Since Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN are located so close to one another, people often visit both while in the area.
There’s a nearly limitless number of things to do, including moonshine tastings, minigolf, scenic drives through the mountains, eating incredible food, and more.
But for those who want to focus their time in one area or another, or choose where to book a place to stay, it can be helpful to note the differences between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
As we review the different aspects of both popular tourist cities, we’ll tell you which city wins in each category and give you all the information you’d want to know before booking your trip.
More Activities: Pigeon Forge
New tourists who’ve never been to the area before may be surprised by how small Gatlinburg is. All the activities and restaurants are accessed from the same short strip in downtown.
Some businesses, like Anakeesta, will take you on a chondola or chairlift ride from downtown up into the mountainside for their activities.
There are only a few businesses that do that, though, and most of the attractions are all located on the same strip.
Pigeon Forge, however, is widely spread out. It has a main strip that goes for several miles, packed densely with restaurants, fun zones, distilleries, Dollywood, and more.
Your first drive into Pigeon Forge may be overwhelming when you see all the attractions available to you. Many first-time tourists quickly realize they don’t have enough time to see everything and start planning a trip back as soon as they get home.
It can be a good idea to choose a main focus for your trip, like restaurants, distilleries, or fun and interactive activities.
Ability to Walk Everywhere: Gatlinburg
Because Pigeon Forge has so much to do, it’s all spread out over several miles with a large, 6-lane street to take you around the main drag of town.
You could probably park and walk from one business to the one next door, but it wouldn’t be feasible to park your car and walk all around the city.
Gatlinburg has the advantage here. For being so small and localized, it opens up the possibility of exploring downtown simply by walking.
You can easily find parking in an all-day parking garage or shopping center lot, then walk up and down the main street of downtown exploring all it has to offer.
This is a huge advantage if you plan to do a lot of moonshine, beer, and wine tastings, or if you simply enjoy the activity of walking around a city and popping into whatever stores and businesses pique your interest.
Better for Kids: Pigeon Forge
One of the first things you may notice about Pigeon Forge is the large number of fun zone businesses. These attractions are great for kids, with all the games, minigolf, and rides you could imagine.
It seems like you can’t even go a quarter mile without another of these fun zones popping up on one side of the road or the other.
There are also other fun attractions for kids including Dollywood, dinner theatre, and places like The Island with rides, shops, and themed restaurants.
Gatlinburg does have some attractions that would be fun to do with kids, like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Aquarium, but not nearly as many as Pigeon Forge.
With Gatlinburg being more of a walking area, most kids would get tired and need to be pushed in a stroller or carried after a short time in downtown.
Better for Couples: Gatlinburg
While Pigeon Forge may be better for children, Gatlinburg is better for couples.
Many of the shops and attractions around Gatlinburg are more adult-centered and great romantic activities for couples.
Not only are there distilleries and wineries, but there are several nice restaurants with gorgeous views of the mountains where couples can have a romantic dinner.
Because Gatlinburg is seated into the mountainside, there are also more activities that involve enjoying the romantic views of the Smoky Mountains, like taking a chairlift ride up to SkyLift Park and going across the SkyBridge.
Gatlinburg has a more intimate atmosphere because of how small it is, which really helps a couple feel like they’re on a remote getaway for just the two of them.
Pigeon Forge is so spread out with miles of activities and attractions that it feels more like a large tourist attraction and less of an intimate getaway.
Cheaper Activities: Pigeon Forge
A basic economics principle is that the more businesses there are, the more competition there is, and your prices have to reflect that and beat the imitator next door to draw more people in.
You can see this economic principle alive and well in Pigeon Forge. Because there are so many attractions offering the same activity, the prices are aimed to beat the competition.
This doesn’t mean things will be dirt cheap. Pigeon Forge is still a tourist destination, after all, and tourists always pay higher prices.
But you’ll find that your dollar may go a little further in Pigeon Forge than Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg is a smaller town, with a smaller number of businesses. There aren’t as many people all offering the same thing, so there isn’t as much competition.
This lack of competition is reflected in your prices, and you’ll likely pay what locals call “mountain prices.”
Less Traffic and Crowds: Gatlinburg
Since Gatlinburg is smaller, you’ll find that there are less traffic and crowds.
This isn’t to say that Gatlinburg is a desert town. You will certainly still notice many tourists around Gatlinburg. But the crowds are a lot more manageable and the traffic less of a hindrance.
Weekdays are the best, and you’ll likely be able to get around no problem with less people if you can take the time off to visit during the week. Weekends will draw much larger crowds, though still not as many as Pigeon Forge.
Pigeon Forge is crowded no matter what day of the week or what time of day it is. Those three lanes on each side of the road are filled with tourists who aren’t exactly sure where they’re going, and it shows in their driving.
Any restaurant in Pigeon Forge will likely run you around 45 minutes to an hour and a half in wait time. You’ll have to wait in line or fight through crowds at activity zones, too.
Since Pigeon Forge is larger with more attractions, it attracts more people. There’s no way around it. It’s a good idea to visit during the off season.
More Souvenir Shops: Pigeon Forge
When you’re driving down the main strip in Pigeon Forge, you’ll likely notice a huge number of souvenir shops.
Interestingly, there are many souvenir shops that advertise a live animal inside, including sharks, alligators, and goats.
There are also several Christmas-themed souvenir shops where you can stock up on Christmas décor all year round.
Gatlinburg is more about the experience than the take-home gifts, so you won’t find many souvenir shops around.
Most of the businesses in Gatlinburg have their own small gift shop area inside, but that’s about it. The souvenir shopping is limited, and best done in Pigeon Forge.
Mountain Views & Atmosphere: Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg sits on the mountainside deep within the forest. You wouldn’t know you were coming up on it without the signs, and the large buildings almost look out of place in all the trees.
For those looking for a romantic mountain getaway, this is perfect. Gatlinburg has many hotels, resorts, and rental homes on the mountainside with perfect views of the Smoky Mountains.
Pigeon Forge is further out, sprawled across a flat piece of land at the bottom of the mountain. The mountain views in Pigeon Forge are really best scene from the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel in The Island.
If your goal is to have a secluded, quiet mountain getaway, Gatlinburg is the place for you.
Overall Winner: Both
Each city has its own advantages and disadvantages. There’s a reason people visit both while in the area!
The city you spend more time in will depend on what your goal is for your vacation.
If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic getaway, Gatlinburg is best. If you’re looking for a fun vacation for the whole family, we recommend planning the majority of your trip in Pigeon Forge.
