I have two young kids and they love themselves some Dollywood! Even though I work here, we live in Knoxville. So when we come as a family to Pigeon Forge, we kind of treat it like a mini-vacation, even spending the night at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa sometimes. We’re always looking for things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids. As you are probably aware, there’s a lot! Here are some of my family’s favorites.
Dollywood
Obviously, if you’re looking for things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids, you have to start at Dollywood. I have so many memories of growing up and visiting the park with my parents and grandparents that it does my heart good to know we can do that with our kids. As they get older and become more adventurous, it is fun to watch the looks on their faces when they ride the “big kid rides.” I think my five-year-old daughter loves squishing her three-year-old brother between herself and the adult riding with them on the Scrambler more than they love the ride itself. When you compare the cost of a day at Dollywood (especially if you have a season pass) to other things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids, you really understand the value of a trip to the park. You can ride as many of our award-winning roller coasters and attractions as many times as you want. You can take in all of the awesome shows as often as you want or ride the Dollywood Express as often as you would like (which would be my son’s preferred itinerary).
Go Karts
As my kids have quickly learned, I love cars. For that reason, my kids and I enjoy Pigeon Forge go karts. So one of the things on this dad’s list of things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids is to ride go karts. There are several great options in town. I like the Xtreme Racing Center which has faster karts for the adults that have a timing system, so you can compare lap times at the end of your race. That way, you can brag that you were the fastest—again. The Track Pigeon Forge has several tracks that adults and kids can enjoy, as well as a number of other activities like an arcade, bumper boats and more.
Dinner Shows
As I mentioned in this blog about the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge, dinner shows in Pigeon Forge are always a great option for the kids. The dinner is great, and the shows will keep every kid (big and small) entertained. From the spectacular display of equestrian skill at Dolly Parton’s Stampede to sailing the seven seas at Pirate’s Voyage, there is something for everyone at the Pigeon Forge dinner shows.
Titanic Museum Attraction
For those looking for something educational, check out the Titanic Pigeon Forge attraction. The attraction truly is a celebration of the ship and her passengers and crew. During this self-guided tour, visitors can see more than 400 personal and private artifacts on display. The collection itself is valued at more than four-and-a-half million dollars. On this self-guided tour, each guest receives the boarding pass of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member. At the end of the tour, you will discover if the person on your pass survived. You’ll even be able to see an exact replica of Titanic’s well-known grand staircase.
Pink Jeep Adventures
My son loves toy Jeeps. My daughter has a pink Barbie Jeep. What better way to satisfy them both than with a PINK Jeep Tour? The Jeep tours in the Smoky Mountains take riders to places like Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the Foothills Parkway from Wears Valley to Townsend. For younger kids like mine, PINK Jeep has child safety seats so you don’t even have to worry about struggling to get yours out of your car. If you do want to use yours, that’s fine as well. Either way, these Jeep tours in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains are a great way to spend an afternoon.
Mini-Golf
Pigeon Forge Putt Putt options abound, and there are a lot of fun courses to try based on your kids’ preferences. You can putt your way through giant ice cream sundaes, candy canes and more at Crave Golf Club. A visit to Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf puts you into a fun and exciting expedition through caves, behind waterfalls, on a pirate ship and near an erupting volcano. Ripley’s offers a couple of fun courses in Gatlinburg. The Old MacDonald course is a Gatlinburg putt putt course, while Davy Crockett’s mini golf replicates the “old days” when Davy Crocket was king of the wild frontier.
So, if you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids in Pigeon Forge, don’t worry! There are plenty of fun Smoky Mountain activities for them to enjoy.
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