Picking Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge as a base is one of the top questions we get. Both towns are in the Smoky Mountains, so you’ve already made a great choice!
And even if you pick the wrong town, you’re less than 30 minutes away from the other one. Even though these cities are close, they’re different. We’ll carefully compare these two destinations to help you choose.
Overhead view of downtown Gatlinburg from the Gatlinburg Skypark. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
There are scenic views of the mountains around the town and from the top of the mountains, looking down into the town. Multiple rides, like Ober Mountain’s aerial tramway or Anakeesta’s chair lifts, will take you up the mountains.
The attractions are unique and mountain-themed. They differ from Pigeon Forge, which we’ll discuss below.
Gatlinburg and the Anakeesta Base Station. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
East end of Gatlinburg near Gatlinburg Aquarium. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Lodging is different than in most towns in Gatlinburg. There are more older motel-style accommodations, along with a few newer resorts.
Pigeon Forge Parkway from The Island. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Just outside the mountain valley that Gatlinburg sits in, Pigeon Forge is only a few miles away.
But it has a whole different look than Gatlinburg. While (smaller) hills are still in view, the city is wide open and spread out.
North Pigeon Forge from SkyLand Ranch . Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Pigeon Forge is also centered on the Parkway. But it’s a large multi-lane road, and the attractions are spread out. It doesn’t have the village charm that Gatlinburg does.
You’ll need a car to get around Pigeon Forge. There is a trolley system, though you’ll likely need a car anyway if you’re planning on visiting anything in the National Park.
The Island in Pigeon Forge. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
But with more space, there are a lot more attractions in Pigeon Forge. Especially large attractions that Gatlinburg doesn’t have room for.
Gatlinburg on a slow night. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Our only dislike of Gatlinburg is the traffic. The one main road that makes the town so walkable also makes driving in and out of town hard.
There’s only one main road, with three entrances to town.
On a summer weekend, traffic can back up for miles. If you’re planning on driving into town and staying in the area for a few days, Gatlinburg is perfect.
Downtown Gatlinburg in Winter. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
The Parkway is a four-lane road with only a few stop lights and plenty of pedestrian crosswalks to stop at.
There’s no left-turn lane in most places, either. You’ll need to rely on the courtesy of Tennessee drivers to make a left turn. Tennessee is the only place we’ve lived where you only have to wait a couple of cars before someone stops to let you make a turn!
Gatlinburg Parkway at night. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
So if you’re visiting many places outside of the downtown area, the traffic in and out of town can add a lot of driving time getting in and out of town.
Gatlinburg on a cloudy day in March. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
But more importantly, there are backroads you can take to avoid the slowdown on the Parkway.
Veterans Blvd is just east of the Parkway and runs parallel to it . So if you’re going from one end of Pigeon Forge to the other, it’s much faster to take Veterans Blvd, then go back over to the Parkway.
But Pigeon Forge is so spread out that a rental car is needed for almost everything.
There is a trolley system in Pigeon Forge that we’ve used, but we find it more convenient to drive.
Ski lift to Gatlinburg Skybridge. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Like the Gatlinburg SkyBridge. It’s the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the U.S.
Ride a ski chairlift up to the mountain, then walk across the bridge, which even has glass floor panels.
Gatlinburg Skybridge. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Or, there is Anakeesta, a newer mountaintop destination (and one of our favorites) accessible via ski lift. It has huge playgrounds for kids, restaurants, and several mountain-coaster-type rides.
And one of our favorite things at Anakeesta is the tree-top walk across these hanging bridges.
Anakeesta Hanging Bridges. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
There’s more to cover in Gatlinburg than we can fit in this comparison, such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ober Mountain, which you can read our review on.
Dollywood’s Wild Eagle Roller Coaster. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Dollywood is a must-visit! It’s one of our favorite theme parks in the country, and we renew our annual passes for it most years.
Dollywood merges an old-time Appalachian experience with modern thrill rides.
Dollywood at Christmas. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
There are some of the fastest rollers around here, but there’s plenty to do for everyone else.
You can ride an authentic steam train. Or watch blacksmiths, glass blowing, and candle making.
Dollywood Daredevil Falls. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a newer entertainment and shopping hub.
The Island in Pigeon Forge. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
Everything is centered around the dancing fountain area.
It’s a great place to spend part of a day and an excellent walkable area if you want to stay at one of the nearby hotels.
If you’re visiting in the summer, there are a few large water parks in Pigeon Forge, too, including one of our favorites, Soaky Mountain.
Read more about things to do in Pigeon Forge on our list, there’s plenty!
The two main options are a cabin in the mountains or a hotel in town.
Many cabins with great views are west of Pigeon Forge, up some fairly steep, windy roads. There are also cabins close to town in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, which puts you close to the attractions.
Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg Looking Out Front. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
If you’re staying in Gatlinburg, we recommend staying at one of the hotels on our list downtown within walking distance of the attractions.
Gatlinburg has several newer hotels, including our favorite, Margaritaville Resort, which we reviewed on our last stay.
The Island in Pigeon Forge. Photo by Ashley @ TheSmokyMountains.com
We’d recommend a hotel in Pigeon Forge somewhere in or around The Island.
Our favorite there is also a Margaritaville, the Margaritaville Island Hotel, viewable in the picture above (not to be confused with the adjacent Margaritaville Island Inn).
We don’t have any ties to the Margaritaville brand; they’re just newer hotels in great locations, both in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Our pick is Gatlinburg, but we’d recommend splitting your stay if you have more than a week: spend a few days in Gatlinburg and the rest in Pigeon Forge. Either way, you’ll be close to all the attractions in the area.
And even if you pick the wrong town, you’re less than 30 minutes away from the other one. Even though these cities are close, they’re different. We’ll carefully compare these two destinations to help you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Gatlinburg is a village town in a valley. Its downtown area is walkable. If you’re staying in downtown Gatlinburg, you can get by without a car. And you’ll want to walk. The traffic in Gatlinburg makes driving slow on a weekend.
- Pigeon Forge is much bigger and spread out, with attractions throughout its Parkway. You’ll need a car to drive between them.
GATLINBURG VS PIGEON FORGE OVERVIEW
Gatlinburg Overview
Gatlinburg is in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. It feels like you’re close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park(apart from the traffic), which is just a couple miles south of town
There are scenic views of the mountains around the town and from the top of the mountains, looking down into the town. Multiple rides, like Ober Mountain’s aerial tramway or Anakeesta’s chair lifts, will take you up the mountains.
The attractions are unique and mountain-themed. They differ from Pigeon Forge, which we’ll discuss below.
The downtown area is a cluster of tourist shops and many restaurants, nearly all centered on the main road, the Parkway.
Lodging is different than in most towns in Gatlinburg. There are more older motel-style accommodations, along with a few newer resorts.
Pigeon Forge Overview
Just outside the mountain valley that Gatlinburg sits in, Pigeon Forge is only a few miles away.
But it has a whole different look than Gatlinburg. While (smaller) hills are still in view, the city is wide open and spread out.
Pigeon Forge is also centered on the Parkway. But it’s a large multi-lane road, and the attractions are spread out. It doesn’t have the village charm that Gatlinburg does.
You’ll need a car to get around Pigeon Forge. There is a trolley system, though you’ll likely need a car anyway if you’re planning on visiting anything in the National Park.
But with more space, there are a lot more attractions in Pigeon Forge. Especially large attractions that Gatlinburg doesn’t have room for.
NAVIGATING PIGEON FORGE VS GATLINBURG
The two cities have very different layouts. Nearly everything is walkable in Gatlinburg, while in Pigeon Forge, it isn’t. If you’re on vacation in the area, you’ll likely do things in both cities.Getting Around Gatlinburg
Our only dislike of Gatlinburg is the traffic. The one main road that makes the town so walkable also makes driving in and out of town hard.
There’s only one main road, with three entrances to town.
On a summer weekend, traffic can back up for miles. If you’re planning on driving into town and staying in the area for a few days, Gatlinburg is perfect.
The Parkway is a four-lane road with only a few stop lights and plenty of pedestrian crosswalks to stop at.
There’s no left-turn lane in most places, either. You’ll need to rely on the courtesy of Tennessee drivers to make a left turn. Tennessee is the only place we’ve lived where you only have to wait a couple of cars before someone stops to let you make a turn!
So if you’re visiting many places outside of the downtown area, the traffic in and out of town can add a lot of driving time getting in and out of town.
Getting Around Pigeon Forge
Getting around Pigeon Forge is much easier. While the Parkway does get packed entirely with traffic, it’s easier to navigate. It’s a wide road with plenty of stoplights and turn lanes.But more importantly, there are backroads you can take to avoid the slowdown on the Parkway.
Veterans Blvd is just east of the Parkway and runs parallel to it . So if you’re going from one end of Pigeon Forge to the other, it’s much faster to take Veterans Blvd, then go back over to the Parkway.
But Pigeon Forge is so spread out that a rental car is needed for almost everything.
There is a trolley system in Pigeon Forge that we’ve used, but we find it more convenient to drive.
ATTRACTIONS PIGEON FORGE VS GATLINBURG
The cities’ attractions are also very different, so you’ll often find yourself traveling between them to see everything they have to offer.Gatlinburg Attractions
Gatlinburg is an excellent place for attractions you won’t find elsewhere. Because space in the town is at a premium, many of the newer attractions are built into the surrounding mountains.
Like the Gatlinburg SkyBridge. It’s the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the U.S.
Ride a ski chairlift up to the mountain, then walk across the bridge, which even has glass floor panels.
Or, there is Anakeesta, a newer mountaintop destination (and one of our favorites) accessible via ski lift. It has huge playgrounds for kids, restaurants, and several mountain-coaster-type rides.
And one of our favorite things at Anakeesta is the tree-top walk across these hanging bridges.
There’s more to cover in Gatlinburg than we can fit in this comparison, such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ober Mountain, which you can read our review on.
Pigeon Forge Attractions
Over in Pigeon Forge, there are enough attractions to entertain you for the whole trip. With much more open space, there’s room for theme parks like Dollywood and other big attractions.
Dollywood is a must-visit! It’s one of our favorite theme parks in the country, and we renew our annual passes for it most years.
Dollywood merges an old-time Appalachian experience with modern thrill rides.
There are some of the fastest rollers around here, but there’s plenty to do for everyone else.
You can ride an authentic steam train. Or watch blacksmiths, glass blowing, and candle making.
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a newer entertainment and shopping hub.
Everything is centered around the dancing fountain area.
It’s a great place to spend part of a day and an excellent walkable area if you want to stay at one of the nearby hotels.
If you’re visiting in the summer, there are a few large water parks in Pigeon Forge, too, including one of our favorites, Soaky Mountain.
Read more about things to do in Pigeon Forge on our list, there’s plenty!
ACCOMMODATIONS IN GATLINBURG AND PIGEON FORGE
Whether you’re leaning towards a cozy cabin with mountain views or the convenience of a hotel near all the action, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer many accommodation options.The two main options are a cabin in the mountains or a hotel in town.
Cabins
We love staying in cabins, but if you want the great mountain views, you’ll be a bit of a drive from town and the attractions.Many cabins with great views are west of Pigeon Forge, up some fairly steep, windy roads. There are also cabins close to town in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, which puts you close to the attractions.
Hotels In Gatlinburg
If you’re staying in Gatlinburg, we recommend staying at one of the hotels on our list downtown within walking distance of the attractions.
Gatlinburg has several newer hotels, including our favorite, Margaritaville Resort, which we reviewed on our last stay.
Hotels In Pigeon Forge
We’d recommend a hotel in Pigeon Forge somewhere in or around The Island.
Our favorite there is also a Margaritaville, the Margaritaville Island Hotel, viewable in the picture above (not to be confused with the adjacent Margaritaville Island Inn).
We don’t have any ties to the Margaritaville brand; they’re just newer hotels in great locations, both in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOUR FAMILY?
Do you love the outdoors and a small-town feel? Choose Gatlinburg. Do you prefer lots of activities and easy to get to other places? Go with Pigeon Forge.Our pick is Gatlinburg, but we’d recommend splitting your stay if you have more than a week: spend a few days in Gatlinburg and the rest in Pigeon Forge. Either way, you’ll be close to all the attractions in the area.