Family Guide
Things to Do in Pigeon Forge with Kids
Pigeon Forge may be the most kid-friendly town in the Smokies. Here are the family favorites near the cabin, plus everything waiting back at The Fourth Story when little legs are done for the day.
Theme parks and waterparks
- Dollywood (about 15 minutes): rides for every age, with gentler rides and play areas for younger kids, plus seasonal festivals and shows. See our Dollywood planning guide.
- Dollywood’s Splash Country (about 15 minutes): slides, a lazy river and splash areas in the summer season.
- Soaky Mountain Waterpark (Sevierville, about 25–30 minutes): a large outdoor waterpark open in the summer.
Along the Parkway
- The Island in Pigeon Forge (about 11 minutes): the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, fountain shows, rides, candy shops and restaurants.
- WonderWorks: hands-on science exhibits in the famous upside-down building.
- Titanic Museum Attraction: kids get a boarding pass for a real passenger and follow their story.
- Mountain coasters, go-karts and mini golf line the Parkway, so there is always something on the way back to the cabin.
- Dinner shows such as Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Pirates Voyage combine dinner and a show in one stop.
A short drive away
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg): sharks, penguins and an underwater tunnel.
- Anakeesta (Gatlinburg): a mountaintop park with treetop bridges, a mountain coaster and views.
- Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains National Park): an 11-mile loop known for deer, turkeys and black bears. On Wednesdays from late spring into early fall, the loop is usually closed to cars so families can bike or walk it. Remember a park parking tag if you stop for more than 15 minutes.
Rainy-day ideas
- Pigeon Forge Snow: indoor snow tubing and snow play, year-round.
- Crave Golf Club: candy-themed indoor mini golf.
- Back at the cabin: the heated indoor pool and arcade make a wet day an easy day.
Why families love The Fourth Story
- Heated indoor pool with a basketball hoop, floats and noodles.
- High Score Club with arcade cabinets, air hockey and a Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World.
- Queen-over-queen bunk suite for the kids, and three king suites with private bathrooms for the adults.
- Yard games: cornhole, giant Jenga, Left Right Center and Yardzee, plus a fire pit for s’mores.
- High chair and pack ’n play available on request.
With stairs, decks, a pool and a hot tub, children should be supervised at all times.
More Trip Guides
Come Back to Your Story
Plan Your Stay at The Fourth Story
A rooftop hot tub, heated indoor pool and fire pit waiting at the end of every day out.