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Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a family friendly vacation destination that combined beautiful outdoor spaces with a celebration of Southern culture and country music?
Oh wait, there IS such a place! It’s called Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!
From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the world famous Dollywood, you will need to take at least 10 vacations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee just to see and experience all that this top American vacation destination has to offer.
The best part about taking your next vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is that it caters to working people. Everything is priced so that a normal family can enjoy their vacation without needing to worry about counting pennies the whole time. There are a range of great freebies and discounts available to ensure that you don’t need to break the bank just to have some wholesome vacation time.
Let’s take a quick dive into the discounts and freebies in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, so your next vacation can be incredible and easy on the wallet at the same time!
Cabin Deals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The first thing you need to do when planning your Pigeon Forge, Tennessee vacation is decide on where you’re going to stay.
The top accommodation choice for visitors to this beautiful landscape is a Smoky Mountain cabin with a view! The cabins combine all the amenities of a modern hotel with the rustic feel of staying in a gorgeous mountain landscape.
While cabins are the perfect choice for lodging when vacationing in Pigeon Forge, they can be expensive. To try and help you keep within your vacation budget, I spent some time researching the web in an effort to find places with affordable cabins.
Before you start your search for a budget-friendly cabin, here are a few tips to help you get more affordable prices on cabins in Pigeon Forge or not far from that area.
Orbitz.com
Orbitz lets you narrow your search by price, dates or months, amenities (e.g. pet friendly, Wi-Fi, etc…), neighborhood and more. Then you should sort it to show the prices from low to high in order to see the cheapest cabins first.
After you make your selections, you’ll get to see the total prices for each cabin. The total includes taxes and fees.
To give you an idea of how budget-friendly a cabin in Pigeon Forge through Orbitz can be, I choose to see cabins and rates for what’s considered off season (December and January 2025). The lowest price cabin was $65 a night for a one bedroom that sleeps six people. The total cost with taxes and fees for three nights was $340.
Timber Tops Cabin Rentals
Timber Tops Cabin Rentals has a variety of cabins in Pigeon Forge, and some are less than $150 per night. To help you maximize your savings during your Pigeon Forge vacation, they also give guests free attraction tickets and cabin discounts.
Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals
If you’re in search of a cozy cabin where you can enjoy peace and quiet, Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals can give you that and more. You’ll discover rates for as little as $110 per night.
Can it get any better than an affordable cabin in Pigeon Forge that will help you stay within your budget? Yes, it can! How about an abundance of freebies valued at over $200 sound?
That’s right, all you got to do is book with Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals to score awesome fun and food freebies! Some of the many freebies include ice cream from Maddog’s, dinner and a drink, a round of mini golf at Crave Golf Club, daily tickets to Soaky Mountain Water Park, tickets to Dollywood, regular admission tickets for Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show as well as the Comedy Barn Theater, and a whole lot more!
On top of all the freebies, be sure to check out the cabin rental deals!
Discount Hotels in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The great outdoors might not be for everyone, so it’s a good thing that Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has modern hotels located in town.
Best Western
If a stay in the comfort of the town is more to your liking, you can start each day of your vacation with a hot breakfast at the Best Western hotels in Pigeon Forge.
In addition to a great breakfast, Best Western has a variety of discounts and free nights through their rewards program. They even offer a low rate guarantee that includes a $100 Best Western travel card.
What you get: Discounts up to 30% off and free nights.
What you need to do: Explore all of Best Western’s discounts, read the terms for each one, and then follow the instructions for the discount you qualify for that offers you the greatest savings.
Guest Inn Pigeon Forge
The Guest Inn in Pigeon Forge is a decent hotel nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. When open for the season, everyone can enjoy the outdoor pool. For a day of family fun and new memories to cherish, the hotel is just a few minutes from Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, The Island in Pigeon Forge, Comedy Barn and other exciting places.
Rooms at the Guest Inn range from $54 up to $183. To see prices for dates, scroll down toward the bottom of the page. Under “Availability,” select the calendar.
What you get: A room for you and up to four members of your family.
What you need to do: Reserve your room through Booking.
Affordable Airbnbs in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Many individuals own a house, RV, camper, apartment, extra room or something unique that they list on Airbnb. By performing a search and using the search filters, you can narrow the search down to what you want at a price that will fit your Pigeon Forge vacation budget.
What you get: A more affordable, roomier and private place to stay.
What you need to do: Once you find a place you and your family like, check the availability. If it will be available during the dates you need it, make your reservation from Airbnb.
Free & Discount Family Fun in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Once everyone has unpacked and rested at the lodging destination, it would be a great time to start exploring all the fun waiting in and near Pigeon Forge.
Luckily, I’ve done some searching to help you save even more money as you begin creating new memories together.
Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove
The first thing that most people want to do when they get to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is enjoy the incredible beauty of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
While there are a ton of things to do in the park — from camping and hiking to rafting and guided tours — almost everyone takes an afternoon to do the free Cades Coves tour.
This scenic drive combines great outdoor views with a number of restored historic buildings highlighting the rich and fascinating history of 19th Century life in this area before it was designated a national park in the 1930s.
If you decide to do one outdoor adventure during your Pigeon Forge, Tennessee vacation, make it the free Cades Coves tour!
What you get: Free self tour of a national park.
What you need to do: Nothing, just drive and enjoy yourself!
Dollywood
Let’s face it. If you’re in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you’re probably going to Dollywood. Surely, it’s a must on your to-visit list, right? 😉
Dollywood offers weeks full of fun for the whole family, including a theme park AND a water park, incredible shopping, great food and a huge range of Southern culture and country music special events!
If your family plans on spending two or more days in Dollywood and taking in some special events while you’re there (and you will!), you definitely want to consider the Silver Season Pass to save money on your Dollywood adventures.
The silver pass offers access to all five Dollywood festivals, discounts on other attractions in the area, a $5 discount on 1-day tickets, a discount of up to 10% at Dollywood Resorts or Bear Cove Cabins, and FREE bring-a-friend tickets. It’s basically your ticket to amazing family fun at crazy low prices!
In case a silver pass with all its perks doesn’t fit in your current vacation budget, you can buy it using an installment plan, so that you don’t spend a lump sum all at once!
At this time (September 2024), Dollywood is offering FREE Pre-K Imagination Season Passes for children ages 4 and 5, so be sure to register for that pass for any child(ren) of that age that will be coming with you. This way you won’t have to buy a ticket for them, which means even more savings! Furthermore, any child 3 or younger gets in free year round.
What you get: It depends on the option you choose.
What you need to do: Determine which option saves your family the most money from the Dollywood best deal scenarios below, and then buy your tickets and/or passes by clicking the yellow button below the scenarios.
Dollywood Best Deal Scenarios
One Annual Visit for a Family of Four
Note: U.S. active or retired military, veterans, military reservists, spouses and dependents get an even bigger discount on Dollywood tickets and passes.
Two Annual Visits for a Family of Four
Note: U.S. active or retired military, veterans, military reservists, spouses and dependents get an even bigger discount on Dollywood tickets and passes.
Three Annual Visits for a Family of Four
Note: U.S. active or retired military, veterans, military reservists, spouses and dependents get an even bigger discount on Dollywood tickets and passes.
Four Annual Visits for a Family of Four
Note: U.S. active or retired military, veterans, military reservists, spouses and dependents get an even bigger discount on Dollywood tickets and passes.
Shadrack Christmas Drive-Through Light Show
If you’ll be vacationing in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee during November or December and your family loves Christmas lights, you should put the Shadrack Christmas Drive-Through Light Show in Sevierville, Tennessee at the top of your must-see list! Everyone will look in awe at many beautiful lighted Christmas displays that dance in sync to Christmas tunes you’ll be able to hear through your vehicle’s radio.
Admission is $39.95 per car. To save money on admission tickets, every year from mid-November until January 2nd Huck Finn’s Catfish gives their customers discount coupons.
What you get: A discount coupon for $2 off admission to Shadrack’s magical drive-through light show.
What you need to do: Head to Huck Finn’s Catfish for some of their all you can eat award-winning catfish. When you pay, ask for the discount coupon for the Shadrack Christmas Drive-Through Light Show in Sevierville.
Food and Drink Deals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
So you’ve got lodging set up at a discount and made plans to visit a variety of places for free and at discounted prices. What’s left to think about for your Pigeon Forge, Tennessee vacation?
Why food and drinks, of course!
Pigeon Forge is absolutely bursting with a huge number of amazing family friendly restaurants, and practically all of them offer year round freebies, discounts and specials that will keep you and your family fed at prices you can afford.
With all these great deals, you will be tempted to just spend your whole vacation eating amazing food, which sounds like a pretty good vacation on its own!
Check out the huge range of coupons available year round for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee restaurants. As you browse, screenshot or print the coupons for the deals you want.
Smoky Mountain Brochures
Smoky Mountain Brochures’ coupons currently include a 10% discount at Bush’s Family Cafe, Fuddruckers and The Diner, $5 margaritas at Captain Jim’s Seafood Buffet, 15% off at Reagans House of Pancakes, and much more.
In addition to food and drink coupons, you’ll discover deals for lodging, outings, and shopping. Yep, there’s tons of savings to be had here!
Smoky Mountain Navigator
Smoky Mountain Navigator has restaurant coupons for a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of an entrée from Puckett’s Restaurant as well as many $5 off $25 or more coupons for places such as Golden Corral, Pancake House, TJI Fridays, Corky’s Ribs & BBQ and others.
The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island in Pigeon Forge has coupons that include a free taffy or wrapped candy from Big Rock Candy Kitchen (with your purchase of any tin), a free small coffee at Cinnabon when you purchase a Cinnabon Classic Roll or Caramel Pecanbon, 10% off at Island Creamery, plus more savings.
Discount Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Another great way to save money while in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is choosing family fun and a meal all in one!
The internet is filled with great deals on family-friendly dinner shows that you should definitely take advantage of! Below, I’m mentioning what I believe are some of the best deals on dinner shows in Pigeon Forge or near that area.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Show
If your family loves comedy and comfort food, y’all can’t miss the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud! In addition to creating new memories with lots of laughter, you and your family will enjoy endless drinks with an all you can eat Southern fried chicken meal as you watch the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud.
What you get: Unlimited food and laughter for the soul at a discount of $3 off (up to six adults).
What you need to do: Request the Smoky Mountain Coupon book, which is filled with many other coupons as well. Dollywood Silver Season Pass holders also get $3 off or $4 off if you have the Gold Season Pass.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
A popular dinner show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is Dolly Parton’s Stampede. In fact, the Christmas show is a family tradition for many.
Beginning October 30th, your family can experience the 2024 Dolly Parton Christmas Stampede along with a four-course feast of rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob and more at a discounted price.
While everyone fills their bellies with delicious home cooking, the show will begin. There will be a live nativity, twinkling lights, snow, Christmas music and so much more!
What you get: $3 off adult tickets. The coupon will be valid for up to six people.
What you need to do: Request a coupon book from the Smoky Mountain website, or call 865-453-4400 to reserve your tickets early. When calling, mention SMCB24 to get the discount.
I’ll add more deals as I find them. In the meantime, enjoy your vacation and savings!
Do you know of a great deal or freebie in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? Share it in the comments below, and I may even add it to this article.
