Looking for things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? We sent KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez to Wonderworks to check out all the exhibits and activities. She had a blast with her kids and is telling us all about the rides, 4D movies and activities like rock climbing, a ropes course and a bubble lab! Read on to find out why you should put Wonderworks on your Pigeon Forge itinerary.
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Posts Tagged ‘Pigeon Forge TN’
You’ll Never Want to Leave the Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge Once You Go
Thinking about a vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez traveled to the Pigeon Forge Margaritaville Island Inn with her family. This hotel has so much to offer, including a spa, roof top pool and onsite dining. Kristina is sharing all the little details about this hotel that made is perfect for her family.
Are you looking for more fun Tennessee travel? Check out our Kidding Around Greenville guide to Tennessee.
If you ever have a chance to go to Margaritaville, you go, right? When a hotel takes up the Margaritaville theme in a small mountain town that offers families everything from a theme park to dinner theater shows, from race tracks to the best magic and singing performances around – you pack up your family and go.
And if you’re just dying for some relaxation with your family or friends, a place called the Margaritaville Island Hotel is just the prescription.
I had the chance to stay at this four-star hotel in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee during their huge Winterfest celebration and I’m already planning a return trip because it was so amazing. If you’re thinking this aptly named hotel is all about the tequila and lime drink, well, you’re not wrong. But that’s only a small part of what the Margaritaville Island Hotel offers.
**I was given a complimentary room and spa treatments from the Margaritaville Island Hotel. The opinions in this article are all my honest opinions.
Rooftop Pool & Hot Tub
Kids love pools. Adults love pools and hot tubs. Put them together on a rooftop overlooking the Island at Pigeon Forge where the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel towers over you, then you’ve got the perfect mix.
The pool is heated for those chillier evenings and feels cool during the warmer months. The rooftop also has a full bar for summertime fun, cabanas and chairs for any time of year, and views that stretch out over the Island at Pigeon Forge and into the Great Smoky Mountains beyond. If you’re lucky, you can even see the snow-capped peaks during winter months.
To avoid overcrowding, the hotel only allows guests to enjoy the rooftop pool and bar.
Beautiful and Comfortable Rooms
The rooms are tastefully decorated in the beach vibe of Margaritaville, with cool blues and greens. The bathrooms – and specifically the shower – are gorgeous and spacious. I could have spent a lot of time in the shower but I had my kids with me so I couldn’t leave them unsupervised for too long. The shower is tiled with what looks to be wood but it’s actually tiles. It has a bench inside the shower and my favorite thing is that it has two shower heads, one that shoots water normally at an angle and then another above your head that makes it rain.
Please tell me I’m not the only person who is obsessed with beautiful showers.
OK, so after you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the amazing shower, you can relax in front of the gas fireplace (available October-April), lounge in the super soft beds, and enjoy coffee on your balcony. Rooms overlook the river, the village on the Island, or the most popular view: The Island’s Show Fountains.
There is a mini-fridge, coffee pot, and microwave in each room. There is also your own personal margarita-making station – the Frozen Concoction Makers they are called. You can either order all the margarita ingredients from the front desk or bring your own ingredients.
Rates vary per season. At this writing, a double queen overlooking the village started at $179. Prices will be highest during the busiest months of July and October.
I got a tour of the Penthouses at the hotel as well, which are on their own floor and span the entire top of the building. These are actually perfect for families, especially if you’re traveling with more than one family or extended family members. These rooms are massive, have more than one bathroom, and a full kitchen. Wraparound balconies adorn the outside so you can see the Island and the river. Of course, the make-your-own margarita section exists here as well. Prices vary depending on the season (at this writing, a night in January started at $779).
Dining at the Hotel
While the Margaritaville Island Hotel is situated at the Island at Pigeon Forge – which has several great restaurants – you don’t even need to leave the hotel to enjoy great food and a cozy atmosphere.
I grabbed a coffee one morning at the coffee shop that’s right off the lobby. They also have pastries and sandwiches, which make grab & go snacks as you head out the door for your fun day.
On the other side of the well-decorated lobby is the Finns Bar & Chill, which has lots of tables and couches for relaxing and enjoying one of their signature margaritas. I chose just a regular margarita with salt on the rim and it was delicious, as you may imagine. I thought the prices for the food and drinks were reasonable as well. My margarita was $7 and we also ordered pretzel bites with a mouth-watering cheese dip ($12.00) and the chicken fingers and fries off the kids menu ($8.00). The portions were huge and I almost want to go back to this place solely for the pretzels and margaritas. Check out their full menu.
Over the summer, the Chill Bar at the rooftop pool, where you can relax all day with margaritas close by. And Margaritaville at the hotel is a full-service, two-story restaurant that overlooks the Little Pigeon River. It’s laid back with live music and entertainment with menu items such as coconut shrimp, burgers, sandwiches, nachos, fried chicken, chicken fajitas, and spinach dip.
St. Somewhere Spa
After all the fun you’ll be having in Pigeon Forge, take a step back and relax at the St. Somewhere Spa at the hotel. It’s a beautiful retreat that offers massages, manicures, pedicures, haircut and coloring, expert facials, waxing, eyelash tinting, and foot baths.
My two girls, ages 7 and 4, received the Princess Mani-Pedi ($40+), where they were treated to warm towels on their little feet and nail polish of their choosing – which they took forever to pick out at the Port of Indecision wall. After the pedicure, they received a manicure that is a pared down version of what adults get – cleaning and cutting nail if need be and painting.
When my youngest was done with her pedicure, the woman taking care of her carried her over to the manicure chair so she wouldn’t have to walk and possibly ruin her cute toes. Now that’s service!
While my girls were enjoying their mani-pedis, I was drifting away to paradise with the Pedicure in Paradise ($90). This consisted of a “hydrating foot soak,nail care,exfoliation, foot detox mask, relaxing foot massage, luxurious paraffin treatment, and choice of polish or buffing.” I really didn’t want to leave.
The spa has two relaxation rooms with tea and water available. Luxuriously soft robes are available for guests, as is a shower if they like.
After your treatment, feel free to browse in the spa’s storefront for makeup and skincare products or gifts to take home for loved ones/yourself. The entire staff at the St. Somewhere Spa are very kind and welcoming. Certainly carve out some spa time when you visit the hotel.
Entertainment + Shopping + Food
The Margaritaville Island Hotel is located right on the Island at Pigeon Forge, an entertainment, dining and shopping mecca in the town. You can easily stay at the hotel and spend a couple days on the Island enjoying all it has to offer and never leave during your trip to Pigeon Forge.
Read my review of the Island at Pigeon Forge and learn about all the neat stuff you can do there!
Parking at the hotel is free in a lot that is maybe a 10 minute or less walk away. You can unload your car and then park it if you want. They also offer valet parking for, at the time of this writing, $25/per night.
The Margaritaville brand has other properties in the area, with one of them, the Margaritaville Island Inn, very close to the hotel in Pigeon Forge. They are different lodgings that offer slightly different amenities to the guest. They also have a property in Gatlinburg called the Margaritaville Resort.
Margaritaville Island Hotel
131 Island Drive, Suite 5118, Pigeon Forge, TN
844.434-6787
Margaritaville Island Hotel Website
Margaritaville Island Hotel Facebook
Are you looking for fun things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Check out our Kidding Around Guide to Gatlinburg!
Rides, Shows, and Fun at Dollywood: Parent Review & Tips You Want
Dollywood is such a perfect destination from Greenville! At just about three hours from the Upstate, it’s a favorite with Kidding Around readers and their families. See what advice Kidding Around’s Bethany had to offer after most recent trip at the park in Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
Find a place to stay near Dollywood. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Dollywood (With Kids AND Grandparents)
🎠 Preschooler-friendly rides like Busy Bees, Frogs & Fireflies, and the indoor Hidden Hollow playground
🚂 Family rides everyone can enjoy, including old-school water rides like Dollywood Express and River Rampage
🎢 Coasters for big kids & teens—Dragonflier, Big Bear Mountain, Wild Eagle, and more
🎭 Great Shows: Gazillion Bubble Show, Stunt Dog Experience (fun for all ages!)
🌳 Playgrounds and Splash Zones throughout the park, plus tons of shade and rest spots
🍞 Great food options—don’t miss the famous Cinnamon Bread at The Grist Mill
✨ Clean & friendly park with helpful staff and thoughtful details for families
Only 3 hours from Greenville, Dollywood is an easy getaway that works for toddlers, teens, and grandparents alike.
App Tip: Download the Dollywood app before you go—it’s great for checking showtimes, ride wait times, and setting reminders for meet-and-greets.
Why You Should Consider Dollywood For Your Next Theme Park
I’ll be honest; we truly have such great family memories from visiting Dollywood that I’m not even quite sure where to start. During our visits, I always notice the carefulness and attentiveness of the Dollywood theme park staff. The park was well-maintained, clean, and attractive.
This year marked our third Dollywood trip with our children and their grandparents. We’ve visited the park now with our kids from the ages of 2 to 17 and still have a great time.
Dollywood: Review of The Rides & Play Areas
From all our years of visits to Dollywood, we are impressed by how there are rides for all ages and thrill level. Here’s how our multi-generational crew had fun from when our kids were little to now that they are teens.
Rides Even a PreK Age Kid Would Love
As a family with young children, we were thrilled by how many rides even our little ones could enjoy.
- Our five-year-old could ride several small roller coasters and most other rides with an adult.
- Our two-year-old happily rode attractions specially designed for toddlers in the Country Fair:
- Busy Bees
- Amazing Flying Elephants
Wildwood Grove also has a few low-thrill rides for younger children, plus lots of shady paths and splash areas perfect for preschoolers.
Staff Shoutout: We noticed that Country Fair attendants were especially kind and quick to help if a little one got scared or changed their mind by pausing a ride and helping a kid off so that the experience stayed positive for everyone.
✅ Family Tip: Stop by the Centralized Measuring Station when you enter the park. Your child will get a colored armband showing which rides they’re tall enough for—no surprises in line!
Rides for the Entire Family
Some of our favorite moments were the rides we all did together. These were easygoing enough for everyone to enjoy, but still fun:
- Dollywood Express: A scenic ride on a coal-fired steam engine through the Smoky Mountains. Pro tip: Avoid naptime! One of ours when they were young had a meltdown mid-ride—and there’s no getting off once it starts rolling.
- Blazing Fury: Another great rollercoaster for younger riders is Blazing Fury, which starts as a sightseeing ride through a mine but ends with a minecart off the rails twist. This rollercoaster only has a couple of small hills and quick twists but is completely dark in the last seconds of the ride.
- River Rampage: This 6 person raft is a ride that you might want to wear your water shoes for. It’s not too scary, but you will definitely get wet.
✅ Travel Tip: Keep a set of dry clothes and shoes in the car so that you can change if you accidentally get wet in the park or get caught in a storm.
Roller Coasters for Big Kids and Adults
Once our kids were tall enough (and brave enough!), the big coasters became a huge part of our Dollywood adventures. Here’s what our thrill-seekers loved:
- Wild Eagle: Smooth, fast (up to 60 mph!), and full of loops. It’s a standout for both teens and adults. While this ride is fast and scary, the harness fits snugly which can help some kids feel more secure.
- Lightning Rod: A wooden coaster with hot-rod theming. It’s wild, fast, and a huge hit with older kids.
- Big Bear Mountain: Opened in 2023, this one zooms through Wildwood Grove with surprise launches and a fun bear-chase storyline.
- Dragonflier: Also in Wildwood Grove, this one lets your feet dangle and is a great “first big coaster” for tweens and teens.
- Mystery Mine: This coaster has been on my family’s favorite list from the time the kids were tall enough to ride all the way up to teens.
- Thunderhead: We got to ride at the very front of this coaster at night this year, and it was an experience we will never forget.
✅ Parent Tip: Use Dollywood’s Parent Swap option. One parent rides while the other waits with younger kids—then you swap without waiting again!
In addition to the Dollywood rides, my kids enjoyed playing in the playgrounds and water spray areas of the park.
Wildwood Grove at Dollywood
When you go to Dollywood, head right for Wildwood Grove because there is so much to see and do for your whole family! Wildwood Grove is based upon adventure, curiosity, and a little fairy dust. It beckons guests to use their imagination to explore a world with exciting possibilities around every corner. You enter Wildwood Grove through what looks to be an old tree and wind your way past the Treetop Tower and Giant Tree Swing, back towards the indoor playground at Hidden Hollow and splash pad at Wildwood Creek.
Our kids loved every minute we spent here because they not only got to experience age-appropriate adrenaline rushes in the rides but really did feel like they got to explore a world that was uniquely set up to trigger their imaginations. For both kids and adults, we mostly live a life of structure, and it’s good to get out of that box and have fun together and try new things, which is exactly what is encouraged at Wildwood Grove.
Plan to spend at least a couple of hours at Wildwood Grove throughout your time at Dollywood. We started the day there, and before we knew it, it was time for lunch. We headed back at the end of the day to go back on our favorite rides and see if the Dragonflier line was shorter (it wasn’t – the ride is crazy popular).
Let’s Eat & Meet in Wildwood Grove!
You can’t go anywhere in Dollywood without smelling the delicious food offered throughout the park, and Wildwood Grove is no different. Till & Harvest is the anchor restaurant at Wildwood Grove. They serve Smoky Mountain Mexican cuisine like burrito bowls, with grilled meat and vegetables.
A sweet shop is located next door, and there are popcorn stands and ice cream carts throughout the area. Don’t forget that free ice water is offered at most concession stands and all restaurants. This was a lifesaver for my kids and me throughout our time at Dollywood.
There are also Meet & Greets with characters at Wildwood Grove, which we totally missed because I forgot to set the reminder on the Dollywood app, which you should absolutely download for your trip there. So if you’d like to meet some cute bears and fairies, set that reminder on your app.
Rides at Wildwood Grove
Here are all the rides offered at Wildwood Grove:
- Frogs & Fireflies
A super cute ride for little kids where they get in a frog or firefly car and bounce around in circles in a motorized ride. - Giant Tree Swing
An old school favorite updated to be in Wildwood Grove’s theme, the Giant Tree Swing is a big boat-like swing that goes back and forth, getting higher and higher each time. We did this a couple times as it was a favorite of my kids. - Hidden Hollow
This is the most genius activity in Wildwood Grove, so props to Dollywood for thinking of it. Hidden Hollow is a black-lit indoor playground for kids that also has comfy seats for parents. There are slides, sensory objects, climbing apparatuses, and a section for kids under three years of age. Again, this is indoors – which means a nice, cool, respite from the summer heat. And it’s located right next to the restrooms. - Dragonflier
This roller-coaster is crazy popular and looks like quite the thrill ride for people of any age, yet even my almost 5-year-old was big enough to ride. But she chickened out, so we had to back out. If you decide to go on this ride, go first when you get there or get the TimeSaver pass and use it to skip the line here. Guests need to be at least 39”. - Big Bear Mountain
This roller-coaster is a fast and fun ride through the story of getting chased by a bear. It’s also the longest coaster at the park. - Wildwood Creek
Another genius creation in Wildwood Grove is the creek, which is basically a splash pad, which feels divine in 90+ degree heat. - Treetop Tower
A non-scary ride for any age that goes up and spins around a couple of times before coming back down. Guests need to be at least 36”. - Mad Mockingbird
I could have gone on this ride all day long. It’s a swinging ride from the carnival days of my youth but way better. Guests sit in a swing that looks like a mockingbird and are spun around in the air to the point where it feels like you’re flying. There’s a handle where you can move the bird’s wings to make the swing change position in the air. Guests need to be at least 36”. - Black Bear Trail
Guests ride around on a motorized bear through some bushes and trees. It’s cute and great for kids, although I saw plenty of adults riding around on the bears, which was hilarious. Guests need to be at least 36”.
Dollywood Shows You Don’t Want to Miss!
When the kids were little, they loved The Little Engine Playhouse. I love children’s books, so I was delighted to find out that the shows were based on books. I was equally impressed that the performances kept not only me entertained but my two-year-old mesmerized. Outside The Little Engine Playhouse, we also had fun watching a small magic show.
Now that my kids are older, we’ve found even more shows to enjoy together. This year, we made time for the Gazillion Bubble Show—and it was incredible. The special effects, music, and unbelievable bubble tricks had all of us (teens and adults included) totally hooked. Last year, we also stopped by the Stunt Dog Experience, which features rescue dogs doing tricks, jumps, and agility stunts. It’s a heartwarming and high-energy show that’s perfect for all ages.
Dollywood Tip: Schedule a show during the hottest part of the day to give everyone a break from the heat! The Dollywood app is a great way to track showtimes and set reminders so you don’t miss anything.
Each summer features a different lineup of live entertainment—from bubble shows to dog stunt performances, and everything in between. The shows don’t run every day and the theaters fill up fast, so be sure to consult the daily schedule and arrive early.
This year we also visited in peak season and were able to see the nightly fireworks and drone show during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. It was a highlight of the trip—totally worth staying until closing time. The best view is near FireChaser Express at the top of the park. Most rides continue to run until closing, though a few near the fireworks area begin shutting down at dusk.
Dollywood Review of the Food
Outside-the-Park Tips
If you’re looking to save a little money or have picky eaters in your group:
- Pack a meal and tailgate in the parking lot. Pack a couple of chairs in your trunk and don’t forget napkins.
- Bring snacks and refillable water bottles. While outside food isn’t allowed in, sealed water bottles and baby food/formula are permitted. We have also brought in small snacks like granola bars without it being an issue.
Inside the Park: Food Worth Planning Around
Dollywood has built a reputation for theme park food that’s amazing and much better than just chicken fingers.
Dollywood Eats We Want to Eat Again!
🥖 Cinnamon Bread from The Grist Mill — a warm, gooey must-try
🦃 Giant Turkey Leg from Hickory House BBQ — perfect for sharing
🧀 Gouda & Bacon Loaded Tots from Potato Tornado — teen-tested, parent-approved
🐾 Buffalo Chicken Bear Paw from Ned’s Bear Paws (Splash Country)
🥤 Vanilla Milkshake from Red’s Dine-In — cool and creamy retro treat
🌀 BBQ Pork Twister Taters from Hickory House BBQ — crispy, savory, fun to eat
Dollywood Tip: You can get free ice water at any of Dollywood’s food vendors. This helps fight the heat of the summer.
The Dolly Parton Experience
New in 2024 is the Dolly Parton Experience where guests can walk through different Dolly museums that hold many of her dresses, shoes, and even wigs that she’s worn throughout her career. There are really cool sets of movies and shows she has been on, a room that looks like a giant bus as she made her way to Nashville, and papers that she wrote some of her most famous songs on.
You can also walk through her tour bus/RV. The Dolly Parton Experience is all part of your admission ticket is to your right when you walk into the park.
The entire experience is just so cool and you learn a lot about East Tennessee’s most famous resident and the stories behind her songs. My kids loved the “Dress Up Dolly” part where kids (or adults) use magnetic cutouts of Dolly’s dresses and wigs to dress her up on a big board in the Behind the Seams building.
Definitely be sure to stop here during your time at the park. It’s worth the time to see many of Dolly’s over-the-top dresses and learn about the stories behind her most famous music.
Dollywood Extras
I felt like one of the biggest perks of visiting Dollywood was the unique variety of attractions for our family. Here are just a couple of the enjoyable spots we enjoy throughout the park:
- Local craftsmen and shops full of handmade items.
- A wild bird preserve
- Lots of scenic spots & plenty of shade and benches
Baby-Care Stations
If you are breast-feeding or bottle-feeding an infant, you will be happy to find out that Dollywood does have a nursing station with gliders and a changing station. I also noticed several family bathrooms throughout the park. The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean during our visit.
First-Aid Stations
We managed to scrape a knee within moments of getting in the park and had the opportunity to visit the first-aid station. The nurse was able to save the day by applying an Angry Bird bandage to my kid’s knee.
More Dollywood Tips for Families
Dollywood Quick Tips for Families
🚼 Baby care stations offer gliders, changing areas, and clean family restrooms
🍼 Restaurants can warm bottles for bottle-feeding parents
🎟️ Use the Parent Swap pass to take turns on thrill rides without waiting twice
📏 Visit the Centralized Measuring Station to get a colored armband for ride eligibility
🧃 While outside food isn’t allowed, you can leave and re-enter the park on the same day with a hand stamp
🚉 Don’t skip the tram—there’s stroller parking at the front of each tram car
🎢 Try the coaster sample seats outside each ride to check comfort before waiting in line
💧 Ask any food vendor for free ice water (total lifesaver in summer!)
🩴 Bring extra clothes or water shoes for splash zones and River Rampage
📱 Download the Dollywood app to check wait times, show schedules, and meet-and-greets
🎟️ Turn your day ticket into a season pass credit before leaving
👶 Look for the Preschooler Season Pass—it’s free with paid adult admission
🎓 Homeschool families can visit during Homeschool Days for discounted tickets
🎟️ Planning a longer stay? Choose a 2- or 3-day pass to visit Dollywood and Splash Country together
I received media tickets in order to write about Dollywood but this post contains my honest opinion about our trip. We had such a great time that we have made several additional family trips to Dollywood since the original publication of this review.
More To See At Dollywood
The team at Kidding Around are huge fans of the country music legend and her amusement parks and because of that, there is no shortage of information from our trips to share with readers. If you are planning a trip to Dollywood, we encourage you to make the most out of your trip with the information offered on Kidding Around.
- Homeschool Days
If you are looking to have an adventure, Dollywood will be offering Homeschool Days for families that are utilizing the homeschool option. These days focus on mostly science and math – and really, what’s cooler than learning about the laws of physics by riding a roller coaster? - Christmas At Dollywood – Smoky Mountain Christmas
The famous theme park becomes a mecca with over five million lights draped across every single building. Shows like It’s A Wonderful Life play throughout the month-long festival. And a Christmas parade is held nightly at 8:15 pm, an engaging entertainment show full of lights and colors. - Splash Country Water Park
Dollywood is a popular place to visit for Greenville families as it’s tons of fun and only three hours away. While you’re there, you can beat the heat by spending some time at Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN
For more information on the area surrounding Dollywood, check out the Kidding Around Guide to the Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg areas of Tennessee
Have you ever visited Dollywood? What was your experience?
Goals: Stay in a Hobbit-Themed Village near Gatlinburg, at Mountain Shire
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping where hobbits or wizards would lay their heads, it can happen at Mountain Shire in Sevierville, TN. We stayed in this incredible village and have all the details you need to plan your trip!
Thank you to Mountain Shire for letting us escape reality for a few days and stay in the magical village to write this review.
Watch! Our Visit to Mountain Shire
I’ve read the Lord of the Rings trilogy at least three times and have nicknamed my kids hobbits because they love second breakfast and think about food all day like the short creatures in the famed J.R.R. Tolkien books. Getting to stay in a Middle Earth-themed village was a dream that came true at Mountain Shire in Sevierville, Tennessee, minutes from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
My daughters and I had such a blast here and thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful details around every turn. It was one adventure after another and we were determined to make the most of our time there, even taking on the dress of Gandalf, hobbits, elves, and an elven princess because why not. When else were we going to be in the Shire?
“There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.” ~ The Hobbit
About Mountain Shire
Mountain Shire is an adorable village of tiny homes only a couple miles from the main strip in Pigeon Forge but it feels miles away. Tucked away off Wears Valley Road, there are several tiny homes in the village behind a hobbit wall with entrances for humans, elves, wizards, and pups. Yes, the village is dog-friendly. In fact, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to enjoy the company of Westie pups Luna or Lily while you’re there.
There are communal fire pits, a gas grill, covered decks with games, comfortable swings, and a chair straight from a palace somewhere in Middle Earth.
There are gardens that surround the village with all kinds of flowers, plants, lily ponds, and fountains. You’ll easily forget your worries staying at Mountain Shire.
The House of Dragons
We stayed in the Hobbit House of Dragons tiny home, which had a big, yet hobbit-inspired, round door that led into one of the most intricately decorated homes I’ve probably ever been in. There’s a big map of Middle Earth along with dragons in the nooks and crannies – think a dragon night lamp, a dragon door handle, dragon-inspired hoard of gold above the sink. So thoughtful.
The House of Dragons has a loft with a king bed and a tree with roses coming out of the top. The bathroom feels like you are underground in a hobbit house cave of sorts. The day bed is downstairs so the entire house sleeps three people (don’t worry, the other tiny homes can sleep more people so you can bring your family!).
There’s a raised pub desk table with two bar stools that you can spin to get your desired height. There’s a kitchen with fridge, microwave, sink, coffee pot, tea kettle, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, and a two-burner cooking appliance. We made use of all of this to save a little money on eating out while visiting Pigeon Forge.
Each tiny home has WiFi and televisions.
The Other Hobbit Homes and the Harry Potter House
There are other hobbit-themed homes you can rent at Mountain Shire that are all unique and comfortable. Most are on the lower level property but there’s also a second level above the gardens, which contains more hobbit houses. The owners are currently adding more tiny homes to the village so this place is about to get even better.
The Harry Potter tiny home is incredible. The woman staying there when we were visiting was gracious enough to let me check it out and I was blown away. Let me say that I have not read any of the Harry Potter books yet I was completely enthralled at the level of detail in this home and the really cool accommodations.
They have floating candle lights all over the ceiling, two beds in different nooks of the house (one literally inside a cupboard), a loft bedroom, a wall of potions, and so many other things I can barely even remember because my mind was just overwhelmed checking everything out. That house can fit the most people at six with two queen beds and two singles.
Whichever house you choose, know that you’ll have the opportunity to relax, enjoy the property, and forget about life for awhile as you enter into a whimsical fantasy land.
Nearby Things to Do
We really love the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area and have a huge guide to Gatlinburg things to do and local attractions, including where to eat, play, and hike.
At Mountain Shire, you are four minutes from Goats on the Roof, where you can ride a mountain coaster, play mini-golf amongst dinosaurs, and feed goats. There’s also a zip-lining course a couple of minutes away and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is about a 15-minute drive into Metcalf Bottoms (a great swimming hole and picnic area by the way).
To get to more popular trailheads, expect to drive around 30-45 minutes. It took us about 45 minutes to drive to the Chimney Tops Trailhead, where we hiked one day. Laurel Falls is a few minutes less and Alum Cave is about the same distance. Cades Cove is just under an hour’s drive.
Dollywood is about 20 minutes away, which we totally recommend! We really enjoy both the theme park and Dollywood Splash Country.
You can literally walk to Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteak, which serves us cheesesteaks and ice cream. We did check out the inside but didn’t eat there. We saw one of our tiny home neighbors get pizza delivered so you don’t even need to leave the hobbit village to get food.
Honest Mom Review: Mountain Shire
My daughters and I had so much fun at Mountain Shire. We made use of the common spaces, got to relax outdoors, had way too much fun taking photos dressed up as residents of the Shire and Lord of Rings landmarks. It was an absolute blast.
At night, we made s’mores in the outdoor fire pit (they have firewood and lighters available for guests….and lighter fluid for those of us who are fire-challenged) and waited for the lights to sparkle in the dark. Mountain Shire was absolutely designed for fun and relaxation and we tried to enjoy all of it while visiting.
One of the best things about Mountain Shire besides actually feeling like you’re in the Shire, was the location. It was far enough removed from the main strip at Pigeon Forget to be away from the traffic but close enough to get where we wanted to go. We visited during Jeep Invasion and the area was absolutely packed but we never sat in traffic because we mostly were able to use back roads to get where we wanted to go or every place we wanted to go was close by.
If you’re looking for a pretty unique place to stay for a family adventure, this is it, especially if you love The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter. You’ll be blown away by Mountain Shire and will want to book your next visit before you leave.
“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Booking Your Stay at Mountain Shire
While Mountain Shire has their listings on AirBnB, it’s less expensive to book direct right at the Mountain Shite website. Pricing depends on the time of year and days of the week.
If you need guidance on things to do in the area, see our Guide to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge.
Mountain Shire
1985 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862
Mountain Shire Website | Mountain Shire Facebook | Mountain Shire Instagram
Check out more Fantasy-Themed Places to Stay!
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay An Epic Golf Adventure: New Mini Golf in Pigeon Forge, TN
Argggghhh Matey’s and mermaids! We took a short trip from Knoxville, TN to Pigeon Forge for the day and played mini golf at the new Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay An Epic Golf Adventure. It was the most fun we’ve had playing mini golf in a while! Here is what you need to know about it and make sure to check our guide to fun things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on your next trip to the Smoky Mountains!
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay An Epic Golf Adventure mini golf is located right off the main parkway (the popular strip where all the attractions are) in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They offer indoor and outdoor mini golf, interactive activities, fun photo ops, live pirates & mermaids, a face painting station, signature concession items, souvenirs, and more!
As soon as we walked in we were greeted by employees dressed up as pirates, a huge candy store called the “Candy Cave”, and fun music that made us feel like we were transported to the magical land.
Side note: The lobby smells amazing, so amazing in fact, that we asked if they sold a candle with the scent. It was the perfect beach-like scent and made the experience even more pleasurable.
What’s The Story?
This mini-golf experience takes you on an adventure with Captain Thunderbeard a fierce captain who commands the sky pirates aboard a flying ship called the Smoky Doubloon! Thunderbeard and his crew are headed toward the magical Mermaid Bay where the mermaids are hiding a treasure the pirates want.
Which platoon will you join? The mermaids or the pirates? Beware of the Kraken that is hiding… and have a safe trip!
Watch!
Outdoor Pirate Course
You can choose between their indoor or outdoor course. If you choose the pirate course, it is located on the rooftop of the building AKA above Mermaid Bay. You will take a short walk up the stairs, after purchasing your tickets and grabbing your golf club of course, to the rooftop where a large pirate ship awaits you. Here’s what to expect:
- This 18-hole course is completely outdoors and located on the roof
- Accessible to all via the stairs or elevator
- They play fun music & the course is so detailed it feels real
- The Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay Outdoor Course
Indoor Mermaid Course
If you choose the mermaid course, you will stay inside the building as this course is fully indoors. If it is raining or too hot outside this is the perfect course to enjoy. This is located to the left of the ticket counter. Here’s what to expect:
- This 18-hole course is completely indoors and located inside the building
- Accessible to all
- They play fun music & the course is so detailed it feels real
- There is a lot of fog from fog machines in this course for dramatic effect so if that is bothersome please keep that in mind
- The Sky Pirate of Mermaid Bay Indoor Course
Hours & Pricing Information
- They are open daily from 9:00 am to midnight
- One course ticket price: Adults ($19.99) Children 11 & under ($16.99)
- Two courses ticket price: Adults ($24.99) Children 11 & under ($21.99)
- They offer a Park Hopper pass for $39.99 per person to enjoy Toy Box Mini Golf, TopJump Trampoline and Extreme Arena, Crave Golf Club, and the all-new Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay: An Epic Golf Adventure for an entire day.
- You can return to the ticket counter after one course and add on the second course if you want
- They offer group discounts (10+ people), field trips, and birthday parties.
Address: 2420 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone Number: 865-606-6700
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay An Epic Golf Adventure Website
If you are visiting Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg soon and want more fun things to do, check out our 41+ Things To Do in Gatlinburg, TN: Our Ultimate Travel Guide.
Relaxation and Family Fun Combine at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge
Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge in Pigeon Forge, TN is a fantastic spot to spend a few days or a whole week for a family trip. And it’s easy on the gas tank at three hours from Greenville, SC. Thank you to Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge for inviting us to the resort for a complimentary stay so we could write this review.
If you love relaxation while being in the middle of all the best activities near the Great Smoky Mountains and having a beautiful space to chill out with your family, Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge RV Resort & Lodge in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the spot.
(more…)Explore the Titanic: Pigeon Forge, TN
Planning a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? We sent KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez to take a peak inside the Titanic Museum. In this review she’s telling us all about what you can expect to see at the Titanic Museum so you can add it to your list of things to do when you visit Pigeon Forge. Complimentary tickets were provided for this review.
(more…)Winterfest is a Must-Do for Families: Pigeon Forge, TN
Thinking about planning a getaway this winter? Pigeon Forge, Tennessee offers Winterfest celebrating the Christmas season and wintertime. You’ll find winter-themed shows, holiday lights, amusement rides and so much more! KAG Contributor Kristina traveled to Pigeon Forge with her daughters during Winterfest. In this review, she’s sharing the many activities they enjoyed and also many more that are available for Pigeon Forge visitors during Winterfest.
(more…)41+ Things to Do in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, TN: Our Ultimate Travel Guide
Is your family planning a vacation to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, Tennessee?
There are so many fun things to do in Gatlinburg, TN and the Pigeon Forge area that we have put together a full Gatlinburg Travel Guide for you. Our guide is full of places to visit in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.
We share attractions, places to eat, suggestions on where to stay, and more for this East Tennessee region vacation destination.
A few tips:
- While there is no entry fee to the park, you must have a parking pass on your car if you park for more than 15 minutes inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A daily pass is $5, a weekly pass is $15, and a yearly pass is $40.
- Almost all shows in Pigeon Forge offer combo tickets, which are significantly discounted when bought together. So do the math and figure out what works for your family. Pigeon Forge has a wonderful guide with coupons that is available online and via hard copy at the Welcome Center. It can also be mailed to you.
- There are a bunch of coupon books in almost every restaurant and shop in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. They all offer a least a couple of dollars off attractions, which can save money in the long run if you do a lot of activities.
- Sign up for the email list of your favorite attractions and hotels since they often send out discount codes throughout the year.
- If you come to East Tennessee more than a couple times a year, consider a season pass to some of the attractions like Dollywood and Anakeesta, which can pay off in just a couple of visits.
What is There to Do in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge?
Check out these Gatlinburg attractions and things to do near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.
Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster
Imagine flying on twists and turns on the side of a mountain and racing your kid, friend, or partner to see who can complete the course first.
If it sounds like go-kart racing, it is modeled after racecar driving, but the brand-new Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster is even cooler since it’s faster, has amazing views, and you can totally trash-talk your competitor the whole time since you’re racing on parallel tracks.
Anakeesta
This mountaintop village theme park hosts a Rail Runner alpine coaster, ziplining, stunning gardens, a beer garden, a village with restaurants and shopping, an outdoor movie space, a treehouse play area, seasonal-themed events, and an awesome Chondola ride up and down the mountain. Admission ticket prices range from $20 – $29. The alpine coaster, Astra Lumina light display, gem mining, and ziplining are extra costs. You’ll want to read our Anakeesta review of tips and tricks on how to make the most of your visit to Anakeesta.
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Read our KA review of Anakeesta to see how amazing this place is!
Outdoor Gravity Park
The Outdoor Gravity Park is the only place in the entire country where you can go zorbing. This is where you get into an 11-foot inflatable ball filled with some water and then get pushed down a 1,000 foot hill. You don’t know what you’re missing until you try this crazy adventure! Read our review for all the info.
203 Sugar Hollow Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN
PINK Jeep Smoky Mountain Tours
Ride around in a bright pink Jeep and see all the very best sights in the Great Smoky Mountains and get the adrenaline going with their 4×4 off-roading course, built especially for PINK Jeeps. Tickets depend on the tour you choose but kids ages 18 months+ are able to do the tours and costs range from $57-$74 per person. Our PINK Jeep review gives you the lowdown on what to expect with the tour.
3152 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
Wonderworks
A truly fun experience for the whole family, Wonderworks is an indoor entertainment facility with a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, a 3-D roller coaster, a bubble room, laser tag, a climbing wall, an earthquake simulator, and tons more. You can easily spend all day here but allow at least two hours at Wonderworks to really do everything, more if you see the magic show (extra charge). Read our review of Wonderworks to get all the details.
100 Music Road, Pigeon Forge
Wonderworks could easily fill up a day of adventure while in Pigeon Forge. Learn more in our KA review of Wonderworks!
Dollywood
The iconic theme park is fun to visit any time of the year but they do have special events for summer, fall (a big pumpkinfest), and winter (a huge festival with a nightly parade and lights). The new Wildwood Grove encourages guests to explore their imaginations with an indoor black-lit playground, splash pad, rides for the whole family, and the new DragonFly coaster. Our KA Dollywood review will tell you all the best places to visit while at Dollywood. Adult tickets are $89 and kids are $79/each ages 4-9.
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN
Dollywood’s Splash Country
A wet and wild theme park that opens right next to the Dollywood theme park over the summer, Splash Country has a wave pool, multiple water slides, a lazy river, concessions, and a tube coaster. We love this theme park and it’s on our must-do list every summer! For the 2021 season tickets were $49.95/ages 10-61, $39.95/ages 4-9, and $39.95/senior citizens 62+. Parking is $15/day.
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN
Read our Dollywood Splash Country review, written by a local mom with lots of tips. Learn about the best things to do at the park.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
If you don’t know, the Hatfield and McCoy families were two groups who really hated each other in rural West Virginia in the 1800s. The show is a dinner theater experience so you get all-you-can-eat soup, rolls, pulled pork, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slow, and corn plus a dessert. This was the best meal I had while in Pigeon Forge and my kids loved it as well. At the end of this show, you’ll leave feeling full and happy. The total time you’re in the theater is a little over two-and-a-half hours. Tickets are $59.99/adults and $34.99/kids ages 3-11 and under 2 are free.
119 Music Road, Pigeon Forge
Ready to cheer on pirates, feast like royalty, and see mermaids & sea lions? Kristina and her kids LOVED Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Pigeon Forge, TN!
📅 1.5 hours of thrilling action
🍗 Full, delicious meal (with dessert!)
🔥 South Pacific fire show = WOW
🦭 Sea lions + swimming pups = adorable overload
Get all the details in our review of Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Pigeon Forge, TN
Titanic Museum
Experience the history of the Titanic, and the stories of those aboard, at the Titanic Museum. You’ll find hands on exhibits, an audio tour, and even the largest Titanic replica ever built out of lego bricks! Want to know more? Check out our KA review of the Titanic Museum.
2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
Learn why the Titanic Museum is a must-see when visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!
Wild Bear Falls Water Park
This is an enormous indoor waterpark at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg. It’s open year-round and you can go even if you’re not a guest at the resort.
915 Westgate Resorts Road, Gatlinburg, TN
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
This is one of the more popular shows in Pigeon Forge and features horse stunts, lots of special effects, and a four-course meal plus dessert. Families love this show especially.
3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
Pirates Voyage
Lots of energy and fun at this dinner show in Pigeon Forge, the newest show to come to town. Kids will love the mermaids and pirate fights plus the water features of the show are always fun. Read our full review here.
2713 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (and other Ripley’s attractions)
This aquarium was voted best in the nation with sharks, sea turtles, penguins, and a glass-bottomed boat and it sits right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. You can read our review of the aquarium plus other reviews of Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg such as the Mirror Maze, 5D moving theater, and Guinness World Records Museum.
88 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Located just 15-20 minutes north of Gatlinburg is an enormous 50-acre waterpark with tons of slides, a lazy river, watercoasters, and a 35,000 wave pool. You will learn everything you need to know before going in our KA review of Soaky Mountain Waterpark.
175 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville, TN
Ole Smoky Moonshine
The distillery is the oldest in the state and you can taste several moonshine varieties for $5 – they are really good! Be sure to try the Buckeye if you like peanut butter. You can also see how moonshine is made through the glass walls of the distillery at the Holler in Gatlinburg, which totally counts for homeschooling your kids.
Locations in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
This snow tubing place is open all year round because it’s indoors! This place has real snow for the tubing lanes plus a snow area where kids can build forts and snowmen. Plus, it’s always around 60-70 degrees inside so you aren’t freezing. Kids must be 38″ tall to tube. If not, you can buy them a ticket just to play in the snow. Tickets start at $29.99 for an hour of snow tubing and at $36.99 for tubing plus 30 minutes of snow play. No reservations are needed. See our full review here.
2533 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN
Learn why Pigeon Forge Snow is such an epic place to play while visiting Pigeon Forge!
The SkyBridge is a mile high and has a glass bottom in the center. It is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America and overlooks this mountain town and the surrounding Smoky Mountains. They also have a gorgeous Tulip Tower, SkyWalk, trails, and restaurants. You have to take a chair lift up to the mountain to access the SkyBridge. Buy tickets in advance online to save a couple of dollars off each ticket. Read more in our KA review of the Gatlinburg SkyBridge here.
765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
I’m not big into shopping but the Boot Factory Outlet was awesome. They have amazing customer service – people who help you until you find what you want and make suggestions. They seem to genuinely care about service. I was blown away. The outlet offers a continuous deal of buy one pair of boots and get two free. I had to see it for myself because that didn’t seem real. It was! I walked out with three fantastic pairs of boots for my family, all well-made and of excellent quality. Highly recommend.
1842 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN
This is such a cool experience that we recommend for anyone looking for a super unique adventure underground. The Lost Sea tour explores the expansive Craighead Caverns with its rare rock formations. But the coolest part is the boat ride in the underground lake! You can read our KA review of The Lost Sea Adventure to learn more. It’s about an hour and 20 minutes from the Gatlinburg area. Visit Sweetwater Valley Farm nearby for awesome grilled cheese and milkshakes.
140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 423.337.6616
The Great Escape Room
If you’re looking for something the family can do together from older kids to teens, parents, and grandparents, The Great Escape Room is a very good option. Our multi-generational group had a lot of fun with this one.
3784 Parkway, Suite 102, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Free/Cheap Things to do in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The park is the most visited in the whole country, with over 11 million people visiting every year. And there is no admission cost whatsoever. The park boasts over 850 miles of hiking trails plus two long stretches where you can drive to see wildlife and take in the natural beauty of the area.
Get up to Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the park, or Newfound Gap for stunning views of the smokies. Cruise through Cades Cove or Roaring Fork Motor Trail to see if you can spot black bears. Read more in our KA review of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and all there is to do and see in the Smokies.
Please note that since March 1, 2023, the National Park has instituted parking fees to be able to handle the millions of visitors each year. Parking tags must be displayed anywhere in the Park, except for cars spending 15 minutes or less there. Fees are $5/single day, $15/up to 7 days, and $40/annual parking pass. You can buy them at the Visitor Centers or online.
See Elk in Cherokee or Cataloochee Valley
Elk were originally native to the area and have been reintroduced. They are thriving thanks to the protection of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Guests can see the majestic animals at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC, right outside the park, or in the Cataloochee Valley. In the fall, the bulls loudly bugle and it’s quite the animal sound to hear!
Go Swimming
The Smoky Mountains have some desirable swimming holes during the hot summer months. One is the Townsend Wye right near the entrance to the park in Townsend, TN. It’s a huge swimming hole with small rapids for tubing and deeper waters for swimming. The National Park’s official stance on swimming is that it discourages it.
Go Fishing
Trout are stocked in the miles of rivers and streams that cut through the Smokies and visitors are allowed to fish from those waterways. In Tennessee, both residents and non-residents ages 13 or older must have a fishing license. In North Carolina, ages 16 and older need a license. Fishing is permitted all throughout the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Every year around June, the synchronous fireflies appear in the Smoky Mountains to do their annual mating dance. And it is a sight to see! Millions of these fireflies light up all around you then go quiet for about eight seconds and then light up again.
It is completely fascinating to see and we highly recommend trying to get a lottery ticket or booking a campsite at Elkmont during that time of year to see them. To enter the lottery, you pay $1 and if you win, your parking pass is $25. A campsite at Elkmont is around $30.
Here’s a list of where Kids Eat Free (and Cheap) in Pigeon Forge, TN
Things to Do During the Holidays in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
The experience at Dollywood at Christmastime deserves its own review because it is so beautiful and enchanting. You and your kids can step into a life-size snow globe, watch a nativity show, and enjoy the rides. They have beautiful light displays as well. It’s an amazing time to visit the amusement park. Read what we loved about the Smoky Mountain Christmas in our review.
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN
Winterfest in Pigeon Forge
From the end of November until early February, Pigeon Forge is decked out in Christmas lights and guests can ride the trolley all around town (small fee) to check out the beautiful decorations. Shows and events correspond with the Christmas theme and the whole town becomes a winter wonderland. It’s totally free to drive around and see all the lights. Learn more with our KA review of Winterfest and be sure to pick up the guide that the City of Pigeon Forge offers, which includes coupons.
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
There are hundreds of places to stay in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. All of these places we list below are places we have personally stayed at and where we’ve had excellent experiences. Reviews are all linked below. If you are not staying in a Gatlinburg cabin, then these campgrounds and hotels are the best there is for a family-friendly vacation Gatlinburg vacation. So, start planning your lodging today!
You can also use the map below from Stay 22 to find other options! When you book through the map and links, we may earn through an affiliate relationship with Stay22.
Margaritaville Island Hotel
A stay at this beautiful and trendy hotel will be a relaxing experience. Margarita makers are in every room and balconies overlook either the river or the Island at Pigeon Forge. You can explore the Island, take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, grab a margarita at the bar (or in your room), and just chill. Read our KA review of Margaritaville Island Hotel to learn why it is such a great option.
131 The Island Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN
Greystone Lodge By the River
One of the very last family-owned hotels in Gatlinburg, the Greystone dates back originally to the early 1960s and has become the go-to hotel for generations of families. The location cannot be beaten as it is steps from the aquarium and across the street from Anakeesta, within walking distance to shops and restaurants.
They also have a great pool and free breakfast. It’s perfect for families looking to have a restful and accommodating place to call home during their trip. We stayed there and absolutely loved it.
559 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge
A water slide, pool, beautiful rooms, on-site restaurant, arcade, and amazing staff make this spot an incredible place to stay. Relaxation and fun are perfectly balanced here. Read our review of Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge to plan your own trip.
149 Cates Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN
Country Cascades Waterpark Resort
Stay in a Cabin Suite that has four bunk beds and a king bed in Pigeon Forge’s only indoor waterpark. They have tons of activities for the whole family, dining options, an arcade, and much more. Read our review for all the info.
204 Sharon Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN
Compass by Margaritaville
With two waterparks – an indoor and outdoor one – plus free breakfast and two-bedroom family suites, the Compass by Margaritaville should be high on your list of places to stay in Pigeon Forge. The staff is so kind, the fitness center is state-of-the-art, the the rooms are so, so spacious and comfortable. Read our full review of this amazing hotel.
125 Music Mountain Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN
Camp LeConte
Kicking up the glamping a notch further is Camp LeConte, which offers a treehouse, safari tents, and a retro camper. You can even catch the trolley into Gatlinburg from the campground. Depending on the time of year, the two-person safari tent starts at around $136/night. Read our KA review of Camp LeConte and learn why we love it so much.
1739 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
The Westgate Smokies is a beautiful resort overlooking Gatlinburg that has lots of different room types to choose from, a huge indoor water park, spa, zip line, mini-golf, two outdoor heated pools, and a fabulous restaurant. Read our review KA review of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort to learn more.
915 Westgate Resorts Road, Gatlinburg, TN
Be blown away by the 17-room game mansion in Gatlinburg! It has more than 300 indoor and outdoor games and sleeps up to 20 people. This is perfect for a multi-family or big friends vacation and is about 15 minutes from the main strip in Gatlinburg.
Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort
Stay in a covered wagon or tipi at this resort in Sevierville, TN for the ultimate pioneer adventure. The resort is close to Soaky Mountain and minutes from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smokies. Read our review of the Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort to get a good idea of why it’s so cool!
660 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville, TN
Foothills RV Park & Cabins
If you are not into tent camping but are still looking for a cheaper option than a hotel, Foothills has bare-bones cabins to rent where you bring your own linens/sleeping bags and pillows. This is a good option if you’re really trying to stay within a budget but want someplace clean and comfortable.
The location is right on the cusp of Pigeon Forge and maybe ten minutes from Gatlinburg. Camping cabins are rented from April through October and start at $58/night.
4235 Huskey St, Pigeon Forge, TN
Inn on the River
The Inn on the River has pretty awesome amenities like both indoor and outdoor pools, free breakfast, free popcorn, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea, a free gift bag for kids, and really nice staff. Plus, they are located right on the main strip in Pigeon Forge and within walking distance to several restaurants and attractions. Read our KA review of the Inn on the River to help you decide where to lodge.
2492 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
Wilderness at the Smokies
This family-friendly hotel has three waterparks on-site, including Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark. You won’t even need to leave the resort for entertainment and dining once you get there! Rooms are spacious and some suites offer bunk beds for kids. And it’s directly across the street from Soaky Mountain Waterpark. Learn why we love Wilderness at the Smokies for families in our KA review!
1424 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN
Where to eat in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
If you’re not headed to a lunch or dinner show, there are plenty of options to enjoy a good meal. Gatlinburg is known as the Pancake Capital of the World so be sure to hit up a good pancake house while you’re there.
Pancake Pantry
Gatlinburg’s first pancake house, which opened in 1960, is hugely popular. Get there when they open and bring cash since they don’t take credit cards.
628 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Log Cabin Pancake House
Opening in 1976, the Log Cabin Pancake House serves up breakfast all day long and also has delicious pancakes (of course).
327 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN
Apple Barn & Cider Mill
The fried apple pies and apple cider donuts are what people usually come to the Apple Barn for. It’s worth it. Both are delicious and well-worth the calories.
230 Apple Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN
The Old Mill Restaurant
This is the place that people who have been to Pigeon Forge will recommend. They have generous portions and authentic, local Southern cuisine. Country fried steak, cornbread, and chowder are staples of a great meal here. They served breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
164 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN
Cliff Tops Bar & Grill at Anakeesta
If you are spending a day up on the mountain at Anakeesta, the Cliff Tops Grill & Bar is a great place to grab lunch or dinner. The Brisket Philly Cheesesteak is especially tasty and the kids meal of mac & cheese is also quite delicious.
576 Parkway Suite A, Gatlinburg, TN
Big Daddy’s Pizza
With a handful of locations in both towns, Big Daddy’s is a decent option for families who want something simple, easy, and pleasing to everyone.
Various locations in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN
Southern Comfort
The flagstone restaurant at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, Southern Comfort serves up Lowcountry cuisine with a Cajun twist. It’s delicious and you’ll want to keep coming back for more. The hospitality is just as sweet as the s’mores dessert.
915 Westgate Resorts Road, Gatlinburg, TN
Looking for more travel ideas? Check out our Travel Guide, with ideas for travel throughout the Southeast and beyond!
Dollywood Splash Country: One of the Best Waterparks in the Country
Ready for a perfect day trip or summer vacation? Dollywood is a popular place to visit for Greenville families as it’s tons of fun and only three hours away. While you’re there, you can beat the heat by spending some time at Dollywood’s Splash Country. Kidding Around’s Kristina visited this water park with her kids and gathered up all the insider information plus tips and tricks so our readers will know exactly what to expect when they plan their own trip!
Media tickets were provided for this review.
Find a place to stay near Dollywood. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
I had never been to a giant water park before packing up the kids and heading to Dollywood’s Splash Country, a mere three hours from Greenville. I had no idea what to expect. Water slides? Pools? Some splash pads? Upon entering Splash Country though, I was more than surprised that the waterpark had all of those plus tons more. I shouldn’t have been surprised though – the water park and Dollywood is ranked by USA Today as one of the very best in the country.
So if you haven’t been to Splash Country, I’ve got all you need to know here. And if you have been but need a little more incentive to go back, I’ll tell you all about what we did and tell you about some of their new rides. The 2025 season opens May 10th, 2025. See their calendar for operating hours when you want to go.
About Splash Country
The waterpark opened in 2001 on 25 acres next to the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. It’s under the same brand as Dollywood, of course, which means it’s held to high standards of hospitality, cleanliness, and family fun. It didn’t disappoint on any of these factors.
When it opened, it had a 25,000-square-foot wave pool, a lazy river, a children’s interactive area, tube rides, and two extreme body slide rides, plus a restaurant. Since 2001, the park has added a whitewater rafting tube ride, the Bear Mountain Fire Tower™ attraction with smaller water slides and a huge climbing structure, a 70-foot high water slide, a huge area with a grotto, waterfalls, slides, a leisure pool, and splash pad for kids, a multi-lane mat slide ride, a water coaster (the first one in Tennessee), and lastly, the TailSpin Racer was added in 2017. The park has added food stands, water retreat cabanas, and shaded areas as well.
Clean & Safe
Two things immediately stood out to me about the waterpark: the cleanliness of the entire park and the staff’s attentiveness. No trash was lying around, the pools were all clean, and the rides were spotless.
And the staff were incredibly attentive and kind and helpful. The lifeguards had their eyes glued to the pools at all times, and the larger attractions like the wave pool were well-staffed, where I counted at least 10 lifeguards stationed around the huge pool. The staff and lifeguards at all the rides were well-trained on safety protocol and gave riders precise instructions on safely enjoying the water activities.
Life jackets are available for free all over the park, from little kids to adults. Just pick one up. The park discourages guests from bringing their own life jackets or puddle jumpers, but I saw plenty of them while there. And don’t bring pool toys as they are not allowed.
Tips & Tricks for Dollywood Splash Country
- Splash Country allows guests to bring a backpack – it will be inspected upon entrance – and offers lockers all around the park. Prices range from $10-$20 depending upon size. I got the medium one for $15 and it easily held my small backpack, change of clothes, towels, and water bottles. You can rent the lockers for the entire day. I’d suggest getting one right near the wave pool since it’s in the middle of the park and close to everything.
- You can bring your own towels or buy them at the park. We brought ours and laid them out on lawn chairs near the wave pool to save our seats when we wanted to take a break – which was never. But you can put them in your lockers if you like.
- While outside food and beverages are prohibited at the park, you are allowed to bring in an unopened water bottle per person. Additionally, ice water is available for free at all concession stands. Please take advantage of this because it’s hot, even when you’re in the water.
- Family restrooms are available throughout the park, and there is a nursing area for moms near the wave pool.
- Dollywood is family-friendly, and its clothing guidelines reflect that policy. They ask that guests don’t wear thongs or cheeky bathing suits. I’d suggest wearing bathing suits that won’t accidentally slip off either during one of the rides.
- Most of the rides have some height restrictions, so get your kids measured when you get into the park. The child will then get a wristband to indicate which rides they are allowed to go on and saves time from standing in line for a ride they can’t go on. There are several rides open for kids if an adult is with them.
- It’s brutally hot in the summer, so wear your shoes everywhere. My kids and I wore water shoes, which we had to take off for some of the rides but worked very well for our day there. The pavement is scorching, and you don’t want to burn your feet, so keep those shoes on while walking around.
- Get there right when they open. If you are in line about 30 minutes before the park opens, you’ll get a great parking spot (parking is $20 – book online for a couple dollars off) and you’ll have very little wait time for the more popular rides and shorter lines to get into the park.
- Splash Country offers canopies and retreats of all sizes to rent for the day. See the desk to the right when you walk into the park. They looked pretty awesome, with lounge chairs and plenty of shade. They are priced from $45-$300 per day.
Feed Me! Where to eat at Splash Country
Splash Country has several food options inside the park, nachos, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, and plenty of desserts like Dippin’ Dots and ice cream. Expect to pay at least $10-15/person for whatever you choose to eat.
Dollywood thankfully understands that families may want to save money on dining and bring their own food. Even though they don’t allow food or drink inside the park, you can leave the park and come back in to get your hand stamped. We packed a cooler for lunch, left the park, ate our cheap lunch, and headed back inside for more fun. There are picnic benches with umbrellas for shade at the park entrance if you’d like to eat your lunch there.
Timesaver H2O pass
Passes to reserve your spot in line and cut down on wait time are available, which could come in useful on busy days. The TimeSaver H2O costs between $55-$70 per person and allows guests to enjoy other attractions while virtually waiting in line for popular rides.
We went during the beginning of the week of July 4th and it was crowded. While we didn’t have to wait too long for any ride, maybe 25 minutes tops, I was certainly a little envious of the people who had the TimeSaver pass since they zipped past us in their own lane. Even shorter wait times can be trying on a tired kid so getting the TimeSaver H2O pass may be worth it.
Water Rides & Play Areas
My favorite areas of the park were the giant wave pool Mountain Waves, the roller coaster raft ride, the Big Bear tube ride, and the Bear Mountain Fire Tower™ with all its water slides. Oh, and the multi-lane mat slides – my oldest daughter and I raced down a couple of times. It was a blast. We spent all day there and my kids were not happy to leave.
Other popular attractions at Dollywood Splash Country are:
- Slick Rock Racer
- Fire Tower Falls
- Raging River Rapids
You can see a list of all the rides and height requirements for Splash Country Online.
Little Creek Falls is an attraction that has no standing water. It’s the perfect place for babies, toddlers and little ones to play and stay cool.
What to Bring
Here’s a list of things you’ll want to bring to Dollywood’s Splash Country:
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Towels
- Water shoes (some rides you can’t wear flip flops and others you just have to hold whatever shoes you’re wearing) – but it’s hot and the pavement can be uncomfortable on bare feet so wear shoes
- A water bottle
- A waterproof case for your phone. You can buy one at the park or just bring your own.
Tickets
If you plan on going to Dollywood more than twice a year, a season pass is a good investment for both the theme park and Splash Country. If you stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, which you can literally see from the park, there is a free shuttle also that will take you to the park from the resort.
For the occasional promotion of tickets and sales, follow Dollywood on Facebook or sign up for their email newsletter. If making fun memories with your family is on your list this summer, make a trip over the mountains to Dollywood’s Splash Country!
Have you been to Dollywood’s Splash Country before?
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Visit one of the best waterparks in the country, Dollywood Splash Country!
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