sunrise in Pigeon Forge

5 Things to Do in Pigeon Forge Before Our Show

May 8, 2025

Are you searching for the best way to spend a day in Pigeon Forge? We can help! Of course, you’ll want to spend the evening with us at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. If you’re wondering what you can do before the show, you’ll have plenty of great options! Here are five of our favorite things to do in Pigeon Forge before our show:

1. Watch a Smoky Mountain Sunrise

The best way to start the day on your vacation is to watch a beautiful sunrise! Nothing beats seeing a sunrise in the Smoky Mountains. You can watch in amazement as the sky is painted in beautiful crimson, gold, and rose colors. Be sure to bring a camera with you to capture the stunning scenery! One of the best places to see a sunrise in Pigeon Forge is from the deck of a cabin rental, or you can take a short drive into Gatlinburg to watch from the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook. It’s a sight you don’t want to miss!

2. Explore the Area

family eating breakfast at Frizzle Chicken Cafe

The next thing you’ll want to do is spend time exploring the area. There’s a reason Pigeon Forge welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year. It’s home to countless opportunities for fun and adventure. You can enjoy breakfast at Frizzle Chicken Café before spending the day at Dollywood or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We recommend going for a hike to see a beautiful waterfall or taking a scenic drive through Cades Cove.

3. Enjoy Our Animal Encounter

After your fun exploring the gorgeous Smoky Mountains and fun-filled Pigeon Forge, it’s time to head to our theater to ensure you don’t miss a second of the excitement. One of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge before our show is to experience our Animal Encounter. This unique experience gives guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with our incredible live animal performers. Meet Salty the Sea Lion, one of our daring dogs, and one of our beautiful birds! Not only will you be able to interact with the animals, but you’ll be educated on our positive reinforcement training and how we provide exceptional welfare for our animals. Tickets for our Animal Encounter are sold separately from our show tickets, so be sure to get yours ahead of time to guarantee the perfect evening!

4. Join the Crew

pirate makeover during Join the Crew

After you meet our amazing animals, it’s time to become a part of our crew! Join the Crew is a can’t-miss experience for those who want to make the most of their visit to Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. You’ll be transformed into a swashbuckling pirate or a beautiful mermaid, complete with facial makeup and accessories. Guests of all ages are invited to join our crew for an additional fee. Once you look and feel like one of our cast members, you’ll have an even better time cheering for your favorite pirate crew throughout the show!

5. Find Some Pirate Treasure

One of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge is to go souvenir shopping! You can find the perfect souvenirs at Pirates Voyage. Before the show begins, visit our gift shop to get your hands on some pirate treasure of your own. You’ll find everything from plush animals and toy swords to handcrafted pirate ships and ceramic mermaids. You can even get a bag of our Voyager Creamy Vegetable Soup Mix to make at home — trust us, this is the souvenir to get! After you find the best souvenirs for your loved ones and yourself, it’s time to take your seats in our theater and get ready for an action-packed show!

More Things to Do in Pigeon Forge Before the Show

These are just some of the fun ways you can spend your time before you enjoy our Pigeon Forge dinner show. If you’re looking for more ideas, take a look at these popular things to do in Pigeon Forge.

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