Pigeon Forge Indoor Activities: 9 Things to Do on a Rainy Day

Isn’t rain just the worst sometimes? You spend all that time and energy planning your Smoky Mountains vacation, and then it rains. Don’t worry! There are endless things to do in Pigeon Forge when it rains. Even if it rains on and off every day of the week, don't let that stand in your way of having a fantastic vacation!

Follow along as we share some of the best things to do on a rainy day in Pigeon Forge.

Outdoor Activities

1. Dollywood

When you think about theme parks, what comes to mind? Rollercoasters, park food, kiddie rides, and… the dreaded lines. Well, if it’s raining outside, you won’t have to deal with those pesky lines!

As with most theme parks, Dollywood doesn’t shut down at the first sign of a rainstorm. By going to Dollywood on an overcast, rainy day, you’re guaranteed short wait lines for almost every ride. Lines that normally take half an hour suddenly have zero wait time!

Unless there is lightning in the area, a little rain will help you take advantage of crowds clearing out of the park. Enjoy the rest of the rides to your heart's content.

To be safe, pack a rain jacket or a poncho and put your electronic items in a Ziploc bag throughout the day.

2. Dollywood’s Splash Country

Dollywood's Splash Country is a water park. Rain is water. Why skip a day on the water slides and lazy river because more water is falling from the sky? Plus, depending on your idea of fun, the extra water could make the slides more thrilling!

Kids and adults alike will have a blast splashing the day away, no matter if it’s bright and sunny or raining.

Do be aware that in the case of extreme weather, Dollywood’s Splash Country will close for the safety of guests.

3. Go Hiking

In Pigeon Forge, hiking is one of the best outdoor things to do rain or shine. You don't need sunny weather to enjoy a hike up the Great Smokies!

There are a number of trails recommended for rainy-day hikes. For instance, the Roaring Forks trail is an equally amazing experience in the rain as it is when the sun is out. You might even catch a rainbow when you reach Rainbow Falls!

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Don't forget to pack rain jackets and wear your best hiking boots. A little rain won’t put a damper on your hike unless you're the Wicked Witch of the West!

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge for adults looking for a bit of outdoor thrill, no matter the weather. However, if you do decide to go hiking in the rain, don't forget to check the radar. If you see a large storm cell heading your direction, reconsider the timing of your hike.

In addition, think about the length of the trail. You don’t want to head out on a long trek only to meet up with a severe thunderstorm. Choose a short trail to be safe and enjoy the Smokies.

4. White Water Rafting

Wondering what to do in Gatlinburg when it rains and you still want to enjoy the outdoors? Of the best things to do in the rain in Gatlinburg, you can also head over to neighboring Pigeon Forge and sign up for a thrilling white water rafting adventure. Outdoor lovers will agree that this activity is still one of the best things to do on rainy days in Pigeon Forge.

Once again, this Pigeon Forge activity has the word “water” in the name. Don’t cancel your white water rafting reservations at the first sign of rain in the forecast. You’re going to be soaked from head to toe anyway!

If the storms have been strong, call your rafting company beforehand. Strong storms can raise the Pigeon River's rapid levels to unsafe conditions. Or, if severe storms are in the future forecast, the rafting guides may cancel for your safety. However, if it’s a small rainstorm, head out on the river for an epic adventure!

Otherwise, you can always venture indoors as Pigeon Forge offers tons of fun, family-friendly indoor activities, from Pigeon Forge snow tubing (yes, indoor snow tubing!) to mini golfing.

Family-Friendly Activities

In addition to the ample outdoor things to do in Pigeon Forge when it rains, the area boasts multiple indoor things to do in pigeon forge. For unlimited fun, check out these indoor attractions when the rain clouds roll in.

If you're looking for "things to do inside around me," follow along as we share some of the best Pigeon Forge indoor attractions.

5. Hollywood Wax Museum

Who knew you could (sort of) meet your favorite celebrities in the Smoky Mountains?

The Hollywood Wax Museum is a great rainy day activity for families with children of all ages and is one of the most entertaining attractions in our list of "indoor things to do Pigeon Forge." Take your picture next to wax figures of music stars, film icons, politicians, and athletes.

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If you purchase the All Access Pass, your family can also check out the Castle of Chaos, Hannah's Maze of Mirrors and Outbreak attractions when it rains.

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!

Geared towards curious children, WonderWorks offers more than 100 engaging, hands-on exhibits and activities such as an indoor ropes course, laser tag, and more.

While the attraction is designed to educate and entertain children, the adults in your group won’t be able to help themselves from having fun, too!

WonderWorks’ exhibit areas include:

• Forensic Science
• Challenge Zone
• Space Zone
• 4D XD Motion Theater
• Sound and Light Zone
• Control Center
• Disaster Zone

Do note that this attraction can become packed, especially on rainy days, so be sure to arrive as early as possible.

7. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

If it’s a dreary day outside, dive underwater at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. While you won’t actually get wet (unless you step outside into the rain), the top-rated aquarium takes families on an ocean journey with touch pools, a mirror maze, 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 glide-path 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.

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Once inside the aquarium, it’s easy to see why it was voted the best aquarium in the country by USA Today and made our list of things to do in Pigeon Forge when it rains.

8. 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.

Families interested in educational things to do in Pigeon Forge when it rains will love the immersive Titanic Museum Attraction. As one of the best indoor stuff to do in Pigeon Forge, this interactive museum provides guests with an inside look at the magnificent vessel, the events that took place that fateful night, and the individual stories of passengers.

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.

9. Alcatraz East Crime Museum

When it's pouring and you're looking for adult things to do in Pigeon Forge, one of the best things to do is check out the exhibits at a 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.

10. TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena

Need to blow off some steam but aren’t up for trekking through the Smokies? Here are more things to do in Pigeon Forge when it's raining.

If you're looking for things to do indoors in Pigeon Forge, 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 airbag, 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. Better add this to your "indoor activities Pigeon Forge" list!

11. Crave Golf Club

Spending a rainy day in Pigeon Forge?

The indoor mini golf course at Crave Golf Club is one of the ideal Pigeon Forge indoor activities for families. 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. It's safe to say that Crave Golf Club features some of the best indoor activities pigeon forge!

12. Get Tickets for a Pigeon Forge Show

Looking for "inside things to do in Pigeon Forge"?

From Dolly Parton's Stampede to the Comedy Barn, one of the best ways to escape the rain is by reserving your tickets for a show. Pigeon Forge dinner and theater shows are known for their world-class entertainment, Broadway-level talent, and delectable meals.

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
• Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show

The shows above are some of the best Pigeon Forge things to do for adults and for families. Fun things to do in Pigeon Forge for adults include just sitting back, relaxing, and letting talented casts entertain you for the evening. Gatlinburg things to do inside also include watching top-notch musicals and comedy shows.

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After the shows, stick around and meet the cast! At most Pigeon Forge dinner shows, the cast provides a meet-and-greet opportunity once the performance has ended. You can take your picture with the stars and get their autograph if you'd like.

Don’t Let the Rain Interrupt Your Trip to the Smoky Mountains

With so many things to do in Pigeon Forge when it rains, why let a small rain shower stand in the way of your vacation fun? To beat the lines and save in the long run, purchase your tickets for top rainy day Pigeon Forge attractions from Tripster Pigeon Forge today.

Visit Pigeon Forge worry-free, rain or shine!

What Did We Miss?

Have any indoor activities Pigeon Forge to add to our list? Leave us a comment below!