Pigeon Forge has a reputation as an expensive tourist town, and some of it is earned. But there's a real collection of free and cheap stops that most families miss because they're staring at the neon-lit paid attractions on the Parkway. A full family day for under $50 is achievable. Here's exactly how.
Completely Free
Only three places in Pigeon Forge charge nothing for admission — and they're all actually worth your time.
UT Gardens Knoxville is free to the public and earns a 4.8 Google rating. It's a working botanical garden attached to the University of Tennessee with impressive plant collections and room to wander for 1–2 hours without spending a cent. Good for families who need a calm, nature-based break from the Parkway energy.
Wear Farm City Park is a free public park with a 4.7 rating. Open space, walking paths, and room for kids to run. It's a reliable 1–2 hour stop — particularly useful as a morning opener before you hit paid activities, or as a late-afternoon decompression spot.
Mt. Ton of Fun Inclusive Playground is free admission and earns a 4.5 rating. It's one of the better playgrounds in the Pigeon Forge area — designed for kids of all abilities with accessible equipment. Bring snacks. Budget $15–25 for nearby food if you stay in the area.
Free total: $0 admission. Bring a packed lunch and it's a $0 morning.
Budget Picks: Under $50 for a Family of 4
These are the cheap paid stops that actually deliver. Skip the overpriced tourist traps and put your money here.
Goats on the Roof of the Smoky Mountains is the single best cheap stop in Pigeon Forge. Feed cups cost $2–3 each. Total for a family of four with 4–6 feed cups: $8–18. The goats live on the actual roof of the shop, accessible by a conveyor belt for food delivery. Kids are mesmerized. Gem mining is a fun add-on at $8–15 per bag if you want to extend the visit. Total budget: $15–30. 4.7 stars, 30–60 minutes.
Children's Museum of Oak Ridge: $25–40 for a family of four ($6–10/person). 4.6 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours. Legitimate children's museum with science, art, and role-play exhibits. One of the most affordable museums in the entire East Tennessee region.
Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue: $25–45 for the family ($6–12/person). 4.7 stars, 1–2 hours. One of the most affordable animal experiences in the Smokies. The rescue-focused mission gives it a different feel than commercial attractions.
Hands On Discovery Center: $25–40 for the family ($6–10/person). 4.2 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours. Classic hands-on children's museum serving the Tri-Cities area. Very affordable.
We Rock the Spectrum - Pigeon Forge: $30–50 for the family ($10–15/child; adults often discounted or free). 4.7 stars, 1–2 hours. Sensory-safe gym welcoming all children — built for kids who struggle with the typical overstimulating Pigeon Forge experience.
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo: $30–55 for the family ($8–14/person; feed cups extra). 4.7 stars, 1–2 hours. Hand-feeding deer is a genuine highlight — buy feed cups inside.
7D Dark Ride Adventure: $40–60 for the family ($10–15/person per ride). 4.6 stars, 30–60 minutes. Laser guns on a motion platform that rumbles and shoots — kids want to ride it immediately again. Combo tickets with other Face Amusement Group venues reduce the per-ride cost.
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring: $35–55 for the family ($8–14/person). 4.5 stars, 2–3 hours. Indoor science museum plus an outdoor wetlands nature trail — two experiences in one visit.
Parrot Mountain and Gardens: $35–60 for the family ($9–15/person; bird feeding extra). 4.8 stars, 1–2 hours. Over 400 exotic birds you can interact with. Buy bird food at entry for the full experience.
Muse Knoxville: $40–60 for the family ($10–15/person). 4.6 stars, 2–3 hours. Full hands-on children's museum with science, role-play city, and climbing structures. Annual membership pays off in 3 visits for families spending multiple days in the area.
Big Top Arcade: $40–80 depending on card loading (starter cards $10–20). 4.4 stars, 1–2 hours. Circus-themed with curated game selection. Good for families with $40–50 to spend on an indoor afternoon.
Rockin' Raceway Arcade: $35–70 depending on card loads. 4.5 stars, 45–90 minutes. Racing-themed arcade for kids obsessed with cars and speed.
Build a Day Under $50 Total
Option 1 – All Free Day ($0): - Morning: Wear Farm City Park (free) - Late morning: UT Gardens Knoxville (free) - Afternoon: Mt. Ton of Fun Inclusive Playground (free) - Food: Pack everything from your cabin
Option 2 – Animals + Play ($35–45): - Morning: Goats on the Roof ($15–30) + Wear Farm City Park (free) - Afternoon: Pack a picnic lunch; use the free time for a hike near the Parkway - Total admission: $15–30
Option 3 – Museum Day ($40–50): - Morning: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge ($25–40) - Afternoon: Mt. Ton of Fun Playground (free) - Pack snacks and lunch; no restaurant needed - Total: $25–40 admission
What to Skip If You're on a Budget
The high-flashiness Parkway attractions — the big escape rooms, haunted houses, and novelty experiences — tend to run $15–25/person for 30–45 minutes of content. That's $60–100 for a family for less than an hour. The animal experiences (Goats on the Roof, Little Ponderosa, Deer Farm) cost the same or less and run twice as long with more genuine kid engagement.