Forget Orlando: Why Pigeon Forge May Be the South’s Best Family Vacation Spot
When choosing the best place to visit for a family vacation, Orlando is often the first destination that comes to mind. After all, every kid dreams about going to Disney World. But with Disney World’s rising cost, many families find that it’s simply not something they can fit into their budget. Instead of breaking your child’s heart, why not think outside the box and find place that offers the same amount of fun but at a lower price? Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is that place.
Pigeon Forge has tons of entertainment.
Disney World has lots of things to do. You can visit the Magic Kingdom, take in a water park and or visit one of Orlando’s other theme parks. At Pigeon Forge, you’ll also have a lot of great things to do with your children. This town is packed with theme parks, arcades, museums, go-karting, carnivals, and plenty of other entertaining features. No matter the age of your children or what they may be into, Pigeon Forge has something to keep the family entertained.
There’s great scenery.
Besides offering tons of fund entertainment, Pigeon Forge also delivers a lot of beautiful scenery. The city is set in the Smoky Mountains, just minutes from America’s most popular national park. Instead of a hotel, you can opt for a Pigeon Forge cabin rental and enjoy some time in nature. With a rental cabin, you can stay right inside the mountains and take in beautiful views, wildlife and much more. Plus, you and your family can rent one of these cabins for a fraction of what it would cost to stay at Disney World.
There are plenty of hiking trails and natural wonders to see as well. Take the family for a quick hike where you can find some impressive animals in their natural habitat or explore some incredible waterfalls and beautiful creeks. While they may not meet Mickey Mouse, there’s a chance they’ll see real live black bears on a drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Not only is this a great way to get your children off their phones, but it provides a sense of appreciation for the world that your children will remember for a lifetime.
There’s a lot of history.
Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains are filled with historical sites. Visit a local blacksmith to see how their work helped build the country, explore local Indian reservations, and even visit Cades Cove to see some old churches, graveyards, and learn more about how the area used to be many years ago. If you truly want to immerse your family in the history of the US, Pigeon Forge is a great place to start.
You can do it all for less.
Still not convinced? Let’s do the math. A single day’s ticket to Disney World costs $119 during peak season. Lodging in a mid-range Disney resort can cost $219 per night, any you’ll need two or more rooms. For a family of four, that means you can expect to pay $914 per day for tickets and hotel.
Compare that to Pigeon Forge. A day’s ticket to Dollywood – the city’s most popular theme park – costs $68 for adults, $55 for children. Two-bedroom cabins are available for about $205 per night during the summer season. That means a family of four can expect to pay $451 per day for tickets and lodging in Pigeon Forge.
That’s less than half the cost of Orlando. Not a bad deal at all.
If you want to take your family on a memorable vacation that doesn’t break the bank, Pigeon Forge can be a smart choice.
