10 Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

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 jewelry at the boutique shops. Stock up on your favorite 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 Gatlin’s Fun Center with laser tag and escape games.

Take a breathtaking ride in the glass elevator up 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. Entry tickets cost about $13 and are good for 24 hours, so you could try squeezing in an extra visit at night-time to catch a view of the glittering town lights.

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 customized 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.

Travel just 5km 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 United States, the 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.

Found within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the 17 km Cades Cove loop takes you through scenic mountain landscapes with 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 10am 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 about $1 at the loop road entrance.

Country singer Dolly Parton is beloved around the world and at Dollywood, her theme park 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 100km. 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.

During the winter months spend the day skiing on the resort's nine 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. Operating hours vary with the seasons.

Get ready for an evening of hilarious escapism at this long-running theatre in downtown Gatlinburg. If you’re searching for highbrow, serious-minded entertainment, you’ve come to the wrong place. Here, you’ll see zesty sketch comedy shows, silly song-and-dance numbers and a whole lot of clowning around. The theatre's small but lively, with a light and friendly vaudeville vibe.

Some shows encourage audience participation, so be prepared to get called up on stage to join the fun for your 15 minutes of shame. Tickets cost around $25 and with limited seats it’s best to book in advance.

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 – yet still robust – drink.

Ole Smoky offers some 15 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 samples are about $5 each.

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 flavorings such as apple-walnut, pecan or chocolate and whipped cream. Try to leave room for biscuits and gravy if you’re up for a savory 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.