10 Things to Try at The Island in Pigeon Forge
Published Mar 28, 2026
The Island in Pigeon Forge is one of those rare places where you can show up with no plan, no tickets, and no agenda — and still have a genuinely great time. Admission is free, parking is free, and the complex stretches across 23 acres of rides, restaurants, shops, games, live music, and experiences that range from thrilling to hilarious to surprisingly memorable.
The challenge isn't finding things to do. It's knowing which experiences are worth your time and money. Here are the 10 best things to try at The Island.
1. Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at sunset
The 200-foot Ferris wheel is The Island's most iconic landmark — visible from the Parkway before you even turn in. Climate-controlled gondolas make it comfortable year-round, and the 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountain ridgeline and Pigeon Forge below are genuinely beautiful. The best time to ride isn't noon, though — it's sunset, when the mountains catch the last light of the day while The Island's lights begin to glow below. The transition from mountain panorama to illuminated entertainment complex, all from a slowly rotating gondola, is one of the most effortlessly romantic moments Pigeon Forge offers.
2. Watch the Island Show Fountain after dark
The show fountain is free — and one of the best free experiences at The Island. Giant jets of water dance in choreographed sequences timed to music, lit by color-changing lights that make the whole complex glow. Shows run throughout the day, but the after-dark version is where the magic happens: the lights reflect off the water, the crowd naturally gathers, and the combination of music, movement, and light turns an ordinary evening stroll into something festive. Stake out a rocking chair around the fountain before the show starts — they fill up fast.
3. Test your skills at The Great Big Game Show
If you've ever watched a TV game show and thought you could win, this is your chance to find out. The Great Big Game Show puts you on a full-sized TV-style set with a live host who guides you and your friends through fast-paced challenges testing knowledge, reflexes, and composure under pressure. The audience-participation format makes it one of The Island's most genuinely interactive experiences — and one of the funniest evenings available for groups and families who want to compete against each other rather than just watch.
4. Dive into Alcatraz East Crime Museum
One of the most consistently underrated attractions at The Island — and one that holds adult attention for 2+ hours. Alcatraz East explores American crime history through five themed galleries with more than 100 interactive exhibits, authentic artifacts, and immersive displays. Highlights include artifacts from famous cases alongside an interactive forensics lab where you can lift fingerprints, analyze evidence, and build a criminal profile. The forensics section alone can absorb a curious visitor for an hour.
5. SkyFly: Soar America
SkyFly is The Island's most genuinely spectacular attraction — and one of the most impressive rides in all of Pigeon Forge. It's a flying theater that suspends you, feet dangling, before a large spherical screen while a custom film takes you on an aerial journey across the United States. Wind, mist, scent, and motion combine with the visuals to create a sensation guests consistently describe as actually feeling like flight. Destinations include Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Maui, Niagara Falls, the Great Smoky Mountains, and many more American landscapes. Reviewers frequently compare it favorably to Disney's Soarin', and many ride it twice in a single visit.
Tip: Ride it early in your visit so you have time to go back for a second run.
6. Compete at laser tag
The Island's custom-built laser tag arena is designed to feel like stepping inside a video game — a unique layout with lighting, sound, and obstacles that set it apart from standard venues. Multi-player team competition, individual scoring, and a layout that rewards both strategy and reflexes make it a natural evening activity for groups with older kids and teens who want something active and competitive after dinner.
7. Get a caricature drawing
An artist hand-draws a caricature of you while you wait — a hilarious, endearing souvenir that takes about 20 minutes and produces something you'll actually display. Short on time? The artists can work from photos. Get one of the whole family — the result is typically both accurate and exaggerated in exactly the right measure. This is the souvenir experience that surprises people most: walk past the station ten times, finally stop on the last day, and leave with the funniest memento of the trip.
8. Play Arcade City
One of the largest redemption arcades in Pigeon Forge — hundreds of games covering everything from classic skill games to modern redemption machines to racing and sports simulators. Kids quickly identify the high-payout games and work toward the prize wall; adults rediscover the competitive focus a good arcade uniquely provides. The prize selection is well-stocked and regularly updated. Budget a specific amount per kid before entering and you'll avoid the "just one more game" negotiation loop.
9. Taste Ole Smoky Moonshine at The Barn
Ole Smoky's Pigeon Forge location sits right at The Island — free to enter, with live bluegrass music and free tastings of America's most-visited distillery's full flavor lineup, from Apple Pie and Blackberry to Butter Pecan and Mountain Java. The Barn's live music and casual tasting atmosphere make it the most relaxed, most authentically Tennessee stop on the entire Island property. Arrive with no agenda and leave with a mason jar of something you genuinely liked.
10. Island Ropes Course
One of The Island's best-kept secrets for active families and adventurous visitors. The multi-level outdoor challenge course works for kids and adults at different difficulty levels — lower routes for younger or less confident climbers, upper routes for those who want a genuine physical challenge above the treetops. Unlike a standard ropes course, this one puts you above the complex itself, navigating obstacles with the Ferris wheel, the fountain, and the full energy of The Island spread below you. The course is self-paced, and a harness and safety cable keep you secured throughout, making it accessible for first-timers and younger kids without being any less thrilling for experienced climbers.
Tip: The ropes course can be added to the unlimited-rides wristband for extra value if your group plans to use the wristband anyway.
Dining at The Island: where to eat
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen — the anchor dining experience. Family-style lazy-Susan service loaded with fried chicken, pot roast, mac and cheese, and biscuits. Best for groups and families who want a full Southern meal. Arrive before 5:30 PM on busy evenings to avoid waits.
Margaritaville Restaurant — burgers, seafood, and tropical cocktails in a beach-themed setting. The rooftop bar is excellent for an evening drink.
Mellow Mushroom — stone-baked pizzas with creative topping combinations; one of the most consistently praised quick-dining options at The Island.
Timberwood Grill — more relaxed sit-down dining for those who want a meal without Paula Deen's wait times.
Practical tips for your Island visit
Come back after dark. The Island transforms dramatically after sunset — the fountain show, Ferris wheel lights, Ole Smoky's Barn, and the general energy of the complex are all better in the evening than during the day.
Use the LeConte Center tram on busy days. Free parking at the LeConte Center lot with a complimentary tram to the entrance saves a long walk and the stress of finding a spot in the main lot.
Free admission, individual ticket pricing. The Island is free to enter; rides, attractions, and food are individually priced. An unlimited-rides wristband saves money if your group plans multiple rides (note it typically doesn't include the Ferris wheel — check current terms).
Arrive midweek for shorter lines. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are noticeably less crowded than Friday through Sunday.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Island in Pigeon Forge free?
Yes — admission and parking are completely free. Individual rides, attractions, and food are separately priced.
How long should I plan to spend at The Island?
A casual visit runs 2–3 hours. A full day — incorporating rides, lunch, arcade, Alcatraz East, dinner, and the evening fountain show — is genuinely achievable and recommended if your schedule allows.
What is the best time to visit The Island?
Early evening for the best combination of manageable crowds and post-sunset atmosphere. Midweek afternoons for the fewest lines and most relaxed browsing.
Is The Island good for young kids?
Excellent — the Ferris wheel gondolas, carousel, fountain show, and Arcade City all work well for young children. Laser tag and the ropes course work for kids around ages 6–7 and up.
Browse Colonial Properties' cabins near The Island — just minutes from the fountain, the Ferris wheel, and every attraction on the Parkway.
