The Pigeon Forge center point is about the area of Downtown Pigeon Forge and the area of Patriot Park.
What time of year to visit Pigeon Forge is a common question. However, this is entirely dependent on your idea of a good time. In the summer between June and August, the weather in Pigeon Forge reaches an average high of about 85 degrees with a low in the evenings around 61 degrees. The hot daytime weather makes it the ideal time to hit up the water park within Dollywood, go whitewater rafting down the Little Pigeon River, or stroll through the shops and restaurants around Pigeon Forge. However, hotels can get packed during this part of the year, meaning higher prices and less supply. This makes early bookings essential to get the hotel and the room of your choice.
In the fall, the area around Pigeon Forge transforms into a shockingly beautiful place. The trees turn to shades of gold, orange, red, and yellow, making leaf peeping and hiking two of the best activities. In the higher elevations of the Smoky Mountains, the trees start to change colors in late September and early October, making a visit Clingmans Dome — the highest point in the Smokies — a must. In mid-October through November, the lower elevations change hues, offering a picturesque view from within the city limits. A drive or a hike is the perfect way to soak in this scenery. The temperatures range from the low 80s in September to the low 30s at night in November. Although hotels aren't as congested as during the summer, it's still a sound idea to choose a hotel weeks before taking your trip.
For the avid hiker, spring is the best time to visit. During this time, the wilderness starts to begin its rebirth, resulting in a blanket of wildflowers as well as wildlife viewings. The spring is also festival season in Pigeon Forge, with events such as the Mountain Man Memorial March, the Smoky Mountain Wine Fest, the Earth Day Festival, and the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament. Even with these exciting events, this is non-peak season for Pigeon Forge, meaning you can definitely score a deal during the season.
In the winter, many people come to the area for the scenic landscapes or winter sports. Ober Gatlinburg is the premier spot for skiing or snowboarding. It provides excellent slopes for beginners to intermediates to experts. If you just want to hang out while your friends and family hit the hills, there are several hotels to fit your needs. Demand during this time is about average, meaning you can find a hotel at a good price if you look early.
Even when you've found the hotel of your dreams, it's still important to check if it takes discounts to save even more money. The Best Western Toni Inn offers accommodation with one king bed or two queen beds. Plus, you'll put some extra money in your pocket if you have an AAA card, an AARP membership, or you're 55 or over. This hotel also gives deals to large groups, with an average savings of 12 percent off the original room rate. In addition, this hotel is within walking distance from Pigeon Forge's greatest attractions, such as the Smoky Mountain Convention Center, downtown Pigeon Forge, and Patriot Park. On-site features include a Jacuzzi, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and complimentary breakfast. All rooms have a microwave, a refrigerator, a coffeemaker, television with cable programming and HBO, and on-demand movies.
If you're looking for quality accommodation without breaking the bank, Pigeon Forge has several value and midrange hotels to fit your needs. The RiverStone Resort & Spa offers top-notch accommodation at a fraction of the price of most luxury hotels. There are also several nearby entertainment venues such as the Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Dollywood, Patriot Park, and Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course. When you book your room, you'll get to choose from two exciting floor plans: a log cabin and a spacious condo. These rooms come fully furnished and add all the extras such as a fireplace, an LCD television, fully equipped kitchens with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, a washer and a dryer, and a balcony overlooking the adjacent golf course. All guests are welcome to enjoy spa treatments, a lazy river, an indoor pool, a nature trail, picnic grounds, a playground, and a fitness center.
One of the best things about visiting Pigeon Forge is soaking up all the oddities the town has to offer. Therefore, you should start your journey at the Titanic Museum, which features a half-size replica of the ill-fated cruise liner, as well as over 400 artifacts recovered from the ship. It's also the largest permanent Titanic exhibition in the world.
If that's not enough to tickle your fancy, then perhaps a parade featuring Dolly Parton is more up your alley. Each year in March, the famous country singer acts as the Grand Marshal for her eponymous Dolly Parade. This event also kicks off the festival season in Pigeon Forge, so be sure to stick around for the events later in the spring.
Regardless of what you love to do on your vacations or where you love to set up shop, Pigeon Forge has the hotel options to make your next trip one to remember.
Below are reviews of the city of Pigeon Forge, TN from an actual visitor's perspective.
Great shopping!
Best place to shop!!
The island.
The Dixie Stampede
Cracker Barrel, as always, didn't disappoint.
Room to move around, great restaurants
Nice
Conveniently located
Was there for Women of Joy Conference. I love Pigeon Forge due to scenery and food.
Dollywood theme park was fun for the children.
We brought our grandsons to Dollywood.
Always love Pigeon Forge. Great places to shop and to eat. Friendly people!
Christmas Shop and Red Lobster!
We come for the National Quartet Convention. In the past we have enjoyed the dinner shows and Christmas decorations in Dollywood and throughout the town. Very clean town!
My wife loves the shopping and I like the shows.
Awesome place, lots of fun, we love it! See you next year.
Visiting The Islander!
Love it. Been here numerous times.
Visiting The Islander!
Something there for everyone
We always enjoy the shopping and activities available but we mostly enjoy the Smokies!
Everything!
Variety of things to do.
City was wonderful!
Very friendly people!
My favorite place is the Island!
My favorite place is the Island!
The Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion!
Nice
Dollywood!
Great place to take a family. Plenty to do and good restaurants. Good variety of shops.
Never run out of things to see and explore! Loved the Island!
We ate at Roadhouse across the street which was very good. We went to a place called Memories Theater and enjoyed that.
The Pirate Show and Island are the best!
The entertainment!
Outlets and excellent restaurants and shows!
Entertainment!
Close to Patriot Park, a $3 trolley ride to Dollywood!!!
The shopping!
Dollywood
We have spent 50 years going to Pigeon Forge. We know it well.
Pigeon Forge is a lovely family oriented town! Also very friendly to us retirees who go to relax! 🌞
All the things to see and do!
Dollywood the theme park was great. Getting the premium fast passes was definitely worth it.
Fun stuff to do for my grandchild!
Food and shopping!
There is so much to do! So many GREAT places to eat! I need to go to a fat farm to loose the extra pounds!
Pigeon Forge is the best! Great food! The Island is the best!
The island, we did the Sky 3D Tour, The Wheel, eating, shopping, and the Pirate Show. So much fun and things to see within walking distance.
Dollywood!
Didn't spend time in Pigeon Forge except for Stampede Dinner Show. We loved Dollywood!
Dollywood
All the things to see and do!
Mini Vegas/Disneyworld!
Restaurants and shopping!
Dollywood!
Good long weekend getaway!
A lot of different things to do.
Mama's Farmhouse Restaurant.
Dollywood Splash!
Plenty of options for eating and activities.
Cades Cove
I loved all the activities that you could go to. Very family oriented.
Dollywood is set up well so you can rest in the shade listening to music and get misted when it's hot. Thoughtfully set up for us seniors as well as for kids. A beautiful and fun place!
There are so many things to do. We love the shows and of course Dollywood was a blast!
Everything! We love looking out and seeing the Smoky Mountains so close. We love the hometown, Mom and Pop restaurants that we find and go to every time we come. Valley is a Beautiful Dr., Cades Cove is fun to drive through to see if you can spot a bear or wildlife. Gatlinburg is just a hop and a jump away from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Lots of shows to go to. It's just a great all around family oriented place to go on vacation. Plus most of the stores allow you to bring your dog as long as they're on a leash which is nice when you travel with your pet. We just love being down there and we come year after year. There's literally something for everyone in this location.
Always visit the Old Mill Restaurant and Old Mill Stream. The little community of store fronts is a quaint area with proximity to parking that is free.
Many things to do here. Great food places as well.
Visual map showing locations of hotels and entertainment and restaurants on Parkway and other Main Street helps to choose where to stay according to what you plan your main events around.
City is great!
Love Dollywood, shows and restaurants! All within minutes of each other.
Good restaurants and lots to do!
Excellent entertainment on all levels. Well maintained and safe.
Shopping!
Loved Dolly Parton's Stampede!
Lots to do. Great food places.
Perfect getaway for everyone! Couples, families and the older generations with plenty to do and see for every skill level. Making your own pace with plenty of options for fun and relaxation. There is food for every palate. Plenty of attractions are left to be explored for our next trip!
Love it!
Love it!
Dollywood is a fantastic amusement park and unlike any other park!
Room cleans comfy, staff friendly. Hotel is nice and everything is close. Love pigeon forge.
Pigeon Forge has something for everyone. Its a great place to visit!
I loved Dolly Parton Stampede. Daughter loved The Island, grandson loved go carts.
There are plenty of things to do!
Pigeon Forge was fun!
The multitude of places to eat!
So much to do!
It's a vacation town in the mountains. I've been going there since I was a child.
It was very nice, a lot of things to do.
The shopping outlet malls are the main reason we visit but the variety and quality of restaurants is a close second. The outlet malls have a lot of the top retailers. New this year was the REI and Nike stores on Teaster which is only about 400 yards from the hotel.
Dollywood has expanded and The Island shopping is unique. Many things to do plus the mountains are beautiful to experience.
The Smoky Mountains!
Food and shopping!
Things to do. Convenience without overall mass traffic.
There are a lot of options for activities and food.
We visit Pigeon Forge several times a year. So much to do and see for everyone.
Pigeon Forge is great!
Food and drink was great!
I love the views and Pottery House Cafe!
Shopping and good food choices.