See inside Compass Hotel by Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville received top honors in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for best new hotel.
Video provided by Compass Hotel
Pigeon Forge is known for mountains, moonshine and, of course, mini golf.
There are more than a dozen family-friendly mini golf courses in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, including Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay, which recently ranked as a No. 1 fan favorite destination in the U.S.
The course took the top spot as “best mini golf” in a 2026 USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award.
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay is an immersive, heavily-themed family-fun destination with two 18-hole mini golf courses, arcade, candy shop and more. The venue encourages kids to dress up as mermaids or pirates, the two golf course themes, for their visit.
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay is located directly on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge near The Island. The entertainment venue is open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays. On weekends, Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay opens at 9 a.m. and closes at midnight.
Tickets to play just one 18-hole game cost around $15 for kids and $18 for anyone age 12 or older. Pigeon Forge visitors looking for even more fun can buy “park hopper” combination tickets that also grant access to Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show, the new Pigeon Forge Slick City Action Park (expected to open sometime in 2026) and more.
Is Pigeon Forge family-friendly?
Yes, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are considered very family-friendly cities for local families and tourists alike. Beyond mini golf, there are a multitude of activities for folks of all ages.
Of course, you could spend a day with kids at Dollywood or Anakeesta for theme park fun. Or, head to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, a museum, a dinner show, mountain coaster or take a good old fashioned hike through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What are the best mini golf courses in the US?Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)Smiley’s Golf Complex (Lenexa, Kansas)Philly Mini Golf at Franklin Square (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)Lost Island Miniature Golf & Adventure Park (Colorado Springs, Colorado)Monsters Mayhem (Wildwood, New Jersey)Hinkle Fun Center (Albuquerque, New Mexico)Vitense Golfland (Madison, Wisconsin)Castle Golf (Fort Myers, Florida)Can Can Wonderland (St. Paul, Minnesota)The Aerie at Eagle Landing Miniature Golf (Happy Valley, Oregon)
Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com
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