The Best 3 Places We Stay & Eat in Pigeon Forge
We definitely have favorites in Pigeon Forge, TN. We wanted to share our quick picks and best 3 places to eat and stay in Pigeon Forge with you, so you can consider these options when planning your next trip! There are so many options available now that winging it in Pigeon Forge is becoming more difficult every year. You don’t want to miss out on something awesome because you didn’t know it was out there and we’re here to give you a few great options to consider in every category.
Best 3 Places We Stay and Eat in Pigeon Forge: Hotels
One of the most important things to do in Pigeon Forge is find the right place to stay. With great options for every personality, you can stay in the heart of the action or find yourself a peaceful escape. Resorts, cabins, hotels, Air BnB, and VRBO property rentals are all available in and around Pigeon Forge and available for every budget.
Our Top 3 Stays near Pigeon Forge
When it comes to choosing our home away from home in a tourist destination, we opt for convenience, location and good vibes. I check out photos of the rooms, bathrooms and outdoor spaces. I search for reviews of the bed comfort, cleanliness and helpfulness of staff members because those are the things that are important to us.
As you know, we’re fluffy travelers, therefore a different set of concerns dominate our priorities. If you’d like to learn more about our ”fluffy traveler rules” check out this post.
Margaritaville Island Hotel
If you want to be in the heart of the action at The Island, check out Margaritaville Island Hotel. It is smack dab in the middle of one of the most popular attractions in Pigeon Forge. The rooms are contemporary, bright and airy and include a mini fridge, microwave, Keurig coffee maker and the standards like a TV, iron, hair dryer, and in room safe. Most rooms also offer a balcony and include a free continental breakfast!
During the peak times, you can expect to pay $280-$400 a night (plus between $36-$60 per night in taxes and fees.) During off peak times, you can get a standard king room for $180-$240 (plus around $22-$30 per night in taxes and fees.) Going in the early part of the week will save you some money if you are planning to go for just a few days.
What makes Margaritaville Island Hotel Unique?
The amenities, staff and location of this hotel make it a winner in our book. You can book a massage or facial at the spa, grab drinks on the roof top deck, enjoy an indoor or outdoor pool or just chill by the fire pit. Step across the street and you can enjoy live music, incredible restaurants and shops.
Wilderness at the Smokies
This is by far my favorite place to stay in the area with kids in the summer. The resort hosts indoor and outdoor water parks and beautiful lodge like rooms. If you’ve ever stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge, you’ll find this resort is similar in many ways and just as much fun.
During peak seasons, you’ll pay $240-$400 a night (plus between $30-$50 per night in taxes and fees.) During off peak times, you can get a standard king room for $160-$240 (plus around $22-$30 per night in taxes and fees.) You can get a suite with a full kitchen, bunk beds for the kids or even rent a villa.
What makes Wilderness at the Smokies Unique?
The incredible indoor and outdoor water parks with wave pools, splash pads and huge slides are included the price of the room! You can’t beat this resort for fun family entertainment value. There’s an arcade, indoor black light mini-golf, laser tag and indoor climbing wall.
Shuttles take you to and from the hotels and water park. The restaurant offerings are your standard resort offerings with a Starbucks built in (yay)! The staff is friendly, the facilities are clean and the resort is upbeat and fun. To get more info check out Wilderness at the Smokies
Arbors At Island Landing
This is another great place to be in the center of the action and accordingly, is our favorite budget stay. It’s 2 blocks from the Island, includes a free pancake breakfast or reduced price buffet breakfast at Reagan’s House of Pancakes and is riverside. Peak season prices for a standard room are around $140-180/night and off season prices run $70-90 a night.
Since dogs are allowed here, this is a great option for dog lovers. We got to spend time with so many cute doggos in the evening hanging out at the bonfire. The room entrances and elevator are located on the outside adjacent to the parking lot. Consequently, it’s a great spot for people who don’t want to walk a country mile in a hotel to get to their room.
What makes Arbors At Island Landing Unique?
All the usual amenities are includes plus some fun extras at Arbors At Island Landing. You’ll find nightly bonfire with s’mores and a 24 hour heated pool. You can fish in the creek, picnic waterside or rock next to the fire pit. You can walk to the comedy barn, Alcatraz East & the Island in just a few minutes as well.
The trolly stops right in front of the hotel which makes getting around town or heading to Dollywood super easy. Trollies are a great way to get around town in normal travel conditions. However, post covid, they are running a bit slower at present so just be prepared for a longer wait time.
Best 3 Places To Eat and Stay in Pigeon Forge: All Day Eats
Top 3 All Day Eats
Pigeon Forge has so many great restaurants it’s hard to narrow down the list. For this post, we’re narrowing it down to places that you can get a good meal no matter what meal you’re eating. We’re working on a list of the best of the best for each meal, but there are so many places to try, it’ll take a couple more trips before that list is done.
The Old Mill Restaurant
The Old Mill Restaurant is a classic with a great atmosphere, good food and quick friendly service. Portion sizes are more than you would expect and probably more than you can consume in one sitting. Most meals here include a beverage like juice in the morning or tea/soda in the afternoon and evening.
For breakfast Dhubs likes the Cinnamon raisin pecan french toast with bacon. My favorite option is the vegetable quiche and fruit. It’s the best of savory and sweet and feels healthier, although something tells me it’s probably not as ”good for me” as it is tasty.
Believe it or not, Dhubs and I can split a hot turkey sandwich for lunch because it’s HUGE and come with hush puppies and corn chowder. There a many other options for lunch, but we really liked this sandwich. If you want something a bit heartier, the pot roast with mashed potatoes is also delicious.
Dinner At Old Mill is full of your typical southern suspects. Fried chicken, fried catfish, chicken n’ dumplings, meatloaf and all the fixings. I really like the prime rib because it has been perfectly cooked every time we’ve been here. The grilled pork chops hit the spot with our family as well.
Dessert is included with dinner and is always something delicious from their in house bakery. Take a look at what’s being plated in the bakery area near the entrance. It’ll make your mouth water before you’re even seated.
Mama’s Farmhouse
Remember how your grandmother would have a whole smorgasbord of dishes on Sunday when the whole family came over to eat? Well, Mama’s Farmhouse does just that. Breakfast is an ”all you can eat” setup while lunch and dinner are family style dining with your table’s choice of several options for sides and meats.
You’ll spend around $15/adult for breakfast $19 for lunch and $23 for dinner. It’s about $10 less for kids ages 6-12 and kids under 5 years eat for free. It’s a TON of food, but it’s so tasty that you’ll want to eat everything that comes out.
Mel’s Diner
Mel’s is our budget friendly choice with all the charm of a 50s soda shop. Breakfast typically runs you about $10 a plate for two eggs, hashbrowns and sausage or bacon. The best part about Mel’s is getting breakfast late at night or a burger in the morning.
We don’t always want traditional breakfast first thing in the morning and sometimes we want a waffle for dinner. Mel’s gives us that flexibility because the entire menu is served all day. If you want a giant grilled cheese sandwich and some pasta salad or a hearty scratch made meatloaf you can get it at Mel’s Diner.
We consistently leave Mel’s without spending more than $30-35 for a meal with gratuity. It’s a bargain for a tourist destination without a doubt. We love the diner feel of Mel’s and the consistency of hospitality and food quality.
The Wrap Up
You can’t beat Pigeon Forge for a fun filled adventure in the mountains of the south. Take advantage of your time in Pigeon Forge and explore different places to eat, check out resorts and hotels to decide where you’ll stay next time. We’ll continue to explore and fill you in on our favorite experiences as well! If you’re looking for our favorite attraction in Pigeon Forge, check out our post on 12 Reasons To Visit Dollywood or if you want to check out other mountain destinations, take a look at our Unique Things To Do In The Mountains post.