Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are top vacation spots in Tennessee. Known for their stunning natural beauty and endless outdoor fun, these mountain towns are perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Is it raining cats and dogs out there? No worries! That doesn’t mean your mountain adventures are ruined. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have fantastic local museums, entertainment venues, cozy coffee shops, and eateries serving up delicious mountain cuisine – perfect for escaping the weather. In this blog, we will bring you the top rainy day activities in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN.
At Stony Brook, we're all about making your vacation unforgettable. We offer an amazing selection of vacation cabins and chalets in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Cosby, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. And since we're at it, if you ever need tips on Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, you can dive into our local destination blog. We’ve got the scoop on everything from the best restaurants in the region to where to go for some shopping therapy.
Now, let's check out those rainy day activities.
TLDR
Fun & Entertainment
Pigeon Forge
Hollywood Wax Museum: Lifesize wax figures and photo ops.
Pigeon Forge Snow: Indoor snow park with tubing and snowball fights.
Titanic Museum: Interactive exhibits and artifacts from the RMS Titanic.
WonderWorks: Interactive exhibits, ropes course, and 4D simulator.
Dinner Shows: Enjoy themed entertainment and meals at Dolly Parton's Stampede, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.
Gatlinburg
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: 10,000+ sea creatures and penguin encounters.
Mountain Mall: Six floors of unique shops.
Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum: 20,000+ unique shakers from around the world.
Dining
Gatlinburg
Crystelle Creek: Oak wood-fired steaks and seafood.
The Peddler Steakhouse: Custom steaks and salad bar.
Tom & Earl's Back Alley Grill: Wraps, burgers, and sandwiches.
Howard's Restaurant: Southern entrees and fresh trout.
Pigeon Forge
The Old Mill Restaurant: Southern comfort food.
Local Goat: American classics and craft beer.
Bullfish Grill: Steaks and seafood.
Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant: Southern cuisine with live music.
Breweries
Smoky Mountain Brewery: House-made beers and pub fare.
Gatlinburg Brewing Company: Handcrafted beers and brick-oven pizzas.
Yee-Haw Brewing Company: Craft beers and a lively atmosphere.
Rainy Day Adventures in Pigeon Forge
Explore the Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a must-visit for families. With lifelike wax figures of famous stars, you can take photos, listen to music, and learn about celebrities' lives. Each figure comes with a unique scenario, and there are props and costumes for fun photo opportunities. Kids especially love the museum, particularly the giant King Kong figure.
Play in the Snow at Pigeon Forge Snow
Open year-round, Pigeon Forge Snow is America’s first indoor snow park. It offers over ten lanes of snow tubing with powdery snow, allowing kids and parents to enjoy winter fun regardless of the season. The park uses innovative snow-making technology to maintain a winter wonderland atmosphere. Beyond tubing, you can build snowmen, create snow forts, and have snowball fights. There’s also an open play area and a snack bar to recharge.
Step Back in Time at the Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge transports visitors to 1912, offering a glimpse into the grandeur and tragedy of the RMS Titanic. With interactive exhibits, over 400 authentic artifacts, and detailed recreations of the ship's interior, including the iconic staircase, the museum provides an immersive experience. Visitors receive a boarding pass with the name of a real passenger or crew member, adding a personal touch to the journey.
Experience WonderWorks
Rain or shine, WonderWorks offers a fantastic indoor adventure. This entertainment complex is filled with interactive exhibits and unique attractions. Highlights include a four-story, glow-in-the-dark indoor ropes course, laser tag arena, 4D XD Simulator ride, and the Extreme Weather Zone where you can experience hurricanes and earthquakes. The Space Discovery Zone lets you feel the effects of outer space, lay inside a launch capsule, and try on a replica EVA suit. Don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the upside-down house!
Enjoy a Themed Dinner Show
Pigeon Forge is home to some of the best dinner shows, offering a mix of comedy, music, dancing, and thrilling stunts. Each show features a unique storyline and style, ensuring an unforgettable evening filled with entertainment and delicious food.
Most shows include an all-you-can-eat buffet with Southern favorites like fried chicken, barbecue, mashed potatoes, beans, and more. Audience participation often adds to the fun, making these shows a perfect way to spend a rainy day.
Popular Dinner Shows:
Dolly Parton's Stampede: A high-energy show featuring horse-riding stunts, musical performances, and a four-course feast.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud: A comedy-filled dinner show with musical acts, dancing, and explosive stunts.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show: An adventurous show with pirates, mermaids, and acrobatics, paired with a delicious pirate feast.
Rainy Day Adventures in Gatlinburg, TN
Explore Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Gatlinburg is home to a variety of captivating sea creatures, all showcased at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. With over 10,000 exotic marine animals, the aquarium offers plenty of activities to keep kids and adults entertained for a full day in an underwater wonderland.
Popular attractions include penguin encounters, where kids can shake flippers, pet the penguins, and take memorable photos. Visitors can also pet stingrays, feed Sally the Sea Turtle, watch live dive shows, join educational experiences, and enjoy Ripley’s Glass Bottom Boat Adventure. The highlight for many is the Shark Lagoon, where everyone can marvel at the majestic sharks up close.
Shop at the Mountain Mall
Located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, the Mountain Mall is a mountain-themed shopping complex with six floors of locally owned shops. The mall features atmospheric cedar walls, barrel trash cans, and Appalachian music by local artists, creating a charming vintage vibe.
With diverse shopping options and stores that have been around for decades, the Mountain Mall is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Unique touches like millstones, a moonshine still, and a full-size bear trap add to its Instagrammable character.
Visit the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
For a unique indoor activity, check out the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, which boasts 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from around the world. This museum is the largest collection of its kind in the United States and possibly the world.
Visitors can admire shakers of various shapes, sizes, materials, and designs, ranging from animals and cartoons to landmarks and historical figures. The museum offers a fun and educational experience for all ages. Before leaving, be sure to visit the gift shop for quirky souvenirs, including your own pair of unique salt and pepper shakers.
Enjoy the Dining Scene in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are known for their exceptional restaurants, offering a range of dining options from breakfast to dinner. Whether you’re craving classic local food, fresh seafood, or modern national dishes, these cities have something for everyone. Many restaurants are set beside streams and lush trees, providing stunning mountain views to complement your dining experience.
Top Restaurants in Gatlinburg
Crystelle Creek: Rustic-chic restaurant offering oak wood-fired steaks, fresh seafood, and Italian dishes in a beautiful setting with creek views.
The Peddler Steakhouse: Known for custom steaks and an extensive salad bar, complemented by views of the Little Pigeon River.
Tom & Earl's Back Alley Grill: Casual spot with a no-frills atmosphere serving hearty wraps, burgers, and sandwiches.
Howard's Restaurant: Gatlinburg's oldest dining establishment, offering traditional Southern entrees, hand-cut steaks, and fresh trout.
Top Restaurants in Pigeon Forge
The Old Mill Restaurant: Southern comfort food in a historic setting.
Local Goat: Scratch-made American classics and craft beer.
Bullfish Grill: Steaks, seafood, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant: Southern cuisine with live music.
Relax and Meet Locals at a Brewery in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN
End your day with a visit to a local brewery, where you can enjoy meticulously brewed craft beers. With six flagship beers on tap and a variety of seasonal brews, there’s something for every beer enthusiast. The brewery also offers an extensive cocktail menu for those who prefer other drinks.
The atmosphere combines the cozy feel of a mountain lodge with Bavarian Alps vibes, making it an ideal spot for a night out. In Gatlinburg, the enclosed deck offers breathtaking views of Calhoun’s Village and the Smokies. The brewery hosts nightly entertainment, including live music on weekends, trivia, and karaoke nights.
Best Breweries in Gatlinburg
Smoky Mountain Brewery: A local favorite with house-made beers, classic pub fare, and live entertainment, offering a lively atmosphere with mountain views.
Gatlinburg Brewing Company: A locally owned gem known for its diverse selection of handcrafted beers and delicious brick-oven pizzas, with a relaxed vibe in Gatlinburg and an energetic atmosphere in Sevierville.
Best Breweries in Pigeon Forge
Smoky Mountain Brewery: House-made beers, pub fare, and live entertainment.
Yee-Haw Brewing Company: Craft beers and a lively taproom atmosphere.
Are you wondering where to stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smoky Mountains?
Why not enhance your vacation with the stunning backdrop of the Smoky Mountains in a great rental property?
At Stony Brook, we offer an exceptional array of cabins and chalets in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Cosby, ranging from one to 16 bedrooms. As a family-owned service, we guarantee you'll have the best experience in the Smokies!