Fortunately, whether you’re looking to beat the heat or escape the rain, there are plenty of indoor activities in Pigeon Forge to choose from. The fun doesn’t have to stop just because you went inside!
Pigeon Forge is known for the abundance of outdoor activities in the Smoky Mountains. But after several days of hiking or white water rafting, you need a break from Mother Nature.
Take advantage of the top ten indoor activities in Pigeon Forge, which include:
1. Titanic Museum Attraction
As you drive along the Parkway, it’s hard not to notice the towering replica of the Titanic. Inside, the Titanic Museum Attraction boasts 400 pre-discovery artifacts across 20+ interactive exhibits for visitors to explore.
At the beginning of your tour, you’re handed a boarding pass with the name of a real Titanic passenger. As you wind through the halls of the museum, you learn more about the individual, and eventually, their fate. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to feel an iceberg, hear the stories of passengers, and speak to knowledgeable historic interpreters.
It takes about 2 hours to see all the museum has to offer. Do keep in mind, photography is not permitted inside the museum to preserve the artifacts.
2. Pick a Show, Any Show!
When you choose to vacation in Pigeon Forge, you have a wealth of entertainment right at your fingertips. Pigeon Forge shows combine world-class talent with over-the-top special effects for jaw-dropping productions. When you want to head indoors, pick a show, any show—from comedy specials to dinner shows.
A few of the top productions in Pigeon Forge include:
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede
- The Comedy Barn
- Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
- Smoky Mountain Opry
- Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show
After you watch a show (or two), you’ll understand why these performances are among the best indoor activities in Pigeon Forge.
3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
One of my personal favorite indoor activities in Pigeon Forge is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The award-winning aquarium is home to thousands upon thousands of marine animals, including stingrays, sharks, penguins, and more.
Although the air-conditioned building is a huge draw, the aquarium also houses interactive exhibits designed to entertain visitors of all ages. One of the most popular features is the 340-foot moving glidepath tunnel underneath a sea of sharks! From shipwrecks to tropical rainforest creatures, there’s so much to discover at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
Discover the hands-on exhibits inside Alcatraz East Crime Museum.
4. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
While the real Alcatraz is located in white water rafting, Pigeon Forge is home to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Here, you’ll learn about notorious criminals and infamous crimes through engaging exhibits and authentic crime scene artifacts. With over 500 artifacts to see, plan to spend at least two to three hours roaming the museum. You’ll find everything from the Bronco from OJ Simpson’s car chase to Al Capone’s rosary.
Extend your visit with tickets for The Heist or the Top Detective Challenge. Maneuver your way through a top-of-the-line laser security system in the Heist with the goal of snatching an iconic work of art. Or, put your wits to the test in the Top Detective Challenge as you work to find a missing item from the museum’s collection.
Although the Alcatraz East Crime Museum is appropriate for children, parents may find certain content to be too mature in nature. Parents are asked to use discretion when bringing their children to the museum.
5. MagiQuest
If you’re searching for indoor activities in Pigeon Forge for kids, there’s nothing better than MagiQuest. This interactive indoor attraction brings your imagination to life through the use of magic wands and hands-on adventures. As your family walks through the game’s story, you’ll embark on quests to gain powers, reveal secrets, and also unveil magical treasures.
Best of all, kids get to keep their magic wands at the end of the experience.
It’s hard to miss the only upside down building in Pigeon Forge.
6. WonderWorks
Another top indoor attraction for kids is WonderWorks. You can’t miss this attraction as you drive down the Parkway either… the building is upside down!
WonderWorks houses more than 35,000 square feet of hands-on educational entertainment designed to inspire kids through logic, imagination, and creativity. The indoor amusement park has everything from a laser tag arena to a glow-in-the-dark ropes course. With over 100 exhibits to explore, your kids will never want to leave!
WonderWorks’ exhibit areas include:
- Forensic Science
- Challenge Zone
- Space Zone
- 4D XD Motion Theater
- Sound and Light Zone
- Control Center
- Disaster Zone
On rainy days, WonderWorks tends to be packed! If you want a break from the hot summer sun and to take advantage of fewer crowds, visit on a sunny day, instead.
7. Beer, Wine, and Moonshine Sampling
Some of the best indoor activities in Pigeon Forge are just for adults.
Take a break from Mother Nature at one of Pigeon Forge’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries; many of which offer tours, sampling tables, and expansive shops for visitors to browse. After all, there’s no better way to escape the outdoors than with a drink in hand. Although, if you’d rather be carted around the Smoky Mountains while sampling the local spirits, sign up for the Moonshine ‘N Wine Tour!
Keep in mind, certain destinations and tours require all participants to be ages 21 and up.
8. TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena
Need to blow off some steam but aren’t up for trekking through the Smokies? A few hours at TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena will do the trick. Created with both kids and adults in mind, this indoor trampoline park has activities including a climbing adventure, trampoline dodgeball, an air bag, and an open jump area.
Whether you need to get the kids exhausted before bedtime or want to go head-to-head against your friends in trampoline dodgeball, it’s not hard to see why TopJump is one of the best indoor activities in Pigeon Forge.
9. Pigeon Forge Snow
Bring the outdoors inside at Pigeon Forge Snow. This year-round indoor snow tubing facility is the only of it's kind in the entire country! You'll zoom down realistic snow banks and mountainsides for an unbelievable thrill. Plus, since it’s 60-70℉ inside, you won’t need your winter jacket or gloves, either. It's the perfect way to step out of the heat and into a chilling good time, all inside.
Not into snow tubing? No worries! Visitors are also invited to make snow angels, build snowmen, and participate in a variety of other chilly activities.
Escape Game Pigeon Forge / Facebook
10. The Escape Game Pigeon Forge
You’ve successfully escaped Mother Nature. Now, can you escape the challenges waiting for you at the Escape Game Pigeon Forge? These puzzles will challenge your creativity and wits as you roam the rooms searching for your next clue. Work together to escape the intricately themed room in 60-minutes or less!
The Escape Game Pigeon Forge has several room themes including the popular Heist game. Test your smarts in rooms such as Gold Rush, Mission: Mars, and Prison Break. As one of the up and coming indoor activities in Pigeon Forge, you do not want to miss your chance to escape!
11. Crave Golf Club
The indoor mini-golf course at Crave Golf Club is an ideal indoor activity for any Pigeon Forge family. Featuring 19-holes, each of which is candy-themed, visitors will be able to play a sweet game of golf at Crave. As you make your way through a dreamland of cliffs made of cocoa and ice cream sculpted canyons, you can choose to make your game even more challenging by using the spin zone. See which one of your group wins the title of the "Ultimate Craver!"
After your game, indulge your sweet tooth at the Sweet Shop. Enjoy gigantic boxes of candy, pay-by-the-pound treats, and even a milkshake bar.
4 Tips for Enjoying Indoor Activities in Pigeon Forge
To make the most of your day indoors, keep our tips in mind:
Buy Tickets in Advance
No one likes standing in a ticket line. As your anticipation builds and the line gets slower, tensions rise. No one wants to deal with that on vacation!
Skip the lines by getting your tickets in advance from Tripster. On top of going right into the attraction, you’ll take advantage of fantastic online discounts. Who doesn’t love saving time and money on vacation?
Come Prepared and Know the Rules
All parents know the importance of being prepared. From packing snacks for the kids to having extra cash on hand for a last minute emergency, do your best to be as prepared as possible for the indoor activities in Pigeon Forge.
Part of being prepared includes knowing the rules for your chosen activities. For instance, many Pigeon Forge shows and attractions do not allow certain items such as selfie sticks or food inside. Knowing these rules ahead of time allows you to plan out your day accordingly.
Visit Off-Peak
I am not a fan of crowds, especially in places such as museums and attractions. To avoid the mass amount of people, I always visit Pigeon Forge attractions at off-peak times of the day or season. Try visiting the indoor activities in Pigeon Forge on a weekday morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds overall.
Start Planning Your Pigeon Forge Getaway
Whether you’re taking cover from a sudden downpour or are avoiding the heat, Pigeon Forge’s indoor attractions are the perfect choice for non-stop entertainment.
Remember, purchase your tickets for Pigeon Forge indoor activities today to avoid the lines and save money. Plus, take advantage of deeper discounts when you bundle your admission with a hotel room!
