For some of the best views of both the town and mountains, Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is smack bang between Gatlinburg Spur (connecting the city with the nearby Pigeon Forge) and the Great Smoky Mountains (along the Gatlinburg Bypass). With over 100 nostalgic pinball machines and retro arcade games lining its walls, Gatlinburg Pinball Museum is one of the best activities in Gatlinburg. Many options of outdoor activities can be found here, including fishing, swimming and bird watching. Explore Gatlinburg and its surrounding Great Smoky Mountains in a unique, adventurous way behind the wheel of an off-road specialty vehicle. Get cozy in their wood and chandelier accented dining room as you peruse their well-balanced menu. In addition to the six wonder zones, this attraction also boasts laser tag, an indoor ropes course and a 4D simulator! 70 Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge - MommyPoppins Inspired by Austrian tea houses, the Wild Plum provides some of the most delicious lunches that youll find in the smokies. Adrenaline junkies, this ones got your name written all over it. A little less than three hours away, Chattanooga is the furthest day trip but worthwhile if youre in Gatlinburg for a while. Do you have what it takes? . Kids can crawl through underwater tunnels to get an up-close view of the penguins at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Gatlinburg is certainly better than Pigeon Forge, which is beyond tacky, but Gatlinburg. You can have any trip that youd like, from a relaxing, week-long getaway to a jam-packed weekend with your best friends. 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. Address: 668 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA, Website: Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. Stock up on sandwiches, biscuits, Frito pies, and more when you hit up either of their two Gatlinburg locations. As you arrive at Laurel Falls, spot mountain laurel blossoming along the trail and around the waterfall in shades of soft pinks (in May). Make sure to stop into Coffee & Company, Gatlinburgs oldest roasting coffee shop, and grab a personalized souvenir for your jealous friends at U Name It. Or opt for a Llama Farm Visit to skip out on the physical exertion all together. 3. 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. The reason I really love Gatlinburg is the proximity to nature. Attractions In Gatlinburg | Aquariums, Museums & Mini-Golf 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. Nestled in downtown Gatlinburg lies the Smokies most unique shopping destination, The Village district. Address: 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA 7. Refuel with a latte and pastry from Gatlinburgs Grind Coffee & Bakery. Non-Touristy Things to Do in Gatlinburg - Gatlinburg Wine Trail Non-Touristy Things to Do in Washington, DC Besides Museums and Monuments Check Out Some Local Art at Blind Whino Hidden away from all the tourists in the streets of Southwest DC is a formerly abandoned church that fell into a vat of neon pixie dust, and opened its doors to the art community. Some stops include Sugarland Cellars, Bootleggers Homemade Wine and Little Bear Winery. Best Italian Cafe and Pizzaria This casual Italian cafe in the heart of Gatlinburg has earned quite the following over the years. 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. The name speaks for itself and this is held the first week of December. An indoor shopping center with 36 uniquely themed shops located in the heart of Gatlinburg. 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. For more information on places the locals love to eat, check out our blog, Where the Locals Eat in Pigeon Forge TN and the Smoky Mountains.. Grab a spot around the patios fire pit for an unforgettable night. Add this to the list of adrenaline-inducing non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg. 20+ Best Things To Do In Gatlinburg in 2023 - Smoky Mountain Opry 12 Top Gatlinburg Attractions (2023) Best Tourist Spots! View the citys glamor and natural beauty from above while being surrounded by a protective mountain range. Immersed within the beautiful greenery of the Smoky Mountains, CLIMB Works provides adventurous visitors the chance to explore the stunning natural landscape in two equally exciting ways the breathtaking Mountaintop Zipline and the top-rated Treetop Zipline. All rooms have comfortable bedding, Wi-Fi, TVs and DVD players, and more. Cascading through valleys and mountains, the waterfall scene in Gatlinburg is next level, and you could dedicate an entire day just to go chasing waterfalls. If you want to kill time, kill it by doing something fun like observing those water inhabitants. Mynatt Park 117 Parks By PrimeSteak86 The park itself has a huge pavilion, that you must reserve; as well as several wide open picnic tables. Enjoy some seriously soft cuddles when you get friendly with everyones favorite South American mammal. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Buddys bar-b-q in Sevierville is the perfect stop in or out of the Smokies, offering hometown bar-b-q thats cooked low and slow. Live music, lots of Nashville flavor, and a mountain of mouthwatering eats. for a free tasting, or enjoy a glass of your favorite in our tasting rooms. Gatlinburg might be small in size but its the furthest thing from small in the entertainment department. Dont putt too hard your ball might roll down the mountain! Begin at the bottom of the mountain, and first be pulled up to the top of the hill at an altitude of 76 meters, and then zoom along the one-kilometer track. Rowdy Bear Mountain is home to two amazing thrill rides including the First Mountain Glider in the world. The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome bears witness to the ravages of one type of insect. After tackling Goliath, theres still plenty more to do throughout the Firefox Mountain Adventure Park. . We pride ourselves on serving innovative, tasty wines with an East Tennessee flair. You can hike via the Alum Cave Trail which is roughly a 10.5 in and out hike. Visit the Dolly Statue. 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). 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. From wine to wildflowers, Gatlinburg hosts several spring festivals. The Greystone Lodge is family-owned and located in a very convenient location downtown. The Gatlinburg Wine Trail includes 4 different wineries where visitors can taste local wines for free! This is a 3-mile streetcar line ride in Astoria using an old freight railroad track along the Columbia River. The closest I could suggest as non-touristy is visiting the Cataloochee Valley or driving the Cherokee Orchard Rd and Roaring Fork Nature Trails. On the Ski Mountain Coaster, you twist down 3,750 feet of the mountain at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (or at their own pace, of course). 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. We don't want to do Ripleys or any of the kitchy dinner shows.anyone know of any off-the-beaten-path things to do? Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum. Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg - Sevier County Forum 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. We perform checks on reviews 31. 8 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 16 Absolutely Free Things To Do in Pigeon Forge Tennessee They help you prepare for many adventures, and outfits you for day hikes and overnight camps. 8. Changing with the seasons; the scenery presents something new to marvel over as the months move from one to the next. Family-run pottery studio & store selling handcrafted mugs, plates, pitchers, vases & bakeware. They are the only species in America that can synchronize their flashing light patterns and this only happens one time a year usually a two-week window so this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Copyright 2023 TourScanner | All rights reserved. Discover classic American and Southern dishes on its menu, and they also do a mean BBQ. Address: 2440 North . photo credit: Blue Moose Burgers and Wings via Facebook. On the Alpine Slide, youngsters race against their friends in sled-like carts across a winding 1,800-foot long track. Head to the Smoky Mountain Riding Stables and trot through the vast and rocky terrain of the Smoky Mountains. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Gatlinburg Craftsmens Fair hosts Artisans and Craftsmen from all over the nation. Winning over hearts thanks to its location, guests love the running river alongside the Greystone Lodge on the River, the mountain backdrop, and the short distance to restaurants and shops. 1. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Gatlinburg - 2023 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor You can often find locals relaxing and enjoying a drink at one of these spots! HILTON GARDEN INN GATLINBURG - 120 Photos & 92 Reviews - Yelp Situated at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, The Captured fuses the challenging detective work of an escape room. For fall foliage and beautiful weather visit from September to October. 3 Things to do today in Bengaluru. Every year, this Tennessee-based mentalist and professional entertainer does more than 200 shows at the Iris Theater in downtown Gatlinburg. Top Things To Do In Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN - Vacations Made Easy Overseeing downtown Gatlinburg and with the Smokies as a surrounding backdrop, it is heaven on earth for fabulous photography angles. One of the most touristy things to do in Tucson is going for a relaxing bike ride in downtown Tucson. So whether you want a city getaway or a more natural . 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. Outside the shop, the air is filled with live music, jovial laughter, and the distinct smell of cooked and processed grains. Decked with immersive features and water elements, children especially love these themed courses. Take precaution on the rocks around the waterfall as they tend to get super slippery. 14 Fun Things to Do in Astoria this Vacation - USA Mocha Florida certainly isn't devoid of lush tropical landscaping, but you wouldn't think you'd find a botanical oasis just minutes from downtown Orlando. A trip to the mountains isnt complete without ziplining. Our hotel offers the natural attraction of the mountains and sounds of the nearby creeks. The folks over at Smoky Mountain Brewery know what theyre doing when it comes to manufacturing excellent craft beer they are the oldest brewery in East Tennessee after all! Riding in these utvs gives you the opportunity to view the National park in a fun new way. As someone who regularly visits the Smoky Mountains, I still havent explored all the vastness that there is here. Use our epic guide to get an insiders peek into the locals only section of Gatlinburg today! 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. This is your opportunity to watch a Tennessee Smokies game that takes place at Smokies Stadium. The murals and granite plaza are later included in this beautiful historical monument. 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. 5 Must Visit U.S. Cities For A Weekend Trip 2 Must-Visit Places, 7 Adventures on Yas Island Abu Dhabi 7 Most Thrilling Tourist Attractions in California A Tourist Guide To The Sin City (Ultimate . Tennessee Shine Co. - home to Moonshine Brandy, this famed distillery offers free taste testing and even creates their own shine wine! Officially Gatlinburgs oldest and spookiest haunted house, this three-story Victorian mansion on River Road has been welcoming brave visitors for over 35 years. Meet and interact with a penguin you can also create art together. - this nationally ranked outfitter is the ideal stop for rafters looking for a challenge. The rooms have comfortable finishes and are well-equipped. If youre lucky and not screaming, or taking photographs you might even spot a grizzly. 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. Sip on the original, or splash out with flavors like peanut butter and jelly or Appalachian apple pie. Activities on offer include mini golf, escape games, laser tag, a ropes course, bumper cars, and a laser maze, making Gatlin's one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg with kids. There are single and double coasters to choose from. 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Paula Deens Lumberjack Feud Adventure Park tickets, Dolly Partons Stampede dinner show tickets, The Park Vista A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Gatlinburg, Baymont by Wyndham Gatlinburg On The River, Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg Town Square by Exploria Resorts. Elevate your next Gatlinburg evening when you reserve a table at the Burg Steakhouse. The company takes pride in making traditional fresh tastes made from hand-picked apples from local farms. For something extra special, opt for a glass-bottom boat ride! The trail travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg, TN. While putt-putt golf, ziplining, and escape rooms may be found in many places, this is a unique one!