Open since 1991 and boasting 11 local locations, they sure know a thing or two about food. 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. 5. You can also take a picnic or pitch a tent to camp for the night, so bring all the gear you need for your choice of adventure. Each time we have pretty much driven as quickly as possible trough pigeon forge and Gatlinburg . Whats more Tennessee than Moonshine? The Gatlinburg Craftsmens Fair hosts Artisans and Craftsmen from all over the nation. Other things you can also buy include homemade jelly preserves, honey pickles and hot sauce. Dive into the histories of these well-loved crafts as you pick up some unique souvenirs. To keep the kids entertained, the facility offers immersive, educational activities and even a petting zoo! Sneak in even more social media-worthy photo ops when you traverse the Ramsey Cascades trail. Prepare to get wet, so bring swimwear or a towel, and dont forget to book online to reserve a spot to make sure you can start the fun as soon as you get there. 2023 Visit My Smokies, The ONLY site you need to plan your Smoky Mountain vacation, is a website owned and operated by Sevier County, Tennessee. Watch in awe as these vintage 1940 machines slice, wrap, and twist the taffy closed. Prepare to brave the combo slide The Edge Watercoaster which provides an almost 200 meters long ride. Seems escape rooms are all the rage everywhere you go these days, Gatlinburg included! Founded in 1962, this year-round amusement park offers a ton of exciting activities for everyone. If youre searching for fun things to do in Gatlinburg, its hard to go past an up-close experience with the real 1966 Batmobile! 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. At 475 feet above the earth and with a scintillating top speed of 55 miles per hour, the Goliath zipline proudly wields the title of highest, longest and fastest zipline across the Great Smoky Mountains. Or, why not try them all? 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.. If youve ever found yourself laying on the couch binge-watching The Amazing Race, heres your chance to step up and play, but without the cameras in your face. Expect to drop from a height of 70 feet that shoots you down through colorful tubes. Roller coaster curves and winds through the woods and mountains forest terrain where you can control your own speed. Live music, lots of Nashville flavor, and a mountain of mouthwatering eats. All Rights Reserved. Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge Riverside . Named after Revolutionary War Veteran Samuel Wears, this tranquil Valley oozes natural beauty and charm. 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. Ascend thousands of feet in one of the more fun things to do in Gatlinburg the famous Aerial Tramway. For the ultimate thrill-seeker, get in line for the Fire Tower Falls! 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. Experience a magical time by catching a magic show at the one and only Iris Theater. Calling all craft heads! You can visit Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, Hollywood Star Cars Museum, Gatlinburg Space Needle, and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. The RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo houses over 140 species, including reptiles, birds, adorable primates and plenty more. Dont miss your chance to ride The Flying Ox either, the worlds first zipline rollercoaster! If you want to see more than 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from . These attractions can be visited by senior citizens without any hassle. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Vegan LifestyleTravel InspirationDestinationsScuba Diving, AboutContactPressShopNewsletterBlogging ResourcesPrivacy Policy & Disclaimer. Over 20,000 sets of spice shakers reveal the surprisingly telling history of our most basic spices. As the biggest flea market in Tennessee, you can explore local goods, thrift shopping, and farm-fresh produce from over 1000 vendors. Rowdy Bear Mountain is home to two amazing thrill rides including the First Mountain Glider in the world. It is included as one of the best and most fun things to do in Astoria. There are single and double coasters to choose from. Its a superb choice for travelers seeking a relaxing hike in nature. As someone who regularly visits the Smoky Mountains, I still havent explored all the vastness that there is here. 2022 33. . Fill your days with race car events, state mountain park explorations and city sightseeing from museums to interesting architecture. 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. Adventurers will be able to climb three stories in the air to face thirty-eight challenges including rickety bridges, suspended ropes, and other balancing obstacles. including a lazy river and heated pools. 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. Between your hiking, shopping and art workshops, youre sure to have worked up an appetite! Tennessee Shine Co. - home to Moonshine Brandy, this famed distillery offers free taste testing and even creates their own shine wine! See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. 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. 10 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennessee - Updated 2023, Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, non touristy things to do in gatlinburg | go white water rafting on the little pigeon river, go white water rafting on the little pigeon river, non touristy things to do in gatlinburg | catch a magic show, non touristy things to do in gatlinburg | enjoy wine tasting, 15 Best Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Gatlinburg, Tennessee - Updated 2023, 12 Best Airbnb Tiny Houses In Gatlinburg, Tennessee - Updated 2023, 14 Amazing Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Updated 2023, A post shared by Travel the Burg (@traveltheburg), 5. As any visitor can say, photos just dont do this place justice. 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. No-frills sports bar known for drinks and karaoke. Time your visit for perfect weather to fly and get a birds-eye view of the magnificent mountain ranges. Only 30 minutes away, Sevierville is an easy side trip from Gatlinburg. Delve into the breathtaking natural landscape that will make you forget everything else around you. Theres also an on-site restaurant to refuel after a few hours of practicing your drives. With a serious passion for brewing, taste the selection of locally-crafted beers at Gatlinburg Brewing Company. This Pigeon Forge-based venue brings a whole lot of fun to the entire family with timeless songs and outstanding performances. If youre looking for something a bit fancier in Gatlinburg, The Melting Pot now has a vegan menu including vegan cheese and vegan chocolate. Just over half an hour away from downtown Gatlinburg, this quiet area of the Smokies is a great place to view the fall foliage, after enjoying lunch at the iconic Elviras Cafe. Its known as Americas Friendliest Ballpark! Go to the website and book your ticket in advance. Keep reading to learn more about the top ones. Diverging into plentiful small cascades, its a spectacular sight to behold. Continue venturing further south to either destination close by, or a little further away. National Museum of African American Music. Its the perfect place to go for a special Smoky Mountain souvenir. Its 680 feet across and you can look 140 feet down through the glass floor halfway through. 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. 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. Look over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains from the 407-ft. observation tower of the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle. The trail travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg, TN. Rustic, industrial-chic moonshine maker offering indoor & outdoor tours, tastings & live music. A little less than three hours away, Chattanooga is the furthest day trip but worthwhile if youre in Gatlinburg for a while. In addition to your in-room amenities, youll have easy access to hiking trails, three heated outdoor pools, a world-class spa, and a year-round water park. Did someone say snow tubing?! for a free tasting, or enjoy a glass of your favorite in our tasting rooms. The name speaks for itself and this is held the first week of December. The oldest craft brewery in East Tennessee is a great spot for happy hour or watching the game. During the winter months from mid-December to mid-March, skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes and even non-skiers enjoy . Walk the path of Little Brier Gap Trail for a relaxing stroll. Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is a corn whiskey distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. An indoor shopping center with 36 uniquely themed shops located in the heart of Gatlinburg. NOC Gatlinburg is an exciting summer destination for many tourists. These are just some of the many ways that you can experience Gatlinburg as the locals do. Dont toss up between the clear day or sparkling night views, head to the top just before sunset for the best of both worlds. An amazing theme park located in Pigeon Forge and co-owned by Dolly Parton, Dollywood is definitely worth a visit. If you must go to a non-child-friendly attraction, . For lunch, get a little fancy at the unpretentious Wild Plum Tea Room. 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. Local winery featuring a convivial tasting bar, free tours & a store for regional souvenirs. Its time to travel like a local! Set up inside a log cabin, the setting adds extra authenticity. Permit the worlds fluffiest llamas to carry your gear while you meander through the scenic Smoky Mountain foothills, flowered fields, and babbling brooks. Hire a car for the duration of your vacation, order a taxi, or hail a cab from the airport to your stay. Riding in these utvs gives you the opportunity to view the National park in a fun new way. Make sure to taste their Brewmaster Special, an exclusive rotating tap that changes throughout the year. Appreciate the unchanged mountain tradition of taffy-making when you watch candy makers at work. 3. 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. It sounds fun, doesnt it? For two weeks every June, fireflies in the Smoky Mountains perform an astonishing light show. 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. It sounds fun, doesn't it? Live actors lurk behind every corner of this creepy renovated mansion, just waiting to welcome you to their home. The live actors, spooky makeup and frightening special effects combine to make this one of the scariest attractions in Tennessee. The rooms have comfortable finishes and are well-equipped. Meet and interact with a penguin you can also create art together. Choose from the rafting packages which include ziplining and great deals for visiting other attractions such as the Ober Gatlinburg, Dollywood and Anakeesta. 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 Treetop package includes nine world-class ziplines, keeping you off the ground and among the trees for 2.5 hours non-stop. We perform checks on reviews 31. Gatlinburg is certainly better than Pigeon Forge, which is beyond tacky, but Gatlinburg. All of their rooms feature private balconies (most of which overlook the river). Pingback: Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Park Ranger John . The SkyBridge - which offers iconic views of Downtown Gatlinburg TN, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and more - isn't entirely made of glass. Sports fans dont have to wait until they get back home to enjoy a game or two. Non-Touristy things to do in the Smokies - Vacation Like a Local! 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. They lead different walks, backpacking trips, and more. Stop by local haunt 'Elviras Cafe' for smores crepes, visit Hendricks Chapel, or sift for jewels at Gnoberts Magic Gem Mine. The first 1,000 participants will get discounted vouchers that can be spent at the counter to obtain child tickets. 2. Use our epic guide to get an insiders peek into the locals only section of Gatlinburg today! To truly experience its natural beauty, you have to witness its rock formations with your bare eyes.