Pigeon Forge is known as one of the most family-friendly destinations in the Smokies, with plenty of attractions, shows, and outdoor adventures for all ages. When planning a family trip, you’ll find no shortage of kid-approved things to do, from popular Pigeon Forge attractions to nearby Gatlinburg adventures and scenic outdoor spots. Based on our experience, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do with kids in Pigeon Forge to help families plan a fun and memorable trip.
Anakeesta
Ride the gondola up to Anakeesta for a full day of outdoor family fun. Kids can explore the Treetop Skywalk, play at BirdVenture, zipline, or ride the Mountain Coaster, with options for different ages and comfort levels. The Treehouse Adventure Play Area is a favorite for younger kids, while adults can enjoy the shops, dining, and views.
Anakeesta
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo is a fun stop for families, featuring over 130 species of animals from rainforests around the world on more than two acres in the Smokies. Kids can see monkeys, sloths, colorful birds, reptiles, and more, plus enjoy live animal shows, encounters, and a hands-on petting zoo.
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Pigeon Forge Snow
Open year-round, Pigeon Forge Snow offers an indoor snow experience that’s not dependent on outdoor weather. Using state-of-the-art snowmaking technology, the attraction maintains 35,000 square feet of real snow with 12 lanes of snow tubing. In addition to tubing, families can enjoy time playing in the snow, making it a popular option for all-weather fun in Pigeon Forge.
Pigeon Forge Snow
Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park
If you’re looking for tubing fun in Pigeon Forge, Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park offers a unique, year-round experience. The park features a 500-foot outdoor tubing hill providing an exciting option year round. In addition to tubing, visitors can enjoy a ski-lift-style Shootout Coaster, a mountain coaster, and axe throwing, all in one convenient location.
Rowdy Bear Mountain
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit for families in Gatlinburg. Kids can explore colorful exhibits, watch sharks glide overhead in Shark Lagoon, and enjoy hands-on fun at spots like Stingray Bay and the Penguin Playhouse. Don’t miss the moving walkway through Shark Lagoon – it’s stroller-friendly, easy to navigate, and one of the best photo spots in the aquarium.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Toy Box Mini Golf
Toy Box Mini Golf like stepping straight into a life-size toy box. This colorful, toy-themed mini golf course takes classic putt-putt and turns it into an imaginative adventure filled with oversized toys, bright details, and whimsical obstacles around every corner. It’s easy for kids to play, fun for adults to join in, and designed so the whole family can enjoy a lighthearted break from sightseeing together.
Toy Box Mini Golf
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Stampede is a must-see Pigeon Forge favorite that’s been delighting families for years. This high-energy dinner show pairs a hearty Southern-style meal with thrilling horseback stunts, live music, and friendly competition that keeps kids and adults entertained from start to finish. Before the show, families can meet the horses and soak up the excitement, making it an experience everyone will be talking about long after dessert.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay is a 36-hole mini-golf adventure on the Pigeon Forge Parkway that’s fun for the whole family. Players can explore both an indoor course and a rooftop outdoor course, each packed with pirate- and ocean-themed challenges and an engaging story that unfolds throughout. Kids will love the imaginative details and endless photo ops, and the ocean-themed gift shop is filled with toys, souvenirs, and treasures to take the adventure home.
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Rockin’ Raceway
Come ready to win when you visit Rockin’ Raceway in Pigeon Forge. Rockin’ Raceway has over 150 games of every type, so you’ll never run out of challenges and competitions to enjoy with your family. Enjoy the classic arcade games you love, then take some time to try out new ones you’ve never seen before. It’s a great way to have a day of fun in Pigeon Forge.
Rockin’ Raceway
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Make a splash in Sevierville at Soaky Mountain, just a few miles from Exit 407. This 50-acre waterpark offers pools, waterslides, and tons of activities for every age, making it a perfect day out for families. With multiple themed areas, slides, and attractions spread throughout the park, there’s something exciting for everyone—whether you’re seeking thrills or a relaxing splash.
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Xtreme Racing Center
Xtreme Racing Center in Pigeon Forge is dedicated to bringing guests the ultimate Pigeon Forge go kart experience with the choice of three thrilling courses. Totalling 3,500 linear feet, our ‘Xtreme’ track is filled with winding turns, narrow straightaways and thrilling adventure as guests race inside one of our professional-grade Sodi GT-5 go karts. These karts are sure to create a memorable ride for all who visit.
Xtreme Racing Center
Big Rock Dude Ranch
Big Rock Dude Ranch is a kid-approved adventure set on a scenic property with trails and stunning views to explore on horseback. The fun doesn’t stop there—little cowboys and cowgirls can try gem mining, meet friendly animals at the petting zoo, fish in the pond, or enjoy a picnic under the open sky. With so many activities packed into one place, Big Rock Dude Ranch is a day full of adventure, learning, and unforgettable family memories.
Big Rock Dude Ranch
MagiQuest
MagiQuest in Pigeon Forge lets kids (and adults!) step into a magical world of quests, puzzles, and interactive adventures. Downstairs, Pirate Golf offers a swashbuckling 18-hole mini-golf course, and the Odyssey Micro Maze challenges everyone with clever twists and turns. Together, these attractions make Pigeon Forge a must-visit playground for curious minds and adventurous families.
MagiQuest
Scooby Doo! Mystery Putt
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Putt in Pigeon Forge is a fun, family-friendly mini golf attraction inspired by the classic cartoon. The colorful course brings Scooby and the gang to life with playful mystery scenes, interactive elements, and lots of photo-worthy moments for kids and adults alike. It’s a great stop if you’re looking for something a little different from traditional mini golf and an easy addition to any Smoky Mountain trip.
Scooby Doo Mystery Putt
Lumberjack Feud Supper Show
Ever dream of seeing a lumberjack? At Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show, you can have your chance! The show show features family-friendly entertainment with live-action, side-splitting comedy, stunts, music, crowd interaction, and a dinner show experience. Sit back, relax, and watch real lumberjack feats that all ages will enjoy!
Lumberjack Feud
GSM Railroad
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a fun, family-friendly way to explore the Smokies. Kids and adults alike will marvel at rushing rivers, charming small towns, and towering mountain peaks, all from the comfort of vintage railcars. Departing from Bryson City, on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the ride combines historic charm with unforgettable scenery, making it a memorable adventure for the whole family.
GSM Railroad
Blake Jones Fun Center
Blake Jones Fun Center on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge is a go to spot for family friendly fun. Race around the popular Figure 8 Slick Track, challenge friends to laser tag, try indoor mini golf, or jump into a virtual reality adventure. With a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions, it’s an easy stop for entertainment no matter the weather.
Blake Jones Fun Center
The Comedy Barn
The Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge delivers clean, family-friendly comedy that keeps audiences laughing from start to finish. Voted “Funniest Show in Town” by fans, the show combines sketches, magic, ventriloquism, and audience participation that appeal to kids and adults alike. With its long-standing reputation for wholesome, entertaining performances, The Comedy Barn is a reliable choice for families looking for a fun, family-friendly night out.
The Comedy Barn
Smoky Mountain River Rat
Tubing with Smoky Mountain River Rat in Townsend is a longtime Smokies summer favorite for families. Kids and parents can hop in those bright yellow tubes and float down the river, enjoying the views and a fun way to cool off on a hot day. It’s an easy outdoor activity that usually ends up being a highlight of the trip.
River Rat
Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center in Pigeon Forge features four attractions under one roof, making it an easy stop for families. Along with lifelike celebrity wax figures, guests can solve puzzles in the Escape Room, wind their way through the Mirror Maze, and experience thrills on the 5D Castle of Chaos adventure. Located in the heart of Pigeon Forge, it’s a fun, interactive option for kids, teens, and adults looking for variety in one convenient spot.
Hollywood Wax Museum
TITANIC Museum Attraction
Kids of all ages love to step back in time and learn about the history of the TITANIC. Upon arrival, each guest is greeted by one of our costumed cast members and given a boarding pass to become an actual passenger aboard the TITANIC. Kids love to discover how many of the ship’s passengers were dogs, stick their hand in 28-degree water and climb the Grand Staircase.
TITANIC Museum Attraction
Frizzle Chicken Cafe
Frizzle Chicken Cafe is a family-friendly breakfast stop in Pigeon Forge where pancakes come with a side of entertainment. While guests enjoy scratch-made breakfast favorites, singing and dancing animatronic chickens perform throughout the restaurant—much to the delight of younger kids. It’s a lively, lighthearted place to start the day, with breakfast served daily from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Frizzle Chicken Cafe
Bush’s Visitor Center
Bush’s Visitor Center is a fun and surprisingly interactive stop for families visiting the Smokies. Kids can explore the museum with hands-on games, videos, and exhibits about how Bush’s Beans are made, then browse the gift shop or grab a bite at the café. With free admission and activities for all ages, it’s an easy and entertaining side trip from Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.
Bush’s Visitor Center
Wonderworks
WonderWorks Pigeon Forge is a 42,000 square foot indoor amusement park housed inside an upside-down house, featuring interactive, hands-on exhibits for a wide range of ages. Open year-round, it offers a weather-independent option for families. Inside, visitors can explore multiple exhibit areas focused on science, imagination, and play, including a Bed of Nails experience, indoor ropes course, space discovery zone and the Bubble Lab, where guests can create a life-size bubble.
Wonderworks
Ripley’s Illusion Lab
Head to Ripley’s Illusion Lab for hands on exhibits, optical illusions, and mind bending rooms that are just as fun as they are interactive. It’s a place where kids can explore, touch, play, and learn how illusions work and might even leave with a few new tricks up their sleeve. It’s an easy indoor stop for families looking to add something playful to their Smoky Mountain visit.
Ripley’s Illusion LabMore Things To Do With Kids
Rent A Cabin With A Swimming Pool
Looking for Pigeon Forge cabin rentals with a pool? Many of our Smoky Mountain and Pigeon Forge cabin rentals have swimming pools. If you’re looking to take a dip on your next visit to to Pigeon Forge, check out this list of cabin rentals with either an indoor or outdoor swimming pool available for use.
Cabins With Pools
Ride The Trolley
Since 1986, the Pigeon Forge trolley has provided a safe, affordable, and convenient form of transportation for all visitors and residents alike. With a fleet of more than 30 trolley buses, the trolley stops all throughout Pigeon Forge as well as a portion of Sevierville. Through the summer, the trolley operates from 8:00 AM – midnight, and in November and December from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Pigeon Forge Trolley
Take A Hike
What could be better than going out with your kids on a sunny day and exploring the beauty of nature? Going on hikes in the Smoky Mountains is a great way to bond as a family, be active and learn about the outdoor world. Pack some snacks and water and head out for an adventure on one of these kid hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
Kid Friendly Hikes
Zip Through The Smokies
Looking for a Pigeon Forge zipline adventure? Few Pigeon Forge area vacation adventures compare to the thrill of a ziplining tour. The adrenaline rush of flying above the treetops on a wire while secured in a harness is pure exhilaration. The joy of ziplining provides a fun-filled, action-packed excursion for not only the kids, but the entire family.
Zipline
Kid Friendly Dining
When it comes to planning your Pigeon Forge vacation with kids, you might find that food can be one of the most fun – and possibly most exasperating – aspects of traveling with little ones. Be sure to pick a Pigeon Forge restaurant that suits the needs of every member of your family.
Kid Friendly Dining
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains is an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors. There are about 550 miles of the park’s trails that are open to horses. If you own horses, take advantage of the park’s horse camps. There are five different horseback riding camps available from which to choose. The camps provide ready access to backcountry horse trails.
Horseback Riding
Go Fishing
The Great Smoky Mountains is home to one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. With over 2,115 miles of streams in its boundaries, the park offers a variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams. For a map of all park water as well as other information, stop by a visitor center and pick up your free copy.
Fishing
Visit A Waterfall
Abundant rainfall and mountain terrain are the perfect ingredients for creating waterfalls. Even the smallest of creeks and rivers produce small cascades. Click below for the top 4 waterfalls in the Smokies. These four, although rated moderate in difficulty, are lower mileage trails. Be sure to stop in one of the park’s visitors centers to pick up a park map before heading out on the trails.
Waterfalls
Become A Junior Ranger
If you’re between the ages of 5-12, you can become a Junior Ranger at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for $2.50 at any park visitor center or at the Cades Cove or Elkmont campground. Complete the activities in the booklet, then stop by a visitor center to talk to a ranger and receive your Junior Ranger badge!
Junior Ranger Program
Bike The Cades Cove Loop
The 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road is a popular biking route for families visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. The paved loop offers cyclists the opportunity to spot wildlife and pass several preserved 19th-century home sites along the route. While the ride is manageable for many families, there are a few sections with moderate hills that can feel steep at times. During the summer and fall seasons, bicycles are available to rent at the Cades Cove Campground Store, located near the campground entrance. Local Tip: During the peak season—typically May through September—the loop is closed to motor vehicles all day on Wednesdays, making it especially popular with pedestrians and cyclists.
Biking In Cades Cove
