Things to do in Pigeon Forge in 2021: Shopping, Dollywood, the Island
Why stay, eat and play at all the same places in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? This summer, a slew of new attractions are coming and an improved transit system promises to simplify the headache of travel for visitors.
The announcements come as the weather heats up and Pigeon Forge celebrates 60 years as a top family-friendly vacation destination in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Here’s what to look forward to during your next visit to Pigeon Forge.
The Island at Pigeon Forge
Soar into summer aboard The Island at Pigeon Forge’s new SkyFly: Soar America ride. The amusement park invested $20 million to open the indoor flying venue this summer.
The aerial adventure for all ages takes passengers high above Alaska’s glaciers, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, the Great Smoky Mountains and dozens more of the nation’s natural wonders and iconic landmarks.
Moving seats combined with sounds, scents and mists are part of the journey. The new flying theater will be adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and the Island Show Fountains at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
Once the attraction opens, SkyFly tickets will be sold separately at The Island, or visitors can buy an Unlimited Rides Pass to play for 48 hours.
Toy Box Mini Golf
Let your inner child loose at the world’s first toy-themed mini golf course.
Toy Box Mini Golf in Pigeon Forge features an 18-hole course with 30-feet-tall recreations of some of the most popular toys from the past and present, perfect for photo ops. The fun doesn’t end after 18 holes: Visitors can explore the on-site toy store and laser maze for a full day of play.
Tickets for anyone 11 and older are $14.99, and those 10 and younger can play for $9.99. Children 2 and younger can join for free. Hours are 9 a.m. to midnight every day of the week. Toy Box Mini Golf is located at 112 Dollywood Lane in Pigeon Forge.
Rowdy Bear Mountain’s Power Coaster
Alpine coasters that use gravity are popular in the Smokies, but the new Power Coaster at Rowdy Bear Mountain offers something different. The two-seat throttle-powered coaster karts swing, dip and soar through the Ridge of Rowdy Bear on an approximately 2,000-feet-long track with S-turns.
Those who are 40 to 50 inches tall can ride the coaster with an adult, or riders who are at least 51 inches tall can conquer the coaster alone. Rowdy Bear Mountain offers three other attractions including the tubing hill, outdoor axe throwing and the laser gun coaster.
Visitors can purchase a two-attraction ticket pack for $26.99 or enjoy all the attractions for $36.99.
Rowdy Bear Mountain in Pigeon Forge is open daily between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. at 2155 Parkway. Information and tickets are available at rowdybearmountain.com/pigeon-forge.
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort
Slip into a Caribbean state of mind at the new Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, a campsite with 180 RV spaces, upscale bath and laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and cable.
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort opens June 3 and is taking reservations at a special opening rate of $79 a night for all site types through June 9. The resort is located at 149 Cates Lane, close to the Pigeon Forge Parkway.
Book your visit online at margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-rv-resort-pigeon-forge or by calling Camp Margaritaville Reservations at 865-429-0070, open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Camp Margaritaville Lodge is set to open in fall 2021. The 79-room property will include a restaurant, bar, camp store, putting green and resort pool with a double-looped water slide.
The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops
Exciting dining, entertainment and shopping options are being added to The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops in Pigeon Forge this summer.
An East Nashville restaurant and live music venue is expanding at The Mountain Mile Mall. The Listening Room’s new location will occupy a 10,000 square feet space and host musicians on stage while guests enjoy indoor and outdoor dining.
Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown will open this fall. The 43,000-square-feet family entertainment center will feature a 300-seat restaurant featuring Fieri’s signature cuisine, a 14-lane Duck Pin bowling alley, over 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art arcade games and more.
J&P Cycles, Royal Bee and Azul Cantina, Pigeon Forge’s first rooftop bar, also will open this summer at The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops. Guests can already explore and enjoy REI Co-op, BAAK Boutique, Cinnaholic, Cream & Sugar, Currahee Vineyard & Winery and more on the property, as well as free Friday night Movies on the Lawn.
Dollywood
Dollywood is celebrating its 36th season in a significant way in 2021.
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The Flower & Food Festival runs through June 7. Summer Celebration, which will include a never-before-seen nightly drone light show and dance party, begins June 25 and ends July 31.
Thousands of pumpkins glow to life as part of the Harvest Festival (Sept. 24-Oct. 30), and Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 6- Jan. 2) celebrates the spirit of the season with millions of lights, award-winning shows and festive culinary creations.
For more information about Dollywood, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood App.
Getting around Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge has added a parking lot, pedestrian bridge and trolley system to make travel easier across the city.
Visitors can take advantage of a 600-foot-long covered pedestrian bridge, connecting the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge to the new Mountain Lot, home to 2,148 free parking spaces.
The walkway, at the intersection of Jake Thomas Road and Teaster Lane, is a few blocks from the city’s new mass transit headquarters in Patriot Park. Pigeon Forge’s Mass Transit trolley system operates year-round and offers one-day passes for those planning to visit attractions along the city’s six-mile Parkway.
More information is available at MyPigeonForge.com or by calling 800-251-9100.
