Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Mini Golf In The Smokies - Part 1
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on June 4, 2024
If you were to read a copy of The Official Rules Of Summer Vacation (OK, such a book doesn't exist), you would find the following guideline in Chapter 1: “All families on vacation must play miniature golf.” Of course, we're just joking, but it does seem that mini golf has been a reliable staple of the family vacation, going all the way back to when these popular attractions first came on the scene.
Nowadays, folks visiting the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee have more mini golf choices than ever. Some are brand-new. Some are legendary. Some may not be worth the effort. But we thought it would be fun to at least introduce you to some of the options you'll find in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. We think any of these would be a good companion activity to a visit to our Smoky Mountain ziplines.
Jurassic Tymes Mini Golf
You'll find this fairly new course at our sister attraction in Pigeon Forge, Goats on the Roof. Look for 36 holes of dinosaur-themed miniature golf action, all ensconced in a landscape featuring towering dino-creatures that move and roar. Whether you're a newbie or an ace putter, these two 18-hole courses offer lots of obstacles and challenges in a fun, prehistoric environment.
Space Race Adventures
Here's another new Pigeon Forge attraction with multiple fun-time offerings, one of which is mini golf. However, everything at Space Race Adventures is outer-space-themed, as you might expect. On the indoor mini-golf course, there are lots of otherworldly landscapes and cool lighting effects to create the illusion that you're visiting another planet.
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
This new facility provides 36 total holes of pirate- and mermaid-themed fun, and both 18-hole courses are handicapped-accessible. The Mermaid Adventure course is 18 holes that take you under the sea through coral reefs and underwater caves. The Sky Pirates rooftop course is an outdoor experience featuring 18 holes of swashbuckling family action. You'll find it in Pigeon Forge.
Lost Mine Mountain Coaster & Mini Golf
Here's yet another brand-new mini-golf attraction in Pigeon Forge, this one located on Teaster Lane. Here you'll enjoy an 18-hole course featuring interactive theming and trick shots. You'll have to jump the creek, putt through honey chutes and mine carts, get your ball through the loop-the-loop and more. You can even call ahead to reserve a tee time.
Hillbilly Golf
Now that we've introduced you to some of the newer places, let's look at a classic. This downhill course comprising 18 holes has been around since 1971. What makes it unique is that you ride an incline railway car from street level to the top of the mountain and then putt your way to the bottom through a series of challenging Appalachian-themed holes.
Ripley's Mini Golf
The Ripley Entertainment company offers two mini-golf courses in the Smokies. One is Ripley's Old MacDonald's Farm Mini Golf, which is in Sevierville, adjacent to the Tanger Factory Outlet Center. The other is Davey Crockett Mini Golf, which you'll find on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, just as you enter town from the north end. The names of both these courses will give you a good idea of the theming that's involved.
Toy Box Mini Golf
This unique putting experience is on Dollywood Lane in Pigeon Forge, not far off the Parkway. Its 18 holes are all toy-themed. Beloved childhood playthings like dinosaurs, Legos, Rubik's Cube, Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots and more are all represented in larger-than-life fashion. Kids will also enjoy the onsite toy store, laser maze and other surprises.
Crave Golf Club
If you like sweet stuff, you'll love Crave Golf Club, which is on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. It actually has two 19-hole courses (not 18), one indoor and one outdoor. Of course, everything is candy-themed, and each hole also offers suggestions for fun and challenging ways to play it. For example, one player may have to stand on one foot, while another has to spin around three times before putting.
And guess what… We're not done. Look for more fun mini golf experiences next week!
