We just got back from a family trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and it was such a fun mountain getaway. Between Dollywood, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, dinner shows, and exploring downtown, we packed a lot into a long weekend. If you are planning a trip, here is our full itinerary with tips on what to do, where to stay, and what to skip.

Where to Stay in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

We chose to stay in Pigeon Forge at the top of a mountain instead of downtown Gatlinburg, and it was the best decision for our family. Downtown Gatlinburg is very busy with lots of restaurants and attractions, which is perfect if you want a nightlife-focused trip. For a family vacation, we preferred the peace and quiet of the mountains.

Our Airbnb had everything we could want for a family stay, including an indoor pool, rooftop deck, hot tub, and even a small guest suite. At night we could hear wedding music drifting over from a nearby venue, which made the evenings feel extra fun. The hosts left snacks and wine for us when we arrived, which was such a thoughtful touch. You can check out the exact cabin we stayed in here.

The drive from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg took about 20 minutes, so we were able to enjoy both areas during our trip.

Thursday: Arrival Day

We checked into our Airbnb, unpacked, and went for a swim in the indoor pool. After traveling, this was the perfect way to unwind and kick off the trip.

Friday: A Full Day at Dollywood

Dollywood was a highlight of our family trip to Gatlinburg. We opened presents for Zach’s birthday in the morning and then headed straight to the park, where we spent the entire day.

Here are a few Dollywood tips that made our day easier:

Try the cinnamon bread. It really is that good.
Park in Lot F or splurge for priority parking if you want to avoid waiting for the tram.
The Fast Pass is worth it, especially if you are going on a busy day. If not, get there right when the park opens and go straight to the big rides to beat the rush.
Dollywood offers a Parent Swap system for roller coasters. You wait in line together, one parent rides while the other waits with your child, and then you switch without waiting in line again.

Even though our daughter was only 3, she was just tall enough (39”) to ride some real roller coasters with us, and there were plenty of kiddie rides for her age and younger as well. We spent about 8 to 9 hours riding rides and still did not see everything. Next time, I would love to explore more of the shows, food, and other attractions Dollywood offers. Overall this is a MUST, and I cannot wait to go back.

Saturday: Hiking and a Dinner Show

We started the day at Sugarlands Visitor Center and hiked Cataract Falls. The visitor center had a little museum inside where they had taxidermy animals of all of the native wildlife. My daughter loves Wild Kratts so this was right up her alley. The hike was a 1 mile easy and kid-friendly hike with a 25ft waterfall that you can walk right up to at the halfway point.

For lunch, we ate at No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina in downtown Gatlinburg. This was a fine choice because they had vegetarian and vegan options for Zach but other than that it was a pretty standard Mexican restaurant that you can eat at anywhere. Downtown Gatlinburg was majorly crowded and parking was $20. If you are traveling with kids, I highly recommend bringing a stroller. Even though we are not normally stroller people, it was a lot of walking. There is no shortage of shops and attractions on the strip if you want to spend a day there. We left after lunch to head back to the cabin, swim in the pool and freshen up before dinner.

After some downtime at the Airbnb, we got ready for the Pirates Voyage Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge. The show itself was incredible and so much fun for both kids and adults.

They offer vegetarian and vegan options, which was a huge plus. The food was average, but the entertainment and service were top notch. You do not need to arrive a full hour early, despite what they say. Thirty minutes is plenty of time unless you want face painting or alcoholic drinks before the show.

Sunday: Anakeesta in Gatlinburg

We finished our trip with a visit to Anakeesta. We bought tickets online that morning and arrived around 9:30 AM. I would not arrive any later than that on the weekend as this place gets BUSY! You get in line at the base of the mountain and then you either take a chair lift (the fastest option), gondola or truck to get to the village at the top. There was basically no wait to get on the lift that early, which was a huge time-saver. By the time we left around 2 PM, people were saying they had already waited over three and a half hours just to get on the lift!! Going early is key.

When we got to the top we went straight to the Treetop Skywalk, which was beautiful. If you are planning a visit, my biggest tip is to go straight to the rail coasters first. The line moves *slowly* and only gets longer as the day goes on. At around 10am the wait for the rail coaster was 30+ minutes and was double that by the time we got off the ride.

Anakeesta is stroller-friendly and I definitely recommend bringing one if you are traveling with young kids because there is a lot of walking. The village has lots to do including zip-lining, mountain coasters, tree canopy walk, several unique playgrounds for kids, food and more. They also have a nighttime event that you need additional tickets for called Astra Lumina but we skipped it since it started well after my daughters bedtime.

Final Thoughts on Our Family Trip to Gatlinburg

This trip was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Staying in Pigeon Forge gave us a peaceful mountain retreat while still being close enough to enjoy the best things to do in Gatlinburg. Dollywood and Anakeesta were our top two experiences, and I would absolutely recommend them to families with kids or adults without kids

Next time, I want to try another dinner show since we loved Pirates Voyage so much (there are several to choose from). Dollywood again is a MUST. I have also heard great things about The Island in Pigeon Forge and, of course, a classic Gatlinburg pancake house breakfast is on my list.

If you are planning a family trip to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, here are my top tips:

Stay in Pigeon Forge or the mountains if you want a quieter setting.
Do Dollywood and Anakeesta, and arrive early to both.
Bring a stroller for kids, even if you do not usually use one.
Try at least one dinner show.

We had the best time and cannot wait to go back.

Family Trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge: Our Itinerary, Tips, and Recommendations