PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee—March 23, 2026—Readers of the iconic Southern Living magazine have named Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) one of the best small towns in the South.
“Small towns have always been special. From gorgeous scenery to cultural depth, these reader-selected small towns continue to stand out as the South’s Best,” according to Southern Living.
Located just six miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is home to more than 100 attractions, including Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, The Island in Pigeon Forge, the historic Old Mill restaurant, Titanic Museum Attraction and more.
“Southern Living magazine is recognized far and wide for curating the best that the South has to offer, from great food to great entertainment,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “Pigeon Forge being named one of the best small towns in the South by the Southern Living’sreaders is a distinction that resonates deeply with our residents and our visitors.”
The ranking coincides with Pigeon Forge’s 2026 lineup of new attractions for visitors to experience. Among the year’s most anticipated new attractions is Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition, the world’s first immersive indoor adventure coaster, opening this spring. Slick City Action Park, a massive indoor slide park, this fall. The recently opened Ripley’s Illusion Lab and the return of Jurassic Adventure, a free exhibit of 22 animatronic dinosaurs at The Island in Pigeon Forge, welcomes visitors to the center of fun in the Smoky Mountains. The 2026 lineup also boasts nearly a dozen new eateries, new places to stay and shopping experiences.
One of the South’s most popular vacation destinations, Pigeon Forge welcomes more than nine million visitors annually. The city offers more than 16,000 different overnight accommodations and is home to Pigeon Forge Winterfest (Nov. 6-Feb. 17, 2027), one of the South’s largest and longest-running wintertime celebrations.
—MyPigeonForge2026—
About Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge is in East Tennessee, approximately 35 miles from Knoxville and McGhee-Tyson Airport. Two-thirds of the nation’s population east of the Mississippi River live within a day’s drive, making it an easily accessible family vacation destination. The city’s neighbor is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the U.S. It also is home to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, Tennessee’s most-visited ticketed attraction. More information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge is available at MyPigeonForge.com or 865-453-8574.
Media Contact:
Trish McGee
865-453-8574