Grown-up fun in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg: Moonshine tasting, thrill rides, poolside cocktails
Who says the Smokies are just for the kids? Grown folks can have just as much fun and get their adrenaline fix in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
From moonshine tastings to mountainside ziplining, there's no shortage of things to do that don't involve chasing toddlers or standing in line for the kiddie rides. Whether you want to soak up the scenery on a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, scream your way down a water slide or ride a mountain coaster, there are plenty of ways for adults to play, too.
Here are some fun ideas for adults looking to eat, sip, shop and thrill their way through the Smokies.
The new Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster will have your adrenaline pumping like no other mountain coaster, according to the website. The attraction opens June 20 and is the only mountain coaster in the United States with side-by-side tracks, letting you compete as you zoom down the mountainside.
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is the first alpine mountain coaster in the world with four uplifts, according to its website. The ride features Smoky Mountains views, 360-degree turns and several tunnels.
With over a mile of track, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest downhill ride in the United States, according to the website.
The Goat Coaster at Goats on the Roof goes through the East Tennessee hills. Keep a lookout for the goats on the property as you go down.
You can also feel the mountain breeze through twists and turns on Ripley's Mountain Coaster and Moonshine Mountain Coaster.
At each coaster, riders can control the speed of the vehicles, which can reach up to around 30 miles per hour. Vehicles can seat up to two people. The prices range from $15 to $18.
Addresses:
Goats on the Roof | 1341 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge
Moonshine Mountain Coaster | 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Ripley's Mountain Coaster | 386 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster | 2940 Veterans Blvd., Pigeon Forge
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster | 867 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster | 115 Conner Heights Road, Pigeon Forge
There are several dinner shows in Pigeon Forge. Many are part of the Dollywood Company and offer the chance to enjoy a multi-course feast while being entertained by horses, acrobats or pirates. Alcohol is available before the shows start.
This year, Pirates Voyage introduced a new 'South Pacific Celebration' act. Searching for treasure, the pirates meet a group of native Polynesian islanders who welcome them with drums, songs, vibrant costumes and even fire.
Stampede is celebrating its 38th season with majestic horses and experienced equestrians, music and storytelling, comedy, colorful butterflies, acrobatics and a four-course meal. The show also features special effects and a new take on a classic Dolly Parton songs.
At the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud, watch the longest-running family feud unfold with singing, dancing and fighting cousins. And be prepared; if you sit in the front row, you might get splashed amid the chaos!
The two-hour show at the Comedy Barn Theater features comedians, jugglers, ventriloquists, live music and more. Neither a full course meal nor alcohol is available at this show, but you can pick up an array of snacks at the concession stand.
More information about each show is available at Dollywood.com.
Address:
Comedy Barn | 2775 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud | 119 Music Road, Pigeon Forge
Pirates Voyage | 2713 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Stampede | 3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Beat the heat at a water park like Dollywood's Splash Country or Soaky Mountain. Both have thrilling water rides, refreshing pools and live music.
Rafter's Rage opened in May at Soaky Mountain. The six-person ride starts roughly eight stories in the air, spans 825 feet and sends riders zooming down the slide at speeds of 19 mph.
Or you could just spend your water park day relaxing poolside in a cabana or underneath a canopy. Cabanas at Soaky Mountain can be rented as low as $50, but price depends on the day of the week. Cabana prices are higher on Fridays and the weekends. Canopies at Splash Country start at $80.
Tickets: $55 (Splash Country); $53 (Soaky Mountain)
Address:
Splash Country | 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge
Soaky Mountain | 175 Gists Creek Road Sevierville
Hikers should explore the trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park has over 150 official trails. Alum Cave Bluffs, Andrews Bald, Chimney Tops, Charlies Bunion and Rainbow Falls are a few of the especially popular trails, according to National Park Service.
Soak in the hot tub, relax in pool and have a few cocktails at the Paloma Swim Club at the Wayback hotel, one of the best hotels in the world.
The pool club is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, and - in keeping with the hotel's retro 1970s theme - there's a disco pool party 5-9 p.m. every Saturday until Aug. 9. Entry to the pool party is $25, but free for overnight hotel guests. The Spicy Pomegranate Paloma and Mexican Mule are a couple of the cocktails on the menu.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Escape to the islands at Margaritaville resort, where you can raise a glass and take a bite. The tropical-themed bar and restaurant is inspired by the philosophy of musician Jimmy Buffett. The Pigeon Forge location has multiple bars and dining spaces, a concert stage for live music, a large deck the overlooks Little Pigeon River and an oversized fire pit.
Hours: Margaritaville | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Address:
Margaritaville | 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge
Wayback Hotel | 2760 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
The newest ride won't be open until at least 2026, but there's much fun to be had at Dollywood. The theme park is one of the most popular attractions in East Tennessee and the world. Big Bear Mountain opened in 2023 and is the longest coaster at theme park. With speeds up to 48 mph, it takes riders through hills, turns, tunnels and even waterfalls. Other fast coasters there include Lightning Rod, Tennessee Tornado and Thunderhead.
Tickets: $92 for adults and $82 for children and seniors
Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge
There's an island in Pigeon Forge you can escape to! The Island, an entertainment shopping destination, has over 80 shops, restaurants and attractions including escape rooms, a seven-dimension adventure game and an arcade. There are boozy stops, too, including Margaritaville and Ole Smoky Distillery.
The Mountain Mile and Tower Shops is a unique shopping and dining experience in Pigeon Forge that embraces the outdoors. You can relax or find a playful activity on the event lawn in front of the shops to enjoy. Or find your way to the tall towers to drop, launch or swing 200 feet in the air if you dare.
Tanger Outlet in nearby Sevierville has major retail stores including Adidas, Coach, Crocs, Gap, Kate Spade New York, Lululemon, Nike Factory Store, Polo by Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Torrid and many more.
If you're looking for more southern hospitality, Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge might be the shopping spot for you. There are specialty shops full of authentic or handcrafted Appalachian flavors, pottery, souvenirs and other items.
Address:
The Island | 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge
Mountain Mile and Tower Shops | 2655 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge
Old Mill Square | 175 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge
Tanger Outlet | 1645 Parkway, Suite 960, Sevierville
Sugarlands Distilling Company is one of the top things to do in Gatlinburg and is a top-rated distillery experience worldwide, according to TripAdvisor. The distillery produces award-winning moonshine, rum, cream liqueurs, rye whiskey and vodka. Moonshine tastings are $5 person with 12 flavors. Flavors are changed daily.
Other top distilleries and wineries to check out include Ole Smoky Distillery, and Junction 35 Spirits, both having tastings starting at $5 per person. Tennessee Homemade Wines has free tastings of its southern sweet wines, and Tennessee Shine Company has free moonshine and wine tastings, too.
Address:
Junction 35 Spirits | 2655 Teaster Lane, Suite 280, Pigeon Forge; 1645 Parkway, Suite 685, Sevierville
Ole Smoky Distillery | 903 Parkway, Suite 128, Gatlinburg; 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge; 650 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Sugarlands Distillery | 805 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Tennessee Homemade Wines | 1645 Parkway, Suite 950, Sevierville; 643 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Tennessee Shine Company | 3435 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge; 519 Parkway, Gatlinburg; 1424 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Sevierville; 3303 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville
Board the Titanic and experience what it was like to walk the hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand Staircase of the famous luxury liner. The museum has over 400 artifacts and items from the ship and its passengers worth more than $4.5 million.
The newest items include a pocket watch found on the body of Isidor Straus after the sinking, along with the only letter his wife, Ida, sent from the Titanic. There's also an exhibit dedicated to the 1997 movie 'Titanic' that features the iconic wood panel that characters Rose and Jack clung to at the end of the film.
Many of the Titanic exhibits are interactive, including shoveling coal in the boiler room, experiencing the sloping decks as the ship sank and reaching into 28-degree water.
Tickets: $39.99. It is recommended to reserve tickets and a time at titanicattraction.com.
Address: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Embrace your wild side and hop on the longest continuous zipline in the country! MegaZip at WildSide, a mountain bike and UTV park in Pigeon Forge, is over a mile long and has descension of nearly 1,100 feet. The exhilarating adventure offers a truly unique way to take in the Smoky Mountain views.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines has seven zipline canopy tours that allow you to zip from one position to another, all while being under forest canopies. Other ziplining opportunities in the area include CLIMB Works (Gatlinburg), Legacy Mountain Ziplines (Sevierville) and Wahoo Ziplines (Sevierville).
Prices: $70-$110
Address:
CLIMB Works | 155 Branam Hollow Road, Gatlinburg
Legacy Mountain Ziplines | 800 Legacy Vista Drive, Sevierville
MegaZip at WildSide | 1099 Laurel Lick Road. Pigeon Forge
Smoky Mountain Ziplines | 509 Mill Creek Road, Pigeon Forge
Wahoo Ziplines | 605 Stockton Drive, Sevierville
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for adults this summer
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