Dollywood’s 40th anniversary celebration, world’s first racing coaster, Great Big Game Show and seven new lodging experiences lead the way.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Feb. 3, 2025—Any time is a great time to visit Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) but trying something new provides a bonus for visitors to the popular Great Smoky Mountains vacation destination in 2025.
TravelPulse recently named Pigeon Forge one of its best places for families in the U.S.
“In addition to seeking the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we know that our visitors look forward to new experiences in Pigeon Forge,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “Pigeon Forge’s variety of things to do for all ages is unmatched and compels more than eight million visitors to spend their leisure time with us each year.”
The variety expands in 2025 as a host of new attractions, restaurants, retail and lodging experiences join the Pigeon Forge lineup. More information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge is available at MyPigeonForge.com or toll-free at 1-800-251-9100.
Attractions
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood marks its 40th season with several new features including an anniversary show opening Memorial Day weekend, an all-new drone and fireworks show during the park’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, a new daily opening ceremony, a remastered “Heartsong: The Movie,” and the Country Fair area receives a bright refresh. Five festivals invite guests to celebrate all season long.
Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, the world’s only racing coaster, features two side-by-side tracks that allow passengers to race along two lift hills and a series of intertwining twists and turns. Opens spring 2025.
Great Big Game Show brings a real-life, interactive game show to The Island in Pigeon Forge where guests are the contestants. The host leads two teams in a competition on the set of a fully themed soundstage with lights, music, and a giant wheel. Opens spring 2025.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Putt is the first-ever 36-hole mini-golf course themed around Scooby-Doo and the iconic Mystery Inc. gang. Located at the Mountain Mile, this immersive attraction features two Scooby-Doo-themed mini-golf courses, a gem mine, candy shop and clubhouse. Opens spring 2025.
Truth Traveler by Ark Encounter: Virtual Reality Experience & Planetarium, opening in May, brings the Bible to life with a fully immersive 5D virtual reality adventure.
Lodging—Five new properties add nearly 800 new rooms for destination guests.
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Pigeon Forge, offering 162 rooms and suites, joins the brand’s collection of upscale boutique hotels with more than 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, lazy river, the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, a terrace bar and outdoor dining.
The 252-room Drury Plaza Hotel Pigeon Forge opens in September and features the 5:30 Kickback from 5:30–7 p.m. every evening with free hot food and cold beverages. The Kitchen + Bar, a late-night dining option, features casual dishes and quick bites.
Cambria Hotel Pigeon Forge,whichopened in October 2024, features 118 guest rooms and suites, 738 square feet of meeting space, a pool, and onsite dining at Park Social.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort opens June 1, 2025, and features indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor bar, and the Summit Rooftop Bistro.
The 123-room TownPlace Suites by Marriott features both studio and one-bedroom suites. All include full kitchens. The property also features an outdoor grilling space, pool and fitness center.
Located at The Inn at Christmas Place, where it’s Christmas Day every day, the Winter Wonder Lagoon welcomes inn guests to a one-of-a-kind Christmas-themed outdoor oasis. Highlights include beautiful waterfalls like Frosty Falls and Candy Cane Cascades, where oversized candy canes shower a luxurious zero-entry pool. Gumdrop Grotto includes a year-round heated hot tub. The relaxing Lagoon Landing, Lazy Reindeer River, Sleigh Ride Slide, and Holly Jolly Hangout are just a few of the year-round outdoor spaces available to registered guests.
Country Cascades, Tennessee’s largest waterpark resort, is home to Braxton Beaver’s Shipwreck Bay Waterpark, a fully immersive, indoor water wonderland for all ages. Registered guests can explore a newly discovered shipwreck with the Forest Friends, soar on thrilling water slides, frolic amid the splash pads, and kick back at the relaxing lagoon.
Restaurants
The new Fat City Grill features a menu of American favorites and serves three meals a day, including a hearty breakfast, as well as milkshakes, burgers and fries.
Bold flavors and a dining experience like no other are on tap at Gorilla Taco, opening in February. Taco Ranch, a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast lunch and dinner, opened in November 2024. It offers a multicultural menu with 20 tacos and combines the essence of a contemporary taqueria with the welcoming charm of a country ranch.
Shops
Shopping locations are abundant in Pigeon Forge, and new to this year’s lineup are the Happy Hippie (opening February 2025), Nine Line Apparel (veteran-inspired apparel and accessories), the Soap Factory’s high-quality handcrafted bath, body and home products, Pandora’s hand-finished contemporary jewelry found at The Mountain Mile, also home to Shady Rays. The latter offers an extensive line of men’s women’s and children’s sunglasses, readers, snow goggles, apparel and more.
Images available for download here, courtesy of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
—MyPigeonForge2025—