Where the mountains come alive.
From theme parks to misty hiking trails, moonshine distilleries to wine tasting, the Smokies have something worth remembering.
Top Experiences
Dolly Parton’s award-winning theme park in Pigeon Forge delivers world-class roller coasters. Appalachian craft festivals, cinnamon bread worth the trip alone, and shows that will stick with you for years. Plan a full day - you’ll need it.
Ride the gondola up to the ridge-top park above downtown Gatlinburg for sweeping Smoky Mountain views, treetop canopy walks, mountain coasters, and live music over drinks at sunset. The Astra Lumina night experience is a don’t-miss after dark.
A serene valley encircled by peaks, Cades Cove is the best spot in the Smokies for wildlife. Black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey are regular sightings along the 11-mile loop road. Go early - the fog through the valley at sunrise is something else entirely. On Wednesdays from May through September, the loop road goes car-free — bikes and pedestrians only, and a completely different experience.
One of the most rewarding hikes in the Smokies — this 3-mile round trip through old-growth hemlock ends at the only waterfall in the park you can walk behind. Moderate difficulty, stunning scenery the whole way, and wildlife sightings are common. Snag parking reservation ahead of time.
The Holler sits right on the Gatlinburg Parkway and is equal parts distillery, live music venue, and tasting room. Knowledgable bartenders walk you through a rotating selection of samples, with flavors ranging from classic white lightning to peach and apple pie moonshine. Book a tour to go behind the stills.
Wander between several locally-owned wineries and tasting rooms right in town. The region specializes in fruit wines, meads, and ciders made from local apples and berries — you won’t find these flavors anywhere else. Watermelon wine and crisp apple cider are fan favorites. Perfect for a slow afternoon.
Take a ride on the Gatlinburg Tram — a 2.1 mile aerial tramway from downtown that’s an experience in itself. At the top, the mountain delivers year-round thrills: the Tennessee Flyer mountain coaster, the Smoky Mountain Bobsled alpine slide, a zipline, scenic chairlift, and a wildlife habitat with rescued animals. In winter, it becomes Tennessee’s only ski area, with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. There’s genuinely something here for every age and every season.
