We like weird things so much, we even created a second site all about it. See Reviews Here | Book Now (free cancellation! On the Alpine Slide, youngsters race against their friends in sled-like carts across a winding 1,800-foot long track. For Christmas lights and festivities, November and December. Hit up three amazing music museums. The Old Creek Lodge is in walking distance to most of downtown Gatlinburg while also being situated on the river making it seem both remote and centrally located. Gatlinburg and the neighboring Pigeon Gorge arent bustling metropolises or tourist-trodden concrete jungles. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Seems escape rooms are all the rage everywhere you go these days, Gatlinburg included! For more information on places the locals love to eat, check out our blog, Where the Locals Eat in Pigeon Forge TN and the Smoky Mountains.. The ride down the mountain is five minutes in total. The soaring 36-meter-high Mingo Falls can be found just outside the National Parks perimeters, and its one of the tallest waterfalls in the area. Research using this guide or read my other Gatlinburg posts.See my packing list. If staying in a historic 1930s Smoky Mountain Bed and Breakfast is your type of thing than Laurel Springs Lodge is perfect for you. For even more puzzling adventures, Ripleys Marvelous Mirror Maze is a treat. Related: Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg. Asheville is the coolest little mountain town that is equal parts progressive, outdoorsy, and hip. Bike Ride at Downtown Tucson. everything you need to know about seeing the fireflies, Tips For Working Remotely When Traveling To Big Cities In The US, 15 Fun Things To Do In Nashville TN For Couples, Dont Go to the Kentucky Derby Why Horse Racing is a Cruel Tradition, Destination Russia: Extra-Ordinary Encounters from a Land Full of Stories, Four Beach Holiday Destinations for Vegans. A little less than three hours away, Chattanooga is the furthest day trip but worthwhile if youre in Gatlinburg for a while. These are some of the best non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge if you want to explore the Smokies like a local. Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area is 1 hour 10 minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport. To help you plan, weve created a guide to some of the best non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge: Would you love to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but want to avoid the crowded, more popular trails? You will have fun watching the game live. Some of the roads in Gatlinburg (for example, the Tail of the Dragon) dont allow UTVs, but not to fear, this adventure rental company also has Jeeps, Slingshots, Vanderhall and Rykers which you can rent to drive these parts instead. Sports fans dont have to wait until they get back home to enjoy a game or two. for 20 years. While on a vacation, you should not forget about the loved ones back at home. If you want to see more than 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from . 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. Non-Touristy Things to Do in Washington, DC Besides Museums and Monuments Check Out Some Local Art at Blind Whino Hidden away from all the tourists in the streets of Southwest DC is a formerly abandoned church that fell into a vat of neon pixie dust, and opened its doors to the art community. The folks over at Smoky Mountain Brewery know what theyre doing when it comes to manufacturing excellent craft beer they are the oldest brewery in East Tennessee after all! Make sure to keep your wits about you spooky surprises await around every corner at the Mysterious Mansion. Waterfall lovers will be stunned by the beauty of the Laurel Falls trail, while those who love mountain views will want to hike the West Prong Trail, with its elevation gain of 1,375 feet. 8. Permit the worlds fluffiest llamas to carry your gear while you meander through the scenic Smoky Mountain foothills, flowered fields, and babbling brooks. 17 Fun Non-Touristy Things To Do In Paris For an Amazing Trip If youre searching for fun things to do in Gatlinburg, its hard to go past an up-close experience with the real 1966 Batmobile! The spectacular SkyBridge claims the title of the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, with glass floor paneling adding another dimension of adventure. Enjoy spectacular views year-round from aboard 120-passenger Aerial Tramway. Where Do Locals Eat in Gatlinburg? | 7 Local Favorites So if you're planning a visit and are looking to stay far off Orlando's tourist-beaten path, here are 18 of Central Florida's non-touristy treasures: 1. A beloved local eatery for residents and tourists alike, Pancake Pantry has been dishing up piping hot plates for over half a century and is yet to put a foot wrong. The reason I really love Gatlinburg is the proximity to nature. 63 Fun Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee - TourScanner Centrally located at the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, this watering hole is heaven on Earth for cider lovers. These attractions can be visited by senior citizens without any hassle. We pride ourselves on serving innovative, tasty wines with an East Tennessee flair. Non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg - Tripadvisor 9. Answer 1 of 6: We're taking advantage of our fall break and will be going Oct 14-18th. You have a choice of between four and 10 sample-sized beers to test. No-frills sports bar known for drinks and karaoke. A fantastic family option is Bent Creek Golf Village, equipped with gaming rooms, large fire pits for making smores, a swimming pool and so much more to keep all family members smiling. 2. Kick things off with a dramatically smoked Jim Beam Manhattan and an order of early frost green tomatoes. Riding in these utvs gives you the opportunity to view the National park in a fun new way. At Outdoor Gravity Park, youll zorb down a 1,000 ft. hill for an incredible ride youll never forget. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of Tripster's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The oldest craft brewery in East Tennessee is a great spot for happy hour or watching the game. Gatlinburg TN - too touristy? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums There are trails that are more appealing to locals because of everything they have to offer, and the fact that theyre less popular for tourists. This mountaintop wonderland also provides a fun and refreshing atmosphere for eating, shopping and relaxing with the lush forest and botanical gardens home to more than 3,000 plants. Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. Hosted in a small, intimate theatre, the show contains lots of interaction with the audience. The Gatlinburg Craftsmens Fair hosts Artisans and Craftsmen from all over the nation. Depending on when you plan your Smoky Mountain visit to Cosby, you could be greeted by dwarf irises, bleeding hearts, and phacelia or vibrant autumn leaves. Its not hard to get thrilled in this family-friendly attraction that offers plenty of realistic simulated rides and experiences. 22 Absolutely Free Things to Do in Gatlinburg, 5 Budget-Friendly Gatlinburg Vacation Tips, 7 Spectacular Things to Do in Gatlinburg at Night, 11 Most Romantic Restaurants in Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg Hidden Gems: 7 Secret Spots You Don't Want to Miss, Ultimate Guide to Ober Gatlinburg: Coupons, Discounts, and Deals, 16 Things to Do in Gatlinburg for Adults You Don't Want to Miss, Ultimate Guide to Anakeesta Coupons, Discounts, and Deals, Sip & Sample at Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries in Gatlinburg. Get a birds-eye view of the Great Smoky Mountains from the top of 60-foot tall AnaVista Tower, the downtowns highest point. Go white water rafting on the Little Pigeon River (from USD 43.0) Show all photos What do you think of water rafting? Tanger Outlets is located in Pigeon Forge (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) 5. image by If you're looking for indoor fun in Gatlinburg, check out Wild Bear Falls Water Park. Take precaution on the rocks around the waterfall as they tend to get super slippery. 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. Cabin Rentals Are The Best (Non-Touristy) Way To See Gatlinburg 5. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. 27 Best Non Touristy Things To Do in London & Places to Visit An abandoned town is hidden in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 16 Absolutely Free Things To Do in Pigeon Forge Tennessee You can also hang out in the cocktail lounge at Old Forge Distillery, or at the bar at Junction 35 Spirits! An hour and a half away, Cataloochee Valley is worth a visit if you have the time, especially at sunrise or sunset. The Great Smoky Mountains are an untouched slice of Mother Nature. One of the Ripleys-branded attractions throughout the city, Ripleys Haunted Adventure is ready to scare the socks off anyone brave enough to enter its doors. Visitors are able to see the distilling process up close while learning about the history of moonshine production in the Smoky Mountains. Glide and slide down the 150-meter-long slope, with its highest elevation reaching a 21-meter incline to ride down. This relatively quick cruise provides a sneaky way to avoid downtown traffic. Spread across the two 18-hole courses are plenty of clich hillbilly and redneck decor: outhouses, moonshine stills and farm equipment, to name a few. Victorian-style haunted house featuring year-round self-guided tours & spooky surprises. Secure your season passes for the entire family to experience many more exhilarating slides. As you hike along the trail, you will see some historical buildings including outbuildings and two churches from the 19th and 20th centuries. The sidewalk entrance to the Hollywood Star Cars exhibit and museum attraction on the parkway downtown, with many popular rides from movies | Shutterstock. Whet the appetite with an order of pimento cheese and bacon jam crostini before tearing into a Smoked BBQ platter or plate of Cajun chicken pasta. Tennessee Shine Co. - home to Moonshine Brandy, this famed distillery offers free taste testing and even creates their own shine wine! The stadium is located in Kodak, TN, right down the road from all the popular things to do and places to stay in Sevierville. It is included as one of the best and most fun things to do in Astoria. It is relatively flat and runs through the forest alongside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Brick-walled, artifact-filled pub offering American chow, sports TV & a balcony with mountain views. If you are lucky, you may be invited to the stage and be part of the show. Race against the clock and outwit your competition by exploring this Southern city in a fast-paced competition, one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg. This is a can't-miss on your list of unique things to do in Gatlinburg! Just over half an hour away from downtown Gatlinburg, this quiet area of the Smokies is a great place to view the fall foliage, after enjoying lunch at the iconic Elviras Cafe. Take the entire crew to axe throwing right and hit some targets at the Axe House, located at the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. The buildings are also open for taking tours, this a fantastic open-air museum. Theres a lot of handmade candy taffy especially so taking some time to find some vegan candy may be worthwhile. All this artistry got you feeling famished? Tickets are affordable and fun; youll see fast-paced hockey with delightful fan interaction. Try out the baked cheese, decadent desserts and, of course, their signature Plum Tea. The best time to visit Gatlinburg sincerely depends on your goal of visiting. Biking, bird watching, and horseback riding are also recommended activities to try while you're outside in Gatlinburg. During the winter, visitors can strap their skis or snowboards on and head out onto the 10 ski trails, snow tube down a 400-foot snow lane, or try the one-of-a-kind ice bumper cars. Combining a roller coaster with shoot-em-ups, 3D visuals, sensory triggers and epic special effects, this ride simply needs to be experienced to be truly understood. We pride ourselves on serving innovative, tasty wines with an East Tennessee flair. This golf course features hilly greens, a clubhouse & a picturesque mountain setting. Swing by this monument to see the sweetheart of the Smokies and take a picture with her in downtown Sevierville! The staff is notably welcoming and friendly too, which never goes astray. Some of the most beautiful roads to cruise along include Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork Motor Trail, Little River Road, Clingmans Dome Road and Cades Cove Loop. As one of the most popular walks in the park, the hike along Laurel Falls Trail is a two-hour round-trip. As the route features declines, there are parts of the track that provide a serious adrenaline rush. Wrangle the whole family for a day of mighty river action in the Smokies. If youd prefer for one of the locals to show you the ropes, wine tours take guests through to two wineries, as well as a traditional moonshine distillery even if youre not a fan, its an interesting endeavor, youre in the South after all. Zoom down the zipline, take a relaxing gondola ride, take a selfie with a (fake) bear, or overcome obstacles in the treetop play area. It takes all the marine wonder of your typical aquarium with over 10,000 exotic sea creatures spread across 10 uniquely themed galleries. The enthralling 50-acre Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville is about 40 minutes drive from downtown Gatlinburg. HILTON GARDEN INN GATLINBURG - 120 Photos & 92 Reviews - Yelp Well, there are plenty of non-touristy things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as well. Only 1.5 hours away, Asheville is a place that everyone should visit at least once. Dont miss your chance to ride The Flying Ox either, the worlds first zipline rollercoaster! Cute Instagrammable Places in London. 45 Non Touristy Things to Do in London in 2023 (+ Local Secrets)