishment in the Smoky Mountain area that sells custom brewed coffee.

Distillery

An establishment in the Smoky Mountain area that primarily distills hard alcohol like whiskey, gin, vodka, or rum.

Fine Dining

A dining establishment in the Smoky Mountain area that offers a more sophisticated, unique, or expensive restaurant experience.

Italian Food

A dining establishment in the Smoky Mountain area offering cuisine that incorporates significant provincial cooking styles from the country of Italy.

Mexican Food

A dining establishment in the Smoky Mountain area offering cuisine that incorporates significant provincial cooking styles from the country of Mexico.

Moonshine

Any restaurant, venue or distillery in the Smoky Mountain area that offers moonshine or custom ciders.

Pizza

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that offers pizza. Restaurants at Dollywood are excluded from this category.

Southern Food

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that offers food traditionally specific to the southeastern region of the United States. Restaurants at Dollywood are excluded from this category. Dinner shows are excluded from this category.

Steak

Any restaurant or venue in the Smoky Mountain area that offers steak.

Sweets

A dining establishment or shop in the Smoky Mountain area that offers items in the dessert category. These include but are not limited to ice cream, milkshakes, candy, fudge, frozen yogurt, cupcakes, Italian ice, and cakes.

Winery

Any winery in the Smoky Mountain area.

Wings

A dining establishment in the Smoky Mountain area offering cooked chicken wings.

Lodging

Bed & Breakfast

A small lodging establishment or inn in the Smoky Mountain area that offers overnight accommodations and breakfast.

Cabin Rentals

Any cabin rental company or privately owned cabin rental located within Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the general Smoky Mountain area. This category excludes Dollywood cabins. Rental inventory must be comprised of at least 51% cabins.

Campground

Any privately owned campground or campground franchise located within Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the general Smoky Mountain area. The focus of this category is primarily tent camping. Back and frontcountry camps located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are not accepted.

Condos

Any condominium complex located within Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the general Smoky Mountain area. Single units within condo complexes are not accepted. Rental inventory must be comprised of at least 51% condominium units.

Hotel

Any hotel located within Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the general Smoky Mountain area. A hotel is defined as a place that provides lodging and sleeping accommodations to its patrons. Rental inventory must be comprised of at least 51% hotel rooms/units.

Luxury Camping

A campground in the Smoky Mountain area that offers lodging options beyond primitive camping. These include but are not limited to camping cabins, tiny homes, and glamping tents.

Resort

Any resort located within Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the general Smoky Mountain area. A resort differs from a hotel in that it offers additional amenities such as a full-service restaurant, water park, spa services and recreation in addition to sleeping accommodations to its patrons. Campgrounds and cabin rental communities are excluded from this category.

RV Resort

A campground in the Smoky Mountain area that offers locations for recreational vehicle hookups and amenities such as swimming pools or other recreational areas.

Shops & Services

Antique Store

A retail store in the Smoky Mountain area specializing in the sale of antiques.

Boutique

A small shop in the Smoky Mountain area specializing in the sale of fashionable apparel and accessories.

Catering

A business in the Smoky Mountain area that offers the provision of food and drink at an event or gathering as a professional service.

Event Venue

A business in the Smoky Mountain area that offers a location for organized events.

Home Decor Shop

A shop in the Smoky Mountains that offers the sale of specialized furniture and home decor.

General Store

A shop in the Smoky Mountain area that specializes in the sale of a wide variety of goods.

New Business

Any business that opened to the public in the Smoky Mountain area for the first time between January 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023. Winners in this category from previous years will always be excluded. Businesses must have an active EIN or tax ID number. Businesses that have changed their location or ownership but were previously located in the area do not qualify.

Specialty Shop

Any business in the Smoky Mountain area whose primary source of revenue is based on selling goods of a specific category.

Spa

An establishment in the Smoky Mountain area that offers massages, relaxation treatments, and/or beauty services.

Tattoo Shop

An establishment in the Smoky Mountain area where tattoo artists offer their services.

Adventure Rentals

Any company in the Smoky Mountain area that provides rentals in the adventure/powersports category. These vehicles include but are not limited to Jeeps, side by sides, Can-Ams, Slingshots, Polaris RZRs, UTVs, and ATVs.