10 Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
What are Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Most Famous For?
The best things to do Gatlinburg and its neighbor, Pigeon Forge invite you to discover the stunning nature around the Great Smoky Mountains and the intriguing history of the area. You could easily spend several restorative days in the fresh mountain air, skiing the slopes, or exploring the hiking and horseback riding trails.
Delve into local Appalachian culture through the vibrant arts and crafts community and live entertainment choices. Or simply relax and enjoy the area’s amusement parks, arcades, and other family-friendly attractions. If it’s your first visit to this charming mountain getaway, check out these ideas on what to see and do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
What are the best things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
1. Gatlinburg Parkway
Downtown shopping, food and fun
Ideal para: Famílias, Alimentação, Compras
If you’re in search of good eats and entertainment, you’ll find plenty on a wander along the Parkway, the main strip through downtown Gatlinburg. Pick up souvenir T-shirts and handcrafted jewellery at the boutique shops. Stock up on your favourite sweets at a candy shop or go for a feast with a mountain view at the Cherokee Grill steakhouse. After the sun goes down, stop by the Smokey Mountain Brewery for a sip of beer and live music.
The Parkway’s also packed with fun-filled family activities including mini-golf courses, arcades, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Gatlinburg Parkway
2. Space Needle
A 360-degree Smoky Mountain view
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto, Casais
Take a breathtaking ride in the glass elevator up 410 ft (125 meters) to the top of the Space Needle for a panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains. From the observation deck, enjoy a bird’s eye view over the town and discover more about Gatlinburg’s history and landscape with the various exhibits.
At the base of the Needle there’s the huge Arcadia arcade, with more than 100 games and a pizzeria. Try visiting at night-time to catch a view of the glittering town lights.
Localização: 115 Airport Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Monday–Wednesday from 10 am to midnight, Thursday from 9 am to midnight, Friday from 9 am to 1 am, Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 9 am to midnight
Telefone: +1 865 436 4629
Space Needle
3. Horseback ride
A scenic Smoky Mountain journey
Ideal para: Foto, Aventura
Get out for some fresh air and a tranquil exploration of the majestic Smokies on a horseback ride along a nature trail. Several riding stables in the area offer tours that are customised to your age and skill level, so you’ll be able to try a ride even if you’re a complete novice.
Guided rides lead through lush forests, mountain streams and fields in and around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. For some added adventure, combine your ride with other activities like ziplining at Five Oaks Riding Stables or a visit to the exotic petting zoo at Deer Farm Riding Stables.
Horseback ride
4. The arts and crafts loop
Where history meets art
Ideal para: Famílias, Compras, Casais
Travel just 3 miles (5 km) from downtown Gatlinburg to find the Tennessee Heritage Arts and Crafts Trail with dozens of studios and shops to explore. Said to be home to the largest community of independent artists in the USA, the 7.5-mile (12-km) trail’s great for an up-close look at talented local artisans hard at work painting, weaving, carving, sculpting and whittling away.
Pick up unique and finely crafted Smoky Mountain mementos such as handwoven baskets, pottery, leather goods, homemade soaps, Christmas ornaments, traditional wooden toys and stained glass. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for easygoing chats with the artists about their creations.
Telefone: +1 865-412-1012
The arts and crafts loop
5. Cades Cove
Superb mountain views and old settler homes
Ideal para: Aventura, Viagens alternativas, Foto
Found within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the 11-mile (17-km) Cades Cove loop takes you through scenic mountain landscapes. You’ll find many spots to stop along the way for a picnic or trail walk. Look out for wildlife including black bears and red wolves and visit the historic grist mill and log cabins built by 1800s settlers.
If you’d rather explore the loop by foot or bicycle, it’s best to go before 10 am on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May through September, when the road’s closed to traffic. Be sure to pick up the self-guided tour map for a small fee at the loop road entrance.
Localização: Cades Cove Loop Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Cades Cove
6. Dollywood
Roller-coaster rides and folksy fun
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto, Alimentação
In country singer Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge, you’ll enjoy the kind of down-home Tennessee charm and fun-loving spirit that made her famous. There are more than 40 rides including the Lightning Rod wooden roller-coaster, which zooms around a hilly track at speeds of over 62 mph (100 km/h). Check out the live entertainment like bluegrass bands and try the hearty Southern style food on offer including Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread.
Music and vacation-themed festivals like the Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas event are held throughout the year and opening hours vary month by month, so be sure to check the park calendar before you go.
Localização: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 800-365-5996
Dollywood
7. Ober Gatlinburg
Ski resort and amusement park for year-round fun
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
During the winter months spend the day skiing on Ober Gatlinburg’s 9 slopes or go for a heart-racing ride down the alpine slide. Ski equipment rentals and lessons are available, too. If you’re not a snow-seeker, there’s still plenty of fun stuff to do at Ober, including a thrill-ride on the Ski Mountain roller coaster, ice skating at the indoor rink, mini-golf and water raft rides.
Parking is limited on the mountain so it’s best to catch a tram ride from downtown at the Aerial Tramway terminal on 1001 Parkway. It’s a scenic trip and well worth doing even if you don’t plan to spend much time at the resort.
Localização: 1339 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 865-436-5423
Ober Gatlinburg
8. Gatlinburg SkyPark and Skybridge
Stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto
Pack your camera and take the chair lift up to Gatlinburg SkyPark and Skybridge for some of the best vistas of the surrounding area. Located at 1,800 ft (550 metres) above sea level, you’ll find the SkyDeck with a gift and snack shop plus yet another amazing photo opportunity, an amphitheatre with cascading waterfalls.
From the mountain-top SkyDeck, the SkyBridge stretches almost 700 ft (213 metres) across a deep valley in a single span. It’s one of the longest pedestrian cable bridges in North America. The center of the bridge is marked by 30 ft (9 metres) of glass, allowing you a full view of the ground far below you. Have your camera ready for some seriously beautiful holiday photos.
Localização: 765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Hours vary by season
Gatlinburg SkyPark and Skybridge
9. Ole Smoky Moonshine
Boozy blends with an Appalachian bite
Ideal para: Alimentação, Casais
Found in downtown Gatlinburg, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery is where you’ll discover the art of moonshine making and taste some hair-curling samples. Making and bootlegging homemade hooch was once a fine and dishonorable way for Appalachian settlers to earn a living, or at least save money as they drank themselves window shade at home. These days, moonshine has emerged from the shadows as a legal drink, yet still as robust as ever.
Ole Smoky offers samples to try including its 100-proof White Lightnin’ for a real kick or flavored blends such as watermelon, apple pie and sweet tea. The tour’s free while there’s a small fee for the samples.
Localização: 903 Parkway #128, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm
Telefone: +1 865-436-6995
Ole Smoky Moonshine
10. Pancake places
A flapjack lover’s heaven
Ideal para: Alimentação, Famílias, Casais
Whether you’re going for a leisurely shopping trip or a tough hike through the mountains, you’ll want to start your day right in Gatlinburg with a hearty pancake breakfast. Go for the basic but oh-so-tasty buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup or try something fancier with added flavourings such as apple-walnut, pecan or chocolate and whipped cream. Try to leave room for biscuits and gravy if you’re up for a savoury treat.
Gatlinburg’s blessed with several mouth-watering pancake places to try including Pancake Pantry and Log Cabin, both of which have been turning out delicious meals for decades.
Pancake places
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