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10 FAMILY-FRIENDLY INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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The Smoky Mountains lure visitors in with its natural beauty, historic charm, and affordability. Did you know that the Smokies offer a shocking amount of exciting indoor activities? Here are 10 indoor activities in the Smoky Mountains that are perfect for families:

1. RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM OF THE SMOKIES

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a world-class aquarium that features a wide variety of marine life from around the globe. The aquarium offers a range of exhibits, including a tropical rainforest, a shark tunnel, and a penguin playhouse. Visitors can also enjoy live shows and interactive experiences.

2. WONDERWORKS 

WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park that blends education and entertainment. It boasts over 100 interactive exhibits that cover topics like space, physics, light, and sound. 

3. TITANIC MUSEUM 

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is an enthralling glimpse into the world’s most famous ship. Enjoy a self-guided tour of recreated rooms and view authentic artifacts from the ship, learn about the passengers and crew, and feel glacier temperatures in the iceberg exhibit.

4. MAGIQUEST 

MagiQuest is an interactive adventure game set in a magical kingdom. Players use a remote control wand to cast spells and complete quests, all while exploring a castle and interacting with characters along the way. 

5. PROFESSOR HACKER’S LOST TREASURE GOLF 

Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf has a 1920s mining adventure theme, complete with waterfalls, caves, and a mining train. There are two courses to choose from, so you can play again and again. 

6. GOVERNOR’S CROSSING MOVIE THEATER 

The Governor’s Crossing Movie Theater has comfortable seats, a large screen, and a variety of movies to choose from. Plus, the prices are reasonable, making it a great option for families on a budget. 

7. SEVIER WARFARE LASER TAG 

Sevier Warfare Laser Tag takes laser tag to the next level. The arena is themed like a post-apocalyptic city, complete with abandoned buildings and rubble.

8. OBER MOUNTAIN 

Ober Mountain is a year-round indoor and outdoor amusement park. In the winter, visitors can go skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. In the summer, there is an alpine slide, a mountain coaster, and a mini-golf course. Inside, there is a ropes course and an arcade. 

9. DOLLY PARTON’S STAMPEDE 

Dolly Parton’s Stampede is an interactive themed dinner with seasonal scripts. The show features horses, trick riders, and live music, all while you enjoy a delicious Southern-style meal. 

10. PIGEON FORGE SNOW 

Pigeon Forge Snow is an indoor snow park that offers year-round snow tubing and snow play with REAL snow!

Cades Cove | Explore the Cove’s Historic 11-Mile Loop With This Self-Guided Auto Tour

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Cades Cove Loop Road is a gorgeous paved, one-way road that leads you to historic structures. This road follows an old logging railroad track. Read along to find out how you can explore the Cove’s historic 11-mile loop with this self-guided auto-tour!

JOHN OLIVER CABIN

The first historical structure is the John Oliver Cabin. This cabin was named after one of the Cove’s first pioneers to settle there.

PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

The second building is the Primitive Baptist Church. This church was the second church to be built in the Cove and one of the last structures to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.

METHODIST CHURCH

Next is the Methodist church. It was built in the early 1820s by their eventual church minister, J.D. McCampbell.

MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Next is the Missionary Baptist Church. It was formed in 1839 by half of the original Primitive Baptist Church congregation. In the spring, “Co. 5427” is spelled out in daffodils. 

COOPER ROAD TRAIL

Next is the Cooper Road Trail, a hiking trail that once was the direct route to Maryville, TN.

ELIJAH OLIVER PLACE

Next is the Elijah Oliver Place. Remember John Oliver? Elijah is John’s son.

ABRAMS FALLS

Next is the trailhead to Abrams Falls. Here you’ll find a 20-foot small but mighty waterfall that doubles as a natural pool teeming with salamanders.

VISITOR CENTER

Next is the Cades Cove Visitor Center where guests can pick up souvenirs, a fresh bag of flour from the grist mill, and maybe hear a few lines from a local storyteller.

CABLE MILL

Next, you can stretch your legs at the Cable Mill, the only working gristmill in the Smoky Mountains. You will also find several historic home sites and buildings.

HENRY WHITEHEAD PLACE

Next is the Henry Whitehead Place. At the time, this was the 3rd home in the Smokies to be built this way. However, it is the only one still standing.

CADES COVE NATURE TRAIL

Next is the Cades Cove Nature Trail. It’s a short walk that is bursting with dogwood blooms in the spring.

DAN LAWSON PLACE

Next is the Dan Lawson Place. This structure is unique as it has a brick chimney which is unusual for its time. All of the bricks were made in the Cove.

TIPTON PLACE

Next up, the Tipton Place- the best porch view in the Cove. It was owned by Colonel Hamp Tipton, though he never resided there. His daughters, Lucy and Lizzie Tipton did and were teachers in the Cove.

CARTER SHIELDS CABIN

And lastly, the Carter Shields Cabin- possibly the most photographed historic building along the Cades Cove Loop Road. It is timeless.

HYATT AND SPARKS LANE

Two additional roads to the Cades Cove Loop Road are open for motorists. Both Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane cut through the center of the open fields at Cades Cove.

TOP 3 PLACES TO WATCH THE SUNRISE IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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Sunrises are inspiring, especially on a crisp morning surrounded by old-growth forests, the frozen fog, the sounds of the woodland creatures waking up, and the quiet of the day coming to life. Wake up with the mountains at any of these top 3 places to watch the sunrise in the Smoky Mountains.

NEWFOUND GAP

The Newfound Gap parking area is the midway point of Newfound Gap Road. This area offers wide-open views of the east and the west. 

CLINGMANS DOME

Who wouldn’t want to view the sunrise from 6,643 feet? Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies. Viewing the sunrise from the observation deck, you can see an expanse of up to 100 miles on a clear day.

CADES COVE

To watch the sunrise from the footbed on the valley floor of Cades Cove is like watching the rain fill a lifeless creekbed. The sunlight melts into every crevice and hollow, filling it up until it pours into the fields and pierces through the trees.

TOP 3 PLACES TO WATCH THE SUNSET IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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Sunsets are magical. Sunsets are even more magical when experienced in the Smokies. Create a memorable moment and set out towards any of these top 3 places to watch the sunset in the Smoky Mountains.

FOOTHILLS PARKWAY

The Foothills Parkway has several overlooks where you can witness beautiful sunsets that fall over the Tennessee Valley. Fall is an even more extraordinary time to come here.

ANAKEESTA

Sunset views from Anakeesta create a storybook feel as you’re surrounded by the twinkling village lights while the sun sets.

GATLINBURG SKYPARK

Gatlinburg SkyPark is one of the most desired places to watch the sun go down near downtown Gatlinburg. You can see unattainable vantage points from the SkyBridge and other areas of the park. 

4 PREMIER SHOPPING LOCATIONS IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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The Smoky Mountains are a popular tourist destination for many reasons, including stunning natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and, of course, shopping. There are many great shopping locations in the Smokies, but four stand out as premier shopping destinations: The Old Mill, The Island in Pigeon Forge, Tanger Outlets Sevierville, and The Mountain Mile. 

 

Where to Find the Best Deals in the Smokies

 

THE OLD MILL

The Old Mill is a historic grist mill in Pigeon Forge that still actively produces the time-honored quality of stone ground, hand-poured meal, and flour that you can purchase fresh daily. The Old Mill has been converted into a shopping and dining destination. 

 

THE ISLAND IN PIGEON FORGE

Another great shopping destination in Pigeon Forge is The Island. This open-air shopping center features over 60 shops, restaurants, and attractions, including a giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the Smokies.

 

TANGER OUTLETS SEVIERVILLE

If you’re looking for bargains, Tanger Outlets Sevierville is the place to go. This outlet mall features over 100 stores offering discounted prices on designer brands. 

 

THE MOUNTAIN MILE

The Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge is a newer mixed-use development that features a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, including a ropes course, an arcade, and a distillery. 

TOP 5 HIKING TRAILS IN THE SMOKIES

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With over 800 miles of trail terrain to explore in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are about 150 official hiking trails to explore. We hand-selected these top 5 hiking trails in the Smokies for you to experience during your visit.

RICH MOUNTAIN LOOP

Rich Mountain Loop is a timeworn landmark that transports you into a tranquil escape from the busy Cades Cove Loop Road. It offers beautiful views and a strenuous hike.

 

ALUM CAVE

Alum Cave is a rock shelter that sits 80 feet above your head and about 40 feet out from you. There are beautiful postcard views from here. Alum Cave used to be an Epsom salt mine in the 1800s.

 

MOUNT LECONTE

Mount LeConte has 4 subpeaks with 4 individual panoramic views. This is a favorite hike in the park for a sunrise or sunset. It is 6,593 feet tall and is the third-highest peak in the Smokies. 

 

CHARLIES BUNION

Charlies Bunion is a uniquely formed rock outcropping originally known as Fodderstack. A forest trail leads you to this rugged landform.

 

PORTERS CREEK

What begins as a gravel road quickly turns into a lush, mossy forest trail with historical remains of the Elbert Cantrell homestead, the old Ownby cemetery, the John Messer farm site, and an old cantilever barn from 1875.

3 ACCESSIBLE HIKING TRAILS FOR ALL AGES

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park showcases about 150 official hiking trails for visitors to explore. Of these 150 hiking trails, we feel that these 3 accessible hiking trails for all ages will accommodate visiting adventure seekers of all stages of life.

 

3 Hiking Trails Accessible For All Ages

 

ELKMONT NATURE TRAIL

Elkmont Nature Trail is considered relatively easy and flat. This trail was designed to be a self-guided tour with educational material. This is a good hike for kids.

 

GATLINBURG TRAIL

The Gatlinburg Trail offers a riverside jaunt all while being relatively flat. It runs along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. 

 

ANY QUIET WALKWAY

Quiet Walkways are short, easy trails that will guide you from the road directly through select areas that highlight peaceful spaces for reflection in the national park. 

TOP 3 WATERFALL HIKES IN THE SMOKIES

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 100 beautiful waterfalls! Of all the waterfalls in the park to choose from, we believe these are considered the top 3 waterfall hikes in the Smokies and are the best in show.

3 Waterfall Hikes

 

LAUREL FALLS

Named for the mountain laurel shrubs that line the hiking trail, Laurel Falls has a paved trail leading to an upper and lower observatory with a walkway, and natural pool. This waterfall is 80 feet tall.

 

RAINBOW FALLS

Rainbow Falls is named and famed for its prismatic rainbow that occurs in the mist during particular conditions. This waterfall is 80 feet tall, offers a steady stream, and is the highest single-drop waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

 

GROTTO FALLS

Placed within an old-growth hemlock forest. Grotto Falls is the only waterfall that you can walk behind in all of the park! You can walk behind the waterfall to continue along the Trillium Gap Trail.

TOP 5 ATTRACTIONS IN GATLINBURG

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Take the time to delve into the fascinating history of the Smoky Mountains with a visit to Gatlinburg. Traipse amongst ancient mountains while experiencing family-focused activities- Consider these top 5 attractions in Gatlinburg during your stay.

 

5 Family-Friendly Attractions in Gatlinburg

 

ANAKEESTA

Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park situated on a knob above downtown Gatlinburg and features postcard views of the Smokies.

 

GATLINBURG SKYPARK

Gatlinburg SkyPark is home to the iconic SkyLift and the 140-foot swinging glass bottom SkyBridge where you can see unattainable vantage points of the Smokies.

 

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Great Smoky Mountains National Park collectively holds over 80 historic structures and is teeming with wildlife, wildflowers, ancient mountains, and limitless adventure opportunities.

 

ROWDY BEAR MOUNTAIN

Rowdy Bear Mountain showcases thrilling rides in the heart of Gatlinburg. Some rides are the Outdoor Axe Throwing and Ski Lift Shootout Coaster.

 

CLIMB WORKS ZIPLINE

The ziplines at Climb Works Zipline offer an immersive experience where you can choose from 14 unique adventures such as climbing to the top of a mountain via ATV, zipping down 9 ziplines, walking on 3 sky bridges, and enjoying a surprise ending.

3 BEST PLACES TO PICNIC IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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The Smoky Mountains have many forms of natural entertainment- A rewarding way to slow down in the Smokies is with a picnic near a natural wonder. Natural wonders are just about everywhere here in the mountains, but we feel that these are the 3 best places to picnic in the Smoky Mountains.

3 Places For the Perfect Picnic

GREENBRIER

Greenbrier picnic area hosts visitors with 12 picnic sites tucked away in a secluded environment. Here you can observe wildflowers, fall leaves, and a few hiking trails.

METCALF BOTTOMS

Metcalf Bottoms picnic area is tucked within a canopy of cool shade, nestled along the Little River. You can swim, fish, sunbathe, hike, and more here.

CHIMNEYS 

Chimneys picnic area is heavily forested providing a consistent shade to picnickers. It rests beside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.