What’s Happening
What's Happening in the Smokies?
What's Happening In The Smokies?
Each year, new and exciting options open in the Smokies for visitors to experience with their families! In 2026, new memories are sure to be made and new favorites discovered. In this article, we will touch on a few of the new offerings that our area has this year for your vacation fun.
First up, the bayou has found a home in the smokies, as Storming Crab has just opened on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Featuring a true seafood feast, their signature boils are made with bold seasoning, and the freshest seafood delivered every day! Crab, shrimp and lobster are the features, but don’t sleep on their classic fried baskets and amazing sides. Every visit delivers freshness, flavor, and a dining experience that is as lively and fun as it is delicious. You will not believe you are eating in the mountains! Take a short trip to bayou in the mountains with an amazing feast at the Storming Crab at 2794 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
Next up on the list is the brand-new Truth Traveler Virtual Reality Ride, also located right on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Journey back to the beginning at one of Pigeon Forge’s newest family-friendly attractions! Truth Traveler is an immersive 5D experience that uses cutting-edge VR technology and a custom-animated narrative to bring biblical history to life. With P.O.D. (a spunky, food-obsessed robot) as your copilot, you’ll visit the garden of Eden, hover above the floodwaters of Noah’s day, stop by the tower of Babel, enter the upper room with Jesus and the disciples, and more! You can also embark on a celestial adventure in Truth Traveler’s immersive planetarium, featuring a 30-foot tilted dome that provides stunningly realistic visuals of the known universe. Experience the wonders of space close-up as you travel with Rae and P.O.D. from earth to the moon and far beyond—examining stars, constellations, nebulae, and distant galaxies. Learn more at TruthTraveler.com or stop in at 2680 Parkway to take a ride back in time!
Ripley’s just opened their new Illusion Lab in Pigeon Forge, and you know that they will not disappoint! Descend into Ripley’s underground lab of illusions, where things are not always what they seem! Switch up your perspective, challenge your senses, and spark your curiosity through optical, photographic, and interactive illusions. Put your brain to the test and discover the weird world of optical illusions, a one-of-a-kind experience where seeing is believing. Fun for the entire family, the brand-new Ripley’s Illusion Lab is located at 1950 Parkway in Pigeon Forge and ready to spark your sense of curiosity today!
And… It wouldn’t be a new year if we didn’t have a new Farmhouse Breakfast Restaurant… well, not exactly new. Sawyer’s Farmhouse has opened their second location at 862 Wears Valley Road. Family-Owned and operated, Sawyers doubled down on being voted the Best Breakfast in Pigeon Forge by deciding to take over the valley too. Their breakfast menu features all your classic favorites, made with the freshest ingredients. From the fluffy, made-from-scratch pancakes drizzled with warm, homemade syrup to their light and airy crepes filled with sweet or savory goodness, they have something to satisfy every craving. Don’t forget to try their buttery Belgian waffles, perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors… and their chicken and waffles…. Also their French toast… just try any of it and you will see why they always have a wait and it is always worth it! The original location is still serving up their farm fresh breakfast too at 2831 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, as well as lunch until 2:00 pm if you have a problem with delicious and amazing breakfast food.
Rounding out our updates is news that Top Jump Trampoline Park & Extreme Arena is transforming itself into the All-New Slick City Action Park, a new indoor slide park scheduled to open later this year. The fully indoor, climate-controlled attraction will feature more than 20 slides, along with dodgeball courts, basketball, a junior area, arcade games, candy, concessions, and more. Slick City Action Park is the world’s first indoor slide park—built for speed, thrills, and all-ages fun! Giant slides deliver non-stop adrenaline, while air courts let you dunk, dodge, and defy gravity. Little ones have their own play areas, too. Perfect for unforgettable birthdays, team outings, and group events. Indoors, climate controlled, and open all year. Enjoy a high-energy, weatherproof experience unlike anything else available in the smokies! The Slick City Action Park will be located at 3735 Parkway in Pigeon Forge and updates are coming soon. Be sure to check out SlickCityPigeonForge.com for more info!
This is just a sampling of the new and exciting options in the area! Remember to keep a look out for that new adventure, and check to see if that next spot has a coupon available to save a little money!