The Island in Pigeon Forge TN is a large entertainment complex located in the heart of the Smokies, featuring shops, restaurants, thrilling rides, and more. In this guide, explore the most exciting things to see and do at The Island. Whether you’re on a family vacation with the kids or a couple’s trip with friends, no visit to Pigeon Forge is complete without experiencing this unique attraction!
The first phase of the Island in Pigeon Forge opened on June 21, 2013. Over the years, more restaurants, shops, and attractions have been added. If there are any more additions, we will let you know!
There is no cost for admission to The Island! However, tickets must be purchased for various rides and attractiolns such as the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. Parking is also free, and a Pigeon Forge trolley stop is nearby as well.
Margaritaville is a popular chain of restaurants that has locations in Panama City Beach, Key West, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, etc. It is popular for its “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” Caribbean food, and of course…the margaritas.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen is a restaurant at The Island that features the delicious, southern cookin’ that has become Paula Deen’s trademark over the years. Everything is served family-style!
If you’ve ever been to a Dick’s Last Resort, you know what to expect from this unique place to eat…if not, you better have a broad sense of humor and like surprises! Dick’s Last Resort is a great place to eat and possibly be humiliated!
In the mood for pizza? Visit Mellow Mushroom at The Island in Pigeon Forge! Enjoy their most popular pizzas with delicious dough, premium ingredients, and unique flavors.
Attached to the Mellow Mushroom is Dude’s Daiquiris, which serves…well…daiquiris. Dude’s Daiquiris also serves an eclectic mix of craft beers from around the globe.
Timberwood Grill is a restaurant that has a mountain lodge decor with a unique menu of items such as Lumberjack Bison Chili, Loaded Potato Cracklins, Black Jack Wings dipped in Timberwood’s signature Bourbon Glaze, and more!
You are probably familiar with Cinnabon and the types of food they offer if you have visited any mall or airport. They are popular for their cinnamon rolls and frozen drinks, which is a nice addition to Pigeon Forge!
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels is another popular chain of quick service food and is famous for their pretzels. This is the first Auntie Anne’s Pretzels in Pigeon Forge and Sevier County. If you love pretzels, then be sure to swing by Auntie Anne’s for a great snack in the middle of the day at The Island Pigeon Forge!
The Fudgery makes the best fudge in East Tennessee! This fudge shop at The Island features all sorts of delicious treats, including fudge, candy apples, chocolate sauces, and more.
The biggest feature of The Island in Pigeon Forge is the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot-tall ferris wheel and one of the tallest attractions east of the Mississippi! It features climate-controlled gondolas enclosed in glass, which can seat up to 8 people, providing panoramic views of the Smokies. You won't find better views available from Pigeon Forge! The giant sky wheel in Pigeon Forge is also covered in LED lights to provide an intense light show visible throughout town! They also have VIP gondolas with plush seats and a special glass floor, and the ride lasts twice as long. This Pigeon Forge ferris wheel has quickly become the most popular ride in town! Here’s the view from the top!
The Fountain Show is a multi-million dollar water fountain show that takes place every 30 minutes beginning at 10 am. Similar to the fountains at Bellagio in Las Vegas, nearly 100 nozzles shoot water up 60 feet in the air, choreographed to over a dozen different pieces of music. At night, the fountains are lit up for a spectacular nighttime water show, which we highly recommend seeing! They have rocking adirondack chairs surrounding the fountain and it’s a great, free thing to do in Pigeon Forge for people of all ages to enjoy.
SkyFly at The Island is a cutting-edge attraction for all ages, using the latest technologies to give you a feeling of flight and see the beauty of America in a whole new way! In this immersive adventure, you'll soar over some iconic locations in the U.S. and experience first-hand the unique sights, sounds, and smells of places you might never have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
Arcade City features all sorts of games, including ones where you can win tickets and exchange them for prizes. It is a great, air-conditioned place to take the kids to get a break from the heat and have some fun.
This is said to be the same carousel that was in the former Flying Horse Grill, which became Mellow Mushroom near Bullfish Grill. It’s a custom, Italian-made carousel with 17 classic horses, 2 rocking horses, a rocking chariot and a spinning teacup. It’s a classic attraction that will stir memories of parents and grandparents while giving new ones to children!
The ThunderDome is a large dome that covers various bungees and trampolines for people to jump on. It should be a lot of fun for people of all ages…just don’t go to Dude’s Daiquiris before jumping up and down in the ThunderDome!
The popular Tervis tumbler store at The Island in Pigeon Forge offers fantastic cups and mugs in a variety of styles and sizes. If you have never seen one, you should check them out as they are fantastic for hot OR cold drinks and great for picnics in the Smokies!
One-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts, from candy, clothes, jewelry, sauces, toys, home decor, and so much more. You'll easily find something for all ages!
The Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN is a 4-star hotel featuring 132 rooms and a rooftop pool. It is one of the few Margaritaville hotels in the world!
View the latest map of The Island in Pigeon Forge. It illustrates what The Island looks like from above with the giant ferris wheel, water show (similar to Bellagio’s water show in Las Vegas), restaurants, shops, hotel, and more.
The Island in Pigeon Forge is located directly behind Alcatraz East Crime Museum and next to Pirates Voyage on the Parkway. Below is a Google Map showing the exact location of The Island at Pigeon Forge.
This list features just a few of the many things you can enjoy at The Island, the second largest entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge with Dollywood being the largest. The mixture of shops, attractions, restaurants, etc makes The Island an enjoyable part of any visit to Pigeon Forge. Learn more about this family-friendly attraction on their official website at https://islandinpigeonforge.com/. They also have a Facebook page providing updates of their events, photos, and other info about The Island in Pigeon Forge, TN.
