Are you planning your vacation to the Smoky Mountains and looking for all the best ideas of places to eat, where to shop, what shows to see, and what attractions to spend your valuable vacation time at? Look no further, we have just made your planning easier!
There are so many options of things to see and do in this area, but planning can be overwhelming. Tourist traps are out there, so be sure to research what you are interested in doing and consider your interests, your groups preferences and the time you have available so that you can make the most of your visit to nations most visited national park.
The great thing about our area is that we are one big community! Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg are all within minutes of one another, so you have access to all the available options in any of these areas without spending too much time going between.
Smoky Mountains National Park:
It would be a shame to not put this as our first choice. After all, the beauty and landscape of this area is why so many have chosen to make this their vacation destination. With over 800 miles of hiking trails to choose from along with many scenic drives, this should be a top priority for your itinerary! Take a simple hike on the Rainbow Falls trail, stroll to the top of Clingmans Dome, drive the Roaring Fork Motor Trail for some of the best views, or tackle our most famous hike here in the Smokies-Mount Leconte. Another must see is to take a drive through Cades Cove and view beautiful scenery, historic sites as well as many of the beloved animals that reside here in the Smokies.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park:
Ride the yellow chairlift to the best views in Gatlinburg and cross the record-breaking SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. After your walk across the SkyBridge, take a hike along the SkyTrail and climb Tulip Tower to the observation area. Relax and take in the view from the SkyDeck ampitheater. Shop for the areas best gifts in the Smokies at the SkyCenter and grab a cold beverage and a pizza in the café. Discover the best views of the Great Smoky Mountains at the top of the mountain. The Gatlinburg SkyPark is a family tradition and the longest running attraction in Gatlinburg, TN.
The Island in Pigeon Forge:
Eat, shop, and play at The Island in Pigeon Forge. This stop is a one stop spot for hours of entertainment, fun and some of the best food. Dine at Margaritaville or Paula Dean’s Family Kitchen! So many options, but these are 2 crowd favorites. The Island is loaded with unique retail shops and local boutiques that vacationers can spend hours wandering through. Escape Games, The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, the islands rope course and of course SkyFly Soar America are just a few of the many options for entertainment on your visit.
Scenic Helicopter Tours:
What’s better than being in the Smokies? Flying over them of course! With many tour options available, you can get high above and get a birds eye view of this beautiful area while having a fantastic time on this unique adventure. They offer unique experiences with many different options for flight times and customization of what you would like to see on your tour. Scenic Helicopter is a great choice for flying over the Smokies.
Soaky Mountain Waterpark:
The 50-acre Soaky Mountain Waterpark splashes cool thrills even as it heats up adrenaline across its more than 19 attractions. Among the adventures is an innovative water coaster that’s the first of its kind, “AvaLaunch Watercoaster.” The massive 35,000-square-foot wave pool, “Soaky Surge” can create six-foot tall waves. The area’s newest and best waterpark to cool down and have some fun.
Dollywood:
Dollywood, recognized as one of the world’s best theme parks, is known for its award-winning shows, rides and special events. Each season is celebrated with an outstanding festival with entertainers and artists from around the world, mouth-watering meals and free celebrity concerts throughout the park. Dollywood’s Summer Celebration means extended park hours and nightly fireworks. Fall brings glowing pumpkins, the sweet sounds of gospel music and amazing crafts during Dollywood’s Harvest Festival. Smoky Mountain Christmas during November and December is a must-see with more than five million sparkling lights, and delightful holiday shows, including Christmas in the Smokies, transform the park into a winter wonderland.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies:
The Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, TN is one of the most popular attractions in Gatlinburg and has been rated #1 aquarium in the nation by USA Today. The Gatlinburg aquarium has numerous exhibits including Tropical Rainforest, Ocean Realm, Systems Controls, Coral Reef, Shark Lagoon, Discovery Center, the Gallery of the Seas, Stingray Bay, Touch a Ray Bay and Penguin Playhouse. Ripley’s Aquarium offers an interactive experience in addition to the many unique sea creatures you can watch and learn all about.
Legacy Mountain Ziplines:
Legacy Mountain Ziplines is rated #1 Zipline Adventure in North America. Take in breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains while experiencing this extraordinary zipline canopy tour. No experience is necessary as you will receive training and all gear before you go ziplining on all 6 lines for one price. One of the lines is 3,400 feet long making it among the longest in the world!
Ober Gatlinburg:
From downtown Gatlinburg, hop onto the 120-passenger aerial tramway for a ride to the ski area with a 600-foot drop, nine beautiful trails and an amusement park complete with indoor ice skating, wildlife encounter, Alpine Slide, water rides and more. Visitors take in some incredible views and have hours of fun while visiting Ober.
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show:
Eat like a Lumberjack at America’s only supper show, featuring family-friendly entertainment with live-action, side splitting comedy, stunts, music, crowd interaction, and dinner show experience.