Gatlin's Fun Center. 24 Amazing (and Fun!) Things to Do in Gatlinburg, TN - Virginia Travel Tips The aquarium boasts a myriad of sea creatures. Follow Pigeon Creek Trail for just over half a kilometer to reach it. A Wheelchair Accessible Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. There is a bar and plenty of seating for you to kick back, relax, and sip on your shine. 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. 22 December 2022. From a selection of mountain-y inns, hotels and resorts, here are some of the best places to stay around Gatlinburg. 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. Keep an eye out for the schedules of the next Amazing Gatlinburg Race! Look above to see a ceiling of sparkling stars, or follow the red zigzagging lit-up pathways for an escape out of the labyrinth. They help you prepare for many adventures, and outfits you for day hikes and overnight camps. Come April, the Greenbrier area of the park is chock full of wildflowers. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. 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. Contact: (888) 991-9040 Monday through Sunday 9AM-11PM. It is a popular iconic spot and is home to many hidden gems including historical museums, street murals, art and architecture, beautiful cathedrals, and top-class restaurants. If possible, do all the non-touristy things mentioned above, although you should also do the touristy things. The Soul of Motown and Terry Evanswood Magic Show are each high-energy favorites, while the Hazzard Hoedown is a regular comical delight. For some of the best ice cream you'll ever have, you have to visit Cruze Farm. Address: 2440 North . Victorian-style haunted house featuring year-round self-guided tours & spooky surprises. You need to assemble in the activity zone near the park entrance and have your get-up approved by the staff. 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. The Great Smoky Mountain National Parks highest point, Clingmans Dome has a peak of almost 7,000 feet above sea level and is the third tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. This 8-mile loop of artisans is overflowing with artistic talent, from candle makers to quilt stitchers and potters. Give them something from Gatlinburg. This award-winning company offers options to raft both the Upper and Lower Pigeon River. If youre in Gatlinburg, pay a visit to the cocktail bar on the back porch of Sugarlands Distilling Company. As for the recently opened 'The Garden' found at 120 Fenchurch Street, this is an innovative space that will delight . 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. As the route features declines, there are parts of the track that provide a serious adrenaline rush. Then relax your body in a 42-inch hot tub at the Grotto Falls. It features over 500 unique exhibits encompassing interactive installations, wacky tidbits, optical illusions and a space shuttle made from jelly beans. Visiting Roaring Fork is done by a paved one-way, 5.5 mile drivable loop, located near Gatlinburg and one hour away from Cades Cove. What if you prefer something non-touristy? Topping it all off, the entire park sits within the stunning surrounds of the Great Smoky Mountains. 1. Zoom down the zipline, take a relaxing gondola ride, take a selfie with a (fake) bear, or overcome obstacles in the treetop play area. The Listening Room Cafe puts the magic of Music City front and center. What do you think of water rafting? Youre saddled onto a slow-moving, well-trained horse the way nature was meant to be explored. Children 12 and under FREE with paying adult. Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains, wants to go to Streams, rivers, and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Whet the appetite with an order of pimento cheese and bacon jam crostini before tearing into a Smoked BBQ platter or plate of Cajun chicken pasta. The fourth option, Hit Parade transports guests into the 50s and 60s with chart-topping hits from the likes of Elvis and Neil Diamond! 10 Best Hotels With Indoor Pool In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 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. For a terrific day trip itinerary, head to the outskirts of Sevierville, Tennessee. Between your hiking, shopping and art workshops, youre sure to have worked up an appetite! Admission includes unlimited play and no quarters or tokens required. Your email address will not be published. There are single and double coasters to choose from. Townsend offers a different perspective of the area that a lot of people enjoy. For days when the sun just refuses to shine, the indoor Wild Bear Falls Water Park is the answer with waters kept warm year-round. Refuel with a latte and pastry from Gatlinburgs Grind Coffee & Bakery. During the winter months from mid-December to mid-March, skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes and even non-skiers enjoy . Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Bigger groups can even rent out special areas, like the Yee-Haw Brewing Co. Bar. photo credit: Blue Moose Burgers and Wings via Facebook. Non-Touristy Things to Do in Gatlinburg: Arts and Crafts Community Calling all craft heads! Or pick up a bottle of Pigeon Forge blush to go. Walk across the longest pedestrian bridge in North America, taste test moonshine at Ole Smoky, and go whitewater rafting all in the same weekend. You can even bring your pets along to Four Sisters Old Time Photos. 25 Best Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennesee, You Shouldn't Miss Renting a vehicle is recommended, as the public transport options are limited. If the locals love it, you know it must be good. A post shared by Kelly Lopez (@kellylopezfl). THE PLAYGROUND. Museum with kitschy oddities on display, including shrunken human heads & rare animal skeletons. Maybe theres a game that you just need to catch on the TV. Let's keep this between us, ok?! National Museum of African American Music. 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. You can also discuss the artworks with the artists. 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. For a dazzling experience, hop on a group raft through the Rainbow Revenge with translucent tubes that create different colors as you go down. 8 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Trip101 Boasting remarkable and unbeaten views of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is an essential spot for any visitor. Enjoy some seriously soft cuddles when you get friendly with everyones favorite South American mammal. 70 Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge - MommyPoppins This may be one of the most unique things to do in Gatlinburg! If you are lucky, you may be invited to the stage and be part of the show. While theres no shortage of things to do within the Gatlinburg city limits, the citys true selling point is its proximity to some of the nations most beautiful natural hiking trails. You can walk up and down the strip and take all the free tastings and have plenty of alcohol, I promise. You wont want to miss out on locations like Alewine Pottery, a potter that creates pieces inspired by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Outdoors store providing quality and affordable outdoor supplies to the 11 million annual visitors of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tennessee Shine Co. - home to Moonshine Brandy, this famed distillery offers free taste testing and even creates their own shine wine! Craft beers have soared in popularity over the years. 37 Non-Touristy Things to do in Washington Besides Museums! Head to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. 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? 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The interactive puzzle-solving adventure game is jam-packed with exciting challenges that test your teamwork and creative thinking while taking you all over the city in search of your next clue. 8. Entering what seems like endless hallways and rooms creating hundreds of reflections, maze-runners, try to make your way through the flashing LED lights and an infinity of mirrors. Guide to Orlando's Top Non-Touristy Treasures - Diary of a Debutante Cammerer Fire Tower. Depending on how much time youve got to spare, half-day and full-day excursions are available. Perfect your paddle on a more introductory Class I route, or stay on land and tackle ropes courses, rock climbing, canopy ziplining, and more. Jonesing for a sweet aperitif? Since you have already traveled a long way to Gatlinburg, you should not skip a wine-tasting activity from Pigeon Forge. We like weird things so much, we even created a second site all about it. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. After trekking the easy half-mile paved trail to the viewing platform, you can see the expansive wilderness of Tennessee and North Carolina all the way out to the horizon. The bridge is illuminated at night . 32. While the food is fantastic and the drinks are cold, the best part of Luco Burro is the rooftop patio overlooking downtown Gatlinburg. Non Touristy Things to Do in Gatlinburg: 16 Ways to Travel Like a Local 2. Founded in 1962, this year-round amusement park offers a ton of exciting activities for everyone. It means guests can button-mash to their hearts content on classics like Space Invaders, Pacman, Lord of the Rings and so many more. Not only fun but as you putt-putt your way through 45 holes (if playing both courses), learn about the history of Gatlinburg dating to its first settlers. 30 Best Things to do in Gatlinburg (TN) - Oceans Beyond Piracy Choose from amphibious rides, ropes courses and a knee-buckling suspension bridge. While all nine of Heartland's rentals are unique, they are all equally as cozy, inviting, and scenicand the perfect spot to set up camp for an unforgettable vacation in Gatlinburg. The art studio of an early 20th-century painter, hidden amid the Great Smoky Mountains. It was OK. Sevierville is famous for high-end outlet shopping, cool places to stay in the Smoky Mountains and hometown girl, Dolly Parton. The Great Smoky Mountains are an untouched slice of Mother Nature. A little less than three hours away, Chattanooga is the furthest day trip but worthwhile if youre in Gatlinburg for a while. Whether youre looking for some fun or wanting to improve your competitiveness, youve come to the right place. Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. All the fun of the classic bumper car ride is thrown into an ice rink! 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. Let us know by sharing in the comments, we love hearing about your experiences. The closest I could suggest as non-touristy is visiting the Cataloochee Valley or driving the Cherokee Orchard Rd and Roaring Fork Nature Trails. Listen up die-hard gamers! Held the month of October at Ober Gatlinburg. After gawking at the pros in action, try log rolling or speed climbs yourself (safely harnessed, of course). To keep the kids entertained, the facility offers immersive, educational activities and even a petting zoo! Pingback: Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Park Ranger John . Brick-walled, artifact-filled pub offering American chow, sports TV & a balcony with mountain views. Located next to the entrance of the charming European-inspired The Village, the restaurant can be a great stop before or after exploring the artisanal shops. Take the entire crew to axe throwing right and hit some targets at the Axe House, located at the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. Designed to replicate a traditional (and stylish) mountain lodge, Calhouns has several locations, including the one in Gatlinburg.