When you are ready for your next outdoor adventure consider making your way down to Gatlinburg. We are a top outdoor destination as we are nestled right next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will find a charming town with countless activities to check out. Of course, traveling costs are rising and may mean your budget is smaller this time around. Luckily, there are quite a few activities that are free to enjoy here in the area. Here are the top free things to do in Gatlinburg any time of year:
Explore Downtown Gatlinburg
One of the first things you should do in Gatlinburg that is always free is walking about Downtown Gatlinburg. One of the most popular spots in Downtown Gatlinburg is the Gatlinburg Parkway. This area is a charming spot with over 200 different shops that you can window browse through. You can find family owned shops, luxury boutiques, and more. Or stop by sweet shops where you can take in the fudge or cookie aromas. Gatlinburg Parkway is typically full of street performances on the weekends to give the family some entertainment. You will be able to get plenty of people watching in too. Once you are done at the Gatlinburg Parkway, you can take the corner to the River Road. This scenic area takes you beside the Little Pigeon River where you can enjoy a variety of waterside activities. Dip your toes in the water or feed the ducks. The Little Pigeon River is also a popular spot for anglers who enjoy fly fishing. The area is complete with flowing water and beautiful flowers for a wonderful scenic walk.
Check Out the Local Arts Scene
Gatlinburg is a popular spot for the arts and has a sprawling community you can explore for free. One of our favorite locations is the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. Here you can visit their incredible galleries where you can see the art work come to life. Arrowmont is a popular arts education center where you and your kids can sign up for a variety of classes. Best of all, the activities here are always free making for great opportunities to enjoy during your stay. You will also find the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community here in the area that is a sprawling 8 mile loop of independent artisan studios. You will find almost 100 studios that you can browse through. When you are ready to purchase something you will find something for everyone here at this stretch. Communities such as Appalachia are home to craftsmen where you can find them hard at work at their studios. Seeing the artisans at work is always a unique experience!
Enjoy a Scenic Drive
If you have access to a vehicle during your stay in Gatlinburg you will want to make sure you enjoy a scenic drive. You will find the most popular scenic drive in the area to be over at the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This is a one-way loop that is approximately 5.5 miles long. It provides some of the most amazing views of forest scenery and historical homesteads. If you want to see the views up close you will find there are plenty of trail access points along the route. Another great scenic drive is the Cades Cove Loop that is a bit longer at 11 miles long. You will be driving through the mountain valley where you can find pioneer cabins, wildlife, and other important sites. This is perfect for history buffs in the family who want to snap some pics. The final spot to check out is the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook the town along with the Great Smoky Mountains. It is especially popular for sunrise photography.
Check Out Great Smoky Mountains National Park
You will be happy to hear that Great Smoky Mountains National Park has free entry, allowing you to explore the most visited national park in the country with ease. The park features over 800 miles of hiking trails along with waterfalls, historic sites, and tons of wildlife and biodiversity. The trails range from short walks to even longer hikes. A popular trail is the Laurel Falls Trail that is partially paved allowing it to be very family friendly. It leads to a cascading waterfall that is one of the best views in the area. The park also has a scenic drive of the Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome where you can get to the highest point in the park.
More Free Fun Around Gatlinburg
As you can see, there are more than a few different free free things to do in Gatlinburg. Our gorgeous luxury cabins will provide the best experience here in the area.
Don’t let the rising cost of inflation take away a well-deserved vacation from you and your family. Finding budget friendly activities is more important than ever, and Gatlinburg has more than a fair share of exciting activities to enjoy. Take a look at how to vacation in Gatlinburg on a budget:
Tour the Gatlinburg Moonshine Distillery
Adults never get shy about wanting to relax a bit during their vacation and enjoy an adult beverage or two. Here in Gatlinburg you will find the Gatlinburg Moonshine Distillery in the city limits. Moonshine is obviously the spirit of choice here, and you can learn all about it with an onsite tour. The tours at Gatlinburg Moonshine Distillery are always free where you can explore how this spirit is made. You can also enjoy a moonshine sampling for a small fee that is worth the price of admission. Grab a craft cocktail before you leave and feel like a local!
Enjoy a Drive Along the Roaring Fork Motor Natural Trail
Nothing says free quite like a drive on a motor trail, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will not disappoint. This 6-mile stretch of freeway lets you take in views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park from the comfort of your vehicle. There are no tolls on the road and you can always park off to the side and explore a hiking trail in the area. Some of the popular trailheads you can find include Baskins Creek Falls, Brushy Mountain, Bullhead Trail, Grotto Falls, and Rainbow Falls. The falls trails let you see the waterfalls up close and even walk behind them! A parking tag is required for those who wish to stop and explore but each tag is only $5!
Get Around the Gatlinburg Trolley
You can get all around Gatlinburg during your stay by taking the Gatlinburg Trolley. This free ride is extremely convenient and is great for photo ops. You will find that getting from your vacation rental to exciting activities has never been easier!
More Excitement Here in Gatlinburg
These are just a few of the many ways you can visit Gatlinburg on a budget and have a blast. Make sure to book one of our vacation rentals in the area to stay close to these budget friendly activities. You will find a comfortable stay every time.