Everyone desires a travel experience that perfectly encapsulates a blend of nature, thrilling activities, comfortable stay, great food, budget-friendly, pet-friendly, and kid-friendly all under one umbrella. If these items fall on your bucket list, then look no further than Pigeon Forge. Nestled amid the great Appalachian Mountains on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, Pigeon Forge is full of world-class attractions, including being surrounded by the popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park with outdoor activities for the entire family, thrilling rides, theme, and amusement parks, and much more.

As per the official site of Pigeon Forge, almost 10 million people visit the city every year, and more than 2 million stay overnight, generating $1.5 billion in annual revenue. Moreover, it is home to the traditional Southern cuisines, especially pancakes. You will find several pancake houses in Pigeon Forge, along with international cuisines, seafood, North American specialties, BBQs, steakhouses, etc. 

Therefore, let us assess why Pigeon Forge should be on your bucket list of special vacation destinations this year. 

1. Variety of Restaurants

One thing you would never have to worry about while in Pigeon Forge is the variety of dishes and the restaurants serving them. Whether you are craving sweet or savory breakfast options, a complete lunch menu, or hearty dinner places with live music and entertainment, Pigeon Forge has got you covered. When hunting for food in Pigeon Forge, there are eight bucket list-worthy restaurants you must not miss. Mel’s Classic Diner, for example, serves all-day breakfast, or you can opt for a milkshake and cheeseburger breakfast here. For lunch, opt for the all-you-can-eat buffet at Huck Finn’s, serving seafood with sides and desserts for your sweet tooth. Alternatively, go for Southern comfort food at Puckett’s or burgers and wings at Blue Moose Burgers and Wings. 

Evenings are perfect to grab some sandwiches and salads from the Pottery House Café, pack everything in a picnic basket and enjoy a picnic in the park. Add a distillery visit to Junction 35 Spirits for your post-picnic relaxing tasting, followed by a hearty evening snack of pasta, burgers, slow-cooked BBQ, and more with cocktails. 

The Old Mill is one of the oldest, most popular, and well-known for locally sourced ingredients and a variety of dietary options. It serves everything from breakfast to lunch and dinner. It could be your go-to place to experience authentic Southern-style fried chicken, entrees, pancakes, and much more. Moreover, it is right by the Little Pigeon River, serves as the restaurant’s sustenance, and offers the most amazing views. The Local Goat also features the same advantages and is also one of the most popular places among tourists. Moreover, it serves everything from seafood to steaks, burgers, and shakes with locally-sourced and sustainable food items. 

2. Outdoor Adventure

Pigeon Forge is one of the best places to indulge in outdoor activities. It offers zip lines, camping, whitewater rafting in the Little Pigeon River, and kayaking. 

No matter what skill or strength level you possess at what age, you will find zip lines for everyone, ranging from zip lines for families to sports enthusiasts who are into extreme sports. For a complete zipline experience, you can explore all the ziplining courses offered in Pigeon Forge. 

The Smoky Mountain Zipline in Pigeon Forge has over 4,200 feet of cable across seven lines that you can complete within two hours at 25 miles an hour. You can zip across 800 feet and 150 feet above the forest floor with amazing views and professionals to guide you and ensure safety. 

Moreover, you will find several campgrounds that offer a complete outdoor experience. The campgrounds at the Cherokee Dam feature a watering hole for swimming during summer, boating, fishing, and hiking trails. Fishing in the Little Pigeon River can be exciting if you cook or grill it outdoors. While staying in camps, you have more opportunities to indulge in outdoor sports.

Hiking is another exciting adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. You will find several hiking trails to explore in Pigeon Forge, including the Appalachian Trail, Laurel Falls, and Little River Trail to Grouse Creek campground, among many others. All these trails are kid-friendly and pet-friendly. 

The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel in The Island, Pigeon Forge, is ideal for kids and adults who want adventure and thrill with mesmerizing mountain views. 

3. Events and Festivals

Pigeon Forge hosts year-round family-friendly events and festivals, so you will not find a single moment of boredom during your visit. You can check the event calendar of 2023 on the Pigeon Forge Guide. You will find Flower and Food Festival and Summer Celebration Festival at Dollywood through June and August. Kids can showcase their dance skills by participating in Kids Artistic Revue National Finals. You can even celebrate the 4th of July festival with fireworks at the Patriot Park. 

In August, you can celebrate Freedom Day and attend the Smoky Mountain Fishing Expo and the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. 

September will bring car shows, a fall festival or Octoberfest, and a harvest festival in Dollywood, which will continue through October. From October 13 through 15, you can attend and celebrate Women of Joy, celebrating women’s achievements since 1994. 

Christmas will begin in November at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, bringing along the Winterfest, Titanic Thanksgiving Fireworks, and Black Friday Shopping. It is one of the peak holiday seasons when people enjoy their winter holidays in the midst of holiday shopping, gift-giving, and celebrating the arrival of winter.

December would be full of winter and Christmas celebrations in full swing. You can also make your New Year’s Eve special by visiting The Island in Pigeon Forge and Country Tonite. At the stroke of midnight, you will witness fireworks and dancing water fountains with free parking, dining options, retails, and rides all day long. Meanwhile, Country Tonite will host a Christmas show and give away free party favors featuring a midnight balloon drop and a sparkling cider for the New Year’s toast. 

Therefore, you can plan your summer and winter holidays in Pigeon Forge, which never has a dull moment throughout the year. 

Conclusion

Pigeon Forge should be on your travel bucket list if you want to enrich your holidays with a combination of authentic food, outdoor activities, and festivals.

The city has a range of restaurants at every corner with multiple breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. However, we recommend the top eight restaurants for an optimal dining experience. 

Moreover, you will never run out of outdoor activities to indulge in when holidaying in Pigeon Forge. Go zip lining, camping, fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, and sit on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. 

Lastly, review the calendar for all upcoming events in Pigeon Forge and plan to attend as many as possible with your family. It offers a rich blend of summer and winter festivals year-round.