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.
