The three important gateway cities to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville – share an abiding love for the patron saint of East Tennessee: Dolly Parton.
Because the nation music famous person as soon as joked, it takes some huge cash to look this low-cost, so go forward and dive into the cheesy exuberance of all of it.
Whereas Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is a lush wonderland of waterfalls and wildflowers, in the gateway cities, mini golf programs, moonshine distilleries and theme parks press tight towards Parkway, the principle drag by Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, which rolls proper into the park. There’s even an infinite reproduction of the Titanic perched by the street.
Sensory overload and neon – and apparently fluffy pancakes – are assured, however actually, if you happen to embrace the tackiness of the sights and all of the Appalachian kitsch, these Smoky Mountains gateway cities is usually a heck of loads of enjoyable, particularly for households.
Many sights and eating places are seasonal, or their hours fluctuate by season, so name earlier than making a particular journey. Every little thing must be open from late Might by early September.
American beauties: the best cities in the Smoky Mountains
1. Have a good time Appalachia in Dollywood
Nation music legend Dolly Parton was born and raised in East Tennessee, and she celebrates her native roots with good cheer and greater than 40 Appalachia-themed rides at this busy theme park in Pigeon Forge. Dollywood is thought for its curler coasters, however you’ll additionally discover unbelievable dwell music, regional arts and crafts, and southern fried fare.
Head to Dollywood very first thing in the morning as a result of the crowds (and traces) solely get longer. Add-ons to your ticket permit you to skip the longest traces. The park presents two tiers for visitors, one that permits you to skip eight traces and one that’s limitless.
Whereas the park closes in January and February, it opens for weekends in March. Not the entire sights can be found, however it’s a little much less busy. Dollywood has nice playgrounds and rides all through the park for little ones if you happen to’re touring with toddlers in tow.
Planning tip: Dollywood’s Splash Nation water park is subsequent door and opens in summer season. DreamMore Resort and Bear Cove Cabins are lodging choices shut to each parks.
Why this 12 months is a superb time to plan a go to to Dollywood
2. Get pleasure from sky-high adventures atop Anakeesta Mountain
The “Chondola” swoops riders from the crowded sidewalks of Gatlinburg to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain, the place the pure great thing about the Smokies is the backdrop for a tree cover stroll, dueling zip traces and a mountain curler coaster. The statement tower doubles as the best level in town.
Seven eating places and eateries are scattered throughout two small “villages” on the summit. Brews include views on the Faucet Home and the Bar on the Prime of the World.
3. Delve into the story of the Titanic
An unlimited reproduction of the Titanic, the posh steamship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, shares a very superb assortment of artifacts, private tales and recreated settings from the doomed ship. Every customer to the museum is assigned a boarding move with the title of a real-life passenger or crew member. You’ll uncover whether or not you survived on the finish of your go to.
Planning tip: Guide forward as a result of it does promote out, and walk-ups should not assured admission.
4. Pattern moonshine in Gatlinburg
Hooch. White lightning. Mountain dew. Moonshine has deep roots – and loads of nicknames – in Appalachia, however if you happen to take away the outlaw popularity, moonshine is nothing greater than unaged whiskey, typically made out of corn.
Step up to the counter for a rainbow’s array of samples and some entertaining historical past at Ole Smoky Moonshine and Sugarlands Distilling Co, each on Parkway. Ole Smoky additionally has a tasting room at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
Native tip: The apple pie taste is an effective wager, however we are able to’t vouch for peanut butter and jelly.
5. Journey the Nice Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island
The putting Nice Smoky Mountain Wheel and its all-glass gondolas rise 200ft above Pigeon Forge, sharing high-elevation views of the Smoky Mountains rippling towards the horizon. The gondolas additionally present a simple retreat from the hubbub of The Island, a festive leisure district with procuring, eating places, dwell music and enjoyable bars.
6. Discover the historical past of crime and punishment
The VW Beetle owned by serial killer Ted Bundy and the white Ford Bronco from the OJ Simpson automotive chase are simply two of the numerous fascinating artifacts on show on the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge. The huge museum explores all elements of criminology, spotlighting medieval torture, witch trials, serial killers, capital punishment, crime scene investigation and extra.
Planning tip: Youngsters are permitted, however among the shows are the stuff of nightmares.
7. Absorb huge views atop Clingmans Dome
Kitschy household enjoyable isn’t a trademark of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, however the statement tower atop Clingmans Dome, the best level in the park at 6643ft, does resemble a constructing straight out of The Jetsons, with its round ramp and flying-saucer-style platform.
From the platform, 360-degree views take in mild waves of forested peaks. Mountain climbing trails, together with the Appalachian Path, cross by the woods under.
8. Float the Little River
In hotter months, River Rat Tubing launches float journeys on the Little River from its base camp in Townsend, a gateway city not removed from the attractive Cades Cove space of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. River Rat runs two journeys: a simple float appropriate for younger children and canine, and a bouncy, rapid-filled journey for these 6 years outdated and up. Each float previous swimming holes.
Native tip: Afterward, take pleasure in an ice cream sundae on the retro Burger Grasp Drive-In.
9. Store for Appalachian arts and crafts
An 8-mile driving loop swings previous greater than 100 galleries, studios and retailers in and round downtown Gatlinburg. Often known as the Nice Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Neighborhood, this assortment of stops embraces native artwork in all its varieties, with glassworks, jewellery, leather-based items, work, pottery, wooden carvings and extra on the market.
Planning tip: The Gatlinburg Trolley’s yellow line stops alongside the loop.
The best methods to get round Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
10. Tiptoe throughout the Gatlinburg SkyBridge
A sleek pedestrian cable bridge swings above a steep valley in the Smoky Mountain foothills above Gatlinburg, stretching the size of practically two soccer fields and linking two peaks. See-through glass panels await in the center of the Skybridge – which is 140ft above floor. Step on these if you happen to dare!
A workhorse chairlift whisks riders up to the bridge and to the SkyTrail, a 0.6-mile scenic climbing path with rope bridges and a four-platform viewing tower.
Planning tip: The path is canine pleasant.
11. Play mini golf
Should you like mini golf, then East Tennessee is your glad place. With not less than 16 mini golf programs throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, you’re by no means removed from a recreation. You possibly can even play a recreation below blacklights, which illuminate the course.
Memorable mini golf programs in Pigeon Forge embrace Crave, marked by its candy-themed rooftop course, and Professor Hacker’s Misplaced Treasure Mini Golf, the place a mining automotive whisks you up the “mountain” to the primary gap.
12. Watch a dinner present with stampedes, feuds or pirates
With so many billboards promoting dinner exhibits in Pigeon Forge, it may be exhausting to determine which one is best. Do not fret: choose a theme that sounds enjoyable in your group and go along with it. Southern consolation meals, viewers participation and corny jokes are frequent options.
Native tip: A perennial favourite is Dolly Parton’s Stampede, identified for its horseriding stunts, musical numbers and mild North–South rivalry.
13. Snow tube in July
Parkas aren’t required at Pigeon Forge Snow, an indoor snow tubing hill the place temperatures hover round 65°F. Take your choose of snow tracks for a swoosh down the snow hill and then construct a snowman in the Snow Space. Pigeon Forge Snow is open year-round.
14. Ski Tennessee
Ober Gatlinburg is the house of Tennessee’s solely ski and snowboard space, however this Bavarian-themed mountaintop attraction stays busy after the slopes shut in winter.
In hotter months, children swarm the alpine slide, mountain coaster, summer season tubing and mini golf. The indoor ice-skating rink is open year-round. The enclosed aerial tramway from Gatlinburg to the park soars over the forested mountain panorama, masking 2 miles in about 20 minutes.
15. Find out about marine life
A clear path funnels guests by the Shark Lagoon at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Sharks swim overhead whereas stingrays, moray eels, inexperienced sea turtles and a wide range of fish catch the attention in each route. It’s a mesmerizing immersion in the wonders of the ocean.
Planning tip: The aquarium is considered one of eight Ripley’s Consider It or Not sights in and round Gatlinburg.
16. Stroll away from the crowds
If the hordes jostling for pancakes and moonshine on Parkway in Gatlinburg get to be an excessive amount of, there may be an escape hatch: the Gatlinburg Path. This 2-mile pedestrian and bike path runs parallel to Hwy 441, linking the southern fringe of downtown Gatlinburg with the Sugarlands Customer Heart inside Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park.
The path rolls by the woods on a stage path beside the beautiful West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.
17. Get immersed in Appalachian historical past
Sights throughout the gateway cities embrace Appalachian stereotypes, from hillbilly-themed mini golf programs to moonshine distilleries romanticizing the exploits of bootleggers. The Nice Smoky Mountains Heritage Heart in Townsend explores the genuine historical past and tradition of Appalachia in its Historic Village, residence to a 19th-century log cabin, two cantilever barns and different buildings. There may be additionally a three-room museum and an amphitheater on the grounds.
18. Sightsee in Sevierville
Situated 35 miles southeast of Knoxville, Sevierville is best often known as the hometown of Dolly Parton. An inspiring bronze statue of the nation music star as a younger singer anchors the entrance garden of the Sevier County Courthouse.
Close by, guests can stretch their legs on a riverside stroll on the West Prong Greenway or spend an hour or two discount procuring on the Tanger Retailers.
Planning tip: Loaded with inns and motels, town is an effective launchpad for native exploring.