Filled to the brim with talented performers, awe-inspiring artists, creative craftsmen, and dedicated farmers, the Great Smoky Mountains is the place to go for epic shows, unique home décor, handcrafted goods, and prized produce. Enjoy an outstanding evening performance, visit the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, witness the creation of a masterpiece, and dine on Southern cuisine prepared fresh with locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re looking to entertain a large group, purchase a romantic gift to commemorate a special occasion, pick up a few artsy skills, or savor incredible Smoky Mountain flavors, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have you covered — and then some!
Showstoppers
Each Smoky Mountain performance is a guaranteed showstopper, featuring skilled dancers, incredible singers, astounding acrobats, amazing animals, gifted thespians, or all the above! With so many spectacular productions in the area, choosing a favorite isn’t easy, so we’ve listed our top 5 (in no particular order) to help you decide. While attending one show will assuredly leave you with smiles for miles, there’s no shame in seeing them all — in fact, we recommend it!
Our Top 5 Shows!
- Cheer at Dolly Parton’s Stampede, an epic dinner show — showcasing jaw-dropping stunts, acrobatic horse riding, special effects, musical numbers, witty comedians, and a feast fit for royalty.
- For side-splitting comedy, hilarious plots, and tasty grub, attend the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show. With titles like Moonshine Murders, Scarlet Reloaded, and The Killbillies, solve the mystery one chuckle at a time!
- Bring the whole family to cheer for another at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, a comedy-packed performance where 2 families duke it out mountain-style with country jams, clogging battles, and daredevil stunts. Plus, this show is served with an all-you-can-eat meal!
- As the #1 musical variety show in the area, the Smoky Mountain Opry features a cast of multi-talented individuals combined with impressive special effects. Come see a musical hit with both classic and modern tunes as well as high-flying musicians, piano pyrotechnics, and out-of-this-world dance numbers!
- Trained by masters Siegfried & Roy, Darren Romeo presents Magic Beyond Belief — a stellar show with daring levitations, mind-blowing illusions, beautiful tigers, mythical creatures, and more!
Artists & Artisans
While you can certainly find local crafts in many souvenir shops downtown, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community presents an artistic experience with the personal shops and galleries of over 100 craftsmen (the largest group of independent artisans in North America). Spread across the Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail, an 8-mile loop road in Gatlinburg, spend a day discovering handmade keepsakes and watching the masters at work firsthand. Feel free to start up a conversation, study their trade, and perhaps pick up a few artsy skills of your own. After all, a trip to the Smokies doesn’t have to be solely about visiting local attractions and purchasing souvenirs — why not make friendly connections and learn something new, too?
Expertly Crafted Collectibles!
- Take in the beauty of nature-inspired paintings by R.J. McNall at the Bearfoot Art Gallery & Studio.
- Keep your favorite roses forever with rose-petal jewelry by Carolyn Mikles at Shop #8 in Morning Mist Village.
- Light or display candle crafts from original molds by Stephanie Lang at Village Candles.
- Sweep like a historic pro with traditional brooms by David and Tammie Ogle at Ogle’s Broom Shop.
- Snuggle with your spouse under a quilted throw from Mountain Stitches by Susan.
- Pick up a new set of heavenly stoneware at Buie Pottery, perfecting pottery techniques since 1982.
- Add a glass-blown work of art to your sun room from Sparky’s Glassblowing.
- Bring home a Smoky Mountain bear, hand carved by the Messex family with Heartwood Galleries.
- Play a sweet melody on an Appalachian dulcimer by Mark Edelman from Smoky Mountain Dulcimers.
- Hang a handmade, inside-out, gear-displaying clock by the Nelsons at Smoky Mountain Time.
Green Thumbs
Known for delicious, locally grown produce, the Smokies is no doubt filled with green thumbs, from everyday gardeners to fully fledged farmers. With nutrition for the community in mind, local farmers markets are typically open from late spring through the end of summer. Not only will you find pesticide-free veggies, herbs, fruits, flowers, and potted trees, but you will also come across fresh honey, meats, eggs, baked goods, and other local products. Plus, there are often musical performances, fun festivals, door prizes (including plant giveaways), children’s events, flavor contests, and professional crafting demonstrations, which brings the Gatlinburg Farmers Market to the top of our list! Looking to visit in fall or winter? No worries! Simply stop by a local restaurant that creates meals with farm-fresh ingredients instead, such as the Local Goat…it’s all in the name.
Come see the talented folk of the Smokies via comedic dinner shows, local craft shops, and wholesome farmers markets — YOU won’t regret it!