Standing proud in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is a unique and wonderful mountain valley community. Here, you will find plenty of natural beauty, family-friendly attractions, cozy lodgings, and exciting entertainment for you and your fellow travelers to enjoy. Of course, with a town so packed with things to do, see, try, and experience, the harder thing is often not finding something to do, but choosing just which of the many things you might be best to take advantage of on your limited vacation schedule.
For those wanting to mix in some more offbeat fun on their itinerary, consider the following list of more uniquely odd Pigeon Forge locations:
1. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-3278
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Vacationing as or with a true crime junkie? The kind of person who loves true crime podcasts and scouring Wikipedia articles? If so, then we would love to recommend a trip to Pigeon Forge’s Alcatraz East Crime Museum. This specialty museum explores the history of infamous American crime, with exhibits that range from outlaws of the Wild West to more recent cybercriminals. Such exhibits include one-of-a-kind artifacts like the Bronco OJ Simpson used to evade the police and John Wayne Gacy’s paintbox.
2. Island Adventure Mirror Maze & Lazer Tag
131 The Island Dr #2102, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-365-0407
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The Island Adventure Mirror Maze & Lazer Tag attraction features a unique labrynth of mirrors and LED lights. Go here to enjoy a fun out-of-the-rain maze experience in which you will explore 3,000 square feet of mirror combinations that make you feel like you are in a kaladiscope as you work your way around circling areas, dead ends, and tricky corners.
3. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
461 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-430-5515
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The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Pigeon Forge houses the largest collection of shakers from around the world. This is a place that started to showcase a quirky hobby that grew to become one of the most visited museums in the city. Here, you will find more than 20,000 pairs of salt and pepper shakers that come from around the world and from across history.
4. Llamas at Trillium Gap
GPS Directions Here
Llamas may not be native to the Great Smoky Mountains, but their mountainous-loving nature certainly makes them feel right at home in this region. Mount LeConte is the third-largest peak in this mountain chain and near its summit, a enterprising group of outdoorsmen has built the beloved Leconte Lodge, a small grouping of cabins anyone can rent out. Only, there’s no road up to these cabins but rather a series of trails that are used both by those seeking to stay at the lodge, and those needing to resupply it. For such resupply, llamas are used and can be readily seen by both hikers and Trilium Gap overlookers as they hoof it up the mountain on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
5. Smoky Mountain Cat House
3327 Old Mill St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-428-6133
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The Smoky Mountain Cat House is a cozy and cutesy independent business that was bu jilt as a warm and welcoming place for cat-loving people and cat-adoring shoppers. Here, you will find hundreds of cat-oriented products that range from cat toys to kitty-adorned sleepwear, mugs, jewelry, and much more.
6. Goats on the Roof + Goat Coaster
1341 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-366-7337
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Or maybe instead of cats, you fancy yourself as more of a farm animal fan? If so, then check out the quirky attraction of Goats on a Roof where dozens of goats roam freely on the ground and above it. Guests to this Pigeon Forge attraction can feed the goats via a unique pulley system, browse their spacious country store, or enjoy on-site activities like gem mining or riding their mini coaster.
7. Parrot Mountain and Gardens
1471 McCarter Hollow Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
865-774-1749
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Okay, so as you can see, animals are big in Pigeon Forge. At Parrot Mountain and Gardens, gorgeous parrots like toucans and horn bills flutter freely across the gardens. Go here to enjoy a feather-filled promenade amidst beautifully landscaped areas.
8. The Hollywood Wax Museum
106 Showplace Blvd Unit A, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-428-5228
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Wax museums are a unique type of attraction in which artisans create incredibly life-like wax sculptures of famous personalities. At Pigeon Forge’s Hollywood Wax Museum, guests can marvel and take selfies with beloved Hollywood stars and other pop culture icons ranging like Elvis Presley and even Taylor Swift.
9. The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
119 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-908-7469
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The story of the Hatfield and McCoys is a popular piece of Appalachian folklore and this entertainment business takes that tale and brings it to a whole new life for audiences. Here, you will enjoy a full all-you-can-eat Southern meal while likewise watching the drama unfold onstage through music, acrobatics, and comedic theater.
10. The Titanic Museum Attraction
2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
417-334-9500
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You would think that the best, most informative Titantic-oriented museum would be located somewhere on a coastline. But interestingly enough, the most well-known spot for all things Titanic is located right here in Pigeon Forge. The museum itself is built within a half-scale replica and offers unique interactive exhibits like recreated rooms that really bring the RMS Titantic and its fateful journey to life.
11. WonderWorks
100 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-868-1800
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This upside-down building is certainly an odd landmark in the city, but go inside and things get even weirder (or more fun!). WonderWorks features more than 100 hands-on exhibits that are ideal for families with kids to take part in.
12. Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride
2806 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-908-7599
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This one we might not necessarily recommend at this time, the company is working on improvements, but it certainly deserves a place on this list of weird things to do. The Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride is a 10-minute boat journey into a man-made jungle of dinosaur animatronics.
Learn More About All That Pigeon Forge Has to Offer
Again, Pigeon Forge is brimming with things to do and see. While we hope the above list has helped inspire you to seek some of the more offbeat, weird, and unique locations this community has to offer, know that it certainly is not an exhaustive list. Nor should this quick peek list be considered an exhaustive review of all that’s great about the above twelve locations! Be sure to check out our other pages for fuller reviews of the above spots and other great attractions, restaurants, and more in Pigeon Forge.
