Looking for something free to do while visiting Pigeon Forge? Check out these 7 free things to do in Pigeon Forge!
1. The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a great place to take your friends and family and entry is completely free. Sit by the Island Show Fountains and take in the show in one of the comfy rocking chairs. Watch The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. Window shop at some of the unique shops. Take in live entertainment outside of the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery or try a free sample of the moonshine. There is so much to see and so much to do! The Island is also home to many events throughout the year. Be sure to check our event calendar, as well as theirs to stay up to date on the happenings at The Island.
2. Visit Old Mill Square and Historic Old Mill
The Old Mill in the heart of Old Mill Square was built in 1830 and is the only Pigeon Forge building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a tour of the mill and see how it works. Window shop through the shops, see fudge and candy being made, sit by the Little Pigeon River and much more! The Old Mill Wheel provides a great photo opportunity. Old Mill Square is located beside the Pigeon Forge Trolley station and Patriot Park. While at Patriot Park, stop and feed the ducks! Duck food is available for $.25. While not free, it is great fun and very inexpensive!
3. Take a Hike Through the Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sees 10 million visitors a year for good reason! The park has around 1,500 miles of trails and also contains part of the Appalachian Trail. Hike up to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smoky Mountains as well as the highest point in the state of Tennessee. See the powerful waterfalls on Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls or other waterfall trails. Stop in to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and learn all about the Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entry fee. For more information about the Smokies, visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.
4. Drive Through Cades Cove
Cades Cove is encircled by an eleven mile loop open to motorists. Within Cades Cove, you will find a working grist mill, three churches, barns, log houses and other resorted structures dating back to the eighteenth and nineteen centuries. Cades Cove is also home to a variety of wildlife from the Great Smoky Mountains area including black bears, white-tailed deer, turkeys, coyotes, elk, woodchucks and more! Cades Cove is open to motorists every day and has completely free entry.
5. Visit Smoky Mountain Knife Works
Smoky Mountain Knife Works is the world’s largest knife show place. With a great museum for all ages, as well as the incredible show room, be prepared to spend quite a bit of time looking through the knives, lighters, hunting equipment and more! Learn about some history area from the museum or brush up on your knowledge of the Civil War in the relic room.
6. Meet the Horses from Dixie
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede has a great dinner show filled with dancing, singing audience participation, special effects and more! The big stars of the show are the powerful horses. Did you know you can meet the horses each day in front of the theater and there is no charge? Meet the powerful River, Flea, Gray, Yoshi and more!
7. Festivals, Parades and Special Events
Pigeon Forge is home to different special events and festivals. Most of the events have no charge, such as the Patriot Festival that takes place each July 4th, Winterfest, Welcome Home Dolly Parton Parade and more! For more information on the special events in the area, click here.
If you’re looking for even more great things to do in Pigeon Forge, head on over to our “Play” section and see what Pigeon Forge has to offer.
