Things to do near the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge

Some of the best the Smokies has to offer!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas have so much to offer visitors that it's impossible to do everything in one trip. We've highlighted some of the best of the best the area has to offer to help you plan your vacation to the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville area.

Area Resorts

The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area have a plethora of lodging accomodations to choose from. Don't spend hours searching for the best deals and palces to stay. Instead, use this handy list showcasing some of the top-rated places to stay in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville areas.

Aunt Bug's Cabin Rental Logo

Aunt Bug's Cabin Rental

Smoky Mountain getaways in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Cabins and Chalets with 1 to 8 bedrooms, featuring luxury on a budget. Enjoy hot tubs and jacuzzies, pool tables, fireplaces, swimming pools, full kitchens and internet access. Pet friendly options available. Mountain views and riverside options available. Call today for reservations at 1.866.971.1802

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Little Valley Mountain Resort

Little Valley Mountain Resort

Log cabin rentals located five miles from traffic light # 3 in Pigeon Forge. Offering pet friendly cabins and onsite swimming pools, specializing in family fun and relaxation. Handicap accessible cabins available. All on-site amenities are included with your stay, including swimming pool access, fishing ponds, par 3 golf, playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis court, volleyball court, miniature golf, basketball, badminton, frisbee golf, hiking trails, patio fire pit and a wedding chapel! Call 1.800.581.7225

Learn More
Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals

Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals

Established in 1994, Auntie Belham’s offers log cabins, chalets and cottages in the Smoky Mountains.

Learn More
Cusa Logo Gb

Cabins USA

Mountain views, fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, bbq grills, hot tubs, jacuzzies, pool tables, game rooms, theater rooms, cable and satellite tvs, swimming pools, washer and dryers, convenient check in and check out procedures.

Stay 4 nights, get the 5th night free with Promo Code SMA2017 (expires 3/31/2020, not valid for blackout dates or with other coupons).

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Cobby Nob

Cobbly Nob Rentals

Luxury cabin rentals in Gatlinburg, since 1981 Cobbly Nob has been the #1 vacation resort and cabin rental company in Gatlinburg. We will help you chose the perfect log cabin or chalet from over 125 selections.

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Bluff Mountain

Bluff Mountain Rentals

Book accommodations for Anniversaries, Birthdays, Retreats, Family or Group Reunions, Destination Weddings or just some “peace and quiet”. Experience the best Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville have to offer! Featuring properties with 1-7 bedrooms, fireplaces, hot tubs and swimming pools. Ask about our discounted ATV trail rides on 6,000 acres of Smoky Mountain trails for guests of our properties.

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Heritage

Heritage Cabin Rentals

Locally owned and operated luxury log cabin rentals in the Smokies with over 25 years of experience.

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Eagles Ridge

Eagles Ridge Resort

Experience the perfect getaway! 1-9 bedroom cabins, fireplaces, hot tubs, jacuzzis, full kitchens, pool tables, beautiful swimming pool and clubhouse and wifi available (all amenities not available at all units). Perfect location close to all the action of Pigeon Forge.

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Mountain Air 1585608846

Mountain Air Cabin Rentals

Book your cabin today! Featuring 1-8 bedroom cabins, theater rooms, pool tables, arcades, pools, hot tubs, select pet friendly cabins, and a free pancake breakfast.

Area Hotels

Smoky Mountain Hotel Rentals Courtyard by Marriot Pigeon Forge 1585668969

Courtyard by Marriot

Explore the essence of the Smokies! Surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Smoky Mountains and all the fun & excitement of action-packed Pigeon Forge with five centrally located hotels. RiverStone Resort and Spa, LaQuinta Inn, Quality Inn and Econolodge Riverside.

Learn More
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals Norma Dan

Norma Dan Motel

Where good friends meet! Family owned and operated, private balconies, fireplaces, whirlpool baths, refridgerators and microwaves in every room, continental breakfast, deluxe meeting rooms, free wifi and conveniently located on the trolley route. Make your reservation today!

Learn More

Gatlinburg

Commonly referred to as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is a fun-filled and beautiful mountain resort town offering unique character and style that leaves visitors enamored. Highway 441 intersects the town, making Gatlinburg the perfect walking destination with an array of quaint shops, galleries and restaurants with the Smoky Mountains as a backdrop. Access to the plethora or trails of the Smokies are just a short driving distance from some of the best entertainment and food that East Tennessee has to offer.

The possibilities for fun in Gatlinburg are endless and range from intimate theaters boasting phenomenal magic, comedy and musical productions to studios and showrooms filled with famous automobiles and works created by a local community of talented artisans and craftspeople. Other attractions offer ice skating, opportunities to learn more about the wildlife native to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and even haunted adventure tours for the more spirited travelers.

Depending on the season, visitors to Gatlinburg are also treated to remarkable street performances, parades, and special events that can turn typical family vacations into truly unforgettable experiences as they are welcomed in to hear the stories of this magical place and meet descendants of those who have called these mountains home for seemingly forever.

Pigeon Forge

Full of energy and offering as much excitement for those who return year after year as those exploring it for the first time, Pigeon Forge is the destination that makes your family’s experience in the Smokie complete.

Home to a variety of beautiful venues, Pigeon Forge plays host to countless groups throughout the season and offers so much to do that no visitor should ever be left disappointed. Whether your taste for adventure runs high and you choose to the speed and thrill of zip lines and whitewater rafting, or you prefer an easier pace and want to unwind in a relaxing spa for the day, Pigeon Forge is up to the challenge.

A love for music seems to be at the heart of Pigeon Forge and is celebrated with dozens of beautifully produced shows in amazing theaters where staff and cast members make visitors feel truly welcome as they soak up Smoky Mountain culture through the words and performances of talented musicians, actors, and storytellers.

Need some retail therapy? Pigeon Forge is without a doubt a great place to start. From sprawling outlets where you’ll find some killer bargains to cool niche shops that offer exquisite souvenirs, Pigeon Forge has you covered.

Sevierville

Don’t miss Sevierville on your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area. Housing some of the best kept secrets in the county, Sevierville’s all-American hometown feel offers up personality and fun as the city hosts numerous expos and festivals throughout the year. Locals welcome visitors to celebrate the place they call home with great food, fun, music and more.

Sevierville’s downtown is home to a variety of specialty ships and antique stores for those seeking interesting items to remind them of their adventures to the Smoky Mountains, while a wealth of historical sites and monuments are a virtual treasure trove of information for history buffs. Encourage great learning experiences for all members of your family with a visit to Dolly Parton’s monument or

Sevierville’s downtown is home to a variety of specialty shops and antique stores for those seeking interesting items to remind them of their Sevier County adventures, while a wealth of historical sites and monuments are a virtual treasure trove of information for history buffs and encourage great learning experiences for all members of the family.

Looking for a fantastic meal? Spend a little downtime relaxing in one of Sevierville’s wonderful restaurants, enjoying any of a variety of cuisine options in some breathtaking settings.

Depending on your arrival date, you may have the opportunity to settle in for a movie on the lawn near the courthouse or enjoy art and wine samplings downtown. Don’t be surprised if you find vendors boasting mouth-watering Southern fare, or well-known musicians on stages downtown. With a bit of planning, you may be able to meet your favorite authors for a book-signing, or take in an auto expo featuring some very cool classic cars.

Cades Cove

If getting back to nature is at the top of your to-do list during your Smoky Mountain vacation Cades Cove is an absolute must. Nothing short of picturesque, Cades Cove showcases the beauty of the Smoky Mountains like no place else. It has long been a favorite destination of campers and hikers. Rich in history, this area offers a variety of activities and learning experiences that no Smoky Mountain vacation should be complete without.

Choose to hike one of the trails beginning just off the Cove Loop and discover a gorgeous waterfall or perhaps explore a spectacular underground cavern. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, it’s easy to enjoy the sights from your vehicle as you wind your way around Cades Cove Loop and take in the breathtaking views unlike any other place on the planet.

Have your camera ready! There is a very good chance you’ll have the opportunity to see deer, bear, elk and other native wildlife while in the cove.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

The Smoky Mountains are not only phenomenal in their beauty, they are the backdrop to a welcoming, bustling tourist destination that offers visitors countless opportunities to explore, adventure, and create memories as few other places on the planet can. While you may enjoy the attractions, restaurants, and shows that the cities nestled in the Smoky Mountain foothills provide, the area is really about the magnificent mountains that people have been drawn to for centuries. Lovers of this place will tell you that missing a chance to see and enjoy the natural beauty of the area seems almost criminal.

Encompassing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Smoky Mountains are a sub-range of the Appalachian Mountains and their moniker comes from the blanket of haze that often appears to cap the peaks of the range. The Cherokee referred to this as “Shaconage,” or “blue smoke.” Seen for miles around, the fog atop the mountains emanates from the dense vegetation of the area and is the signature welcome for those visiting here.

For nature-lovers, the Smoky Mountains hold a world of possibilities. Endless hiking trails and waterfalls abound, caves, and caverns make exceptional grounds for exploration, and countless varieties of plants and wildflowers pepper the extraordinary landscape. There may be no better place on earth for camping and enjoying the peaceful calm of nature at her best.

If you’re seeking a challenge, you will find it here. Many visitors seek to hike the majority of the Park’s myriad of trails or to see the world from one of the area’s highest peaks, Mount LeConte. Four hiking paths lead to the mountain’s summit, offering the opportunity to a range of hikers, experienced and novice alike. On the whole, Smoky Mountain hiking trails offer an amazing array of sights and learning opportunities for those of every age and level of physical ability. Visitors will enjoy exploring homes and churches constructed in the early 1800s, visiting working forges and grist mills, sitting in the pews of old schools, and taking a few quiet moments in the cemeteries where the founders of the region now rest.

Wildlife in the Smoky Mountains is also abundant. Your time spent here may well allow you to encounter a beautiful black bear and her cubs, elk, deer, a playful otter or two, salamanders and other creatures that make their homes in this beautifully diverse region. Keep in mind that while cameras are welcome in most places, you should take photos from a distance. Wild animals are just that—wild, and you might endanger yourself or others in your group if you get a little too close.

The Smoky Mountains are waiting. Come and play or plan to stay. You’ll find your next adventure is just outside the door.

"One of our families greatest adventures ever!!! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made us all feel like pros. We were nervous, but the guides explained everything very thoroughly. And with all the safety features we knew we were in good hands! The views were absolutely stunning! We highly highly recommend it to anyone!!"

– Tara, Wisconson

Big Creek Expedition brochure

Not Ready to Book Yet?

Looking for information on rafting with Big Creek Expeditions? Planning for a large group? Get your brochure and receive all the information you need to prepare for your rafting trip.

Get your Adventure Planner now!