Ah, the Great Smoky Mountains in good ole Tennessee…so much to do, so little time. Whether you’re an outdoorsy person or a city lover, the Smokies has something for everyone. From trekking through the national park and paddling down Little Pigeon River to playing at downtown attractions and dining with a mesmerizing show, there are many ways to answer the call of the Smoky Mountains. And the best part is — nothing but good times await!
Hike, Bike, or Drive
Home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited national park in the United States), you can expect plenty of outdoor activities to explore in the Smokies. Hiking trails run throughout the park, with some leading to grand waterfalls, others to mountain peaks, and all to satisfying achievements (after all, hiking can be challenging at times). Not the hiker type? Try biking or driving instead at Cades Cove, where history buffs, nature lovers, and those looking to avoid physical strain can enjoy the great outdoors. Alongside wandering wildlife, towering trees, and breathtaking landscapes, you’ll find remnants of the past (including churches, a working mill, and our personal fav: cabins) in this lush valley zone.
Outdoorsy Extras
- Helicopter Tours
- Skydiving
- Fly Fishing
- Whitewater Rafting
- Kayaking
- Horseback Riding
- Bird Watching
- Llama Trekking
- Ziplining
- Skiing & Snowboarding
Shop till You Drop
After touring the national park for a day, spend at least one day perusing the shops of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. With so many souvenir options, you’ll have something for all your friends when you return home. Homemade jams, the latest fashion, oil paintings, quality jewelry, home décor…the list goes on and on. Our recommendation: head for the one-stop shopping centers so you can get more for less time.
For chain choices and familiarity, go for Tanger Outlets, featuring name-brand stores, such as Lane Bryant, Kirkland’s, Hot Topic, Coach, Adidas, Yankee Candle, and Tommy Hilfiger. Looking for more unique items and local favorites? Head to The Village in downtown Gatlinburg where you’ll find 27 specialty shops with items like German chocolates, gourmet popcorn, loose-leaf teas, silver pendants, moccasins, customizable coasters, and more. If handmade is your game and Art is your middle name, venture round the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an 8-mile loop road harboring the largest group of independent craftsmen in the nation. Find hidden treasures, such as hand-carved bears, forest-designed pottery, wind chimes, glass-blown ornaments, traditional toys, and hand-bound books.
Visit Local Attractions
What else is there to do in the Smokies? Oh, nothing much…just watching lumberjacks throw axes, zooming through the trees on a mountain coaster, sharing a kiss atop the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, escaping prison in 60 minutes, spooking your friends in a haunted mansion, playing with penguins, racing family around wild go-kart tracks, strolling among the treetops 40-60 feet in the air, snapping selfies with Clint Eastwood, and putt-putting in Candyland. You know, the usual.
Top-notch Entertainment
- Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud
- Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster
- The Island
- The Escape Game
- Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- The Track Pigeon Forge
- Anakeesta
- Hollywood Wax Museum
- Crave Golf Club
Wine & Dine
Get ready for Southern flavors that will make your mouth water, FREE wine tastings (enough said), and dazzling shows to go with your meal every evening! First-rate restaurants boasting Southern twists, pancakes galore, mountain-high burgers, smoky barbecue, and international cuisine await in the Smoky Mountains. The Old Mill Restaurant, Reagan’s House of Pancakes, The Island’s Timberwood Grill, the Anakeesta Smokehouse, and No Way Jose’s Cantina are some of our favorites. And don’t forget to tackle the Rocky Top Wine Trail, featuring 5 prized wineries with complimentary wine tastings and tours. In fact, if you visit all 5 locations, a few gifts will be yours for the taking!
Ready for an unforgettable show with your hearty meal? Choose from various dinner show attractions in the area. Witness incredible aerial acrobatics at Dolly Parton’s Celebration! Dinner Show with a delectable 4-course meal, belly laugh and knee slap at the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud with an all-you-can-eat feast, or solve silly cases at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show with a special menu (vegan options available).
Stay at a Cozy Cabin
Get ready to mark another life goal off your list by staying at a Smoky Mountain cabin, where you can live like a local and feel right at home in the mountains. Reconnect with nature on your porch swing with stunning mountain views, soak away your worries and cares in a hot tub under the stars, watch thrilling tales come to life in your home theater, splash around with the kiddos in your private indoor pool, play arcade games in the loft’s rec room, sip cocoa and swap stories by a toasty fire, and venture to dreamland in a king-size bed. From romantic retreats and family vacays to corporate trips and getaways with friends, Cabins for YOU has just what you’re looking for — with bonus amenities to boot!
Now that you’ve had a taste of the Smokies, plan outdoor excursions, select your must-shop stops, prepare for play-days downtown, dine like royalty, and come home to the perfect cabin for YOU. Dare to answer the call of the Smoky Mountains — book online or speak with a Vacation Specialist at 1.800.684.7885 today!