If you’re planning a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN, having an itinerary can take the stress out of planning and help you focus on spending time with your friends or family. With a solid itinerary filled with things to do in Pigeon Forge, you’ll just need to roll out of bed and head to your day’s destinations to have a great time in the area.
As you plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, review our guide to spending four days in Pigeon Forge.
What’s the Best Way to Spend 4 Days in Pigeon Forge? 4 Day Pigeon Forge Itinerary
You won’t see everything Pigeon Forge has to offer in just four days, but you will be able to experience a good amount of it with the right itinerary. Below, you can find a four-day itinerary for Pigeon Forge (Also, while we’ve grouped our days around themes, feel free to mix and match activities to make the itinerary truly you’re own!):
Day 1 - Family Fun Day
In the Morning
- Brunch at Old Mill Restaurant: The historic mill’s restaurant is a great tone setter, offering Southern staples and river views in Old Mill Square. By arriving close to opening, you can shorten wait times, and if you end up having a longer wait, you can browse nearby shops in the meantime. Free district parking makes this an easy start, and the Parkway is about three minutes away.
- Arrive at WildSide and ride the MegaZip: WildSide is home to North America’s longest zipline, MegaZip, which runs more than a mile with four side‑by‑side lines for group thrills. Make sure to wear closed‑toe shoes, secure your phones to keep the ride smooth, and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to help with check‑in. The entrance sits just off Parkway via Conner Heights Road, about 10 minutes from Old Mill.
In the Afternoon
- Eat lunch at Wheelie Good Tacos: The quick service menu of tacos, nachos, and quesadillas at Wheelie Good Tacos makes refueling easy without leaving the park.
- Ride mountain bikes or take a UTV tour: WildSide is home to UTV trails and over 11 miles of mountain biking trails that your whole family can enjoy. With rental e-bikes and UTVs, beginner to expert-level trails, classes, and many scenic overlooks, WildSide has a lot to offer.
Evening
- Enjoy games and rides on the Island: The Island is a 23‑acre district that features the 200‑foot Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a choreographed fountain, a ropes course, and arcades. Because parking is central, you can walk to everything. Driving time from WildSide is typically 10 to 15 minutes via the Parkway.
- Grab dinner on The Island: You can find a mix of sit-down and quick-serve restaurants on The Island, making it easy for groups to find a spot that everyone will enjoy. As evening sets in, the fountain light show becomes the star, and easy people‑watching and photo ops make it a relaxed end to the day.
Day 2 - Museums and Shows Day
In the Morning
- Breakfast at Sawyer’s Farmhouse Breakfast: This locally loved spot is known for pancakes, waffles, and French toast. When you arrive early to Sawyer’s on weekends, you can avoid the longest queues, and the central Parkway location keeps the rest of the day convenient.
- Visit the Titanic Museum Attraction: At the Titanic Museum Attraction, galleries recreate ship spaces, artifacts tell personal stories, and a touchable “iceberg” adds context. You’ll reserve a specific time slot when you buy tickets, which helps limit crowds and makes visits smooth. Free on‑site parking adds convenience, and the museum sits right on the Parkway near several dinner show venues.
In the Afternoon
- Head to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum: The Alcatraz East Crime Museum has two floors and more than 100 interactives covering forensics, law enforcement, and crime history. Most guests spend 90 minutes to two hours here. Buying tickets online speeds entry, and the museum is only minutes from The Island if you want to pair the visits.
- Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum: You can see screen‑used cars in a compact, walkable space on Gatlinburg Parkway. Plan 45–60 minutes before dinner. The drive from central Pigeon Forge usually takes about 20 minutes, traffic‑dependent.
Evening
- Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show: If watching acrobatics and ship‑to‑ship stunts around an indoor lagoon while you enjoy a four‑course feast sounds fun to you, grab tickets to the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. Plan about two hours door to door, and arrive 30 minutes early for easy seating. Parkway access makes the exit simple after the finale.
Day 3: Relax in Nature Day
In the Morning
- Head to Sugarlands Visitor Center: After eating a quick bite at where you’re staying, head to the Sugarlands Visitor Center for a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the visitor center, you check out maps, use the restrooms, watch a 20-minute film about the park, and talk to a ranger. The drive from central Pigeon Forge usually takes about 20 minutes via US‑441 through Gatlinburg.
- Take a short hike and stop for a picnic: You can follow the Gatlinburg Trail along the river on a flat path (about four miles round trip from Sugarlands). The nearby Cataract Falls walk is another brief, shaded option. Pack sandwiches from town for an easy creek‑side picnic, and always check current trail and weather conditions first.
In the Afternoon
- Ride Up to Anakeesta: After a pit stop where you’re staying, head to Anakeesta in the mid to late afternoon for the rest of the day. To get to one of the most popular attractions near Pigeon Forge, you can ride up to our mountaintop village, where you can take in views of Mount Le Conte. Mid‑afternoon often means shorter lines, and late‑day light is great for photos. The base sits on Gatlinburg Parkway with paid parking and Gatlinburg Trolley access.
- Explore Anakeesta: Once you arrive at the park, you can stroll through canopy bridges, gardens, overlooks, and shops at an easy pace. For a thrill, try the Rail Runner single-rail mountain coaster or the Hellbender double-rail coaster, both offering downhill twists and speeds up to 25 mph.
Evening
- Dine at Cliff Top Restaurant: When you’re ready to eat dinner, head to Cliff Top Restaurant in the park. You’ll find a modern American menu and panoramic windows that make dinner at sunset an unforgettable experience.
- Walk through the stars at Astra Lumina: Astra Lumina is an immersive night walk that layers light, sound, and story along a forest path. Because the experience requires Anakeesta admission plus an add‑on, you can bundle both for a seamless afternoon‑to‑evening plan.
Day 4 - Shopping and Souvenir Hunting Day
In the Morning
- Eat Brunch at Five Oaks Farm Kitchen: Ease into the day with hearty country plates in a farmhouse‑style space at Five Oaks Farm Kitchen. The location near the city line makes it an easy jump to Sevierville outlets.
- Head to Tanger Outlets Sevierville: The Tanger Outlets Sevierville is an open‑air shopping center with brand‑name deals. Checking the directory and joining the savings program can add extra offers.
In the Afternoon
- Lunch at Local Goat: At the Local Goat, you’ll choose from scratch‑made burgers, salads, and local brews right on the Parkway. From here, the drive to The Shops of Pigeon Forge via Wears Valley Road typically takes about five minutes.
- Shop local at The Shops of Pigeon Forge: When you visit the Shops of Pigeon Forge, you can browse smaller storefronts and regional finds without big shopping center crowds. Straightforward parking makes this an easy in-and-out between larger attractions near Pigeon Forge.
Evening
- Dinner at Calhoun’s: Ready for barbecue? Head to Calhoun’s for a relaxed final meal with Tennessee barbecue plates and hearty sides. The central Parkway location keeps the night simple, even when traffic builds.
- Spend the evening in Gatlinburg at The Village Shops: Located just fifteen minutes away from Pigeon Forge, the Village Shops in Gatlinburg is a shopping area designed like a European village. You’ll wander brick walkways and cozy courtyards lined with independent boutiques. A slow stroll pairs well with coffee or sweets before you head back for the night.
FAQs About Visiting Pigeon Forge
Have questions about visiting Pigeon Forge? Review our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about trips to Pigeon Forge below:
Can You Do Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Same Trip?
Yes! Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are only 15 minutes away from each other, making it easy to visit both cities on the same trip.
What Are Must-Do Activities in Pigeon Forge for First-Time Visitors?
When you visit Pigeon Forge, we’d recommend checking out The Island, MegaZip (the longest zipline in North America), the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and one of the many dinner shows in the area!
What Outdoor Adventures or Scenic Attractions Are Near Pigeon Forge?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anakeesta, Cades Cove, WildSide, and a variety of roadways with scenic overlooks are all in or near Pigeon Forge, with each offering incredible views of the Smokies.
Is Pigeon Forge Family-Friendly or Good for Adults Too?
Pigeon Forge caters to a wide variety of visitors, with many family-friendly options and more adult-focused destinations in the area.
What Are Good Day Trips from Pigeon Forge?
If you’re looking for day trips outside of Pigeon Forge, you can easily spend a day at an adventure park like Anakeesta in Gatlinburg. You might also enjoy hiking through Great Smoky Mountains National Park or browsing shops and attractions in downtown Gatlinburg.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Pigeon Forge?
The best time to visit Pigeon Forge will change based on your preferences. For example, the fall is very popular among people who want to see the forest’s changing leaves, while summer tends to be popular for families on vacation to one of the local adventure or amusement parks.
Spring tends to be a great choice for those who want to get ahead of the large crowds in the summer or see fresh blooms in the national park. If you want to visit when it’s least crowded and you don’t mind the cold, January through early March is a good choice.
How Far Is Pigeon Forge from Anakeesta?
Anakeesta is about 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway.
How Far Is Pigeon Forge From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
A close entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (for example, the Sugarlands Visitor Center) is about 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge. However, with traffic, it may take closer to 30 to 40 minutes.
How many days do you need in Pigeon Forge?
With so many things to do in Pigeon Forge, we’d recommend spending at least a long weekend in the area, but to get the most out of it, longer, week-long stays are recommended!
Make Sure WildSide Is on Your Pigeon Forge Itinerary
Whenever you plan to visit Pigeon Forge, make sure Wildside is on your itinerary. With North America’s longest ziplines, 11+ miles of mountain biking trails, and UTV tours that give you the opportunity to take the wheel, Wilside has an adventure waiting for you. We also have lots of rentals for mountain bikes, e-bikes, UTVs, and safety equipment to make sure you can get the most out of your visit!
Learn more about WildSide’s adventure park today.