Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Emma White
It’s finally summer, and you and your kids are enjoying the summer break. And now is the perfect time to plan a fun family vacation. As a parent, you are more likely to put your kids’ preferences, needs, and ease before your own. And that’s why you are trying to figure out where you should go vacationing with your kids.
You need a place that offers fun, playful, educational activities to keep the kids entertained. And if in your search you have decided to go to Pigeon Forge with your family, just like more than 10 million people do each year, you have made a wonderful decision. There is no shortage of fun and adventurous activities in Pigeon Forge for kids and adults. This place will give you beautiful memories to cherish forever, and you will get closer to nature, have quality time with your family, strengthen the family bond with healthy family activities, and educate your kids about nature and science in a fun way.
So, to make parenting a bit easier for you, here is a guide on visiting Pigeon Forge with your kids.
1. Enjoy The Dollywood Country Splash Water Park:
It’s impossible to talk about fun activities to do in Pigeon Forge without mentioning Dollywood. If you are planning on going to Dollywood, you can visit Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park which is, of course, next to Dollywood. The good news is that this water park is open for the 2023 season, and you can even save money on tickets for this water park.
Of course, traveling with the whole family can be a bit expensive, so it’s a great opportunity to get to visit one of the most popular attractions there at a discounted rate. You can get a discount on Dollywood Splash Country tickets and choose from a variety of discounted bundles/packages. You can get Splash Country coupons and discounts to save money on parking, admission, food, etc.
An adventure water park is the best way to beat the summer heat, and your kids will have the best time of their lives in this fun-filled water park. The water playgrounds, numerous slides, lazy river, and many other fun things in this adventure water park will keep your kids busy and happy for hours, and they will not want to leave.
2. Visit The Island:
The Island is the perfect stop for a family vacation as it offers a range of activities for every age group. From amazing views to fine dining, this place has it all. Everyone going to Pigeon Forge wants to enjoy the mesmerizing view of the glorious Great Smoky Mountains. The Island provides a beautiful view of the Great Smoky Mountains with the Great Smoky Mountains wheel. This wheel is 200 feet tall. Imagine the serene view of the Great Smoky Mountains you can capture by riding that wheel with your kids.
The Island Show Fountains is another family-friendly attraction. These Island fountains light up and dance. If you are looking for healthy activities for your kids, you can take them to The Island’s Rope Course. The whole family can enjoy spinning on the Spinning Parrots Coaster. There are also many dining options on The Island to try!
3. Spend Quality Time Outdoors:
What is better than spending quality time with your kids in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world? There are tons of healthy, adventurous, and fun outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. In summer, Pigeon Forge offers incredible mountain views, bright wildflowers, and green tree tops spread over miles. Your family can go on a walk to the Clingmans Dome and take in the breathtaking beautiful views. You can also take help from the rangers at the Sugarlands Visitor Centre in case you need any guidance about directions etc.
You can drive to Cades Cove and enjoy the scenic drive of the Cades Cove Loop Road where you can see historic buildings, cabins, and a gristmill along the way. And right before Cade Cove Loop Road’s entrance area, there is a picnic spot that is perfect for families and you can enjoy lunchtime with your kids in this beautiful place. Another great outdoor fun activity option is hiking. There are tons of hiking trails you can find in Pigeon Forge in different areas or parks. For example, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 800 miles of hiking trails. Some popular hiking trails have mesmerizing mountain ranges and waterfalls, thus making the whole hiking experience much more fun.
There are several kid-friendly hikes and waterfall hikes to enjoy. With your kids, you can turn the hike into a fun game. For example, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 1,500 kinds of flowering plants, you can ask your kids during the hike to find as many different kinds of flowers and plants as they can.
4. Race Go-Karts:
As a family, it’s important to take part in such fun activities that help strengthen the family bond while everybody is having a good time. Working as a team together and having healthy and light-hearted competition is always fun. And racing go-karts is one such activity. You can join your children in this fun activity. There is no shortage of go-kart tracks in Pigeon Forge. Your family can enjoy a family-friendly go-kart racing competition at any of the several go-kart tracks that line the Parkway.
The Track Family Fun Park there has several fun things to offer like numerous go-kart tracks, kid’s country rides, blaster boats, an arcade, and much more. If you have kids of different ages, don’t worry, there is something for everyone. If your kids are too young, they can enjoy the play area. If your kids are older they can enjoy bungee jumping, bumper boats, skydiving, etc.
Conclusion:
Finally, it’s summer break, and you can go on a family vacation to Pigeon Forge. But when it comes to traveling with kids, there are different concerns in parents’ minds. Parents need to ensure that their kids will not get bored or tired of the vacation quickly. The key here is to plan such a fun-filled visit to Pigeon Forge that allows your kids to enjoy themselves, learn something new, relax in the picturesque views, and strengthen their bond with you.
