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. 63 Fun Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee - TourScanner Discover classic American and Southern dishes on its menu, and they also do a mean BBQ. Boasting remarkable and unbeaten views of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is an essential spot for any visitor. Townsend, Tennessee: The "Quiet" Side of the Smokies 2023 Atlas Obscura. The 18,000-square-foot Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is the largest and closest outfitter to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the south end of the Gatlinburg Strip. Walking night tours of local attractions thought to be haunted, including a 19th-century cemetery. Get in touch with your creative side when you witness the ancient art of basket weaving, oil painting, and more at the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Gatlinburg - 2023 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. If shopping and Christmas are your things then a visit to the largest Christmas store in Gatlinburg is necessary. You can often find locals at Holstons Kitchen, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Junction 35 Spirits, and Seasons 101. From the end of November to the end of January, the specially designated trolleys carry their guests on a memorable journey through downtown and adjacent East Parkway, allowing everyone to experience the magical wonder of Gatlinburg Winter Magic. Take the entire crew to axe throwing right and hit some targets at the Axe House, located at the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. You can choose from a selection of jams to bring home. As you control your speed, take a glimpse of the stunning mountain views and forests around you. You wont want to miss out on locations like Alewine Pottery, a potter that creates pieces inspired by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. 10 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennessee Children need to be accompanied by an adult, but kids aged 10 years and older can ride solo if theyre over 1.3 meters tall. Highly admired for its beautiful scenery and great shape, as well as useful GPS screens on the golf carts, this place makes a wonderful day out where you can also bring your family and friends to hang out. You are going to love this place. Whether you seek stunning vistas or solitary hikes, Gatlinburg delivers a cornucopia of creative attractions. 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. Big outdoor adventure hub offering zip lining, gondola rides, a treetop play area and more. Gatlinburg and the neighboring Pigeon Gorge arent bustling metropolises or tourist-trodden concrete jungles. Make sure to check its opening schedule so you can time your visit and have a wonderful time in the city. A beloved local eatery for residents and tourists alike, Pancake Pantry has been dishing up piping hot plates for over half a century and is yet to put a foot wrong. Address: 668 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA, Website: Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. This one-of-a-kind observation tower provides guests with 360-degree views of the smoky mountains. With secret passageways, winding staircases and creepy dark corridors, this is the place to go, especially if youre planning to release any bottled-up screams. If you happen to be visiting around Christmas time, the holiday show receives nothing but glowing reviews. If youre looking for something a bit fancier in Gatlinburg, The Melting Pot now has a vegan menu including vegan cheese and vegan chocolate. Capture that essence with a timeless photo by dressing up as a cowboy or cowgirl at Old Town Photos or Miss Sadies in Gatlinburg. Live actors lurk behind every corner of this creepy renovated mansion, just waiting to welcome you to their home. Ole Smoky Moonshine - head to either of their two Gatlinburg locations for an authentic, barrel-aged American whisky experience. There is no place better than Pigeon River if you want to do this adrenaline-fueled activity. This Civil War-themed attraction allows viewers to sit with either the North or the South group, as the battle plays out and, occasionally, the South wins. After gawking at the pros in action, try log rolling or speed climbs yourself (safely harnessed, of course). 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. Doing all three will expose you to a collection of historical sites and remains of old villages. Roller coaster curves and winds through the woods and mountains forest terrain where you can control your own speed. Owned by an enthusiast and professional player who has joined famous global competitions, this fun place guarantees success in sticking the axe on the board in no time. With a strong hold on traditions, indulge in prime custom-cut steaks and premium wines at The Peddler Steakhouse. Probably one of the healthiest stores and restaurants in Gatlinburg, this is a natural foods store with a cafe focusing on vegetarian & vegan fare such as salads & sandwiches. Before heading out for a hike, check trail conditions at the front door. If you must go to a non-child-friendly attraction, . For some of the best ice cream you'll ever have, you have to visit Cruze Farm. Cross swimming bridges 150 ft high as you take in a resplendent ten-acre wooded island in the middle of Big Pigeon River. Research using this guide or read my other Gatlinburg posts.See my packing list. The stadium is located in Kodak, TN, right down the road from all the popular things to do and places to stay in Sevierville. 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This resort is located off Highway 441 and the suites are large and comfortably decorated. Follow along to discover 16 unique things to do in Gatlinburg. 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. Take advantage of the guest hot tub after a long day exploring at the Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail. Cammerer Fire Tower. Cades Cove - Another scenic drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this one is an 11-mile one-way loop. In addition to the six wonder zones, this attraction also boasts laser tag, an indoor ropes course and a 4D simulator! The aquarium boasts a myriad of sea creatures. Sporting modern finishes and less than 100 meters away from the start of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, enjoy excellent service, views and facilities at the Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg. If Moonshine just doesnt cut it, grab a glass or two of some of the states finest blends at Tennessee Homemade Wines. These are just some of the many ways that you can experience Gatlinburg as the locals do. Though the winery sells original blends, its known for its soft and delicious fruit-infused wines, such as the Blueberry Bammer, Proper Peach, Fine Blackberry and White Knuckle Grape. All this artistry got you feeling famished? Though this trail can get crowded at times, its not as popular as Laurel Falls or Alum Cave, and it offers gorgeous views! Make sure to taste their Brewmaster Special, an exclusive rotating tap that changes throughout the year. Tanger Outlets is located in Pigeon Forge (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) 5. Embrace almost 10 minutes of high-speed thrills as you ride the longest coaster in East Tennessee. If youd prefer for one of the locals to show you the ropes, wine tours take guests through to two wineries, as well as a traditional moonshine distillery even if youre not a fan, its an interesting endeavor, youre in the South after all. There are single and double coasters to choose from. Keep an eye out for wild turkeys, deer and even tree-climbing black bears! This stunning riverside location is all you need and really completes a stay at Baymont by Wyndham Gatlinburg On The River. Its 680 feet across and you can look 140 feet down through the glass floor halfway through. I highly suggest visiting at sunrise for the best chance of seeing wildlife as well as the best place to see black bears in the smoky mountains. It also takes pride in its 100-year-old family recipe of Old Apple and Apple Orchard, which are made from locally grown apples. As any visitor can say, photos just dont do this place justice. While available separately, grab the combo ticket for the best bang for your buck. Try a few of the local creations in Gatlinburgs first Hard Cider tasting room, before grabbing a take-home growler or two of your favorite flavor. Stock up on sandwiches, biscuits, Frito pies, and more when you hit up either of their two Gatlinburg locations. Order up an assorted box, and chew away on flavors like black walnut, butterscotch, and cotton candy. An extraordinary spectacle combining a delectable dinner with a 32-horse live show (plus the riders, of course), Dolly Partons Stampede is Tennessee entertainment like youve never seen before. Get in touch with your creative side when you witness the ancient art of basket weaving, oil painting, and more at the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. Each time we have pretty much driven as quickly as possible trough pigeon forge and Gatlinburg . Those yearning for a more intense athletic endeavor can opt for the strenuous, 10.6-mile journey to the Mt. Order a cold one from the selection of the brewerys own branded beers on tap, or if youre here for serious business, try their Brew Samplers. Come nightfall; luminous lights will guide you through your winding outdoor excursion. With not one, but five putt-putt courses, playtime at Ripleys Davy Crockett Mini-Golf ensures exciting corners to tee off from, as well as hours of laughter. With tour companies like Smoky Mountain Angler, expert guides take guests along the fresh rivers and teach them how to reel in wild mountain trout or whatever other critter floats along. See Reviews Here | Book Now (free cancellation! Address: 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA 7. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Take the tram to the top of the overlook with views of the Smoky Mountains. Stop by local haunt 'Elviras Cafe' for smores crepes, visit Hendricks Chapel, or sift for jewels at Gnoberts Magic Gem Mine. The Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area is open 365 days a year. Theres a lot of handmade candy taffy especially so taking some time to find some vegan candy may be worthwhile. The buildings are also open for taking tours, this a fantastic open-air museum.