Automobile archive featuring famous film & TV cars including the General Lee & 1966 Batmobile. You can walk up and down the strip and take all the free tastings and have plenty of alcohol, I promise. Children 12 and under FREE with paying adult. Stock up on local and naturally made skincare, observe a blacksmith at work or pick out a leather creation by Gary McCoy. It sounds fun, doesnt it? Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park Welcome to the most popular national park in the country! All rooms have comfortable bedding, Wi-Fi, TVs and DVD players, and more. Bringing joy to millions of visitors since its inception in 2001, the zoo located in Sevierville, Tennessee, is about a 40-minute drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg. A little over an hour away, Knoxville is an easy drive to Gatlinburg. Head over to nearby Kodak from the spring to the fall to watch the Smokies play ball! If you're looking for more ideas of places to visit in the Smoky Mountain area, check out these attractions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. View the citys glamor and natural beauty from above while being surrounded by a protective mountain range. Or all three, but were not sure how that would work. Choose from three different tracks, including a combined tunnel and zigzag course, a speedy roll, and an extreme zigzag course. End the night with a lively outing to Luco Burro, a TexMex restaurant known for its margaritas and tacos. Things to do in Gatlinburg: 14 best attractions ranked [2022] - TheSmokies It would be an excellent idea to head to Gatlinburg and spend a few days in the mountain resort city, especially for a nature lover. Wild Bear Falls Water Park. If youre lucky and not screaming, or taking photographs you might even spot a grizzly. Visit the Dolly Statue. 37 Non-Touristy Things to do in Washington Besides Museums! With over 100 artists and craftsmen lining its corridors, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is officially the countrys largest independent artisan organization. The stadium is located in Kodak, TN, right down the road from all the popular things to do and places to stay in Sevierville. Between your hiking, shopping and art workshops, youre sure to have worked up an appetite! This relatively quick cruise provides a sneaky way to avoid downtown traffic. . Before heading out for a hike, check trail conditions at the front door. The SkyBridge in Gatlinburg is the longest suspension bridge on the continent (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) 7. Follow along to discover 16 unique things to do in Gatlinburg. As you stroll through the aisles, expect rows of just-picked fruits and vegetables, scrumptious cookies (Josies Cookies), dehydrated chili flakes (Olde Virdens Red Hot Sprinkle), lovely handmade soaps (Kulturology Soap Co), and plenty more. 1339 Ski Mountain Rd. In addition to tastings, you will also get a free gift from the local wineries. Even if you are not into baseball, you will still be entertained by the game and youll have a lot of fun with the crowd. Visit museums, adventure parks, arcades and forbidden caverns, and the travel time between the two towns is merely 15 minutes by car. Hot tourist tip: Did you know theres a dedicated Gatlinburg Wine Trail? When traveling the scenic loop road, plan to get out and visit the restored buildings that include three churches, log homes, cantilevered barns, and a working mill. From an overload of exciting outdoor adventures to the weirdest and most wonderful activities, the things to do in Gatlinburg are endless, and youll need at least two days to fully enjoy and experience all that this southern town has to offer. While we would never describe the nations most visited National Park as a unique thing to do in Gatlinburg,' within the parks lush 522,427 acres lies plenty of under-the-radar hiking trails, scenic drives, and picnic areas. With bright, airy and classy interiors, couples and families love the River Edge Inn. Go to a non-Gatlinburg entrance to GSM park and do some hiking. Wrangle the whole family for a day of mighty river action in the Smokies. Kids can crawl through underwater tunnels to get an up-close view of the penguins at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. History exhibits and ranger talks presented at select times will also clue you in on the national park. In the midst of a hemlock forest discover the seven-meter-high Grotto Falls, accessible via the Trillium Gap Trail. The beloved Impossibilities Magic Show combines hilarious mayhem with optical illusions. Locals love the portion sizes, the quaint atmosphere, and the prices; Trishs provides great value if youre traveling on a budget. For Christmas lights and festivities, November and December. 22 Must See Free Things to do in Gatlinburg Tennessee An hour and a half away, Cataloochee Valley is worth a visit if you have the time, especially at sunrise or sunset. Address: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, A post shared by Mark Empey (@mark_empey). Easy to reach along the Cataract Falls Trail, the walk there and back is just over a kilometer. There are plenty of things to do that are not touristy but if thats your thing, Gatlinburgs got it. Visit the Gatlinburg SkyBridge. Museum with kitschy oddities on display, including shrunken human heads & rare animal skeletons. 14 Fun Things to Do in Astoria this Vacation - USA Mocha for 20 years. With joystick in hand, riders can spin in circles around the rink or smash (safely) into their friends before finishing off and making a beeline for Obers Alpine Slide or Mountain Coaster. Hosted in a small, intimate theatre, the show contains lots of interaction with the audience. If you carry a binocular, you have more chances to see a black bear, white-tailed deer or other wild animals. Race against the clock and outwit your competition by exploring this Southern city in a fast-paced competition, one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg. Meet and interact with a penguin you can also create art together. A free 20-minute movie provides an overview of everything you'll need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park before you embark on your own adventure! For almost 50 years, Smoky Mountain Candy Makers have been supplying Tennessee with delicious homemade taffy. Tanger Outlets (Pigeon Forge) We like deals, too. Tickets are affordable and fun; youll see fast-paced hockey with delightful fan interaction. Its safe and friendly, even your pets are welcome to join you. You have a choice of between four and 10 sample-sized beers to test. Family-run pottery studio & store selling handcrafted mugs, plates, pitchers, vases & bakeware. The Smoky Mountain Art Gallery supports local artists practicing and living in the Great Smoky Mountains. If the locals love it, you know it must be good. Combining a roller coaster with shoot-em-ups, 3D visuals, sensory triggers and epic special effects, this ride simply needs to be experienced to be truly understood. No matter how strong youre appetite for adventure, its a great day out for the whole family and one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg. There are plenty of activities you can do in this small community that promises stunning scenic landscapes. For lunch, get a little fancy at the unpretentious Wild Plum Tea Room. You would not want to miss the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a perfect spot for you to take a leisurely stroll or even hike. The live actors, spooky makeup and frightening special effects combine to make this one of the scariest attractions in Tennessee. Claiming the local award for the best steakhouse in the area, Alamo Steakhouses selection of aged steaks is hard to beat. It also takes pride in its 100-year-old family recipe of Old Apple and Apple Orchard, which are made from locally grown apples. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. But I'm wondering if. The aquarium boasts a myriad of sea creatures. Throughout summer and fall, choose from a number of beautiful hiking trails, plus an Alpine Slide and water rides. Dont putt too hard your ball might roll down the mountain! So if you're planning a visit and are looking to stay far off Orlando's tourist-beaten path, here are 18 of Central Florida's non-touristy treasures: 1. Little Bear Winery features favorites such as two berries wine which is the perfect blend of blueberry and blackberries as well as their rhubarb wine. Expect to drop from a height of 70 feet that shoots you down through colorful tubes. Experience a magical time by catching a magic show at the one and only Iris Theater. Visiting Tennessee for a short escape? You can also hang out in the cocktail lounge at Old Forge Distillery, or at the bar at Junction 35 Spirits! Specialties: The Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg is conveniently located on River Road, at the base of the Smoky Mountains, only 30 minutes from Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). You wont want to miss out on locations like Alewine Pottery, a potter that creates pieces inspired by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Some stops include Sugarland Cellars, Bootleggers Homemade Wine and Little Bear Winery. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a backdrop, The Park Grill is a great spot for couples and has a refined dining feel. Ready for a refreshing day of White Water fun? Search for free among 1,500,000 tours in every destination around the world! You can find everything from basket-weaving, to painting, to pottery! Prepare for a ride of a lifetime as youre strapped into a hand-controlled coaster cart (seating up to two passengers) and then begin the descent from the top of the mountains, whizzing through the native terrain at speeds up to nearly 50 kilometers per hour. So long as you dont get too motion sick, tumbling down that 1,000-foot tall hill in a giant bubble is undeniably one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg. Drive down the 8-mile-loop road to discover weavers, watercolor artists, soap makers, potters and so many more unique vendors making for the perfect selection of handcrafted, Appalachian souvenirs. photo credit: Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community via Facebook. Clocking in at four miles round-trip, the Gatlinburg Trail is one of the simpler routes to trek, starting from the borders of the park, and with no climbing required. Its the one-stop shop for interactive, family-friendly entertainment. An indoor shopping center with 36 uniquely themed shops located in the heart of Gatlinburg. Ziplines and whitewater rafting, world-class golf and fishing, and 800 miles of hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is one of America's premier outdoor destinations. The trail travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg, TN. The oldest craft brewery in East Tennessee is a great spot for happy hour or watching the game. The Gatlinburg location boasts two unique experiences that will leave a lasting impression on you and your family: the Mountain Glider and the Alpine Coaster! Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains, wants to go to Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge Riverside . 10 Best Hotels With Indoor Pool In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Ascend thousands of feet in one of the more fun things to do in Gatlinburg the famous Aerial Tramway. Try the 13-mile Low Gap Trail - Appalachian Trail - Snake Den Trail loop. Neighboring the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the best hikes are through the mountainous landscape. 4. 24 Amazing (and Fun!) Things to Do in Gatlinburg, TN - Virginia Travel Tips Moving away from the Smokies, visit Charlotte in North Carolina. Johnny Simon 08-Jul-2019. It is relatively flat and runs through the forest alongside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. You can often find locals at Holstons Kitchen, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Junction 35 Spirits, and Seasons 101. Enjoy some seriously soft cuddles when you get friendly with everyones favorite South American mammal. From happy hour to a nightcap, no day in Gatlinburg is complete without a stop to our very own Gatlinburg Wine Trail. 8 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Trip101 Maybe theres a game that you just need to catch on the TV. Gatlinburg is situated in east Nashville practically on the border of western North Carolina and is a fantastic base for exploring other places in the region on day trips from Gatlinburg. Cabin Rentals Are The Best (Non-Touristy) Way To See Gatlinburg 903 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 There are few places in Gatlinburg that so perfectly display the spirit of mountain life like the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery. Heres everything you need to know about seeing the fireflies. Cades Cove - Another scenic drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this one is an 11-mile one-way loop. Explore Gatlinburg and its surrounding Great Smoky Mountains in a unique, adventurous way behind the wheel of an off-road specialty vehicle. This rousing ride is the first kind in the world to feature four uplifts! While on a vacation, you should not forget about the loved ones back at home. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. There are trails that are more appealing to locals because of everything they have to offer, and the fact that theyre less popular for tourists. If you use the entrance near Gatlinburg, you'll be in line with a bunch of other visitors/cars. Dating back to 1972, NOC is a pioneer in white water rafting tours and wilderness skills training. 7 Things to Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Off the Beaten Path Wine homemade from a variety of fruits offered in a rustic, country-style space with tastings. Home to over 600 critters originating from rainforests all over the world, this family-friendly Smoky Mountains attraction should be high atop any animal lovers bucket list. . Take the entire crew to axe throwing right and hit some targets at the Axe House, located at the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. The Great Smoky Mountains are an untouched slice of Mother Nature. We're helping you experience the vacation of a lifetime here by rounding up the best things to do in Gatlinburg, TN. Spanning 680 feet across the forest canopy and standing 140 feet tall, the Gatlinburg Skybridge is North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg 1. Riding in these utvs gives you the opportunity to view the National park in a fun new way. Sporting 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains, with downtown Gatlinburg beneath your feet, the 407-foot tall Space Needle is the premier inner-city observation deck. Unusual Attractions in Gatlinburg Gatlinburg, Tennessee Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains For two weeks every June, fireflies in the Smoky Mountains perform an astonishing. Related: Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg. Make sure to keep your wits about you spooky surprises await around every corner at the Mysterious Mansion. This is your opportunity to watch a Tennessee Smokies game that takes place at Smokies Stadium.