Your husband is in charge of booking this year’s family vacation. He books our beautiful hotel in Pigeon Forge TN for a bargain price, but you have no idea what there is to do in the Smoky Mountains. You have two weeks to research an itinerary. Help! We have you covered with this advice for first-time visitors looking for kid friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge:

When the kids are hungry:

If you’re looking for an authentic country style meal, go to The Old Mill Restaurant. Best known for their signature corn chowder and corn fritters, The Old Mill serves fresh home-made style meals that will be sure to please the whole family for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Barbeque at its best is found at Bennett’s BBQ with delicious smoked pork, chicken and beef smothered in Bennett’s special sauce. Rated Best in Pigeon Forge #1 for barbeque and ribs in 2018, Bennett’s will not disappoint; the sticky fingers and messy plates will be well worth it! Take them to Mellow Mushroom to try amazing pizza with lots of variety. Whether you have gluten allergies or other food preferences, Mellow Mushroom has a pizza to fit you and your family! If you’re too tired to eat out after a long day at Dollywood or other kid friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge, then order your pizza ahead online and enjoy it in the comfort of your hotel room!

When the kids are hot:

Dollywood’s Splash Country is probably the most well-known kid friendly water park in Pigeon Forge, but another fun summer activity is snow tubing! That’s right, Pigeon Forge Snow is an indoor snow tubing center with a snow play area and lots of tubing hills. This indoor snow is not made with any additives, so you can be sure Pigeon Forge Snow is a safe and fun place to keep cool. If the water parks and snow tubing become too crowded, slip back to the resort and cool off in the indoor pool. Your sunburn will thank you!

When the kids are tired/grumpy:

A peaceful drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will soothe tired kiddos and parents. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Little River Road, and Cades Cove are three trails bursting with wildlife, old time buildings, waterfalls, and gorgeous mountain views. This may give your little ones a chance to take a little nap and give you some quiet time enjoying the scenery of the mountains.

When the kids want to laugh:

Nothing makes family night more magical than a magic show! Darren Romeo at Magic Beyond Belief brings a combination of magic and comedy that your kids will love! The Comedy Barn is another great option for good clean fun that will make the whole family laugh until they cry. If you’re looking for a comedy dinner show, look no further than The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud. Famous for Granny’s cookin’ and the hysterical show, this family feud is full of laughs for kids of any age.

When the kids are breaking the budget:

Take a picnic to Patriot Park or spend the afternoon at the Wear Farm City Park. Both parks are off the path of most tourists, so you’ll be able to have more space to enjoy some quality family time. Go out and explore the great outdoors in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hiking paths, horseback riding trails, and driving tours are some of the many ways to experience the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Many of these lookouts and trails are perfect for seeing the various wildlife that live in the Smokies. Your kids may even get to see a bear!

When the kids want to learn:

Vacations are meant to be full of fun and relaxation, but why can’t it mean learning too? WonderWorks combines entertainment and education to bring an epic experience your kids will want to come back to. Laser tag, rock climbing, and a glow-in-the-dark ropes course are just of the few activities besides over 100 educational exhibits. Your kids will be learning without even realizing, and you may learn something new too!

With so many fun shows, delicious restaurants, and exciting theme parks, families will keep returning for kid friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge. Learn more about our Pigeon Forge hotel amenities to see all the fun things you can do without leaving our hotel!