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 into the complex. Climate-controlled gondolas make it comfortable year-round, and the 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountain ridgeline and Pigeon Forge spreading below are genuinely beautiful.
But the best time to ride isn't noon — it's sunset. As you ascend in the evening, the Smoky 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.
Tickets: $16.99 adults / $11.99 kids | Best for: All ages, couples, families
2. Watch the Island Show Fountain After Dark
The show fountain is free — and it's 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 surrounding lights reflect off the water, the crowd naturally gathers around the fountain, and the combination of music, movement, and light creates an atmosphere that turns an otherwise ordinary evening stroll into something genuinely festive. Stake out a rocking chair around the fountain before the show starts — they fill up fast.
Cost: Free | Best for: All ages, families, couples
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 designed to test knowledge, reflexes, and composure under pressure.
The audience participation format makes this one of The Island's most genuinely interactive experiences — and one of the funniest evenings available at the complex for groups and families who want to compete against each other rather than just watch something.
Best for: Groups, families with older kids, competitive couples
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 — O.J. Simpson's white Ford Bronco, John Dillinger's death mask, and evidence from some of America's most notorious crimes — 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.
Best for: Teens and adults; older kids (10+) with an interest in true crime or forensics | Allow: 1.5–2 hours minimum
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 50-foot spherical screen while a custom film takes you on a 10+ minute aerial journey across the United States. Wind, mist, scent, and motion combine with the immersive visuals to create a sensation that guests consistently describe as actually feeling like flight.
The film has just been updated — now 60% longer, digitally remastered, with all-new music and 13 brand-new scenes. Destinations include Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Maui, Niagara Falls, the Great Smoky Mountains, and more than 20 additional American landscapes.
Reviewers consistently compare it favorably to Disney's Soarin' attraction at Epcot — one guest called it "better than Soarin' at Disneyland." Multiple 5-star reviewers note they rode it twice in the same visit.
Best for: All ages; one of the few attractions at The Island that impresses adults as much as kids — if not more 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 arena layout with lighting, sound, and obstacles that set it apart from standard laser tag venues. Multi-player team competition, individual scoring, and a layout that rewards both strategy and reflexes.
A natural evening activity for groups with older kids and teens who want something active and competitive after dinner. Book a private session for a group if everyone wants the arena to themselves.
Best for: Ages 8 and up; groups; families with older kids and teens
7. Get a Caricature Drawing
An artist hand-draws a caricature of you while you wait — a hilarious and endearing souvenir that takes about 20 minutes and produces something you'll actually display. Short on time? The artists can work from photos to create caricatures at your convenience. 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 at The Island. Walk past the caricature station ten times, finally stop on the last day, and leave with the funniest memento of the entire trip.
Best for: Families, couples, anyone wanting a genuinely unique souvenir | Cost: Varies by size and type
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 their way toward the prize wall; adults rediscover the competitive focus that a good arcade uniquely provides.
The ticket redemption prize selection is well-stocked and regularly updated — kids leave with stuffed animals, candy, and items that feel proportionate to the time they invested. Budget a specific amount per kid before entering and you'll avoid the "just one more game" negotiation loop.
Best for: All ages; families with kids; great rainy afternoon anchor
9. Taste Ole Smoky Moonshine at The Barn
Ole Smoky's Pigeon Forge location sits right at The Island — free to enter, live bluegrass music, and free tastings of America's most-visited distillery's full flavor lineup. Apple Pie, Blackberry, Peach, Butter Pecan, Mountain Java, and moonshine pickles are among the options.
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 — the best-value stop at The Island by a considerable margin.
Cost: Free to enter; purchases optional | Best for: Adults, couples, groups | Read our full Ole Smoky guide →
10. Island Ropes Course
One of The Island's best-kept secrets for active families and adventurous visitors. The Island Ropes Course is a multi-level outdoor challenge course that 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, The Island's version puts you above the complex itself — you're navigating obstacles with the Ferris wheel, the fountain, and the full energy of The Island spread below you. The perspective from the upper levels is genuinely dramatic and gives you one of the better aerial views of the surrounding complex that doesn't require a Ferris wheel ticket.
The course is self-paced — take as long as you want on each element, rest between obstacles, and tackle routes in any order. 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.
Best for: Ages 7 and up; families with active kids; teens who want something physical; anyone who wants to earn their view Tip: The ropes course can be added to the 48-hour 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. The 48-hour unlimited rides wristband (starting at $39, does not include the Ferris wheel) saves money if your group plans multiple rides.
Arrive midweek for shorter lines. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are noticeably less crowded than Friday–Sunday.
For the full Island practical guide — admission, parking, hours, and wristband details — see our complete Island guide →
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. Browse our full Island guide → for full pricing details.
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 the 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, parrot encounters, and Arcade City all work well for young children. The Sky Cabin Trampoline Dome and laser tag work for kids ages 6 and up.
Browse Colonial Properties' Pigeon Forge cabin rentals — just minutes from The Island and every attraction on the Parkway.
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