The Island in Pigeon Forge: Family Visitor Guide
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a 23-acre, family-friendly entertainment destination with rides, restaurants, shops, games, live music, a free dancing fountain show, and the 200-foot Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
Admission and parking are free, so families can stop by for a quick evening visit or spend several hours exploring without purchasing an attraction ticket simply to enter.
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The Island in Pigeon Forge Family Visitor Guide
After checking into our hotel in Pigeon Forge, we headed to The Island. At the time, we had never heard of it. We quickly discovered that it is one of those wonderfully convenient vacation stops where families can eat, shop, play and relax without driving from attraction to attraction.
The Island is located in the heart of Pigeon Forge between Parkway traffic lights 3 and 4. It is home to more than 80 shops, restaurants, rides and attractions, with the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel standing above it all like a giant welcome sign.
You do not need a general admission ticket to enter The Island. Families can walk through the shopping district, listen to live music, watch the Island Show Fountain and enjoy the atmosphere for free. Rides, games, food and other paid attractions are available individually or through ticket and wristband options.
Why Families Love The Island in Pigeon Forge
- It is free to enter: You only pay for the food, shopping, rides and attractions your family chooses.
- Parking is free: A complimentary tram carries guests from the main parking area to the entrance.
- There is something for different ages: Younger children, teens, parents and grandparents can all find something to enjoy.
- It works day or night: Daytime offers mountain views and easy shopping, while evening brings colorful lights and a livelier atmosphere.
- It is easy to customize: Stop for a snack and fountain show or build an entire afternoon around rides, games, dining and shopping.
Readers Also Plan
Building a family trip to the Smokies? Start with our Pigeon Forge family vacation guide, find more thrills at The Track and Wild Woody go-karts, or try zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park.
Where to Park at The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island offers free parking in its marked lots. The main parking area is between The Island and the LeConte Event Center.
After parking, families can walk to the entrance or catch the complimentary tram. The tram is especially helpful when traveling with young children, tired grandparents, strollers or bags collected during a day of shopping.
Traveler tip: Save the location of your vehicle on your phone before boarding the tram. The parking area is large, and everything looks a little different after dark.
Parking arrangements and operating hours can change for events or busy travel periods, so check the official The Island parking and directions page before your visit.
Best Things to Do at The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island has enough activities to fill several hours, but families do not need to do everything to enjoy it. Choose one or two paid attractions, leave time to wander, and make room for the free fountain show.
Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is the centerpiece of The Island and one of the most recognizable attractions in Pigeon Forge. The 200-foot observation wheel can be seen from many places around town.
The fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas make the ride comfortable in warm or cool weather. The glass walls provide panoramic views of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains without the exposed feeling of a traditional Ferris wheel seat.
Guests may purchase individual tickets, choose an unlimited ride option or upgrade to a VIP gondola when available. Ticket packages and prices can change, so review the official Great Smoky Mountain Wheel information before planning your budget.
See the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at Night
We first saw the wheel in the early afternoon, when its sheer size was the star of the show. Once the sun set, it became something entirely different.
Colorful lights race along the beams and transform the wheel into a glowing Pigeon Forge landmark. Purple, green, blue and multicolored patterns make the entire area feel more festive.
If your schedule allows, arrive before sunset. You can enjoy the mountain views in daylight, eat dinner, watch the fountain show and see the wheel illuminated after dark.
Enjoy the View from the Wheel
The wheel offers a peaceful break from the bustle below. As the gondola rises, the shops, attractions and traffic begin to look surprisingly small.
The ride is smooth and gentle rather than fast or intense, making it a good choice for families who want a memorable view without a thrill ride. Anyone uncomfortable with heights should still consider how the elevation may feel before purchasing a ticket.
Browse the Shops and Photo Stops
The Island has more than 40 shops and boutiques, with everything from toys and apparel to candy, gifts and Smoky Mountain souvenirs.
We found plenty of playful photo opportunities while walking through the shopping area. The kiddos could not resist posing like their favorite Playmobil characters outside one of the toy stores.
Do not feel pressured to rush from one attraction to the next. Some of our favorite memories came from wandering, laughing and discovering the unexpected details between the larger attractions.
Try The Island Ropes Course
Our kiddos tackled the three-story Island Ropes Course and loved the simulated free fall at the end.
The course includes elevated obstacles and requires participants to wear safety equipment. Height, weight, footwear and participation requirements may apply, so check the current The Island rides and attractions information before promising this activity to the kids.
Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes are the practical choice for anyone planning to climb.
Perfect with a Summer Smoky Mountains Road Trip
An afternoon at The Island fits naturally into a summer Pigeon Forge itinerary. Visit an outdoor attraction earlier in the day, cool down in the climate-controlled wheel, stay for dinner and watch the lights come alive after sunset. When the vacation is over, keep the easygoing summer feeling going with ideas from our Summer Recipes and Party Ideas collection.
Where to Eat at The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island has quick snacks, sweet treats and full-service restaurants, making it easy to feed a family without leaving the property. Current dining choices include casual restaurants, pizza, Southern-style meals, coffee, candy, ice cream and grab-and-go snacks.
After a day of play, the kiddos wanted a snack. We stopped at Poyner’s Pommes Frites for Belgian-style fries that were piled high with delicious toppings.
One dessert that caught our attention was spaghetti ice cream. It is an ice cream sundae made to resemble a plate of spaghetti, with vanilla ice cream “noodles,” fruit or chocolate sauce, white chocolate “Parmesan,” candy “meatballs” and cookies standing in for breadsticks.
Restaurants and vendors can change over time, so browse the current restaurants at The Island before choosing a must-try dining stop.
Do Not Miss the Free Island Show Fountain
The multi-tiered Island Show Fountain was one of the loveliest surprises of our visit. Water danced, swirled and shot into the air in time with music while lights added color to the performance.
The fountain show is free, which makes it an especially useful activity while part of the family rests, waits for a dining reservation or decides what to do next.
Find a seat, slow down and let the kids watch more than one song. Vacation schedules can become a race to the next ticketed attraction, but this is one of those moments when doing less creates a better memory.
Should You Visit The Island During the Day or at Night?
Visit during the day for clearer Smoky Mountain views from the wheel, easier family photographs and a more relaxed look at the shops.
Visit at night for the illuminated wheel, colorful fountain show and lively evening atmosphere.
Our favorite strategy is to arrive in the late afternoon and stay through sunset. That allows families to experience both versions without making two separate trips.
How Long Should You Spend at The Island?
Plan at least two to three hours for a relaxed visit with one attraction, shopping, a snack and the fountain show.
Allow four to six hours when your family wants to ride the wheel, complete the ropes course, play games, shop and sit down for a meal.
The Island can also be a flexible evening stop after spending the day elsewhere in Pigeon Forge. Because there is no admission charge, you do not lose money by arriving later or staying for only a short time.
Expert Tips for Visiting The Island with Kids
Check Hours Before You Go
The Island is open throughout the year, but individual restaurants, shops, rides and attractions may have different schedules. Check the official hours and events calendar before leaving your hotel.
Set a Spending Plan
Free entry can make The Island feel inexpensive at first, but rides, games, snacks and souvenirs add up quickly. Let each child choose a priority before arriving or set a clear attraction and souvenir budget.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The Island is walkable, but families may spend several hours moving between shops, rides and restaurants. Comfortable shoes make the evening much more pleasant.
Bring a Light Layer
Temperatures can change after sunset, especially during spring and fall. A light jacket is useful while waiting for the tram or watching the fountain show.
Take Your Wheel Photos Before Dark
The illuminated wheel is beautiful, but daytime and golden-hour photographs often capture faces and surrounding mountain scenery more clearly.
Allow Extra Time During Busy Seasons
Summer, school breaks, holiday weekends and special events can mean longer waits for the tram, attractions and restaurants. Avoid building a tightly timed schedule around your visit.
Is The Island in Pigeon Forge Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially for families who want several types of entertainment in one walkable location. The free admission, free parking, fountain show and relaxed shopping area make it possible to enjoy The Island without buying a ticket for every attraction.
Families who prefer quiet nature experiences may find it busy, particularly after dark or during peak vacation periods. In that case, visit earlier in the day and treat The Island as a shorter meal, shopping or observation-wheel stop.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Island in Pigeon Forge
Is The Island in Pigeon Forge free?
Yes. There is no general admission charge to enter The Island, walk through the shops or watch the Island Show Fountain. Visitors pay separately for rides, games, food, shopping and ticketed attractions.
Is parking free at The Island in Pigeon Forge?
Yes. Parking is free in The Island’s marked parking lots. A complimentary tram transports guests between the main parking area and the entrance during operating hours.
Where is The Island in Pigeon Forge?
The Island is located at 131 The Island Drive in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just off the Parkway between traffic lights 3 and 4.
What is there to do at The Island in Pigeon Forge?
Families can ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, try the ropes course and other rides, play games, shop, eat at restaurants, listen to live music and watch the free Island Show Fountain.
How tall is the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel?
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is 200 feet tall. Its enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas provide views over Pigeon Forge and toward the Smoky Mountains.
Is The Island in Pigeon Forge good for young children?
Yes. The walkable layout, fountain show, shops, food choices and selection of family attractions make it suitable for children. Always check current height and participation requirements before purchasing ride tickets.
Can you visit The Island without riding anything?
Yes. Visitors may enter, walk around, shop, eat, enjoy live entertainment and watch the fountain show without purchasing a ride ticket.
Is The Island better during the day or at night?
Daytime is better for mountain views and clear family photographs. Nighttime is better for seeing the wheel, fountain and shopping district illuminated. Arriving in late afternoon provides a little of both.
How much time do you need at The Island?
Two to three hours is enough for one attraction, a snack, shopping and the fountain show. Families planning several attractions and a full meal may want four to six hours.
Final Thoughts on Visiting The Island in Pigeon Forge
By day, The Island was fun, colorful and easy to explore. At night, it felt almost magical.
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel glowed above us, the fountain danced to music, and the kids still had plenty to talk about after the rides were over. What began as a place we had never heard of became one of those vacation stops that offered a little something for everyone.
Whether your family comes for the wheel, the ropes course, the shopping, the food or simply a free evening fountain show, The Island in Pigeon Forge is an easy addition to a Smoky Mountains vacation.