10 Fun (and Free) Things To Do While In Gatlinburg

Put on your walking shoes, get out of the car, and join in the great family tradition of the downtown Parkway stroll, also known as the center of excitement to those who visit Gatlinburg frequently. Explore every nook and cranny where you find more than 200 unique shops and dozens of attractions for all ages. As you stroll, be on the lookout for homemade taffy-pulling, mouth-watering caramel apples being dipped or delectable fudge being prepared. You might just choose to play miniature golf, experience the world’s largest underwater aquarium tunnel, ride America's largest aerial tram, take a chairlift to the top of the town, visit the unique museums, or take a turn on live-action rides along the way. You can even people-watch!

Take a trolley ride or a leisurely drive to visit the eight-mile loop of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community and see craftsmanship at its best, as artisans using simple tools and skillful hands whittle, carve, cast, sew, weave, and transform raw elements into works of art and function. Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is recognized internationally as the largest group of independent artisans in North America with nearly 100 shops, studios, galleries, cafes, and lodging options.

If you need an “away from it all” moment, take a leisurely stroll along the Riverwalk that runs along the Little Pigeon River one block off the downtown Gatlinburg Parkway. Feed the ducks, watch as fishermen cast their flies in hopes of landing a mountain trout, or relax along the riverbank as you listen to the swift river flow before you. Admire beautiful arrays of flowers and dip your feet in the brisk mountain stream. Find the perfect photo spot and help ensure that your moments in Gatlinburg are never forgotten.

Need to rest your feet? Jump in your car and explore a collection of historical sites on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail including the preservation of a homestead owned by the Noah “Bud” Ogle family who lived in Gatlinburg after the Civil War. See log cabins, Roaring Fork Cemetery, and the remains of a village that supported some two dozen families more than 150 years ago. The motor nature trail is accessible to automobiles via the eight-mile one-way paved road. Many stops along the way allow you to get out, take a deep breath of mountain air, step back in time as you visit the sites, and enjoy the aura of the mountains. Several trailheads are on the route, so consider a short walk or hike to your heart’s content.

Located at Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s main northern entrance two miles south of Gatlinburg along Newfound Gap Road, (U.S. 441) Sugarlands is a visitor center you should visit. A free 20-minute orientation motion picture provides an in-depth look at the Smokies and the enormous diversity of plant and animal life in the Park. Natural history exhibits include mounted specimens of park animals in recreations of their habitats and reproductions of journals kept by the first park naturalists. Ranger talks and slide shows are presented daily from spring through fall.

Just a few miles outside of Gatlinburg is a hidden jewel known as Greenbrier. A plethora of daytime fun and free outdoor activities can be enjoyed in this area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located just east of Gatlinburg. Tube, swim, skip rocks, picnic, hike, sunbathe, or mountain bike. Ramsey Cascades Trail Head is also located here. Beware, the water is cold!

Historical cabins, farmhouses, and churches are maintained in Cades Cove, a western valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. First settled by Europeans in 1819, today, the National Park Service maintains a historical and cultural preserve of log cabins, churches, and other structures. The 11-mile one-way road passes by 19 numbered tour stops as identified in the pamphlet available at the entrance. Be sure to bring your camera in hopes of spotting wildlife such as deer, bear, turkey, owl, and fox. If you prefer, you can also experience the loop on horseback or bicycle!

See Gatlinburg from a bird’s eye view from the two overlooks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s the perfect souvenir photo spot and one of the most popular places to watch the sunrise. So grab your cameras and head up to Gatlinburg Overlook and enjoy the view!

Indulge in a little culture as you browse the galleries of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Arrowmont is an international haven of contemporary arts and crafts education. Founded in 1945, the school has developed into a leader in arts and crafts education, with an annual enrollment of more than 2,000 students from the United States and abroad. Stop by and tour select collections of the art galleries, the resource center, and the book and supply store.

When you’re looking to enjoy Gatlinburg without spending on parking, start your visit at one of the free Park & Ride lots—notably the ones at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on Banner Road (Highway 441 Spur) and the City Hall Complex on Highway 321—where you can leave your car safely and conveniently. From these lots, hop on the Gatlinburg Trolley, which operates fare‑free year‑round along multiple color‑coded routes (Purple, Blue, Yellow, and Red) servicing downtown, the Parkway, and the Arts & Crafts Community. The trolleys run approximately every 45 minutes (some schedules vary seasonally), and all trolleys stop at Ripley’s Aquarium, making sightseeing seamless and stress-free.