Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city and popular tourist destination, thriving in summer, that’s located in Sevier County, Tennessee in the southeastern United States and nestled in the foothills or the Smoky Mountains and just five miles north of the legendary Smoky Mountains National Park. Be sure to climb up to catch a glimpse of a spectacularly scenic overview of the narrow Pigeon Forge valley situated along the Little Pigeon River between Sevierville and Gatlinburg. This spectacular vacation destination, full of attractions, activities 10th-cneture historical landmarks and unique experiences for individuals, groups, couples and families to please every travel personality type. Here are a few Fast Facts to help you plan your vacation and give you a quick-start guide about Pigeon Forge:
First Impression: Scenic mountain beauty, charming trolley, 19th century historical landmarks and architecture, and a rustic charm that are intoxicating for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, thrill seekers, nature lovers and history buffs, plus loads of Southern comfort and good ole family fun. You’re enveloped in an extensive list of high-octane to sedate style activities for everyone in the family and every traveling personality type. The purchasing of alcoholic spirits may be limited, but the adventurous spirits most certainly makes up for it! With everything from mild to wild, the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood and entertainment centers, an Elvis and grand car museum, a thrill-seekers indoor Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride and 500,000 acres of Southern Appalachian wilderness to explore, Pigeon Forge is a vacationer’s dream, full of numerous outdoor and indoor treasures to discover and makes for those lifelong family memories!
Location: Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States, not too far from North Carolina. Situated just five miles north of the legendary Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is a popular tourist destination occupying a narrow valley along the Little Pigeon River between Sevierville and Gatlinburg. Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is a spectacular vacation destination, full of attractions, activities and unique experiences for ultimate family-fun.
Getting Around: Many forms of travel are available in Pigeon Forge, but it is easily is served by a mass-transit system of “Fun Time Trolleys,” which resemble early 20th-century trolleys and stops at over 100 spots. A rental car is the best way to get around and see all the outlying areas at your own leisure, like Gatlinburg, nearby North Carolina daytrips or driving up the mountains if hiking out of the question. Pigeon Forge’s close proximity to neighboring Gatlinburg and Sevierville, as well as Myrtle Beach, make it perfect for day-trippers craving alternative excitement.
Weather: Smoky Mountain weather conditions tend to be moderate, but it can be unpredictable, so find out what it will be like during your visit and plan accordingly. Always double check the weather reports because weather can greatly differ between the mountains and Pigeon Forge. Note: U.S temperatures are gauged in Fahrenheit rather than Celsius; so check the conversions on our weather link before departing. Temperatures can vary 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from the mountain base to the peak, and rain might sneak up on your hiking trip so be prepared and pack a traveler’s fold-up poncho or raincoat.
Spring: Smoky Mountains weather is very unpredictable March through May, with March being the worst. Though average daily highs runs 61-77 degrees Fahrenheit and lows 33-50 degrees Fahrenheit (March-May), the weather changes happen rapidly. A clear sunny sky can suddenly burst with snow flurries in a few hours. Expect snowfall at any time in higher elevated areas. By mid-April the weather in the Smoky Mountains is generally milder. Afternoon showers in April average out to 4 inches.
Summer: Expect heat, haze and humidity. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common, June through August. Temperatures increase through the day with the lower elevation highs in the 90s (degrees Fahrenheit). Average daily June-Aug temperatures run 83-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Evening lows are typically comfortable with temperatures in the 60s (degrees Fahrenheit). For the most appealing weather, head to the higher elevations.
Fall: Probably the most beautiful time of year to visit Pigeon Forge, with seasonal foliage colors in full peak. From September through mid-November, the Smoky Mountains tend to be cooler with clear skies. Daytime highs are most often in the 70s and 80s degrees Fahrenheit during September, falling to the 50s and 60s degrees Fahrenheit in early November. Late September usually brings the first frost, and by November, lows are normally near freezing. Higher elevations have a possibility of snow by November.
Winter: Smoky Mountain winters are generally moderate, though extreme conditions do occur, especially as elevation increases. It is not unusual for warm temperatures to occur in the lower elevations, while the higher areas have snow. Dec-February average daily temps run around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows 25-28 degrees Fahrenheit. Most nights are at or below freezing. Lows of -20 degrees Fahrenheit are possible at high elevation areas. January and February is when mountain snow is typically found. During a storm, snow has been known to reach up to 2 feet.
Local Flavor: Pigeon Forge is busting with dozens of restaurants located on or near the Parkway, with a variety of cuisine to satisfy every craving and budget from family owned restaurants to gourmet/upscale establishments to national chains. Pigeon Forge restaurants include Italian, Mexican, Japanese, barbeque, seafood, steaks, buffets, salad bars, sandwiches, and of course, amazing Southern cuisine. In Pigeon Forge, pancakes are serious business. You’ll find more than 50 kinds of pancakes, plus homemade ice cream, pecan pie and other delicious sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Retail Therapy: Satisfy your cravings for shopping, too, with more than 300 stores, shops and outlets in Pigeon Forge. You’ll find clothing, toys, tools, furniture and unique items hand-blown glass, handmade pottery, instruments and many more arts and crafts. Pigeon River Crossings is an outlet with over 80 stores and incredible deals. Another Pigeon Forge shopping perk is the Incredible Christmas Place, open year-round for holiday cheer and décor no matter the season.
Nightlife & Alcohol Regulations: Pigeon Forge’s nightlife scene is not as “dry” as it used to be, meaning Pigeon Forge resides in Sevier County, which is no longer a “dry county” (meaning no alcohol)—and it hasn’t been for some time. Many establishments are now stocked up with spirits, though Pigeon Forge does not have any bars or clubs so to speak. There are no liquor stores, but you can buy beer in the grocery store and drink wine and beer in restaurants. Gatlinburg and Sevierville serve liquor by the drink, and you can purchase bottles in Gatlinburg. But tourism is helping to redefine Pigeon Forge nightlife with many more places on the horizon. Spicing nightlife up a little bit in Pigeon Forge is the Smoky Mountain Brewery, home to more than eight fantastic microbrews and great steaks. Smoky Mountain Brewery also has live entertainment each day of the week and karaoke every Monday night where local entertainers come in to hone their crafts on their off time. You can purchase their brews mix-matched in six packs or full kegs. For more rowdy entertainment, there’s Gatlinburg about 12 miles away, which features a couple of dance clubs and another Smoky Mountain Brewery with live entertainment. It’s also home to the Cherokee Grill and Calhoun’s, a great place to take your sweetheart. Pigeon Forge also has a Calhoun’s with excellent prime rib, and dinner theaters with entertaining themes ranging from big band, Christian, country, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and many others, plus magic and comedy shows, and family activity parks. Pair crime and cuisine at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show.