non touristy things to do in gatlinburg

2001 - 2023 Tripster. Hit up three amazing music museums. 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. Whats more Tennessee than Moonshine? Come nightfall; luminous lights will guide you through your winding outdoor excursion. Named after a loquacious flowing mountain stream, Roaring Fork is one of the larger and faster-flowing mountain streams in the park. Address: 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA 7. Travel Like a Local: Guide to the Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Where the Locals Eat in Pigeon Forge TN and the Smoky Mountains, distilleries in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg, attractions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, 5 Things You Can Only Do at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Your Ultimate Guide to the Updates at Ober Mountain, All the Info You Need to Know Before Going Gatlinburg Snow Tubing at Ober Mountain, 6 Playground Attractions in the Smoky Mountains for Kids to Enjoy, Fly Through the Skies With These 6 Rides in Pigeon Forge, Reel Good Spots: 4 Great Places to Go Fishing in the Smoky Mountains, How Sweet: Where to Find the Best Smoky Mountain Fudge. A fantastic family option is Bent Creek Golf Village, equipped with gaming rooms, large fire pits for making smores, a swimming pool and so much more to keep all family members smiling. Offering locations in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Rowdy Bear Mountain is a must-do for those who love the outdoors and have an inclination towards adrenaline, as well. You can also spend time in the park exploring hidden gems, like the House of Fairies or Elkmont Ghost Town! Try out the baked cheese, decadent desserts and, of course, their signature Plum Tea. Look out for all the barnyard characters as you move between holes at one of the three 18-hole courses at the Ripleys Old MacDonalds Farm Mini-Golf area. Continue venturing further south to either destination close by, or a little further away. 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. Go to the website and book your ticket in advance. As someone who regularly visits the Smoky Mountains, I still havent explored all the vastness that there is here. 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. 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 the route features declines, there are parts of the track that provide a serious adrenaline rush. 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. Here are some of the favorite things for locals to do in the Smokies: Tanger Outlets is one of the largest shopping centers in the Smokies with over 100 brand name stores. This is a can't-miss on your list of unique things to do in Gatlinburg! The Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster allows you to experience the Great Smoky Mountains in a fun, fast, and unique way, reaching speeds up to 35 mph. Try the 13-mile Low Gap Trail - Appalachian Trail - Snake Den Trail loop. With the funkiest beer names on tap, sample IPAs, golden ales, Szechuan Peppercorn Witbier, Coffee Porter and plenty of other unique craft drafts. 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. Another beloved hiking area is the Cataloochee Valley, which is just under 2 hours away from Gatlinburg, but entirely worth the trip. The Glider combines free falling and hang gliding into a safe fun experience. Explore the creeks and historic buildings on the Rough Fork Trail, and revel in the old-growth forests on the Boogerman Trail. The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome bears witness to the ravages of one type of insect. 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. Some of the most beautiful roads to cruise along include Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork Motor Trail, Little River Road, Clingmans Dome Road and Cades Cove Loop. Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area is 1 hour 10 minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport. Local winery featuring a convivial tasting bar, free tours & a store for regional souvenirs. Museum with kitschy oddities on display, including shrunken human heads & rare animal skeletons. Games take place from the fall until the spring. After watching either Roadhoggers or Winter Wipeout, you would never think of movies the same way again. Appreciate the unchanged mountain tradition of taffy-making when you watch candy makers at work. Some stops include Sugarland Cellars, Bootleggers Homemade Wine and Little Bear Winery. has been delighting, confusing and entertaining guests of all ages for decades. Big outdoor adventure hub offering zip lining, gondola rides, a treetop play area and more. Hosted in a small, intimate theatre, the show contains lots of interaction with the audience. photo credit: Blue Moose Burgers and Wings via Facebook. Choose between room and suite options with river views to wake to. We love their hearty half-pound burgers and their rotating selection of seasonal and craft beers. Walker Sisters Springhouse is perfect for outdoor recreation. Address: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, A post shared by Mark Empey (@mark_empey). Or pick up a bottle of Pigeon Forge blush to go. 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. Knoxville is one of the bigger cities in Tennessee but still has a very small-town feel. Thanks to its location in a mountain hollow, theres plenty of natural shade. Inspired by the ghosts and ghouls of Gatlinburgs past, it creates an atmosphere thats delightfully spooky. On the Alpine Slide, youngsters race against their friends in sled-like carts across a winding 1,800-foot long track. Accompanying the themed displays are little stories that shed some light on the tool or information about the artists behind the creation. Search for free among 1,500,000 tours in every destination around the world! Family-run pottery studio & store selling handcrafted mugs, plates, pitchers, vases & bakeware. Make sure to keep your wits about you spooky surprises await around every corner at the Mysterious Mansion. 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. Set up inside a log cabin, the setting adds extra authenticity. Grab this hassle free checklist of the top 110 things to do in London from a local, includes: . Brick-walled, artifact-filled pub offering American chow, sports TV & a balcony with mountain views. Home to over 600 critters originating from rainforests all over the world, this family-friendly Smoky Mountains attraction should be high atop any animal lovers bucket list. The Smoky Mountain Music Festival [April] continues its dedication to excellence by offering school musicians an opportunity to demonstrate their talents before prestigious adjudicators in a beautiful setting. 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.. While there are plenty of questionable brews out there, by far some of the highest-quality samples can be found at Americas most visited distillery Ole Smoky and the rustic award-winning Sugarlands Distilling Company. LeConte water is a necessity! - this nationally ranked outfitter is the ideal stop for rafters looking for a challenge. ), HOLIDAY INN CLUB VACATIONS SMOKY MOUNTAIN RESORT. The rooms are also equipped with TVs, Wi-Fi, and some have a fireplace. If youre the type who cant go without your Sunday golf outing, you wont be deprived while in Gatlinburg. Then relax your body in a 42-inch hot tub at the Grotto Falls. Every year, this Tennessee-based mentalist and professional entertainer does more than 200 shows at the Iris Theater in downtown Gatlinburg. Test your puzzle-solving abilities and prove once and for all who the smartest family member is with a 60-minute detective challenge in one of Gatlinburgs immersive, always-entertaining escape rooms. Calling all craft heads! The SkyBridge in Gatlinburg is the longest suspension bridge on the continent (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) 7. 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. 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. We perform checks on reviews 31. One of the nations few theme parks built with a dedication to replicating that classic Southern charm is the amusement park co-owned by famous entertainer Dolly Parton. Stop by one of the five wineries (or all five!) The disorientating abode is just one of the many whimsical illusions on display at Wonderworks, self-proclaimed as an amusement park for the mind.. 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. From happy hour to a nightcap, no day in Gatlinburg is complete without a stop to our very own Gatlinburg Wine Trail. All of their rooms feature private balconies (most of which overlook the river). Open since 1991 and boasting 11 local locations, they sure know a thing or two about food. Centrally located at the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, this watering hole is heaven on Earth for cider lovers. You can choose from a selection of jams to bring home. 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. Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains, wants to go to Rafting & kayak excursions on the Pigeon River during the summer. You can find these amazing escape rooms in two locations: Reagan Terrace Mall and The Village with Masters of Magic where you can also choose from various classic and contemporary board games to take home. 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. TourScanner is the worlds largest website to search for tours & travel activities. - disconnect and immerse yourself in the middle of breathtaking Smoky Mountains scenery when you book a SMO rafting tour. Hiking in the Smokies is one of the most popular things to do in Gatlinburg. Riding the glass elevator, take time to admire the surrounding greenery and dynamic colorful villages below. Ascend thousands of feet in one of the more fun things to do in Gatlinburg the famous Aerial Tramway. It is included as one of the best and most fun things to do in Astoria. To truly experience its natural beauty, you have to witness its rock formations with your bare eyes. 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. East Tennessee is known for its stunning mountain ranges, natural beauty, and amusement parks abound, but did you know that it is also one of the biggest art communities in the United States? With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a backdrop, The Park Grill is a great spot for couples and has a refined dining feel. Bigger groups can even rent out special areas, like the Yee-Haw Brewing Co. Bar. The Gatlinburg Space Needle is a 407 feet tall observation tower. 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. 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. Its not hard to get thrilled in this family-friendly attraction that offers plenty of realistic simulated rides and experiences. Specializing in craft beer, brewed right on site. There are some interesting boutiques and a really good donut place there, The Donut Friar. See Reviews Here | Book Now (free cancellation! 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. Streams, rivers, and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. This indoor water park has a mountain theme and features a lazy river, heated pools, and two giant water slides, as well as an interactive tree house. 6. 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. This relatively quick cruise provides a sneaky way to avoid downtown traffic. Patrons will find a variety of in-season goods that may include fruits, nuts, berries, jellies and jams, and vegetables. For a dazzling experience, hop on a group raft through the Rainbow Revenge with translucent tubes that create different colors as you go down. It features over 500 unique exhibits encompassing interactive installations, wacky tidbits, optical illusions and a space shuttle made from jelly beans. We can help.

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