Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee may not be the first locations that come to mind when planning your next vacation, but you should add them to the top of your bucket list because they're absolutely incredible. One week isn't enough time in either location because there are so many things to do. Whether you're the adventurous type or like to stay indoors, there's something for everyone to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
1. Visit Anakeesta
Kayleigh Garrison
I hope you're not afraid of heights because the only way to get up to Anakeesta is to ride a ski life up the side of the mountain with nothing but a bar over your lap. While there are enclosed options, they're open in the back and it's at least a thousand-foot drop. After the 14-minute ride (which is so beautiful and truly incredible I should add), you'll step off the ski lift into a village-like setting, with restaurants, ice cream, trails, a park, shops and zip lining. I definitely recommend zip lining; it's a great price (the cheapest around) and it's the thrill of a lifetime zip lining through the mountains.
2. Walk around downtown Gatlinburg and visit the little shops and restaurants
Kayleigh Garrison
You could spend an entire day walking around downtown Gatlinburg. There are over a dozen candy and ice cream shops, a ton of souvenir shops with flashy shirts that say "Gatlinburg, Tennessee" and "Smoky Mountains" on them, museums and restaurants; shoot, even Paula Deen has her own store.
3. Experience life on the Titanic at the Titanic Museum
Daniel Garrison
This museum is absolutely incredible and one of the best if not the best museum I have ever been to. You truly feel like you're on the Titanic because the museum is nearly an exact replica of the ship and includes items that were recovered from the ship at the bottom of the ocean. Walking through it is heartbreaking because it reminds you of the hundreds of people who died, but it also educates you on a piece of history.
4. Get a hands-on science experience at WonderWorks science museum
Kayleigh Garrison
At first glance, you'll wonder how you can even get in the building because it's built upside down. Then, you'll wonder if you, too, will be upside down once you step inside. Not to worry because everything is built upright except the exterior of the building. This museum is honestly so cool and I love how hands-on it is. If I had a museum like this around when I was learning science in grade school, I might actually like science as an adult. At WonderWorks, you can feel like you're experiencing an earthquake or standing in the middle of a hurricane with their earthquake and hurricane rides. You can feel how cold the ocean was the night the Titanic sunk by sticking your hand in water of the same temperature. You can test your balance by climbing tight ropes and walking across thin bridges nearly 100 feet up in the air on the adventure walk while attached to a harness. Experience zero-gravity on a space ship ride while spinning around and imagine what it's like being an astronaut and doing it every day. See how strong you are by pulling on a pulley and seeing how high you can go. Lay on a bed of nails (literally) and learn why they won't pierce your skin. Or bring out your inner-child by ending your trip to the museum with a game of laser tag. This museum is truly for people of all ages and it also offers a dinner-magic show on select days for an additional charge. Get your kids interested in science or bring out your inner child at WonderWorks Museum because this hands-on museum will do just that.
5. Eat an all-you-can-eat southern dinner and laugh your head off at Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
Kayleigh Garrison
It comes with a hefty price, but it's a great way to spend a couple hours. Indulge in all-you-can-eat fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn, rolls and finish it off with chocolate or banana pudding while watching a show about two southern families who had a two-decade-long feud back in the 1800s. It comes complete with dogs, a swimming pool, fake pistols, southern accents and killer singing and dancing. This dinner show is for all ages and it even gives you the option to purchase a DVD of the show after.
6. Taste-test a dozen different moonshines at Sugarlands Distilling Company
Kayleigh Garrison
I'm not a fan of moonshine, but for $5, you can taste 12 different moonshines, with flavors ranging from apple pie, to peanut butter and jelly, blackberry, strawberry and more.
7. If you're not a fan of moonshine, try various wines at Gatlinburg Wine Cellar
Kayleigh Garrison
If you're a fan of wine, like myself, you'll love this place. If you are a fan of moonshine, you'll still love this place. You can try three different wines for free. That's right. Three different wines. FOR FREE. Soothe your sweet tooth with a sip of cotton candy wine and try Niagara if you're a fan of grape juice.
8. Take a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains
Kayleigh Garrison
Get your hiking shoes on, spray some bug spray and sunscreen up then you're good to go! Have a peaceful afternoon and hear the birds sing (and maybe the bears growl) by hiking through these beautiful mountains. If you see fog, not to worry, Damon Salvatore won't come creeping out from behind the bushes to suck your blood (for all you "Vampire Diaries" fans out there), it's just fog as a result of "a high concentration of VOCs" (volatile organic compounds) (as said on a sign at Anakeesta).
9. Visit Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Daniel Garrison
I've been to a ton of aquariums but none of them compare in size to this one. Slot a couple hours out of your day to walk around this aquarium because it's huge, filled with thousands of fish, sharks, jellyfish and the like.
10. If you're a fan of "Forrest Gump," visit Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Kayleigh Garrison
It's impossible to read any magnet or shirt without hearing Tom Hanks' voice.
11. Go mini-golfing
Daniel Garrison
I know what you're thinking: "Mini-golf? Really? You want me to go mini-golfing while on vacation? You can do that anywhere!" Sure, you can go mini-golfing anywhere, but it's not as cool as mini-golfing in Tennessee where you can go mini-golfing in the middle of the mountains. You can't do that just anywhere.
12. Skip the hotel and rent a cabin
Kayleigh Garrison
There are dozens, if not hundreds of hotels and resorts in and around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. While some of them have fancy waterslides and balconies and look straight out of Switzerland, staying in a hotel or resort just isn't the same awesome experience you get from staying in a cabin. If you stay in a cabin, you get your own room, you can cook your own food, many of them have added perks like hot tubs and air hockey tables and you're completely surrounded by mountains. What says "Tennessee" more than staying in the mountains? Watch out for bears, though...
