Planning a church retreat? The Smoky Mountains are your ideal destination! You’ll find Bible-themed shows, attractions, and historic sites that will inspire your group to visit again and again. Check out our list of top Smoky Mountain church attractions below, and then start your search for the perfect Pigeon Forge cabin. Our cabins can accommodate any size group—from 4 to 44—in comfort and Smoky Mountain style!
Biblical Times Dinner Theater
2391 Parkway | Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, the Biblical Times Dinner Theater combines a delicious meal with high quality, Bible-based entertainment for a church outing your whole group will love! The award-winning live cast of this theater will not only wow you with their unique, well-researched productions, but also with their performances of a wide range of Christian music.
You’ll hear everything from Southern gospel hymns to contemporary praise music at the Biblical Times Dinner Theater, and each year they present 4 unique and exciting productions. Currently, they’re showing newly enhanced versions “The Days of Elijah” and “The Year of Jubilee—Moses, Mountain of God.” You can also see a new production called “Heaven’s Heroes as Told by Apostle Paul.”
All of their shows feature state-of-the-art holographic and 3D technology as well as a “feast of biblical proportion!” Be sure to plan your visit to the Biblical Times Dinner Theater when your church group comes to town!
Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens
510 River Road | Gatlinburg, TN 37738
In Gatlinburg, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is one of the nation’s foremost inspirational attractions known as Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens. At this unique Smoky Mountain museum, you can view lifelike scenes depicting the story of Christ.
With life-size figures, dramatic lighting, music, and other special effects, these scenes come to life right before your eyes—letting you see the gospel story in a brand new way! Right now, Christ in the Smokies is also featuring a brand new exhibit called “Experience Temple Treasures and The Ark of the Covenant.” You’ll see scripture-based models of the furniture and ceremonial robes used in daily worship during the days of the tabernacle. You’ll also see reconstructed models Solomon’s Temple and Herod’s Great Temple as constructed in Jerusalem! Come relive the Bible in an exciting new way at this one-of-a-kind, Bible-inspired attraction in Gatlinburg!
Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. | Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Did you know that inside the South’s premier theme park, Dollywood, you’ll find the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame? This museum pays homage to the roots of Southern gospel music, many of which began right here in the rolling hills of East Tennessee.
During a tour of Southern Gospel Museum, you’ll learn all about the pioneers who took gospel music out of the Bible belt and into the homes of families around the world. You’ll also learn how gospel legends paved the way for your favorite contemporary artists on Christian radio today.
Check out the museum and hall of fame anytime during Dollywood’s open season—from March 19 through January 1. And while you’re there, be sure to check out other Christian events like Rock the Smokies (September) and the National Southern Gospel Harvest Celebration (September–October).
At Rock the Smokies, you’ll hear popular Christian artists like The Newsboys and For King & Country. And this year’s National Southern Gospel Harvest Celebration offers a month of FREE Southern gospel concerts (other than the purchase of your ticket into the park), including a performance by The Isaacs. Visit Dollywood’s website for more information about these and other church-friendly events!
Parrot Mountain and Gardens
1471 McCarter Hollow Road | Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
One of the newer attractions in Pigeon Forge, Parrot Mountain and Gardens has already received a warm welcome from locals and guests—including a visit from the Duggar family themselves! This unique Smoky Mountain attraction features professionally manicured gardens, an array of tropical birds, a replica of Thomas Kinkade’s “Stairway to Paradise,” and so much more.
But what makes it an ideal choice for church getaways is its prayer garden—something they like to call a little piece of “heaven on earth.” With scriptures aligning the landscaped trails, gorgeous flowers, and colorful birds, this prayer garden will truly uplift and encourage your group during your Pigeon Forge vacation.
In the back of the garden, you’ll find a model of the manger scene, a replica of the crucifixion of Christ, a replica of the empty tomb of Jesus, and finally a 7-foot-tall statue of the resurrected Christ. These scenes are designed to transport you to the powerful moments that forever changed history. May your group leave the prayer garden in Pigeon Forge feeling refreshed and inspired!
