Entertainment is plentiful in Pigeon Forge. We have seen several of the shows, but still have several of the shows we would like to see. Most theaters have websites and I encourage booking tickets ahead of time during busy seasons in order to insure availability.
Discountshowtickets.com is a good site to view prices and show times/dates for most of the theaters. The Comedy Barn is definitely the “funniest show in town!” This is an evening of good clean family fun and laughter. It appeals to anyone from 2 to 92. Located in Pigeon Forge. Cost is $20 for adults and children under 12 are free. They sell out fast so book ahead. Shows are 5:30pm and 8pm. They have movie type concessions (ie. Popcorn, nachos, pizza, soda, etc).
Dixie Stampede is a fun time also. If you have visited the one in Myrtle Beach, you may want to try a show you haven’t seen before. The Christmas show is wonderful. This is a dinner theater and the food is worth the money of admission. But, be warned you eat with your fingers! No silverware!
Hatfields and McCoys is also a dinner theater located next to the Louise Mandrell Theater. Children really seem to enjoy this show. Children under 12 are also free.
Louise Mandrell Theater is now the Wonderworks Theater located next to Hatfields and McCoys. There are many other opportunities for fun in Pigeon Forge such as Dollywood, Dolly’s Splash Country, Country Tonight, Fiddler’s Feast, and much more. If you have only time for one show, we recommend the Comedy Barn! You won’t regret it.
There are activities going on in the Smokies all year long. To check upcoming events when you will be visiting check www.gatlinburg.com and click on special events. You can also check out our links page for a direct link. The following are events that we enjoy attending throughout the year.
Wild Flower Pilgrimage is held the last week of April and welcomes in spring. Many of the delicate spring flowers such as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Lady’s Slipper and Dutchman’s Briches can be found in bloom.
Artisans and Craftsman Fair is held in July and October at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This is a gathering of talented craftsmen displaying and selling their handy work. The big crowd pleaser is the chain saw carvers outside carving bears.
Old Fashion Hay rides are held from September 1 to December 30 and make you feel like a kid again.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival and Fall Decorating Contest is held from Mid-September thru October 31. All the businesses in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area decorate in beautiful fall fashion. Winterfest and Festival of Lights is held November to the end of January. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge come alive at night to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. Trolley rides are offered to view the light extravaganza. It really is a sight to see. If you enjoy driving around looking at Christmas lights in your home town, you must see them in the Smokies!
Wildlife Wilderness Week is held in mid-January in Pigeon Forge. This is a week of free events that range from guided hikes in the park, photo workshops, wildlife seminars, mountain story telling, music, photo presentations by nature photographer and Gatlinburg resident Ken Jenkins, and much more. Check out our links page and mypigeonforge.com.
Ripley’s Aquarium is a wonderful time for kids and adults. However, If you have visited the one in Myrtle Beach, this is exactly the same aquarium. It is located at stop light #5 and parking is available in the parking garage behind the aquarium. Adult prices $17.95 and children 2-5 $3.95 and ages 6-11 are $9.95. They have a snack bar and restaurant on site.
Christus Gardens is a very moving experience! This attraction has life like displays of some of the most well known events in Jesus Christ’s life on earth from his birth to his death. You won’t be disappointed. Cost is $9 per person. It is located on River Road.
Putt Putt golf is also available. The two best courses are Davey Crockett’s (located at stop light #1) and Hillbilly Golf (located stop light #2). If it is raining and you still want to play, don’t worry. There is an indoor course called Treasure Quest downtown on the parkway between stop light 6 and 7. The coupon books often have discount coupons. Prices are cheaper if you play before 5pm at any of the courses.
Gatlinburg Sky Lift is located just before stop light #7. This lift takes you up the mountain for a good view of Gatlinburg. Cost is $9 per person. We recommend taking the chair lift on top of the mountain at Ober Gatlinburg because the view is AWESOME and only cost $5 per person and $3 per car to park.<p>Some other things to do are Ripley’s Haunted House, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, Stars Cars, IMAX Theater, Space Needle, and our favorite place………………Ober Gatlinburg.
Ober Gatlingburg turn at stop light #10 and head up Ski Mt Road or you can pay $9 to take the large tram from downtown Gatlinburg to top of the mountain. You can park at the top for $3 per car. Inside Ober, they have gift shops, food shops, carnival games, and an ice skating rink. During the winter, this is the Gatlinburg Ski Resort. During the summer, they have amusement rides, go cart tracks, downhill alpine sledding, and the ski lift ($5 per person) which takes you to the top for one of the most breath taking views in Gatlinburg. At the top, there are light concessions and the “Country Tones” for your listening pleasure. Make sure you ask them to play “Slew Foot” or “Rocky Top” our favorite songs.
If you don’t get to see a bear while in the Smokies, they have six black bears at Ober. Cost to view the bears is $3 per person. Please don’t feel bad for these bears because the alternate choice for four of them was possibly death. Two of the six were born in captivity and have had little human exposure as possible in order to hopefully return them to the wild. Of the four, one was a circus bear and the other 3 were nuisance bears. Nuisance bears came into town foraging for food in garbage dumpsters. Once bears begin this process they generally don’t return to foraging for food in the wild. Because, hey, dumpster diving is easier and more tasty. This type of activity often leads to the death of the bear. Relocation efforts usually don’t work because the bears quickly find there way back. So, it is very important when cooking out or picnicking that you do not leave any garbage around to attract bears. I know it is tempting to do so you can see a bear, but it ultimately leads to their demise. The bear exhibit is part of the University of Tenn.
