This year, we took our kids to the land of Dolly Parton, aka the Tennessee Smokies, for our recent Spring Break. It was a jam-packed week of family fun, food, and there was even a dusting of snow! There’s SOOOO much to do in this area of Tennessee – you’ve got Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park all right there. So we thought we’d hit the highlights and share our 7 favorite things that we did there. Why 7? Well, it’s smack dab in the middle of the numbers 9 to 5…
We traveled with another family, so we had 4 adults and 6 kids with us, ranging from ages 11 to 20. So all of these activities are tween and teen approved! We can’t speak specifically to younger kids like toddlers, but I think you’ll see that most of what we’ve listed below would be fun for the whole family.
Why Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg?
We chose this destination for 2 reasons: (1) Dollywood and (2) there’s TONS of stuff to do in the surrounding area. It’s a little bit like Orlando or Vegas plopped in the middle of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Honestly, the sheer number of restaurants and roadside attractions is almost a little overwhelming. But that gave us the confidence that no matter the weather, we could show our families a good time. Plus, we could visit Dollywood, which most of us had never done (I had gone as a kid but nobody else in our party of 10 had ever been).
Since the area is packed with things to do, it’s easy to find activities that meet a variety of interests and energy levels – whether you want thrills, history, nature, games, shopping, or just some over-the-top Southern cooking. We were there in mid-March over a few days of cold weather (the last day, which we spent at Dollywood warmed up). It had been in the 70s the two weeks before we arrived, but we had temps in the 30s and 40s for most of our stay, but it was still really enjoyable
The area can get crowded, especially in the warmer months, and it felt like things were definitely marked up due to everything being pretty tourist-centric, but we expected that (a lot of Florida is like that too). So it didn’t stop us from savoring the wonderfully kitschy atmosphere of the area, and trying lots of things.
Our Top Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Activities
If you’re just here for the list, you can see it below. But we’ll explain each in a bit more depth further into this post. We obviously barely scratched the surface of all that there is to do in this region, but this includes many of the top attractions that a lot of lists we read before visiting recommended:
- Dollywood
- Ober Mountain
- Dolly’s Stampede
- Cades Cove
- Crockett’s & Sloppy Hog
- The Island, Alcatraz East, And Mountain Mile (our rainy day activities)
- Our Airbnb
1. Dollywood
Dollywood was the whole reason for our trip, and it did not disappoint! I was last at Dollywood in 1999, and I remember my 17-year-old roller-coaster-loving self being underwhelmed. Well, a lot has changed. Keep in mind that our collective 6 kids regularly go on class trips to huge parks like Universal Studios in Orlando, and they all loved the roller coasters. I can safely say that Dollywood was the highlight of everyone’s Smoky Mountain vacation, and all 6 kids reported they’d be happy to go back anytime.
There were so many rides, shows, and uniquely themed sections of the park that we definitely couldn’t squeeze it all into 1 day, but we all hit a bunch of them, and it was remarkable in that almost everyone had a different favorite. In particular, our kids love the Big Bear Mountain coaster (shown below), others swore by Wild Eagle or Thunderhead, and I personally loved Lightning Rod, which took you up the side of a mountain for the first drop! Sherry’s favorite was The Dragonflier where your feet dangle as the coaster speeds and spins.
We also caught a couple of shows, shopped the gift shops, and ate as much cinnamon bread as our stomachs could handle (do NOT sleep on the cinnamon bread – it is delicious). The only downsides were some long lines, both for rides and food, since the week we visited was quite cold and we, along with what seemed like every other tourist, delayed our Dollywood visit for the last day of our trip, when things finally warmed up. Seems a lot of other people had the same idea! Even with the lines, we saw a lot of the park and had a great time.
2. Ober Mountain
Everyone’s second favorite outing was visiting Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg. It’s an all-season, outdoor amusement park that features everything from skiing & snow tubing to ziplines & mountain coasters, depending on the season. But perhaps the most memorable part of our visit was riding the aerial tramway up to the mountaintop park.
We visited in mid-March, so some of the winter activities (like skiing) were closed, but summer ones (like the “bobsled” course) weren’t open yet. We did the mountain coaster, the ice bumper cars, and talked with some super-friendly rangers at the Wildlife Habitat (that was a highlight for many of us). They explained why these animals weren’t suited for the wild anymore, due to injury, illness, or (in one case) an albino raccoon named Casper who was easy pickings for a predator due to his coloring.
Gatlinburg is actually home to a few mountaintop parks like this (including Anakeesta and SkyPark). They feature everything from swinging bridges, overlook towers, and scenic chair lifts. We chose Ober Mountain because it was the only one that offered a fully enclosed tram to the top on a very cold day. Anakeesta is adding one, but during our visit we would’ve been stuck on a bus. And it was too cold for a chair lift! But we hear great things about Anakeesta too – especially if you’re going when it’s warmer.
3. Dolly’s Stampede Dinner Show
Pigeon Forge offers several themed dinner shows, including Dolly’s Pirate Voyage and the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. They feature some combination of acrobatics, comedy, storytelling, music, and a multi-course meal. We’ve been to Dolly’s Pirate Voyage show twice before (there is one somewhat close to us in Panama City Beach, FL), so we opted for Dolly’s Stampede.
To be honest, we were a little nervous about the “North vs South” language on the website. But we decided to trust in Dolly and the show turned out to be more Wild West-themed than anything else (there were actual buffalo and so many cool horse tricks – and all the animals are cared for extremely well as Dolly is known to do). The “sides” are just used for goofy competitions (like kids chasing chickens or dads tossing toilet seats like horseshoes) that always seem to end in a friendly tie. Much like Dolly’s real life personality, the show definitely had a unifying message at the end (her pirate show does too, btw).
Many parts of the Stampede are definitely a little campy, but we were legitimately wowed by the equestrian stunts, the very cool and sometimes adorable animals (including a mini highland cow!), and gorged on country cooking. I think we still prefer the Pirate Show – it’s a bit grander overall – but Dolly’s Stampede was definitely one of our favorite evenings.
4. Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
With all of the tourist traps and thrill rides, it’s easy to forget you’re also at the doorstep of America’s most visited National Park: Great Smoky Mountain National Park. And, it’s free to enter! You could easily spend a whole week in the park hiking to waterfalls, enjoying scenic overlooks, and visiting historical sites. But we took a friend’s advice and enjoyed the park via an 11-mile driving loop called Cades Cove.
Not only was this a good fit for a cold morning (hello warm car!) but it allowed us to sample the park at our own pace – pulling off to see a historic homesite or hiking a short trail as interest & energy allowed (which is sometimes hard to juggle with 10 people, including several teens). The dusting of snow that had fallen the night before made it even more beautiful!
Just a heads up that the loop closes to vehicle traffic on Wednesdays (many choose to bike it that day instead) and you may need to arrive early to avoid backups, especially on weekends. We went on a cold Tuesday in March and experienced a few slow spots & crowded pull-offs, so I can only imagine what it’s like in peak season! Oh, and you do have to pay $5 for parking pass if you plan to stop for more than 15 minutes anywhere in the park.
5. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp & Sloppy Hog Burger Joint
We usually have several restaurants to recommend from our trips, but have only 2 this time (3 if you count the Stampede above). That’s not because the meals were bad everywhere else. It’s because the food was usually so filling & indulgent that we were rarely hungry enough to eat out for dinner. In fact, every night except for The Stampede, we made dinner at home because breakfast and lunch were so filling we couldn’t imagine eating another big meal.
Everyone’s most memorable meal was at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg. It’s right down from the Ober Mountain tram station and we’re glad we put up with the 1 hour wait outside – it was WELL WORTH IT. The service was great, the pancakes were huge, and our friend declared it the best corned beef hash she’d ever eaten.
Another surprise favorite was Sloppy Hog’s Burger Joint, which we spotted on our drive to Cades Cove (sort of between Pigeon Forge and Townsend). Truthfully, we only stopped to eat on our way back because the teens had laughed at the name. I ordered the “Sloppy Dripping” (again, because of the name) and it’s one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time. Think two patties with BBQ pulled pork on top. Mmmmm. And it wasn’t even that sloppy to eat.
Those were definitely the two meals we all talked about most for the rest of the trip. Well, that and the cinnamon bread at Dollywood… which I’m pretty sure counted as a meal at some point.
6. The Island, Alcatraz East, & The Mountain Mile (Our Rainy Day Activities)
Our very first day in Pigeon Forge was cold and rainy, so indoor activities were the move. This area has plenty to choose from – even things like indoor snow tubing – but these were the 3 that our whole group enjoyed:
The Island
While not technically indoors, this walking mall kept our crew busy popping into shops, eating snacks, and browsing rides like a giant skywheel, indoor flight simulator, and more. It’s almost like a mini amusement park! Parking was easy and free, and there was a convenient trolley to bring you right into the center of things.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
Directly adjacent to The Island was the Crime Museum, which was sort of a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not with a true crime spin, both historical and contemporary. It was pretty interactive (which is always a hit with the kids) and there was everything from rooms about the Salem Witch Trials to displays of infamous cars, like the actual White Bronco from the O.J. chase. It was surprisingly educational and entertaining, including activities about criminal forensics, online safety, and more. Plus we noticed the brown van parked outside, and really liked the payoff about what that was when we walked through the museum and it was revealed.
The Mountain Mile
Similar to The Island (and close to it, as well – that’s its SkyWheel in the background) is another mall-meets-amusement center called The Mountain Mile. We went here a couple of times while our friends charged their Rivian at the EV superchargers, so we saw it in the rain and in clear skies. The kids loved the candy store, the toy store, and there’s even a Downtown Flavortown – which I’d never heard of. It’s like a Dave & Busters (aka: arcade) meets bowling alley wrapped in a Guy Fieri package. What more could you want on a rainy day?
7. Our Airbnb
I know the Airbnb we rented isn’t really an “attraction,” but it was a big part of our trip’s success. It fit our group super well, especially with us being two families who wanted to hang out together, but not necessarily be up in each other’s bathroom business. The house also had lots of amenities to keep our kids entertained, especially on our bad weather days. I saw TONS of similar options on Airbnb, so don’t fret if this particular property is booked. It seems things like hot tubs, ping pong tables, theater rooms, and a rustic cabin vibe are common features in this area!
Admittedly, all of the bells and whistles were a little over the top (um, hello indoor mini golf course?). They definitely made the trip memorable, and splitting it with another family kept the cost more manageable. But we mostly appreciated the layout of the house: the kids got to have the downstairs to themselves (with all of the games and the “theater room”) while we adults could enjoy some peace on the main level.
Overall, we all enjoyed being together, playing games, doing puzzles, and blasting Dolly Parton music to pump ourselves up. Oh, and there was a pretty epic rap battle one night amongst the kids.
More Places to Vacation With Kids
If you enjoyed this post, you can check out some of our other family vacation destination posts, which are all linked below!
