(0)The Smoky Mountains offer some of the most pristine, beautiful mountain forestry in the United States. While a cozy, relaxing cabin tucked away from the hustle and bustle of cities sounds like the perfect getaway by itself, the Smoky Mountain area has so much to offer to create the most memorable, fun vacation for any occasion. Ride roller coasters with the family, enjoy shopping on a bridal party getaway, laugh together during dinner shows on your couples’ retreat, or taste regional wine together as a newlywed couple. The Smoky Mountains really do have it all, and it’s waiting for you to discover!
Explore the Great Outdoors
Hiking
Let the serene nature of the untouched forestry of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park draw you away from the stresses and worries of everyday life. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails crawl the thick green forests along rivers, up mountain sides, and through peaceful valleys. From the paved path to the 80-foot waterfall of Laurel Falls to the trail of Alum Cave Bluff rising in 1,125 feet, there are trails for every level of hiker. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned explorer, the Smoky Mountains beckon all to come experience the therapeutic, awe-inspiring nature of the Appalachia.
Ziplining
After hiking through the forests, get a whole other experience of the forests from the treetops! Adrenaline pumping and heart racing, let your feet leave each platform high in the trees as you swing along miles of zipline above the ground for some of the most unique views in the Smokies. Many reputable outdoor adventure companies, including Gatlinburg Ziplines & Ropes Course Adventures, reside around the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas to provide you and fellow visitors the safest, most fun you can possibly have while swinging along like Tarzan!
Whitewater Rafting
Hold onto your paddle and take a deep breath before plunging into the class III and IV rapids of the majestic Pigeon River! Work together with your raft party and experienced guide to navigate the rushing, whirling waters for some of the most thrilling fun in the Smoky Mountains. Whitewater rafting is not only a good time, but also a great way to bond with family or a group of friends! Relax as you float along the calmer sections of the river to soak in the surrounding sights of tall, dignified pines, towering rock formations, and sun pouring over the mountain peaks. Other ways to enjoy the cool waters and inspiring scenery include kayaking and tubing. Take on the Pigeon River for a memorable, exciting day in the Smoky Mountains!
Horseback Riding
Explore the forests the way the original settlers of the Smoky Mountain region would have during a pleasant ride atop majestic horses. Cades Cove is not only one of the most picturesque valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s also home to the Cades Cove Stables, where you can ride by horseback or horse-drawn carriage. On your ride with experienced horses and helpful guides, you’ll saunter past babbling creeks along heavily wooded trails where you may catch glimpses of the local wildlife out scavenging for their next meal in the trees and streams.
For the Young and Young At Heart
Roller Coasters
In between spectacular musical and theatrical shows and oversized treats, soar through the air on the roller coasters of Dollywood! During the warmer months, enjoy aquatic coasters of Dollywood’s Splash Country to cool off in the hot Southern summer sun.
Arcades
From carnival-style attractions like Fannie Farkle’s to oversized gaming centers like the 25,000-square-foot amusement center of Arcadia, you are never too far from some family-fun! Win big together and earn prizes, or simply let your little ones play for hours.
Inspiring Heights
Scenic Chairlifts
Securely nestled into your suspended seat in downtown Gatlinburg, rise above all the buildings in view of miles of rolling green mountain peaks before reaching the summit of Crockett Mountain. The slow, steady rise to the top is the perfect time to snap pictures and bond with family and friends while pointing to different landmarks and particularly beautiful sights. The Gatlinburg Sky Lift rises a total of 1,800 feet above the ground and has been in operation as the “best seat in the house” since 1953.
Rope Courses
Walk the rope bridges of Anakeesta and Foxfire Mountain for a peaceful tour among the treetops. The “Bridge to Prosperity,” resting across 335 feet in Foxfire Gorge and 70 feet above the Little Pigeon River, is America’s swinging bridge! Walk the treetop canopy tour on the summit of beautiful Anakeesta Mountain for a quarter-mile of suspension bridges 40-60 feet above the forest floor.
Helicopter Tours
Tour the breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains from new heights and vantage points with a helicopter tour! Ride hand in hand with that special someone as a surprise anniversary gift and talk to one another in your headsets as you fly over rivers, ridgelines, and valleys. With a variety of tours, choose from more budget-friendly rides to the extended tours taking passengers to parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park otherwise inaccessible to visitors!
Gatlinburg Space Needle
As one of the staples of the Gateway City, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is one the area’s most notable and frequented attractions. The futuristic structure stands tall in the middle of the city, a beautiful sight as you enter the city. Scale the tower by elevator to the top, 342 feet above the streets where you can gaze across unobstructed views of Gatlinburg and her mountain-alpine architectural structures with the mountains towering over her in the backdrop.
Eat to Your Heart’s Content
Dinner Shows
Sit down to hearty 4-course Southern meals for a delightful show filled with music, acrobats, and trick-riders at the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge! Looking for even more laughs with your fried chicken and biscuits? Join the fight at the Hatfield and the McCoy’s Feudin’ Family Dinner Show. The Smokies have a wide range shows; see if you can deduce who is at fault at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Show during 4 different, hilariously haunting spectacles! While eating together and fellowshipping is a heartwarming way to spend your dinner times, make some one-of-a-kind memories at a Smoky Mountain dinner show!
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Restaurants
Mealtime is a staple of Southern living, especially here in the land of Dixie! While area eateries may have that welcoming Southern feel, they all have their own personality and flair. Visit here for our list of top-rated and crowd favorites!
Cabin Cooking
Easily prepare meals for groups small and large in the fully-loaded kitchens of our homey mountain cabins; no need to pack any of your tools from home to prepare the best breakfast, lunches, and dinners! You will love being the guest cook in many of the modern, updated kitchens with mountain-motif touches.
Grown-Up Fun
Wine Tastings
Why skip out on tasting award-winning wines when it’s free?! Friendly, experienced sommeliers will help you find the perfect wine for weddings, anniversaries, and special occasions after free tours of the winery at Smoky Mountain Winery in downtown Gatlinburg.
Mountain Moonshine
As part of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and host to some of the Smoky Mountains’ popular events, the Sugarlands Distilling Company features a variety of unique, one-of-a-kind moonshines.
Adrenaline Kicks
Skydiving and Wind Tunnel Surfing
Fly through the air for some of the most thrilling views of the Smoky Mountains while soaring with Skydive East Tennessee! Whether you choose to fly tandem or individually, several trained and seasoned professionals are there for every step of this exhilarating areal adventure. Not quite ready to make the leap out of a plane? Head to Flyaway Indoor Skydiving for a unique body-surfing experience in an indoor wind tunnel.
Nightmarish Scares
While haunted houses and ghost hunts may not have been on your itinerary, there are some scares you actually won’t want to miss! Tour the oldest haunted house in Gatlinburg at The Mysterious Mansion at the end of the cobblestone road, through the creaky iron gates. From room to room, solve the puzzles to avoid becoming part of the ill-fated family that haunt this house turned prison! While the props and actors may scare you well enough, tour the real ghostly history of Gatlinburg with a Ghost and Haunt Tour, supplied with professional paranormal detection gear!