Family Activities in Pigeon Forge: The Island Before You Go

The Island is a multi-part attraction complex directly off the Parkway, between traffic lights 3 and 4 at Island Drive. You can walk among its shops, dining venues, rides and entertainment without paying general admission, then choose which individual experiences to purchase.

The complex’s address is 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Its mix of attractions makes it easy to build an outing around different interests without treating every activity as part of one ticket.

The Island has rides, games and indoor attractions, alongside the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and its Island Show Fountain.

The Island’s official attractions directory names the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, Reverse Time, High Score, Tree Fall Drop Tower, Clockwork, Dance Party 360, Flying Horse Carousel, ThunderDome, Funny Cars, Twist ’N Shout, Lil’ Ribbits, Happy Swing, Spinning Parrots Coaster, Island FARM’n and Sky Tykes.

Other attractions there include the Island Ropes Course, Arcade City, SkyFly: Soar America, Great Big Game Show, Shooting Gallery, The Escape Game, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, Gatlin’s Bumper Cars, Gatlin’s Mirror Maze, Old Time Photo, 7D Dark Ride Adventure and Battleground: Tactical Laser Tag.

The range means you can choose between rides, games and indoor activities rather than planning the visit around one type of entertainment.

The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel stands 200 feet high and has climate-controlled gondolas. The Island describes its Show Fountain as a water, light and music show, adding a performance element to the open-air complex.

Admission to The Island is free. You can purchase rides and attractions individually, or choose the Unlimited Rides Pass, which is valid for 48 hours and includes the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and outdoor rides. The Island Ropes Course can be added to the pass.

The Island’s official dining directory describes more than 18 restaurants and food venues, including options for meals, snacks and sweets. Restaurants include Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant and Timberwood Grill; quicker snack stops include Funnel Cake Junction, Not Just Nachos and Yee Haw Snack Shack.

For a treat between activities, you can choose from Dude’s Daiquiris, Byrd’s Famous Cookies, The Fudgery, Sweet!, Big Rock Candy Kitchen, Kermits Key Lime Pie Shop and Ben & Jerry’s. With restaurants and snack venues in the same complex, you can pause for food without leaving The Island.

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen gives breakfast hours of 8 am to 10:15 am, lunch hours of 11 am to 4 pm and dinner hours of 4 pm to 9 pm, with Friday and Saturday dinner service until 10 pm. Hours can change, so check the official site before you go.

Parking in marked lots at The Island is free, and a complimentary tram connects the main parking lot with the front of the complex. The main lot sits between The Island and the LeConte Events Center, so you can park there and take the tram rather than walking from the lot to the entrance.

The City of Pigeon Forge owns and operates the trams. They are handicap accessible and run during The Island’s operating hours, though tram hours can vary around holidays and events. The Island’s regular business hours vary too; check the official site before you go.

The Island’s visitor information covers practical services and policies, including wheelchair and stroller rentals, restrooms, ATMs, pets, lost and found, smoking and vaping, electric vehicle charging, oversized vehicle parking, and trolley or shuttle service. Check the current guidance for the details relevant to your visit.

The Island can anchor a Pigeon Forge outing because you can combine rides, food and entertainment in one complex. Start by deciding whether you want to pay for a few individual attractions or use the 48-hour Unlimited Rides Pass; then leave time for a meal or snack and the Show Fountain.

If you want to pair it with time outdoors, the Riverwalk Greenway runs along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and passes through The Island. Its trails extend for over 4 miles, giving you another way to include a walk in the day.

For a larger theme-park outing, Dollywood’s tickets, hours and parking are useful to plan separately.

The Island itself is about 1.2 miles from Super 8.

For another local outing, the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge offers a different point of interest.

If your plans extend beyond town, the trip from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg is another route to plan.

Do you have to pay to enter The Island?

No. Admission to the complex is free; you pay for rides and attractions individually or choose the Unlimited Rides Pass.

What does the Unlimited Rides Pass include?

The pass is valid for 48 hours and includes the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and outdoor rides. The Island Ropes Course can be added.

Is parking free at The Island?

Yes. Parking in marked lots is free, and a complimentary tram runs from the main lot to the front of The Island.

Are there trails at The Island?

Yes. The Riverwalk Greenway passes through the complex and follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River; the trail system has over 4 miles of trails.