9 of all the Best Things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!

I’ve got all the best things for you to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for your upcoming trip!

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Being born and raised in Nashville, TN, I’ve always grown up taking vacations with friends or family to Gatlinburg and Pigeon forge – that’s why I’ve got all the best things to do in Gatlinburg!

Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are amazing any time of year, but if you’re trying to decide when to go I would recommend fall or around Christmas time.

The weather is amazing in the fall and the leaves are beautiful! Christmas is fun too though for all the beautiful decorations and Christmas festivities – just be prepared for it to be pretty chilly!

Either way, you’re going to have an amazing time!

This post is all about all the best things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to make sure you have a beautiful relaxing trip!

Best Things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!

1.) Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg is a must-see if you are traveling to Gatlinburg! You start off by riding a tram, and you end up at a mountaintop adventure park!

There are tons of activities in Ober. They’ve got ice skating, ice number cars, the Tennessee Flyer (a roller coaster type of ride), a rock wall, a carousel, a wildlife habitat, a jump pillow, tubing, a zip line, and so much more! You can definitely spend a whole day there easily if you want! Perfect for anyone, but it is by far one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg if you are traveling with kids.

2.) Ole Smoky Moonshine Tasting

On the other hand, there’s something more for the adults! There are SO many moonshine places in Gatlinburg and many of them have moonshine tastings. One you’ll see a lot of is Ole Smoky Moonshine. (Sugarland’s is also a must-see though!!)

For $5 dollars you can try samples of all of their moonshine and whiskey flavors. For $8 you can get a “premium” tasting that includes three extra flavors!

Usually, the people leading that tasting are funny as well so it’s a fun experience!

3.) Dollywood

Dollywood is only about a 15-20 minute drive from Gatlinburg and it’s well worth spending one of your days there!

There is a theme park as well as a water park! You can also go to several different dinner shows. They even have resorts and cabins if you want to stay there!

4.) Wild Plum Tea Room

If you’re looking for a place to eat in Pigeon Forge, definitely check out The Wild Plum Tea Room! Their menu is small, but everything is amazing. It’s got a unique history and has recipes that have been passed down for many generations! I highly recommend their lobster pie!

5.) Ripley’s Believe it or Not!

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! is such a cool place to check out! They have tons of unusual things and it’s a great place if you’re traveling with your kids. While you’re there check out their 5D theatre, Haunted Adventure, and the Mirror Maze!

6.) Anakeesta

Anakeesta is technically an “adventure park” – but it’s so much more! First, you ride a ski lift up to the top of the mountain. The first time I went I actually saw a bear underneath us in the woods on our way up!

When you get to the top of the mountain there are AMAZING views! If you go to the top of the Anavista Observation Tower you have incredible views of the Smoky Mountains.

The treetop skywalk is another favorite. Pictured above, you take a series of rope bridges through the woods.

The Rail Runner Mountain Coaster is a super fun ride that is so unique! It’s a single rail track that flies down the mountain. Highly recommend riding it for a little thrill!

Apart from all the rides, there are some shops and restaurants that are well worth checking out! My top picks are always either Smokehouse or The Bar at the Top of the World. They’re basically the same little area, just one is a bar and the other is a full sit-down restaurant. They both have AMAZING views (which is why I chose them) and the last time I was at Smokehouse they also had live music. They are both a great place to relax for a little bit.

If you want something more relaxed or something you can eat or drink to walk around with, there are tons of little food trucks that serve food and drinks. Anakeesta is definitely one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg!

7.) The Christmas Place

One place I love to stop by whenever I’m in Pigeon Forge is The Christmas Place. It is a GIANT Christmas store. They also have a Christmas-themed inn you can stay in! Make sure to stop by if you’re doing some shopping – especially around the holidays.

8.) Alcatraz East (Crime Museum)

As a love of all things true crime, of course, I had to check out the crime museum! If you’re in Pigeon Forge you should definitely stop by! There are tons of real artifacts from some of the most high-profile cases in history. Some of the most incredible things they have are the actual Bronco in the OJ Simpson chase and some of John Wayne Gacey’s clown suits.

9.) Gatlinburg SkyPark

Another place with amazing views is the Gatlinburg SkyPark! Take a ski life to the top, enjoy a drink and food at Clayton’s landing, then walk across the SkyBridge (parts of it are glass so you see straight down!). It is a crazy experience and as you know, I’m a sucker for great views!

Just a side note – the first time I went someone got proposed to right in front of us on the bridge! It was so cool!