You can even bring your pets along to Four Sisters Old Time Photos. The 5.5-mile-long, one-way, loop road is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome bears witness to the ravages of one type of insect. Unravel the world of shakers at this zany museum, and investigate a collection of over 20,000 pairs of salt and pepper shakers. Witness snowflakes falling in winter, or snap pictures of the trees in a sea of autumn colors from October to November. The three-floor building is hard to miss its the absolutely oddest thing you can find at Parkway. From snow tubing through the mountains, to dizzying escape mazes to themed mini-golf courses kids love it here! Walk across the longest pedestrian bridge in North America, taste test moonshine at Ole Smoky, and go whitewater rafting all in the same weekend. 811 East Parkway, P.O. Top 7 Non Touristy Things to Do in Gatlinburg and - Visit My Smokies Thats not a typo, the theater at Ripleys Gatlinburg really ismoving! Proudly selling 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. Sample all the best fresh food Gatlinburg has to offer, while chatting to the friendly locals and the fan-favorite Farmers Market a city staple that operates most Saturday mornings. Visiting Gatlinburg next weekwhat fun (but not touristy) things are Designed to replicate a traditional (and stylish) mountain lodge, Calhouns has several locations, including the one in Gatlinburg. Spanning 680 feet across the forest canopy and standing 140 feet tall, the Gatlinburg Skybridge is North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Gatlinburg Space Needle. In addition to the six wonder zones, this attraction also boasts laser tag, an indoor ropes course and a 4D simulator! To keep the kids entertained, the facility offers immersive, educational activities and even a petting zoo! Non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg - Sevier County Forum If you want to see more than 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from . 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. Its one of the essential things to do in Gatlinburg, without a doubt. About | Privacy Policies | Business Resources | Sitemap | Made with by IMEG. Head up the hillside and travel back in time around the two mini-golf courses at Gatlins Mini Golf. lets you get up close and personal with these professionally trained creatures. You can reach the mountaintop resort by taking the aerial tramway at Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, which allows you to admire the marvelous scenery during the 2.1-mile transport. Victorian-style haunted house featuring year-round self-guided tours & spooky surprises. The spectacular SkyBridge claims the title of the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, with glass floor paneling adding another dimension of adventure. The hike begins at the Newfound Gap parking lot and continues for 4 miles along the Appalachian Trail. Dollywoods Splash Country water park ranked fourth on USA Todays assessment of the countrys best outdoor water parks. Gatlinburg might be small in size but its the furthest thing from small in the entertainment department. 10. Then relax your body in a 42-inch hot tub at the Grotto Falls. Some stops include Sugarland Cellars, Bootleggers Homemade Wine and Little Bear Winery. There are lots of hotels in Gatlinburg TN with indoor pool to choose from so if getting in some pool time is important to you, youre definitely in luck! If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. 5. Continue venturing further south to either destination close by, or a little further away. Wine homemade from a variety of fruits offered in a rustic, country-style space with tastings. For dinner, youll have plenty of delicious spots to choose from! 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. Every year, this Tennessee-based mentalist and professional entertainer does more than 200 shows at the Iris Theater in downtown Gatlinburg. Answer 1 of 6: We're taking advantage of our fall break and will be going Oct 14-18th. Luckily, there are many non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg. They have several vegan options and theres also one in Nashville. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Gatlinburg - Tripadvisor See all Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour 93 Adventure Tours from C$20.86 per adult Mountaintop Zipline 2-Hours Activity 126 from C$153.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg 775 Walking Tours from C$41.75 per adult During the winter months from mid-December to mid-March, skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes and even non-skiers enjoy . There are single and double coasters to choose from. photo credit: Rocky Top Mountain Coaster via Facebook. Or pick up a bottle of Pigeon Forge blush to go. For the younger crowd, head on over to Rowdy Ridge Playground with interactive features from slides to climbing nets for children (the minimum age requirement is two years old and kids must be chaperoned at all times). The fun doesnt have to end here Besides Arcade City, Arcadia is another awesome choice for gamers whether young or old and the prizes up for grabs are pretty mental! Between the pick of ways to sightsee the Smokies and things to do in Gatlinburg, the Moonshine Mountain Coaster is among the top unique attractions. 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. If wine, moonshine, or beer arent your thing, dont worry theres cider too! 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. including a lazy river and heated pools. Family Travel Made Easy: Learn the Best Strategies for Stress-Free While in Gatlinburg, why dont you spare the time to meet some local artists at Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community? Visit museums, adventure parks, arcades and forbidden caverns, and the travel time between the two towns is merely 15 minutes by car. 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. The first 1,000 participants will get discounted vouchers that can be spent at the counter to obtain child tickets. 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. When the summer months roll in, the snow tubing is converted into an outdoor tubing hill so the fun never stops 365 days a year. Centrally located at the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, this watering hole is heaven on Earth for cider lovers. Thats Ober Gatlinburgs Ice Bumper attraction in nutshell, one of the most enjoyable things to do in Gatlinburg for kids and teenagers. You may use these HTML tags and attributes: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Changing with the seasons; the scenery presents something new to marvel over as the months move from one to the next. Between your hiking, shopping and art workshops, youre sure to have worked up an appetite! Waterfall lovers will be stunned by the beauty of the Laurel Falls trail, while those who love mountain views will want to hike the West Prong Trail, with its elevation gain of 1,375 feet. 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. The Listening Room Cafe puts the magic of Music City front and center. The Valley truly shines in fall, best known for its serene beauty and sublime Smoky Mountain views. With a serious passion for brewing, taste the selection of locally-crafted beers at Gatlinburg Brewing Company. The busiest peak time of the year is June and July so plan accordingly. This can tell you all you need to know about the array of amazing rides and attractions at this Southern-themed splash zone. The Gatlinburg Bypass is owned and maintained by the National Park Service and is considered part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No-frills sports bar known for drinks and karaoke. While some of the most popular trails, like Cache Creek, shouldnt be skipped due to their beauty, they can get busy. This is a must-visit for nature lovers, as the Cataloochee Valley is one of the only places that you can spot wild elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take your meal to go for a mouthwatering picnic post-Smoky Mountain trails or sprawl out on their pet-friendly patio. The Hillbilly Golf mini-golf course straddles the side of a mountain, requiring a tram ride up the slopes to the top. 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. As well as the many Pigeon Forge things to do, guests will find an array of natural wonders like Cades Cove, Smoky Mountain National Park, scenic overlook, Anakeesta Mountain, Crockett Mountain, tourist attraction draws of the Gatlinburg area, the Pigeon River, Wears Valley, and other parks. Neighboring the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the best hikes are through the mountainous landscape. ATV tours are available with these pros too, and the quads can seat two people. . Cruze Farm. Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge Riverside . Make sure to taste their Brewmaster Special, an exclusive rotating tap that changes throughout the year. The trail offers beautiful views of the river, which at one point is crossed by a pedestrian footbridge. There are some interesting boutiques and a really good donut place there, The Donut Friar. A quick, entertaining activity during any day of exploring the main Gatlinburg strip, the 7D Dark Ride Adventure is an immersive, exciting activity for kids and adults alike. NON-touristy gimmicky things in Gatlinburg - Gatlinburg Forum Sunrises are favored for witnessing a blanket of mist rise above the city, the afternoon has the clearest visuals, or stand under the stars at night and enjoy the crisp-clear air and views of sparkling lights. Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area. Gatlinburg TN - too touristy? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum. 1. Packed with super limited edition ones, this largest collection of pinballs in the city can easily fill up all your day with excitement. Heres everything you need to know about seeing the fireflies. It's easy to see why visiting the Smoky Mountain Cat House is one of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge off the beaten path. Elevate your next Gatlinburg evening when you reserve a table at the Burg Steakhouse. Venture out on your own, or opt for one of their guided off-road UTV tours. This rousing ride is the first kind in the world to feature four uplifts! At 6,593 ft it is the third highest peak in the national park, behind Clingmans Dome and Mount Guyot. Another beloved hiking area is the Cataloochee Valley, which is just under 2 hours away from Gatlinburg, but entirely worth the trip. The attraction with displays about sports, science & architecture records & interactive challenges. Since you have already traveled a long way to Gatlinburg, you should not skip a wine-tasting activity from Pigeon Forge. It wouldnt be a trip to Tennessee without at least a taste of the regions infamous moonshine otherwise known as hooch or homebrew. With the perfect amount of horror-themed suspense keeping escapees on the edge of their toes, this activity is regularly reviewed as one of the best escape rooms going around. Townsend, Tennessee: The "Quiet" Side of the Smokies Specializing in craft beer, brewed right on site. If youve seen videos of people tumbling down the hills in giant bubbles (AKA zorb balls) and always wanted to try it for yourself, head to the Outdoor Gravity Park the only dedicated zorbing park in the country. If youve already tackled Cades Cove and the Gatlinburg Bypass, why not branch out and uncover a path less traveled: Hightail it to this out-of-the-way area of the national park for a day of hikes, camping, wildflower viewing, and more. The Village Shops is a beautiful old world European themed shopping area with cobblestone streets, a fire fountain and little places to sit here and there.. Though this trail can get crowded at times, its not as popular as Laurel Falls or Alum Cave, and it offers gorgeous views! Adrenaline junkies, this ones got your name written all over it. 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. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of Tripster's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Cat House is also a great place to make some feline friends, as many of the owner's cats live at the shop. 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. 8 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Attractions In Gatlinburg | Aquariums, Museums & Mini-Golf 20+ Best Things To Do In Gatlinburg in 2023 - Smoky Mountain Opry With moonshine distilleries and cider breweries, live theater shows, haunted houses, and farmers markets, theres something for everyone in this underestimated town. Riding in these utvs gives you the opportunity to view the National park in a fun new way. You can choose from a selection of jams to bring home. 29 Best & Fun Things To Do In Gatlinburg (Tennessee) - Busy Tourist Astoria Riverfront Trolley. 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. There are many local sports teams that are fun to support during your visit to the Smokies. Gatlins Fun Center has laser tag, a ropes course, multiple escape rooms, bumper cars and a high-speed coordination game called Atomic Rush. The most visited tourist destination in America draws 75 million people a year. 5. Close by to Pigeon Forge and plenty of other mountain towns that are great for day tripping, take advantage of the unique scenery and wildlife during buggy excursions or walks to waterfalls. They help you prepare for many adventures, and outfits you for day hikes and overnight camps. After decades of being overlooked by most travelers outside of its neighboring states, Gatlinburg has finally started to get the international attention it deserves, ascending the popularity ranks exponentially over the last decade. Automobile archive featuring famous film & TV cars including the General Lee & 1966 Batmobile. Only 30 minutes away, Sevierville is an easy side trip from Gatlinburg. The oldest craft brewery in East Tennessee is a great spot for happy hour or watching the game. In addition to a huge 196-acre park, there's a whole host of non-touristy things to do at Ally Pally. Bigger groups can even rent out special areas, like the Yee-Haw Brewing Co. Bar. Expect to drop from a height of 70 feet that shoots you down through colorful tubes. Take the classic cinematic spectacle to the next level by strapping yourself into one of the motion seats and letting the state-of-the-art digital effects work their magic. With numerous attractions to visit and enjoy, Gatlinburg will certainly be your favorite city in Tennessee. The rooms are also equipped with TVs, Wi-Fi, and some have a fireplace. Now in its tenth season [mid-May to mid-October], the market provides Tennessee grown produce, local products, and foods in a friendly social environment. Watch professional log rolling, axe throwing, speed climbing and the nerve-racking springboard chop. This is your opportunity to watch a Tennessee Smokies game that takes place at Smokies Stadium. Answer 1 of 14: Hey there, My husband and I recently moved to Knoxville and we have of course been to Smoky Mountain Ntl Park a couple of times.