Winterfest in Pigeon Forge is a magical and festive time. When you see the millions of brightly colored lights, dancing and twinkling in an array of red, green, blue, yellow, and white lights, your heart almost skips a beat, and you can feel the excitement growing inside just like you did as a young child. The town is lit up from November to February, and the towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg both have guided trolley tours of the light display. Be sure to visit the light display set up in Patriot’s Park.
Pigeon Forge is a shopping outlet heaven, with name-brand retailers such as Aigner, Timberland, Reebok, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Liz Claiborne, Gap, Bose, Oshkosh, and many, many more. It offers water parks, go-carts, bungee jumping, and miniature golf, just to name a few of the many ways of keeping the kids entertained. And don’t forget that it is home to the ever-popular Dollywood theme park. There are also several golf courses in the area, each designed by golfing greats, which will challenge your skills while you enjoy the mountain splendor that surrounds you. Live shows such as The Louise Mandrell Theater, Memories Theatre, Black Bear Jamboree, Dixie Stampede, and the Comedy Barn have made the Pigeon Forge area well-known for its quality entertainment, appealing to all age groups. Restaurants are plenty; anything from fast food to all-you-can-eat buffets to steak and crab legs. The choices are many, and the decision becomes hard when you have to try to choose one.
Pigeon Forge can truly be described as a family getaway. It certainly has something for everyone, of all ages.
The Great Smoky Mountains are just a few miles away, and the sights in the springtime are quite splendid. The rhododendron, mountain laurel, redbuds, and flowering dogwoods sprinkle signs of the season throughout the park. Fall is one of the most popular times to visit, with the trees showcasing vibrant colors of reds, yellows, and orange. Fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, and horseback riding are just some of the ways to experience this natural beauty.
${QuickSuggestions} We used to visit Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on New Year's Eve as a quiet, but fun way to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. It had been several years since we had been there, and my, how times have changed! If visiting the week between Christmas and New Years, be prepared for the teenager invasion! A church youth retreat is held every year at this time and draws a crowd of over 30,000 teenagers from the South, not to mention the wild dash of shoppers after Christmas bargains and families who take vacation because the kids are out of school.
Do some research for accommodations. I wouldn’t recommend arriving without reservations. Some motels still had vacancies, but the most popular and most decent ones to stay in fill up fast. New Year’s Eve dates sell out quickly, so plan early. Discount coupon books are available at the Welcome Centers and in most motels and restaurants in the city. Be sure to take a few minutes and pick these up. A few minutes of time can save you several dollars on entertainment and food.
${BestWay} A car is needed if you're planning to explore the area around Pigeon Forge. However, walking is a great way to get some exercise and beat the traffic jams that now plague Pigeon Forge. Be sure to bring some good, comfortable walking shoes. Many sights are within walking distance from some of the major hotels.
The Pigeon Forge trolley is another great way to get around, see the sights, and not worry about traffic. Trolley stops are very visible throughout Pigeon Forge, and the trolley runs on 20-minute intervals daily from 8:30am to midnight, April-October, and 10am to 10pm, November to December. Exact change or Fun Time Trolley tokens are required if you're planning to ride.
The Pigeon Forge Trolley also connects with the Gatlinburg Trolley. It loads at Patriots Park, goes to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on Route 441, and from there, you can transfer to the Gatlinburg Trolley.