The Island in Pigeon Forge – 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN, 37863
Like a cruise ship on land, The Island in Pigeon Forge is your one-stop oasis in The Smokies transporting guests to an all-inclusive destination. No, you’re not docked in a tropical port, you’re at the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where you can eat, drink, shop, play and stay. This hub of activity in eastern Tennessee is a unique fun-filled family-friendly spot that has over thirty shops, a dozen restaurants, games & attractions set on over 20 acres & we love the convenience of having endless food & fun literally within walking distance.
Thank you to both The Island in Pigeon Forge and The Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism for hosting our visit to The Island in exchange for this review!
The Island Vibe
Opened in June of 2013, The Island in Pigeon Forge is a beautifully-themed destination experience & with its multitude of shops and eateries, it truly feels like something out of the pages of Universal Orlando Resort & The Walt Disney World Resort both in Orlando, Florida – think the best parts of Disney Springs & CityWalk (because you have to pay to park to get into CityWalk, but The Island is FREE!). Side note, Disney Springs opened in 2015 – did they loosely borrow their inspiration from The Island which opened in 2013? just curious.
In our opinion, the theming is tastefully done and not out of place. The landscape features water, but instead of Lake Buena Vista which borders Disney Springs & CityWalk Lagoon which borders CityWalk, The Island in Pigeon Forge is centered around The Island Fountain where the relaxing sounds of the fountain’s waterworks mimic that of crashing ocean waves. In addition, each of the retail spaces features a low-key beach shack exterior & color-scheme that transports visitors to a mountain-side beach town. In fact, many of the businesses you’ll find at The Island also have locations at Disney Springs like The Savannah Bee Company and you can also buy many of the same international brands that you’ve come to love from Disney Springs like Tervis & Loungefly at Kryptonite Character Store.
What The Island has over both of these other theme park locations is that it appears to be designed to perfectly handle large crowds, unlike the latter. Clean & wide open pathways beautifully constructed of decorative concrete, ample rocking chairs for the perfect space to sit a spell, & enough shopping, dining & attractions to entertain any type of visitor. In addition, The Island offers endless amounts of free entertainment from The Island Fountain Show to Grammy-worthy performances from some of the most talented musicians we’ve ever seen.
Eat
From full-service sit down meals to fast food and snacks, foodies will love grabbing breakfast, lunch & dinner by eating their way around The Island in Pigeon Forge
Table-Service Restaurants
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant – If there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that wherever we are in the world – if there’s a Margaritaville nearby, you will find us there!
Consistently, Margaritaville is the one chain restaurant that not only provides quality food & service, but also one heck of a good time. This is by far our favorite spot to dine on The Island. With a themed exterior fit for a coastal beach house and a riverfront tiki bar, Margaritaville Pigeon Forge will definitely put you in that island state of mind. It’s always 5 o’clock at Margaritaville, and these folks sure know how to show us a good time!
Fin’s Bar & Chill – Our second favorite spot to dine on The Island is its newest – Fins! Attached to Margaritaville Island Hotel and set on the relaxing riverfront at The Island Pigeon Forge, Fin’s serves up fantastic service, bites & brews all in a coastal mountain town setting.
We absolutely loved the fish tacos and the live entertainment. Do yourself a favor and grab a table at Fins on your next visit to The Island in Pigeon Forge.
Dick’s Last Resort – A chain restaurant with a very unique theme – the customer is always wrong, so let’s be rude to them. Visitors will leave the restaurant with bags on their heads calling out all sorts of insults. Although this restaurant isn’t for us, we have many friends with children from all over who really enjoy visiting Dick’s no matter what city they’re in.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen – Fill up on southern comfort foods with an all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style feast for breakfast, lunch or dinner in a cozy country setting. The service here was fantastic (thank you to our server Carol) and the décor was very welcoming, and from our balcony at Margaritaville Island Hotel, it smelled amazing, but sadly, that was where it ended.
Breakfast wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. With so many breakfast spots in Pigeon Forge, we most likely won’t be returning to Paula Deen’s but we are open to trying dinner.
Timberwood Grill is another table-service dining location on The Island in Pigeon Forge, but we did not dine there during our visit.
Quick-Service Dining Locations
We must admit, the aroma coming from Mellow Mushroom almost forced us to eat a second dinner one night because yes – it smelled that good! However, we did not get a chance to dine here. With both indoor & outdoor dining and an adjacent Daiquiri bar, this was a hot spot on The Island. It is a great option though if you are looking for something quick and tasty, and their outdoor seating is pet-friendly!
Snacks & Desserts
Margaritaville Coffee Shop – This was a frequent stop for us each morning before we headed off to the nearby sites as we awaited the arrival of our car & chatted up with the valet. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and it is located right off the main hotel lobby.
Yee-Haw Snack Shack – This small space serves up a lot of big bites! From hot dogs and nachos to funnel cakes and snowballs, it’s the perfect spot to grab a quick bite while exploring The Island.
The Island Creamery – We loved ending our nights with a few sweet treats from the Island Creamery. Their ice cream was tasty and their servings were generous! We also enjoyed watching as they rolled in the gallons of ice cream each morning before opening all from our Balcony at Margaritaville Island Hotel!
The Fudgery – Serving up delicious and unique fudge flavors, The Fudgery is another great spot to grab souveiners for friends and family back home.
Sweet! – At Sweet! you will find every type of candy imaginable including giant size candies like a 10 pound gummy bear.
KaPop! Gourmet Popcorn – We had the most delicious & fresh popcorn at KaPop! Being this close to hot tasty popcorn was dangerous, and we found ourselves frequently stopping by during our stay. They offer 12 amazing flavors, including caramel corn and kettle corn, and even though the line was long (for good reason) it was worth the wait every time!
Byrd’s Famous Cookies – These delicious cookies come in a host of flavors, including gluten free!
Bob’s Lemonade – Keep cool during the Smoky Mountain Summers with a refreshing glass of Bob’s delicious Lemonade. We had several while we were in town, and every time it hit the spot. It also helped that it was super close to our room at Margaritaville Island Hotel.
Big Rock Candy Kitchen – Another sweet spot on The Island, Big Rock Candy Kitchen covers everything in chocolate, why? Because everything tastes better in chocolate. That’s right, even chocolate covered bacon! They also offer gelato and kettle corn as well.
You’ll also find The Bakesale and shopping mall staples like Auntie Anne’s & Cinnabun.
Drink
Ole Smoky Moonshine – Our first of many moonshine tastings during our time in Tennessee, Ole Smoky was a fun (thanks to the staff) and very unique experience unlike any other tasting we’ve ever had. If you make it to The Island, we highly recommend you experience an Ole Smoky Moonshine tasting!
Tennessee Stud Cider – This is the cider arm of Yee-Haw Brewing. Grab yourself a glass of cider & a spot on the outdoor patio to enjoy an afternoon on The Island.
Dude’s Daiquiri’s – Grab an alcoholic slush & enjoy a seat outdoors on their pet-friendly patio where you can watch all the happenings on The Island.
Shop
At The Island in Pigeon Forge, there are shops for everyone with retail & specialty shopping spaces themed around everything from socks to hot sauce, and of course the St. Somewhere Spa.
Emery’s 5 & 10 – Perhaps the store we heard most about prior to our visit, Emery’s sells just about everything a visitor to The Island could ever want. This is the perfect spot to pick up a few souvenirs for the folks back home, and we even grabbed a few stocking stuffers to throw in some Christmas Stockings for when the holidays roll around. This store absolutely did not disappoint, and if you can’t find something in here to laugh at – you’re doing it wrong.
Play
For our visit to The Island in Pigeon Forge, we were provided with Island Unlimited plus Ropes Course Wristbands in exchange for our review which gave us both unlimited access to 14+ attractions for 48 hours and a one time use on The Island Ropes Course.
The Island Fountain Show – Catch a multi-million dollar choreographed show with lights, music & the most incredible dancing fountains all year long. The best part? It’s completely free! Next to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, catching a showing of The Island Fountain featuring music from some of our favorite artists is by far our favorite free thing to do in Pigeon Forge.
The Island Fountain Show is beyond impressive anytime, but nighttime is our favorite with the dancing fountains, lights & incredible soundtrack!
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel – The centerpiece of The Island in Pigeon Forge is a 200-foot observation Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the world-famous Great Smoky Mountains & the Pigeon Forge-area. Opened in 2013, the wheel takes riders on a roundtrip climate-controlled (airconditioned & heated) spin via glass-enclosed gondolas that seat up to 8 guests both day and night with one ride being four complete revolutions of the wheel.
Janine conquered her fear of heights not once, but twice on The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. At first, she was terrified. we rode it during the day for the first time, and it took one full revolution for her to calm her nerves. believe it or not, she was fine while the wheel was rotating but when we stopped at the top that’s when it all fell apart!
Even though she was afraid, the ride was well worth it for the experience & that’s why she did it again. Remember, fear is learned but knowledge conquers fear. don’t let a silly fear of heights rob you from an amazing experience like a ride on The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
SkyFly: Soar America – This immersive flying theater experience is very similar to that of Soarin’ at the Walt Disney World Resort, and there’s a reason for that – they were built by the same firm, “Dynamic Attractions” who also built Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey at Universal Orlando, Space Mountain at Disneyland and Test Track at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center.
SkyFly is a high-flying journey through the many famous areas of The United States including Niagra Falls, Alaska, Hawaii, Yellowstone, and our favorite part – Bristol Motor Speedway. Everything from the queue to the ride system and the film is very well done & could absolutely give any of Orlando’s world-famous attractions a run for their money.
The Island’s Ropes Course – This 3-story adventure course features a series of challenging aerial mazes including 2 ziplines & one optional simulated free-fall.
Jared had the most fun on this course & he completed the full 3-story course. He even opted for the free-fall at the end. If we had more time, he definitely would’ve done this over and over again! Janine gave into her fear of heights & bailed after completing the second level.
Spinning Parrots Coaster – This adorable attraction is tucked alongside Timberwood Grill. When we decided to ride, mostly because the parrots were so cute, we had no idea what we were in for. As someone who has motion sickness and hates spinning rides, this was not the ride for Jared – so be warned those of you who suffer from these issues as well. Janine loved it because she loves spinning rides, of course!
Arcade City – The Island in Pigeon Forge is home to one of the largest and most diverse arcades we’ve seen in years. As children of the 80’s, we love a good arcade but sadly most that remain today are small and only filled with prize machines. This is not the case at The Island in Pigeon Forge, so if you love a good arcade make some time to stop here for a few rounds of skeeball, pacman, basketball, Terminator, Jurassic Park, air hockey, and even Plinko!
Stay
There are hundreds of accommodations to choose from throughout Eastern Tennessee including hotels, resorts, campsites & cabins just to name a few, but once you’ve visited The Island in Pigeon Forge, why would you ever want to leave?
At The Island in Pigeon Forge, you will find not one but TWO places to stay:
- Margaritaville Island Inn – A laid back island-themed inn located on the corner of Route 441 (The Parkway in Pigeon Forge) and The Island Drive. This casual property offers free self parking, complimentary breakfast, both indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, a fitness center, laundry facilities, and complimentary bikes to explore all Pigeon Forge has to offer on two wheels.
- Margaritaville Island Hotel – The more luxurious offering of the two properties, Margaritaville Island Hotel offers beautifully appointed guest rooms, free wifi, an outdoor pool, laundry service, a kitchenette, room service, a spa, 2-person rainfall showers, and private balconies on every single room – just choose whether you want to face the Island Fountain, The Village or the River. For us, amenities and location were our top priorities when choosing where to stay in Pigeon Forge. Margaritaville Island Hotel’s proximity to The Island Pigeon Forge is perhaps one of its biggest perks. Absolutely everything you could possibly need is within walking distance from Margaritaville Island Hotel.
Visit
The Island in Pigeon Forge is open 365 days per year with both free parking and free admission which gives us an excuse to keep coming back in order to experience all of the seasonal décor and celebrations. Seriously, if it wasn’t for the 10 hour drive, we’d be here every weekend!
The Island is easily accessed via The Parkway in Pigeon Forge, also known as Route 441. If you’re having trouble finding it, let The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel be your guide as it can be seen from miles away.
Before you go, make sure to check The Island in Pigeon Forge’s website where you can find coupons for discounts on everything from food to fun.
There’s no shortage of live entertainment at The Island Pigeon Forge for everyone to enjoy, including free live performances by some of the most talented musicians. We enjoyed live music during our stay at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine’s fountain-adjacent outdoor venue as well as Fins Bar & Chill’s riverfront outdoor venue.
Even if you’re not after food or fun, there’s nothing like taking a sunrise or sunset stroll through The Island. We could honestly get lost for hours among the charming surroundings of The Island Pigeon Forge, and there’s nothing more magical than strolling The Island at dusk. If that’s not your thing, grab a rocking chair in front of the iconic Island Fountain and fall asleep to the relaxing waterfront sounds.
Tickets:
Admission & parking on The Island in Pigeon Forge are both free. However, if you’re looking to ride any of the attractions, you will need to visit The Ticket Center to purchase tickets or a wristband.
Individual Attraction Tickets:
One ride on any of The Island’s following 11 attractions for $5.99 USD/per person
- Flying Horse Carousel
- Lil’ Ribbits
- Funny Cars
- Happy Swing
- Twist N’ Shout
- Spinning Parrots
- Reverse Time
- High Score
- Clockwork
- Dance Party 360
- Island FARM’n
Great Smoky Mountain Wheel:
- Children under the age of 3 are free
- Adult offers one ride for $14.99 USD/per person ages 12 and up
- Child offers one ride for $9.99 USD/per person ages 3 to 11
- Day/Night Wheel Combo offers two rides in 24 hours for $22.99 USD/per person
Island Ropes Course:
- $16.99 USD/per person for one climb on the course for individuals over 48″
- $5.99 USD/per person for one climb on the course for individuals under 48″
Unlimited Wristbands:
- Unlimited Adult Wristband – $39.99 USD/per person ages 12 and up – unlimited access to 14 attractions
- Unlimited Child Wristband – $39.99 USD/per person ages 3 to 11 – unlimited access to 15 attractions
- Unlimited Adult Wristband plus Ropes Course – $49.99 USD/per person ages 12 and up – unlimited access to 14 attractions plus a one time admission to The Island Ropes Course
- Unlimited Child Wristband plus Ropes Course – $49.99 USD/per person ages 3 to 11 – unlimited access to 15 attractions plus a one time admission to The Island Ropes Course
Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart like us, The Island in Pigeon Forge has something for everyone day and night. Here visitors young and old can eat, drink, shop, play & stay together right in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which is why you should run (don’t walk) to book your trip to Pigeon Forge today!
Thank you so much to both The Island in Pigeon Forge and The Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism for hosting our visit to The Island
The comments, opinions, and views set forth on this site are the reflected personal positions of the site’s creators. Although our visit to The Island in Pigeon Forge was a hosted visit in exchange for our review, this site is not an affiliate of The Island in Pigeon Forge and all opinions are our own. The comments, opinions, and views set forth within this site are not the official positions of The Island in Pigeon Forge, and they do not reflect the Company’s position.
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