Pigeon Forge is a quiet mountain town known best for being the go-to vacation spot for people from Tennessee (TN). While the town is most famous for Dollywood – Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park and the mesmerizing view of the Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of hidden things to do in Pigeon Forge. What are these and how can you do them? Let’s explore these hidden gems in Pigeon Forge!
Top 10 Best Things To Do In Pigeon Forge (That Are Hidden!)
Stop By The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar
For a quick refreshment break, we’ll be stopping by the Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar. The place is an underrated gem and one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN. Why, you may ask? The Bar has some delectable assortment of milkshakes, sundaes, and desserts – and there are dairy free options too! Here are some unique offerings they have at the Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar:
- Sweet Cheesus
- Mint to Be
- I Like Big Buns
- Build Me Up Buttercup
- Split Happens
There are plenty of other quirky offerings at this milkshake bar, so we totally recommend visiting it. And it is especially one of the most exciting (and delicious) hidden things to try in Pigeon Forge with kids.
Address: 812 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Zorb Down The Outdoor Gravity Park
Dolly Parton’s iconic Dollywood takes away all the light from other amusement parks and adventure parks, but this one’s surely a gem. Outdoor Gravity Park is a must-visit if you like zorbing and above the age of 5, which most of you must be! The zorbs will be sent rolling downhill on a slope of about 1,000 feet and each ride can have up to 3 riders. Remember that, the more weight in the zorb, the faster the zorb will tumble downhill!
This is one of the best hidden things to do in Pigeon Forge for adults as well as kids, so we recommend not missing this out!
Address: 203 Sugar Hollow Road, Pigeon Forge, TN
A Stroll Through Riverwalk Greenway
The Riverwalk Greenway is one of the best free hidden things to do in Pigeon Forge. Yes, we agree it isn’t the most hidden spot out there, but the place is quite less explored amongst tourists in Pigeon Forge TN. The greenway stretches over 4 miles along the Little Pigeon River and is a great place to go cycling, picnicking, or simply strolling around. Tracks here are beautifully lined with trees and you’ll likely spot ducks and various birds going about their day.
If you are vacationing in Pigeon Forge, we highly recommend spending some time here to relax and rejuvenate before you resume your adventure.
Address: Begins at Patriot Park, 186 Old Mill Ave., Pigeon Forge, TN
Visit The Salt And Pepper Shaker Museum
You may come across thousands of fun things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN, but we bet you won’t come across a place like this Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. It is exactly what you think it is about – salt and pepper shakers!
There are tons of different kinds of salt and pepper shakers here and these come in different shapes and sizes. You have shakers in the shape of hummingbirds, giraffes, gas pumps, bears, and even Daschunds in bikinis! This shaker museum might or might not appeal to kids, but it is sure to appeal to the inner kid inside the adult you.
Address: 461 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States
Explore The Lost Mine Falls At The Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
Just a 20-minute drive away from Pigeon Forge is a hidden gem that is a heaven for nature enthusiasts. The Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, located deep in the Sevier County forests, offers plenty of nature trails including the famous Lost Mine Falls. This trail is an exhilarating one, with the final view being of the Sweden Furnace Iron Mine hidden behind the Lost Mine Falls. The furnace was once thriving in the 1800s but closed operations by 1840.
If you’re into nature and love adrenaline-pumping activities, this is one of the best hidden things to do in Pigeon Forge for adults.
Address: 3757 Thomas Ln, Sevierville, TN 37876
Try The Hawk Skylift
Take down the road from Pigeon Forge and you’ll find yourself floating in the sky! Yes, that’s what we said. The Hawk Skylift in Wears Valley covers a roundtrip of about 30 minutes, and gives you a mesmerizing view of the Smoky Mountains. Harper Bros. Mountain, who operate the Skylift also have a general merchandise store selling fresh brews and souvenirs to take home.
So if you are in Pigeon Forge and looking to explore the nearby hidden areas, trying out the Hawk Skylift and splurging at their merch store is a great way to spend the evening!
Address: Harper Bros. Mountain, 4149 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862
Play To Your Heart’s Content At Activate Games
If you are competitive and want to take a chance at gaming with your friends and family while you’re vacationing at Pigeon Baba, Activate Games is the place to go. It claims to be the world’s first active game facility and offers hundreds of games and difficulty levels. There are plenty of dynamic game rooms with interactive technology and real-time gaming experience. Be it just 2 people or a group of 5, the experience is a must if you are in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Address: 631 Parkway, Suite B10, Gatlinburg, TN
Explore The Scenic Cade’s Cove
The state of Tennessee is a dream for nature lovers and Cade’s Cove is no exception. This picturesque valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides and is just a short drive away from the main city of Pigeon Forge. The 11-mile one way loop road encircles the valley and is a popular attraction here. Loop road is great as a hiking trail and you are sure to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.
On the way you will also come across plenty of churches, cemeteries, a picnic area, a campground, and a riding stable. Overall, Cade’s Cove is quite an underrated place and if you are visiting Pigeon’s Forge, you must definitely set it on your itinerary!
Address: Tennessee 37882, USA
Relish On Delicious Waffles At Waffle De Lys
With a plethora of hidden and underrated activities that we’ve mentioned, we’re sure you might feel hungry at some point. And what is the best way to recharge yourself than relish on some delicious snacks? Waffle De Lys is a criminally underrated spot for grabbing fun snacks, making it one of the most fun things to visit in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN.
The hole-in-the-wall waffle spot serves authentic Belgian waffles. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of flavors like strawberry-chocolate waffles, salted caramel-raspberry-banana waffles, and banana-mango-raspberry waffles. Oh, and did we mention you can choose from a variety of toppings too? From whipped cream and shredded coconut to mango coulis, salted caramel, and nutella! This is a scrumptious dessert spot for both adults and kids and we definitely recommend it!
Address: 616 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Unwind With Your Kids At The Wear Farm City Park
Yes we get it that it might not be a literal hidden place or experience in Pigeon Forge because it is right in the city center, but the plenty of flashy attractions around it make it an underrated place to explore. The Wear Farm City Park has plenty of exciting adventure-esque rides and games for kids. Plus, there’s plenty of space for adults too, so after a long day of sightseeing in and around Pigeon Forge, you can visit the park to unwind and relax.
Address: 623 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Summing Up
These are the top 10 hidden things to do in Pigeon Forge, suitable for people of all ages! Be it relishing on warm waffles or riding the Hawk skylift, Pigeon Forge has plenty of hidden, unexplored, and underrated things to do. So, when are you trying them out?
FAQs
How Many Days Is Enough For Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge is a place that can be best explored in around 3 to 4 days. The town isn’t much huge and most of its places are accessible by a quick 15- to 20-minute drive.
What Are The Upside Down Buildings In Pigeon Forge?
The upside down buildings in Pigeon Forge are known by the name of WonderWorks. The place has 100+ hands-on science exhibits and is quite a popular tourist attraction here.
What Kind Of Food Is Pigeon Forge Known For?
Pigeon Forge is known for these foods mentioned below:
- Fresh rainbow trout
- Homemade candies, taffy, and fudge
- Maple syrup
- Local jellies and pickles
- Local wildflower and sourwood honey
