Beyond the Lens in Pigeon Forge: Where Virtual Reality and Family Fun Collide
Quick Takeaways: Looking for a fun, tech-filled attraction in Pigeon Forge? Beyond the Lens! offers hours of family-friendly entertainment with immersive VR experiences, interactive exhibits, and the thrilling FlyRide adventure. Explore pop culture, Bigfoot lore, escape games, and more in this hands-on indoor attraction. Save on tickets by booking through Tripster and bundle with other top Smoky Mountain destinations. A must-visit for families visiting Pigeon Forge near Dollywood!
Tucked along the Parkway in the heart of Pigeon Forge is a delightful attraction—Beyond the Lens! If you’ve driven past its eye-catching exterior and flashy signage, you might think it’s all photo ops and pop culture trivia. But once you step inside, it becomes something much more: a hands-on, tech-fueled playground for all ages.
We spent four full hours inside, and not one of us was ready to leave when the time came. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at why Beyond the Lens made such an impression on our crew—and why it should absolutely be on your Smoky Mountain must-do list.
The Moment We Walked In…
From the second we entered the building, our kids were wide-eyed and already dashing in different directions. And honestly? So were we. Giant glowing tunnels, interactive screens, motion-sensing games, and a giant ball pit full of alien eggs immediately set the tone: this wasn’t your average museum or attraction.
Unlike places where kids are constantly told “don’t touch,” this was a full sensory experience where curiosity is encouraged and exploration is part of the fun. My oldest gravitated to the pop culture and gaming zones, while my youngest couldn’t get enough of the Bigfoot exhibits—especially one that had a baby bigfoot in a box (yes, that one got a few jumps and a lot of giggles).
The VR Zone: Next-Level Cool
If your kids are anything like mine, the mention of virtual reality gets their attention fast. Beyond the Lens doesn’t just sprinkle in VR—it dedicates an entire section to it. And it’s done well.
We experienced:
- A high rise simulation that had our kids pretending they were superheroes
- A dinosaur encounter
- A high-speed rollercoaster-style ride
- And more….
The setup was smooth, the staff helped us gear up properly, and even our youngest could participate. These weren’t just little add-ons—they were full-scale, jaw-dropping moments that made our kids feel like they were inside a video game.
Bigfoot Lives Here (Well, Sort Of)
Here’s where things got really personal for us. Our youngest is completely obsessed with Bigfoot. Books, documentaries, plush toys—you name it. So imagine his face when we walked into the Bigfoot Discovery area.
This section is packed with fun lore, mysterious “evidence,” interactive displays, and silly games where you “hunt” for the elusive creature. He was in his element—pointing out footprints, watching sighting footage, and proudly declaring he was “definitely going to find him today.”
It was such a joy watching him take the lead and show us around like a tiny cryptozoologist. It’s a moment we’ll all remember.
FlyRide: An Unexpected Highlight
We opted to add the FlyRide experience to our tickets, and wow—what a good call. If you’ve ever been on Soarin’ at Disney, this is in the same family of rides: a soaring, motion-enhanced journey with mist, wind, and stunning visuals that make you feel like you’re flying over landscapes and landmarks.
The whole family was amazed by how real it felt. It was peaceful, thrilling, and beautiful all at once—and a great balance to the energetic chaos of the rest of the attraction. If you’re visiting, do not skip FlyRide. It’s worth every penny.
More Than Just Selfies: What Else You’ll Find
Sure, there are photo ops—and a lot of them. But this isn’t your typical “museum of selfies.” Beyond the Lens blends fun with learning, offering:
- Quirky optical illusions and giant-size props for fun family photos
- Conspiracy theory deep dives (flat Earth, moon landing, and more—all tongue-in-cheek!)
- A look back at major moments in pop culture
- Trivia and memory games that had us laughing and competing
- An escape room-style adventure zone
There’s even a retro section that gave us a blast from the past. My kids loved seeing a rotary phone and trying to figure out how it worked—meanwhile, we parents were just feeling old.
Save on Tickets: Why We Booked Through Tripster
One of the smartest things we did before visiting Beyond the Lens was checking out ticket deals on Tripster. If you’re not familiar, Tripster is a vacation planning and booking platform that helps you bundle attractions, lodging, and entertainment for major destinations like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
We were able to grab a combo deal that included both Beyond the Lens and the FlyRide add-on, and we saved quite a bit compared to purchasing tickets directly at the door. The cost at the time of our visit was $32.49 for adults and $22.49 for kids. Using Tripster gave us a savings of $4.50 per person. That adds up quickly when you are visiting multiple attractions during your trip.
Tripster makes it really easy to:
- Book admission to Beyond the Lens in advance (no long ticket lines!)
- Add FlyRide to your experience at a discounted price
- Create bundles with other local favorites like Titanic Museum, WonderWorks, or even Dollywood
- Get instant mobile-friendly tickets, which saved us from fumbling with printed confirmations or logging into extra apps
What stood out most was how seamless the process was. We selected our date and ticket type, added FlyRide with one click, and everything was ready to go when we arrived. The staff at Beyond the Lens scanned our mobile tickets without a hitch.
If you’re planning multiple attractions in Pigeon Forge—especially with kids in tow—Tripster is a fantastic way to stretch your vacation budget without cutting corners on fun.
We loved that we could build our day our way, skipping the stress and going straight to the good stuff.
Final Verdict: Is Beyond the Lens Worth It?
Without a doubt. What we thought would be a quick walk-through turned into a half-day adventure filled with laughter, surprises, and immersive family fun. From virtual snowball fights to Bigfoot hunts to breathtaking FlyRide flights, Beyond the Lens delivered non-stop excitement. We planned our trip around our Dollywood adventures with time to visit local attractions on days that we wouldn’t be visiting the park!
If you’re planning a Pigeon Forge trip and want something unique, tech-forward, and kid-approved—this is it. Bring your curiosity, your camera, and a little extra time. You’ll be glad you did.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to go through Beyond the Lens?
Most families spend between 2 to 4 hours inside Beyond the Lens, depending on how many activities you choose to do. We personally spent 4 hours and still didn’t see everything. If you plan to add on the FlyRide experience, allow for extra time.
What is the FlyRide at Beyond the Lens?
FlyRide is a motion-based ride that simulates flying over beautiful landscapes and landmarks using a suspended seat, wind, mist, and scent effects. It’s a separate experience from the main attraction and can be added on for an additional fee. We highly recommend it—it was one of our family’s favorite parts of the visit!
Can you get discounts on Beyond the Lens tickets?
Yes! You can find discounts and combo deals through Tripster, where you can bundle Beyond the Lens with FlyRide or other Pigeon Forge attractions like WonderWorks, Titanic Museum, or even Dollywood. Tripster also offers lodging packages if you’re planning a multi-day Smoky Mountains vacation.
Is Beyond the Lens good for kids?
Absolutely! The entire attraction is designed with families in mind. Our kids especially loved the virtual reality experiences, the Bigfoot Discovery zone, and all the silly, interactive exhibits.
Where is Beyond the Lens located?
📍 2115 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
It’s centrally located near major attractions like The Island, Titanic Museum, and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show—making it easy to fit into any day’s itinerary.
Is parking free at Beyond the Lens?
Yes, parking is free at Beyond the Lens, which is always a nice perk when visiting Pigeon Forge attractions!
