The Top 10 things to do in the Smoky Mountains

6. Explore “The Parkway” in downtown Gatlinburg

There is lots to see and do in Gatlinburg after a long day of hiking. In fact, Gatlinburg is one of the top base locations for exploring the Smokies due to the easy access to the park and many amenities. While the downtown is definitely high on the cheese factor, it’s a fun place to dine, shop, or just walk around. Everything is touristy and mostly overpriced to be honest, but still a fun place to check out if you want to kill some time and have extra cash to spend. Attractions include: themed restaurants, mini golf courses, pinball arcades, and Ripley’s museums.

A few fun ideas:

• Breakfast at The Pancake Pantry, known for their crazy pancake toppings.
• Brunch at Crocketts, a rustic cabin themed Southern cafe.
• Shop at The Village, a German inspired market home to local shops.
• Wine tastings – most are complimentary.
• Hollywood Cars Museum – Take pictures next to all your favorite movie cars.
• Hillbilly Mini Golf – Take an incline ride up to a unique country themed mini golf course.
• Ski, ice skate, or take a scenic tram ride at Ober Gatlinburg.

7. Enjoy endless entertainment on the Pigeon Forge Parkway

Many touristy attractions line this 5 mile long strip known as “The Parkway.” Note that this road is jam packed with traffic all of the time and is not pedestrian friendly. You will have to drive to each attraction separately, so it’s best to plan your itinerary beforehand. With so many tourist destinations, the road is often backed up. These attractions include country music shows, gift shops, dinner shows, themed restaurants, and arcades. Here are a few of the best attractions which stand out to me:

• Titanic Museum – See over 400 artifacts from the ship in an interactive experience.
• Hollywood Wax Museum – Overpriced, although you can take photos next to your favorite stars.
• Hard Rock Cafe – The ultimate touristy restaurant. Great comfort food and a fun rock n’roll theme.
• The Old Mill – Popular destination for shopping & dining. Attractions include an old time general store, ice cream parlor, pottery shop, and The Old Mill restaurant serving homemade country fare in big portions in a historic grist mill.
• The Incredible Christmas Store – Shop for unique gifts/decor in the South’s largest Christmas store.

8. Explore Cherokee

Cherokee is located just minutes outside of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The area is home to the Cherokee Indians, and thus, there are many cultural attractions to enjoy. These include the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Oconaluftee Indian Village, a replica of an 18th century Cherokee village. Other attractions include: Harrah’s Cherokee, golf courses, and 2 gorgeous waterfalls. Mingo Falls, a 200+ foot tall wonder is accessed via a simple quarter of a mile hike and Soco Falls, a stunning double waterfall (pic above) is viewable roadside via US 19. Also, from Cherokee, you can easily access the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway.

9. Plan a whitewater rafting adventure

Rafting is an unforgettable adventure. It’s exciting, a bit scary, a bit dangerous, and fun all at the same time. Summers can get really hot and humid in the Smoky Mountains. Sometimes, it’s best to opt for a cooler activity than hiking. Whitewater rafting is a fun way to spend time in the great outdoors without overheating. While I was totally scared and actually fell out of the raft, I would do it all again (that’s me in the purple!). There are many rafting companies in the the Smokies region, with trips available for all skill levels. The Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City was rated “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic. Half and full day trips on 6 different rivers, Class II-IV rapids available.

10. Rent a rustic cabin

Most of the touristy towns near the Smoky Mountains are filled with cheap overpriced lodging options. A better option is to rent out a beautiful, relaxing cabin in the woods. There are more than enough options to pick amongst whether you are looking for extra amenities like hot tubs and pool tables, a super secluded location, or looking for a massive space big enough for a family reunion. Timber Tops is one great company which offers a variety of cabin styles for every budget. Mike and I stayed in Life’s a Bear. This beautiful smaller cabin featured a gorgeous outdoor deck facing the mountains, a hot tub, and a huge fireplace!