Pigeon Forge Is Kid Stuff!

Posted by Phil Rodgers in Things to Do

Planning a fun vacation for the family can always be a challenge, but when young children are involved, the task can prove to be even more daunting. You want everyone to have a good time, but sometimes, coming up with outings that all ages can enjoy equally isn't the easiest thing to do.

Fortunately, we're here to share a suggested lineup of activities that most kids should find entertaining and that mom and dad can find satisfying too. Parents should also appreciate that many of these plans are free, while others bear minimal costs.

Kid-friendly attractions

Stopping at fun attractions is generally a given when visiting Pigeon Forge, and there's certainly no shortage of possible destinations to consider when drawing up travel plans. We'll start, of course, with Goats on the Roof, which has a lot for kids in one convenient location. We have mini golf, gem mining and an alpine coaster (older kids may operate their own cars, while younger kids can ride in double cars that a parent controls). We also have live goats that the little ones will have a blast interacting with on our roof or feeding by pedaling our unique Goat Cycle.

Other area attractions to consider include Dollywood, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, WonderWorks and Smoky Mountain Ziplines, where children who are at least 8 years old and weigh 60 pounds can participate.

Splish-splash time

Kids really enjoy having fun in the water, so be sure to incorporate some pool time into your travels. Most hotels and motels have pools as well as many overnight rental properties like cabins and condos. In cooler months, consider staying at a resort property like Wilderness at the Smokies, which has an indoor water park that's open all year long. However you work it, it's essentially a free form of entertainment that's readily accessible. Another free way to swim is to visit a popular swimming hole in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Examples include The Sinks and the Townsend Wye.

Park it

Speaking of the national park, there's a lot you can do with kids there that's free or low cost. With more than 800 miles in hiking trails available, the park has routes that are better suited for shorter legs, or you could go on a family bike ride around the 10-mile Cades Cove loop (there are shorter routes as well). Bring your own bikes or rent them on site. The national park also has a Junior Ranger program for ages 5 through 12, which is an interactive way for the kids to learn about nature, the park and earn their Junior Ranger badge.

Something's fishy

A lot of children enjoy fishing, and when you're in the Smokies, there are lots of places to choose from. You could go trout fishing in one of the national park's fishable waterways, or you could drop your line in the Little River, which runs through Townsend, TN. Even in downtown Gatlinburg, you'll find spots where you and the kiddos can go casting for trout. And don't forget about nearby Douglas Lake, which is home to a wide variety of catchable fish.

Going for a ride

Sometimes, we overestimate what it takes to entertain younger children. One simple outing you can do is ride the Pigeon Forge trolley, which is a safe, affordable and convenient way to get around town and see the sites. More than 30 buses make stops all over town and head into parts of Sevierville and Gatlinburg as well.

What's for dinner?

Don't forget about planning kid-friendly meal outings. A few places to consider are Big Daddy's Pizzeria, which has in the past been voted the best kid-friendly restaurant in town, and Frizzle Chicken Café, where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. The family will also be serenaded by the more than 100 animatronic singing chickens located throughout the restaurant.

This content posted by Goats on the Roof of the Smoky Mountains. Visit our home page, goatsontheroofofthesmokies.com for more information on the goats and their coaster.

Other blog categories:
Gatlinburg      Pigeon Forge      Pigeon Forge Attraction      Places To Eat      Sevierville      Smoky Mountains      Things to Do      Wears Valley