When it comes to fun and family-friendly things to do, there is no beating a trip to the Smoky Mountains. From hiking trails to amusement parks to daring adventures, there is something for everyone found in these hills.
However, there are a few Smoky Mountain activities that are sure to make your next trip here truly remarkable. That is why we have put together the ultimate Smoky Mountain bucket list for you and your family or group to follow so you will have the opportunity to enjoy all of the incredible experiences waiting for you here.
1. Hike All 150 Official Trails
There are over 800 miles of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spread out over 150 different trails. Meaning, there is a countless number of outdoor adventures you and your family or group can experience when you travel here. If you are a beginner or an expert outdoors enthusiast, you are guaranteed to have a fun and memorable experience.
2. Ride The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
If you love scenic views of the Smoky Mountains, then you will love the unique sights found from the top of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge. Not only do you get a clear view of all the fun and exciting Smoky Mountain activities found in Pigeon Forge, but you also get a bird’s eye view of the majestic mountains in the distance. This means no matter where you look, you are guaranteed a picturesque view you cannot find anywhere else.
To make your experience at The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel even more memorable, consider riding it at night. With over 1 million LED light bulbs attached to the frame of the ride, you and your family or group are sure to be amazed at the dazzling light show seen each night here.
3. Walk the Gatlinburg Strip
There is so much to discover when you walk along the Gatlinburg strip, it is almost hard to put it all in one description. Here, you have restaurants, moonshine distilleries, an aquarium, an endless amount of shopping, an arts and crafts school, attractions, and so much more! With all of these fun things to experience, you shouldn’t be surprised that we think a trip here deserves a spot on our list of the best Smoky Mountain activities, especially since all you have to do is park your car and walk around to experience it.
That’s right! These fun and free things to do in Gatlinburg are all found within walking distance of one another.
4. Go to a Pigeon Forge Car Show
You don’t have to be a car expert to appreciate the classic beauties that show up on display at the many Pigeon Forge car shows throughout the year. From American classics to trucks to hot rods, there is a car show for every automobile interest you can think of.
What makes these car shows even better is they are completely free to attend. In fact, you can see most of the cars just by strolling up and down the Pigeon Forge Parkway.
5. See the Smoky Mountains From the Top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle
At 400 feet up in the air, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is one of the best places to catch unbeatable views of the Smoky Mountains outside of the national park. Not only do you get a clear 360-degree view of the mountains, but you also get to look down on all of the excitement of downtown Gatlinburg below.
Not to mention, there are also a slew of fun things to do at the base of the space needle to make your visit here even more memorable, including an arcade, a restaurant, a mentalist show, and more!
6. Bike the Cades Cove Loop Road
With over 2 million visitors a year, Cades Cove is easily one of the most popular Smoky Mountains activities. Here, not only can you and your family or group drive along the 11-mile Cades Cove loop road, you all can also choose to either walk or bike the roadway, especially when the National Park Service shuts down the roadway from automobile traffic to allow pedestrians to explore freely without worrying about cars rushing them.
7. Experience the Synchronized Smoky Mountain Fireflies
Did you know the Smoky Mountains are the only place in the United States where you can witness synchronized Smoky Mountain fireflies? It’s true!
Every year, in early May and June, the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park come to life with millions of twinkling fireflies that light up the night sky as part of their mating ritual. It is a stunning sight you truly have to see to believe.
8. Try Whitewater Rafting
If you are a thrill seeker at heart, then there is no doubt you will love spending the day conquering the rapids during a whitewater rafting adventure in the Smoky Mountains. This is where you and your family or group are taken out on the river by an experienced guide and given the opportunity to see a side of the Smoky Mountains you have never seen before, from the comfort of an inflatable raft.
9. See a Smoky Mountain Black Bear
It’s no secret the Smoky Mountain black bears are the most popular animal living in the national park. In fact, the National Park Service dubbed it the park’s official mascot thanks in part to the popularity of the animal.That is why we know you will want to try your best to see one of these playful creatures for yourself during your next visit to the area.
Please remember, you do need to exercise extreme caution if and when you do encounter a Smoky Mountain black bear. These are wild animals after all!
10. Stand On Top Of A Mountain
There is just something about the feeling of accomplishment you get when you are able to stand at the top of a mountain and look down at the ground below. Not only do you get to revel in the miles of hiking trails you conquered to reach the peak, but you also get to take in the beautiful views of the area around you.
That is why we think everyone should stand at the top of a mountain in the Smoky Mountains at least once, if not more.
11. Watch a Smoky Mountain Sunrise
Similar to the feeling you get when you stare out at the Smoky Mountains from the top of a mountain, there is a calming effect that happens when you catch the sunrise peaking over the mountains in the morning. It doesn’t matter if you are glancing out from the private patio of your cabin rental or experiencing the view from one of our favorite scenic overlooks in the area, nothing beats a Smoky Mountain sunrise.
12. Sample Homemade Fudge
Fudge is by far one of the most popular desserts and snacks you can find in the Smoky Mountains. This is probably because you can find it nearly everywhere you go. However, this is hardly a bad thing once you sample the delicious melt-in-your-mouth samples that all of these shops have to offer. Whether you prefer fudge with nuts, peanut butter fudge, white chocolate fudge, or any other variety you can think of, we promise there is a sample to cure any sweet tooth.
13. Go Zip Lining With Friends
Have you ever wanted to fly? Well, now is your chance with the next adventure on the list of our favorite Smoky Mountain activities, zip lining. Not only is this an incredible bonding experience for you and your family or group, it is also an incredible way to take in the scenic views of the Smoky Mountains while still adding a touch of adventure to your trip.Don’t worry if you have never zip lined before, the experienced guides will be there to help you every step of the way.
14. Ride A Roller Coaster at Dollywood
Imagine, the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and your loved ones around you as you all twist and bend around one of the most daring adventures in the Smoky Mountains, a roller coaster at Dollywood. Whether you are young or young at heart, these rides are a perfect way to create long-lasting vacation memories.
15. See the Winterfest Christmas Lights
Although we don’t have Christmas all year long in the Smoky Mountains, it does hang around for a pretty long time thanks to the annual Winterfest Celebration. In fact, you and your family or group will be able to experience the dazzling Christmas lights display that light up the entire area from late October to the end of February. That is nearly 4 month of stunning holiday spirit, and we could not be happier!
16. Witness the Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage
Fall in the Smoky Mountains is one of the most popular times of the year. This is when the leaves in the trees come to life with vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges as opposed to their usual greens found through the year. The beauty found during this season is truly breathtaking. Not to mention, the weather is nearly perfect with the crisp cool breeze on warm sunny days.
17. Go Shopping at The Village
We can’t have a list of all of our favorite Smoky Mountain activities without including a little shopping, can we? That is why we invite you to check out all of the quaint shops at The Village in downtown Gatlinburg during your next trip to the area. From home decor to clothing to masterpiece paintings, this Gatlinburg shopping center has everything you need to find the perfect souvenir or gift to take back home with you.
18. Enjoy Stargazing at Clingmans Dome
Another reason we love the Smoky Mountains is they give you a countless number of scenic places where you and your loved ones can catch unbeatable views of the thousands of stars that fill up the night sky, including Clingmans Dome.
We love Clingmans Dome for stargazing because it gives you a 360-degree view of the night sky from the tallest peak in the Smoky Mountains. From here, you can see both the twinkling stars above your head, as well as the dazzling lights in the distance from the cities below.
19. Ride the Hot Air Balloon at WonderWorks
If the scenic views from on top of The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel we mentioned earlier aren’t good enough for you and your family or group, then you should experience them from the comfort of the hot air balloon at WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge. Not only does the Wonders of Flight ride take you high into the air, you also get a completely unobstructed view of the area around you, including both the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge.
20. Say “I Do” at a Smoky Mountain Chapel
Whether you are getting married for the first time or looking for a romantic place to renew your vows, you cannot go wrong with enjoying this experience in one of the many Smoky Mountain chapels found in the area. Not to mention, with breathtaking views as far as the eyes can see, there are few better places to host your big day than in the heart of the Smokies.
21. Ride The Trolley From Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg
The trolley system in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is a fun and unique way to explore the area at a very low cost. The trolley will take you anywhere from Dollywood to The Old Mill to the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts District to all the way down Ski Mountain Road.
To make sure you experience all of the fun possible on the trolleys, we suggest you and your family or group go on an adventure and ride the system from the beginning of Pigeon Forge to the far end of Gatlinburg. Yes, you will have to make a couple of route switches along the way, but we promise you will not be disappointed with all of the fun places you pass while you are en route.
The easiest way to do this is to pick up two all-day passes, one for the Pigeon Forge Trolley and one for the Gatlinburg trolley.
Via visitmysmokies.com
To get started checking off these exciting Smoky Mountain activities off of your own bucket list, start planning your next trip to the area today. To begin, start by choosing which of the unbeatable places to stay in the Smoky Mountains is right for you!
