hiker crossing footbridge over mountain stream

5 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

Old Forge Distillery in Pigeon Forge
February 16, 2022

It’s easy to vacation on a budget in Pigeon Forge! There are plenty of exciting adventures you can have without spending hundreds of dollars on attraction tickets. To help you have an affordable trip, we’ve made a list of 5 budget-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge.

1. Visit the Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge

the tower shops at the mountain mile

The Mountain Mile is one of the newest attractions in Pigeon Forge, and there is plenty to do there for a great price! It’s completely free to park and spend time enjoying the activities on the lawn. There is giant chess, cornhole, balls to throw, and on cool nights, you can relax around the fire pits! If you don’t mind spending a few dollars here and there, visit Cinnaholic for a gourmet cinnamon roll, grab a coffee from Black Rifle Coffee Company, or shop at the Nike Clearance Store! There is plenty to do at the Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge.

2. Visit Distilleries & Wineries

Looking to sample some of the Smokies’ famous shine? Visit one of the popular distilleries in Pigeon Forge. Tastings range in price from free to $5, and that $5 usually goes toward any purchase from the distillery! Some popular places to go are Old Forge Distillery, Tennessee Shine Co., and Ole Smoky at The Island. You can also enjoy wine tastings for free and numerous Pigeon Forge wineries, like Mill Bridge Winery, Currahee Vineyards and Mountain Valley Winery. It’s easy to get a taste of the most popular drinks in the Smokies for a great price!

3. Visit The Island

the island summer

The Island is your one stop for affordable family fun in Pigeon Forge. This attraction has free parking and tons of free and cheap entertainment! Sit back and relax in the chairs around the Island Show Fountain, which puts on an incredible performance of water dance and light, perfectly choreographed to some of your favorite songs. You can also browse the various shops, grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious restaurants, or ride the famous Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for a small fee. And, we can’t forget to mention that The Island is home to SkyFly: Soar America, an immersive flying theater ride that opened in 2021!

4. Visit The Old Mill

The Old Mill is one of the most visited spots in Pigeon Forge, and it’s no surprise why! The Historic Old Mill is the most photographed mill in the country, and the area itself is home to shops, restaurants and more. While it’s free to walk around and take pictures of The Old Mill, we recommend getting a meal at the Old Mill Restaurant or Pottery House Cafe. You can also find affordable souvenirs at the Old Mill General Store, or get a sweet treat at Old Mill Creamery or Old Mill Candy Kitchen!

5. Visit Country Tonite

outside of country tonite theatre in Pigeon Forge

Are you dying to see one of the famous shows in the area but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg? Country Tonite is one of our favorite budget-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge. Not only is the show affordable, but you get $5 off your ticket when you book online! That’s not even the best news, though. Kids 12 and under get in for free with a paying adult! The whole family can enjoy a heartwarming performance that features country classics, hot new country hits, country comedy and more. You don’t even have to be a fan of country music to be a fan of this show!

Now that you know all about the best budget-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge, you’re ready to start planning the perfect, affordable vacation. Take a look at more exciting things to do in Pigeon Forge, then come visit us! We look forward to seeing you!