Preschoolers Will Love These Five Family Attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN
These family attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN, are sure to be a hit with your kids, especially your preschoolers! We know, because we tested them with our preschool grandchildren!
Family vacations usually revolve around keeping the kids happy, which can be tricky with preschoolers. They may tire more easily; they may have a shorter attention span. The activity you thought they would love may turn out to be a “trainwreck”.
So we decided to use “evidence-based scientific testing” to write this blog post. Which family attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN, would they enjoy the most? Which would entertain them and hold their interest for the longest time.
We tested each of these activities listed below with our grandkids and learned that they were all a big hit!
Published April 24, 2025
Meet Our Panel of Experts!
Ellen is our five-year-old granddaughter. She loves to draw, dance, wear tutus, and read. Ellen’s latest great adventure is learning to swim.
Cal is our two-year-old grandson. He loves stickers, mealtime (especially donuts), going to the playground, and grinning.
Mary Ellen ( my wife), Ellen, Cal, and their parents (Seth and Ashley), and our younger son (Ben) all traveled to Tennessee recently for a family vacation. We spent our time there discovering some of the best family attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Here’s what we learned…
Visit Parrot Mountain and Gardens
From the moment she got out of the car, Ellen was excited about Parrot Mountain. Exotic birds sit on perches next to the walkways throughout the aviary. They squawk and dance – some will even talk to you!
There are so many varieties of birds here – toucans, macaws, parrots, cockatoos, hornbills, kookaburras, crowned cranes, peacocks, and many, many more.
Two of the best attractions at Parrot Mountain are…
- You may enter a special enclosure where you can feed the birds a cup of “nectar”. The small birds will perch on your hand or arm (or head) while you are feeding them. Fun!
- The petting zoo is filled with exotic birds, both large and small, which are happy to crawl onto your hand, arm, or shoulder, and spend some quality time with you!
The Details
- Where is Parrot Mountain and Gardens?
- Parrot Mountain and Gardens is near Dollywood Theme Park – 1471 McCarter Hollow Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
- How much does it cost?
- Adult (Ages 11-64) – $34.47
- Child (Ages 2-10) – $23.30
- Seniors (Ages 65+) – $32.24
- How long does it take to go through Parrot Mountain?
- Plan on one to two hours
- Website
Eat at The Sunliner Diner
Eating out with preschoolers can be risky. There’s always the chance of a spilled drink or a meltdown over a meal they don’t like.
But fear not, parents! We’ve found a great spot for your young ones – The Sunliner Diner!
The Sunliner Diner is a 50s-style diner that has what you’re looking for – a 50s vibe, good food, and sights and sounds that will keep your kiddos occupied.
The diner is decorated in bright paint, neon lighting, and the music playing in the background is pure 50s – Elvis, Chuck Berry, etc.
The food is good at the Sunliner. They serve standard diner fare there, and your kids will have little trouble finding something they like on the menu.
A couple of features at the diner set it apart from other restaurants, especially for young kids.
First, they have a toy store! While waiting to be seated, your kids (and you) can browse for toys that were popular in the 50s. I recognized a few toys from my childhood! The grandkids were mesmerized.
Second, you can sit in a booth, at the counter, or in a booth made of a vintage car! The photo below shows us all sitting in a pink vintage Cadillac!
The Details
- Where is Sunliner Diner?
- 2302 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- How much does it cost?
- $10 to $20 per person, + Tax and Tip
- How long does it take to go through Sunliner Diner?
- The diner is not a “fast food joint”. Plus, it’s almost always busy. So expect it to take about the same amount of time a family restaurant would take.
- Website
Burn Off Some Energy at Wear Farm City Park
Sometimes kids just want to go to the park and play, right? Take them to the Wear Farm City Park!
Wear Farm City Park is the main city park in Pigeon Forge, and quite a park it is. It boasts…
- Two playgrounds
- Athletic fields
- Three covered shelters/pavilions
- A walking trail
- Restrooms
- Plenty of Parking
The kids loved this park! There are a lot of things to do in the playgrounds – like sliding, climbing, swinging, and seesawing. The playgrounds are covered with sailcloth tarps, providing relief from both sun and rain.
Bring along a lunch and turn your outing into a picnic! There are plenty of picnic tables in the covered pavilions.
The Details
- Where is Wear Farm City Park?
- 623 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN
- How much does it cost?
- It’s free! WooHoo!
- How long does it take to go through Wear Farm City Park?
- Stay as long as you like
- Website
Go Hiking at Cataract Falls
Let’s get those kids outside!
Cataract Falls is a fun little “kid-sized” waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Gatlinburg, TN.
Along the trail to the waterfall, you’ll follow Fighting Creek and discover all sorts of interesting “nature-y” things. Cal found a hollowed-out tree, large enough for him to play in. And kids ALWAYS enjoy throwing rocks into a creek!
The waterfall is an excellent place for taking photos. A small base pool is a perfect spot for scrambling on the rocks. But be careful – the rocks may be slippery! (I fell right after the photo above was taken…)
Pro Tip
- If possible, visit Cataract Falls following a storm. The rain causes the waterfall to swell, and it becomes a good bit larger. During dry periods, it can become rather unimpressive...
The Details
- Where is Cataract Falls?
- The waterfall is near Sugarlands Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park at the visitor center, then walk past the visitor center, turn right through the breezeway past the restrooms and vending machines, and follow the sidewalk to the sign directing you to Cataract Falls.
- You will walk the first few minutes on the Fighting Creek Nature Trail. You will soon cross a bridge over the creek. Turn right onto Cove Mountain Trail and walk 0.2 miles to Cataract Falls. The trail follows the creek. It is flat and easy.
- How much does it cost?
- Cataract Falls is free, as is the entire national park. However, a parking tag is required. Parking tags may be purchased at vending machines in the Sugarlands parking lot, or online at rec.gov.
- How long does it take to go through Cataract Falls?
- With a preschooler, the short walk (0.7 miles out and back) will take about an hour, including time spent taking photos and playing at the waterfall.
- Website
Spend an Afternoon at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
What do you do with two preschoolers on a rainy day in Pigeon Forge? You take them to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, of course!
Ripley’s Aquarium is the #2 family attraction in Pigeon Forge – actually in the entire state of Tennessee. Only the Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts more visitors.
The aquarium is HUGE, boasting over 1.3 million gallons of aquarium space. It features everything from sharks and rays to small, brightly colored reef fish; jellyfish and anemones; penguins and seahorses; octopus to crabs.
The aquarium also features the world’s largest underwater moving walkway. Just step onto the walkway, and you will be slowly transported through 340 feet of underwater tunnel, where you can view all sorts of fish up close and personal.
The grandkids loved it!
Other kid-friendly activities at the aquarium include touch pools, crawl spaces and viewports for kids, plus a multilevel play area.
By the time we left, the kids were exhausted…and very happy.
The Details
- Where is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies?
- 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- There is a covered parking garage directly behind the aquarium.
- How much does it cost?
- Adults (12+) – $39.99 + Tax
- Children (6-11) – $24.99 + Tax
- Children (2-5) – $14.99 + Tax
- How long does it take to go through Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies?
- A couple of hours should do it (or until your kids tire out)…
- Website
The Verdict – Your Kids Will Love These Five Family Attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN
Our panel of experts has spoken – Pigeon Forge has some great family attractions to keep your preschoolers entertained! And the BONUS: parents will enjoy these attractions, too!
So the next time you’re in the Smokies, grab your little ones, grab your camera, and make some memories!
Related Posts
- Cataract Falls – The Cutest Little Waterfall in the Smoky Mountains
- Parrot Mountain and Gardens – A Unique Experience for the Whole Family
- Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies – Tropical Fish in the Smoky Mountains!
