Looking for adventure, but on a tight budget? In this Pigeon Forge Vacation Guide, we share the best things to do in Pigeon Forge for free that the entire family will enjoy.
Pigeon Forge is home to a wide variety of indoor and outdoor attractions including those that won’t break the bank!
Pigeon Forge offers endless options for family fun, but oftentimes these attractions can come at a not-so-cheap price. The good news is, there are plenty of free things to do in Pigeon Forge.


You don’t need a huge budget to plan a fun and memorable family getaway in Pigeon Forge. Keep scrolling to see our list of top free things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN.

What Is There To Do in Pigeon Forge for Free?
Planning a family vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN can be overwhelming in a good way, with tons of things to do and places to visit you’ll seriously never run out of options. However, visiting the top attractions such as theme parks can be very costly.
By taking advantage of the many free things to do in Pigeon Forge you can enjoy your trip without spending much of your travel budget.
There are many free things to discover in Pigeon Forge, including festivals & events, parks, and lots and lots of nature activities.

When planning a vacation or weekend getaway, sometimes you need to fill your trip with activities that won’t put a huge dent in your wallets. Here are 10 things to do in Pigeon Forge for Free!
Best Free Things to Do in Pigeon Forge
If you’re trying to save money on your trip, here are the best free things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Jump back in time as you tour the historic Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge, TN. It is a beautiful place for taking some photos and generally a great place to just stroll around.
The first stop is the Pigeon River Pottery where you can watch the potters work. Watch the historic Old Mill in action and how it is used to grind ingredients for many dishes at the Old Mill restaurant.
You can also watch candy makers as they make classic sweet treats at The Old Mill Candy Kitchen.
Getting inside the Island in Pigeon Forge is totally free and you only pay for the activities that you want to do. While this family vacation destination offers dozens of shops and amusement rides, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of things to do at the Island without the need to spend your hard-earned money.
See the Island Show fountain perform perfectly choreographed to 14 pieces of music. Home to over 40 retail stores, you can browse from specialty shops inside the Island.
Visiting the Patriot Park located right along the Old Mill Village is another family favorite when it comes to free things to do in Pigeon Forge. It is a great place to just relax and enjoy the outdoors.
If you’d like to have a picnic with the family, this area is a great choice. There’s a half a mile walking trail where you can stroll to see the flags from all 50 states and several memorials to the veterans from Pigeon Forge.
Patriot Park is home to many festivals and events throughout the year, some of them are free including the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival happening every year on the fourth of July.
The Great Smoky Mountains is home to a plethora of activities that the whole family can enjoy for free, for one, entrance to the park is absolutely free of charge.
Explore the 850 miles of hiking trails, go fishing, enjoy a scenic drive or enjoy a picnic all without spending a dime. Your options are endless when it comes to free things to do at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Pigeon Forge has a number of amazing festivals and events happening throughout the year. Most of these festivals are open to the public for free like the Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival, Patriot Festival on the fourth of July, Winterfest, and a lot more!
Located just a few miles from Pigeon Forge in the scenic 11-mile Cades Cove loop. Offering scenic mountain views, wildflower meadows, rolling greens, historic buildings, and more, it is easy to understand why this area is one of the most popular places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Pigeon Forge is home to some of the best family-friendly shows in the country. And the best part of it is that some of these shows offer free admissions for kids. Check out some of these shows that offer free passes for children.
- Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park- If you have any kids who are 3 and under, they are admitted to the show for free.
- Comedy Barn- Children under the age of 3 receive free admission
- Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud- Children 2 and under are free only if they sit in a parent’s lap and eat from their plate.
- Country Tonite- children 12 and under can attend a Country Tonite performance for free with a paying adult.
Meet and greet the stars of the show before it even begins! Arrive early so you can see the Horse Walk and get a cup close look at the beautiful variety of horse breeds- no tickets needed. You can even get your photos taken with your favorite horse.
Located just west of the center of town, Wear Farm City Park has sports fields, playgrounds, and plenty of space to spread out. You can also stay at the park without spending a dime! It is the perfect place to take the kids where they can run around and play. You can even bring picnic food to enjoy or food to grill on-site under one of the pavilions in the park.
Want to see the World's largest knife showplace? Just a few minutes away from Pigeon Forge, you can drive by the Smoky Mountain Knife Works in Sevierville and see over 1.5 million knives on display and for sale.
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Recommended Pigeon Forge Resources
- Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide
- Gatlinburg Vacation Guide
- Pigeon Forge Discount Tickets
- Great Smoky Mountains Family Vacations Facebook Group
More Recommended Resources
Planning a trip to Pigeon Forge soon? Check out these amazing Pigeon Forge Family Resorts near Dollywood that the kids will love! You can also drop by the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg.