Attractions, theme parks, etc.
Our recommendations and guide to the many attractions of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
There is an astounding number of attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge – these are our recommendations that we hope will help you plan your visit.
See all of our recommendations in our guide for Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains!
- "Traditional" theme parks
- Outdoor adventure/theme parks
- Aquariums
- Museums – the unique and odd
- Museums – with a focus on entertainment
- Escape rooms
- Mini golf
- Arcades and games
"Traditional" theme parks
Dollywood
One of the main draws of Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is a sure pick for any family looking for a full day of rides and attractions that come with a good dose of local culture. The park is owned in part by Dolly Parton who wanted to give back to her hometown and has helped make the park a unique experience.
Well worth a visit even if you don't like roller coasters or the more thrilling rides.
Note that there are steep discounts for multi-day passes, in case you want to plan on enjoying it in smaller bites over several days.
Tickets available at https://www.dollywood.com/Tickets
Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 365-5996
Web: https://www.dollywood.com/
Outdoor adventure/theme parks
Anakeesta
A one-of-a-kind kind of family-friendly nature theme park, you start out by going up on a chairlift from downtown Gatlinburg up on the hill. If you prefer more thrilling experiences, you have both their dueling zip lines and mountain coaster. But where they shine is for the more laid-back attractions, focused on letting you enjoy the forest and the views, including the Vista Gardens and the Tree Canopy Trail. For the little ones, there's a children's treehouse and playground, gem mining. There are also some good shopping and eating opportunities.
Address: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 325-2400
Web: https://www.anakeesta.com/
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
Best known for their excellent zip lines, this 150-acre adventure park opened in 2010 and also has the longest swinging bridge in the country, a ropes course, climbing wall, hiking trails, an ATV tour – and the only craft cidery in Tennessee.
Address: 3757 Thomas Ln, Sevierville, TN 37876
Phone: (865) 774-0727
Web: https://www.foxfiremountain.com
Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg on top of Ski Mountain has been around since the '60s, and apart from the skiing, they keep adding attractions to keep visitors coming back all throughout the year. This includes all-year ice skating, the scenic chairlift, a mountain coaster, an Alpine Slide, and opportunities to see the wildlife of the Smokies, as well as restaurants and shopping. In the winter you also have snow tubing and skiing.
You get there either via the aerial tramway from downtown Gatlinburg – an experience in itself, but which can be somewhat pricy – or you can drive up and park (parking is $8 per car, but in high season, make sure you get there early, as parking is limited).
Address: 1339 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 436-5423
Web: https://www.obergatlinburg.com/
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Adventure Park
The Lumberjack Feud Adventure Park is a fun option (if somewhat pricey) if you are looking for activities to do together as a family for ~2 hours – especially recommended if you are going to see the Lumberjack Feud show.
- Book the adventure park here
- Book the show here
- You can save by booking combo tickets for the park and show here
Address: 2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 366-3330
Web: https://lumberjackfeud.com/
Aquariums
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
You wouldn't expect it up in the mountains, but Gatlinburg has a surprisingly good aquarium. The glass tunnel walkway is a fascinating experience. As it is a bit pricey and can get crowded, we recommend trying to avoid peak hours.
Address: 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 430-8808
Web: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg/
Museums – the unique and odd
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
Nice people and a great collection... of salt and pepper shakers. They do have a gift shop (and you can guess what they sell in it). Definitely worth a visit if you like quirky museums.
Address: 461 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 430-5515
Web: http://thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com/
Bush's Visitor Center
If you're a fan of beans or an industrial history buff, stop by the Bush's Visitor Center to learn more about the history of canned beans. Entrance is free and well worth your time. Try the pinto bean pie!
Address: 3901 US-411, Dandridge, TN 37725
Phone: (865) 590-3797
Web: https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/about-us/visitor-center
Chasing Rainbows Museum
Although it is located inside Dollywood, the Chasing Rainbows Museum is worth a special mention – a must-visit for any fan of Dolly Parton with stories and memorabilia from Dolly’s life and career.
Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 365-5996
Web: http://www.dollywood.com/
Other museums
Although we can't personally vouch for the educational or entertainment value of any of these, there is a large number of museums in the area. These include:
- Tennessee Museum of Aviation (135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville – 865-908-0171)
- Hollywood Wax Museum (106 Showplace Blvd Unit A, Pigeon Forge – 865-428-5228)
- Hollywood Star Cars Museum (914 Parkway, Gatlinburg – 865-430-2200)
- Gatlinburg Pinball Museum (205 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg – 865-430-9947)
Museums – with a focus on entertainment
Wonderworks
A favorite with kids (and many adults too), WonderWorks focuses on discovery via interactive exhibits – experience an earthquake, lie on a bed of nails, make giant soap bubbles, and many more.
Address: 100 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 868-1800
Web: http://www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/
Beyond the Lens!
Despite the name, it is not a photography museum. With a similar approach to WonderWorks, it features a lot of interactive exhibits, with a particular focus on photo ops.
Buy tickets in advance here.
Address: 2115 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Phone: (865) 366-1609
Web: https://www.beyondthelens.com/
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
If you've never visited a Ripley's – or if you know that you will enjoy it – do pay it a visit. Quite pricey and with similar exhibits to their outlets in other locations.
Address: 800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 436-5096
Web: http://www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg
Titanic Museum Attraction
A combination of a reproduction of the Titanic and a museum, it's an interesting visit, especially for adults and older kids.
You can book tickets in advance here.
Address: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 334-9500
Web: http://titanicpigeonforge.com/
Escape rooms
Gatlin's Escape Room Games
Gatlin's Escape Rooms have five challenges for you to try. We particularly recommend the Legend of Atlantis, the Haunting of Hyde House, and the Masters of Magic. The Curse of Kraken's Eye is challenging, but is not quite as well-designed. For a more unique experience with local flavor, try the more comic Moonshine Hill Hootenanny.
Address: 716 Parkway Unit 214, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 430-8680
Web: http://www.gatlinsescapegames.com/
The Escape Game – Pigeon Forge
If you've already done Gatlin's Escape Rooms or you're over in Pigeon Forge, try the Escape Game – they have five different challenges you can choose between.
Buy your ticket here or visit their website.
Address: 131 The Island Dr Suite 9139, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863,
Phone: (865) 868-3400
Web: https://theescapegame.com/pigeonforge/
Mini golf
Hillbilly Golf
This is a truly unique mini-golf experience, built back in the 70s, that we recommend everyone visiting Gatlinburg to try. You start by going up 300 ft on a lift up the mountainside before making your way down on the course. Beautiful wooded surroundings and a well-maintained course.
Address: 340 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 436-7470
Web: https://www.facebook.com/HillbillyGolfTN
Gatlin's Mini Golf
They have two very decent outdoor courses and a more unique indoor blacklight under-the-ocean-themed course. As they also have a ropes course and laser tag, they sell multi-activity passes that are a pretty good value.
Address: 716 Parkway # 219, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Phone: (865) 436-2326
Web: http://www.gatlinsfuncenter.com/
Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-Golf
Two outdoor courses – both very amusing, but not the best-maintained courses in town.
Address: 188 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 430-8851
Web: https://www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg/mini-golf/
Treasure Quest Miniature Golf
A highly themed indoor course down on the strip with blacklight and amusing decor.
Address: 653 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 436-3972
Web: http://www.attractions-gatlinburg.com/public/attractions/Treasure%20Quest%20Golf.cfm
Arcades and games
Activate Games
Go as a group and enter a life-sized video game – try playing a few high-tech games that will have you all jumping and testing your mental agility. It is recommended to book your 45-minute slot in advance, during which you can play as many 1-3 minute games as you like. Read more and book here.
Address: 631 Parkway B10, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 325-2280
Web: https://activate.games/gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
Under new management, this has turned into more of a regular arcade than a museum, although you can still find a wide range of pinball machines from the 60s and onwards.
Address: 205 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 430-9947
Web: http://gatlinburgpinballmuseum.com/
MagiQuest
Among the many activities in Pigeon Forge, this one stands out for anyone into roleplaying games – a live-action magic quest. One of the better value activities in Pigeon Forge – with the bundled activities you can spend the better part of a day there.
Book your combo pass with pirate minigolf, mirror maze, and arcade here.
Address: 2491 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 686-5586
Web: http://www.magiquestpf.com/
TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena
Got some excess energy to burn off? Try this trampoline park in Pigeon Forge.
Buy a 1-hour pass in advance here.
Address: 3735 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 366-3400
Web: http://topjump.com/