Probably one of the healthiest stores and restaurants in Gatlinburg, this is a natural foods store with a cafe focusing on vegetarian & vegan fare such as salads & sandwiches. 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. For non-touristy stuff, you're gonna need to drive away from the area, I think. The Great Smoky Mountains are an untouched slice of Mother Nature. The Gatlinburg location boasts two unique experiences that will leave a lasting impression on you and your family: the Mountain Glider and the Alpine Coaster! For fall foliage and beautiful weather visit from September to October. Location: The Ghostwalk Tour meets at the public fountain located at 520 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Price: Adults $17. Its not your typical tourist activity, but its an unforgettable one nonetheless. 1 show, the mind-shattering performance of the internationally-renowned magician, Erik Dobell! 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. To keep the kids entertained, the facility offers immersive, educational activities and even a petting zoo! View the citys glamor and natural beauty from above while being surrounded by a protective mountain range. Not only do you get to shop, but you can chat and meet the local artisans to learn more about them and their craft. 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. Each time we have pretty much driven as quickly as possible trough pigeon forge and Gatlinburg . Its an experience that manages to be exhilarating and relaxing simultaneously. Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau . History exhibits and ranger talks presented at select times will also clue you in on the national park. From a selection of mountain-y inns, hotels and resorts, here are some of the best places to stay around Gatlinburg. After all the outdoor activities and city exploring, treat yourselves to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in town. 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. End the night with a lively outing to Luco Burro, a TexMex restaurant known for its margaritas and tacos. Townsend offers a different perspective of the area that a lot of people enjoy. Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park with ice skating, skiing, and more. Cool Touristy & Non-Touristy Things To. Whatever you do, dont leave Gatlinburg without this essential souvenir. All of their rooms feature private balconies (most of which overlook the river). Topping it all off, the entire park sits within the stunning surrounds of the Great Smoky Mountains. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Theres no better way to appreciate the spruce-fir forest and mountain views than from atop its observation deck. 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. While some of the most popular trails, like Cache Creek, shouldnt be skipped due to their beauty, they can get busy. A trip to the mountains isnt complete without ziplining. Embrace almost 10 minutes of high-speed thrills as you ride the longest coaster in East Tennessee. Only 1.5 hours away, Asheville is a place that everyone should visit at least once. 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. Take advantage of the guest hot tub after a long day exploring at the Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail. An amazing theme park located in Pigeon Forge and co-owned by Dolly Parton, Dollywood is definitely worth a visit. The Valley truly shines in fall, best known for its serene beauty and sublime Smoky Mountain views. 6. Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park Welcome to the most popular national park in the country! Or all three, but were not sure how that would work. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create an account to get access to exclusive pricing and rewards. Address: 561 Brookside Village Way Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Website: Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum Opening hours: 10am - 2pm (daily) Price: 3 USD You might be interested in these Airbnbs! Seems escape rooms are all the rage everywhere you go these days, Gatlinburg included! The crowds favor the Gatlinburg brewery for its authentic feel, designed as an amalgamation between a ski lodge and a Bavarian beer hall, looking out onto the Great Smoky Mountains. If you're looking for Gatlinburg attractions that are worth the money, climb onto the coaster and get to flying. Want to do some shopping and have the chance to meet locals at the same time? 12 Things To Do in Gatlinburg and the Best Places To Stay . 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 . Located off of the East Parkway, this 8-mile loop is home to a variety of shops, galleries, and studios that showcase the work of our talented local artisans. Theres a lot of handmade candy taffy especially so taking some time to find some vegan candy may be worthwhile. I'm the Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Wild Hearted. Many of the distilleries in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg offer unique cocktails made with their spirits. Open since 1991 and boasting 11 local locations, they sure know a thing or two about food. 6. Besides the 18-hole and nine-hole courses, the facility also boasts a fully-equipped pro shop to upgrade your kit. You can also discuss the artworks with the artists. Did you even visit Gatlinburg if you didnt make it to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park? - this nationally ranked outfitter is the ideal stop for rafters looking for a challenge. We are proud to be the very first hotel in the state of . 9. One of the best shops you should visit is the Smoky Mountain Farms Jelly House. It is also the highest peak that is completely within Tennessee. Held the month of October at Ober Gatlinburg. Heres everything you need to know about seeing the fireflies. If you are not a baseball lover, maybe you are an art lover. With the funkiest beer names on tap, sample IPAs, golden ales, Szechuan Peppercorn Witbier, Coffee Porter and plenty of other unique craft drafts. Rent out a UTV from Rocky Top Adventure for two hours, or more, and zoom around their recommended routes like Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome. 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. Gatlinburg might be small in size but its the furthest thing from small in the entertainment department. Or day, if youre feeling ambitious. Give them something from Gatlinburg. Take in all the sports you can handle from over 25 HDTVs or sample 16 flavors of wings. Two-, four-, and six-seater UTVs are up for grabs at venues like KanamFun and Mountain Life UTV Rentals, including the slick Polaris Slingshot. Its only about a 35-minute drive from Gatlinburg but has plenty of shopping, dining and activities to offer. Keep an eye out for wild turkeys, deer and even tree-climbing black bears! Old-fashioned country store featuring housemade liquor varieties & a tasting room. 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. 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. From happy hour to a nightcap, no day in Gatlinburg is complete without a stop to our very own Gatlinburg Wine Trail. Departs regularly from downtown Gatlinburg to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park. Explore the creeks and historic buildings on the Rough Fork Trail, and revel in the old-growth forests on the Boogerman Trail. However, there are so many other things to experience in the Great Smoky Mountain Range. The entire journey takes about 10 minutes, dropping visitors off at Ober Gatlinburg, home to must-do activities like ice skating and the Alpine Slide. For an amazing show seldom found anywhere else, Paula Deens Lumberjack Feud puts on a 1.5-hour extravaganza. Sporting modern finishes and less than 100 meters away from the start of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, enjoy excellent service, views and facilities at the Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg. Pingback: Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Park Ranger John . Feel the thrills as you dip and soar over Rowdy Bear Ridge. In Summer . From Americas most visited distillery to crazy pastry-inspired flavor combinations, each establishment brings a unique spin to its tasting tours: Need a break from amusement park antics and big chain restaurants? Theyre impressive historical towns that emit a vibrant atmosphere of eras gone by. Contact: (888) 991-9040 Monday through Sunday 9AM-11PM. Veteran outpost offering guided white-water rafting & float tours, plus zip lining & a ropes course. Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg 775 Walking Tours from 25.57 per adult Impossibilities Magic Show at the Iris Theater Ticket 256 Theatre Shows from 23.82 per adult Top Rated Wine and Shine Walking Tour 365 Wine Tours from 40.91 per adult Moonshine Mountain Coaster Ride 48 Attractions & Museums from 14.49 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* You can have any trip that youd like, from a relaxing, week-long getaway to a jam-packed weekend with your best friends. A post shared by Kelly Lopez (@kellylopezfl). 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. Drinking often leads to rumbling bellies fact and if youre feeling peckish, ask for the menu and build your own pizza. This may be one of the most unique things to do in Gatlinburg! THE PLAYGROUND. photo credit: Blue Moose Burgers and Wings via Facebook. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. It also takes pride in its 100-year-old family recipe of Old Apple and Apple Orchard, which are made from locally grown apples.