We never promote boredom. Having a lazy day drinking a glass of lemonade in a rocking chair, lounging in front of your cabin’s big screen TV, or soaking in the hot tub? Yes. But being bored in the Smokies? Not on our watch. With a community calendar jam packed with arts and crafts shows, fishing tournaments, car shows, food and wine festivals, 4th of July celebrations, holiday parades, kids’ events, outdoor excursions, and more PLUS dozens of attractions, restaurants, and shops for kids and adults, there is always something to do.
So, in honor of National Anti-Boredom Month (July), we’re celebrating by giving you 50 fun things to do, see, hear, and taste in the Smokies. If you keep exploring on your own, you’ll find the list just goes on and on and on…
- Try to break out of prison, prevent an art theft, stop a terrorist attack, or find gold at The Escape Game at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
- Take a scenic drive through Cades Cove, looking for wild turkeys, deer, and black bears along the way.
- Hike Mt. LeConte for a challenging but rewarding day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Get a decadent candy-covered caramel apple from Kilwin’s.
- Listen to live music and sip on moonshine at Ole Smoky Moonshine in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.
- Explore at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, where you’ll learn about the justice system, crime solving, and some of the U.S.’s most notorious criminals.
- Ride roller coasters at Dollywood.
- Throw around a football in Patriot Park.
- Pose with celebrities on the red carpet or in your favorite movie scenes at the Hollywood Wax Museum.
- Learn more about gospel music roots at the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.
- Race around the track at top speeds at the NASCAR SpeedPark.
- Gear up for hiking at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in downtown Gatlinburg.
- Lace up and skate indoors at Ober Gatlinburg.
- Run from zombies at Outbreak: Dread the Undead by the Hollywood Wax Museum.
- Wind your way through Ripley’s Mirror Maze before filling up on candy in Ripley’s Candy Factory.
- Sit back and watch the show fountains dance and light up at night (at The Island).
- Feed goats at Goats on the Roof.
- Watch the Amazing Animals show at The Comedy Barn.
- Putt around at one of the many miniature golf courses in the Smokies.
- Challenge the kids to a game of laser tag at LazerPort Fun Center.
- Swim, slide, and splash at Dollywood’s Splash Country on a hot summer day!
- Step outside the box with a visit to the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum.
- Take a jar of moonshine back to the cabin and have a lazy (but not boring!) afternoon overlooking the trees.
- Get a box of creamy fudge to take back to the cabin.
- Touch stingrays, play with penguins, and walk beneath sharks at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
- See how you stack up against the record holders at Ripley’s Guinness World of Records Museum.
- Start your day off right with comedy and music at the Smith Morning Variety Show.
- Spend the afternoon on the beautifully manicured greens at Bent Creek Golf Course.
- Book a cabin that’s loaded with games and play the day away!
- Take a horseback ride through the Smokies with Sugarlands Riding Stables.
- Take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for up-high city views.
- Meet the talented artists at work in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community.
- Try your hand at The Island Ropes Course – high above the shops.
- Be amazed at the illusions of Darren Romeo at Magic Beyond Belief.
- Watch the still-working grist mill at The Old Mill Square before getting some delicious homemade ice cream at The Old Mill Creamery.
- Get spooked with a walk through Ripley’s Haunted Adventure.
- Ride the Aerial Tramway to Ober Gatlinburg and take a ride on the Alpine Slide.
- Double the dessert with donuts and ice cream at Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts.
- Touch an iceberg and walk the Grand Staircase at the Titanic Museum Attraction.
- Fly through the trees for an exciting ride at Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
- Splash down the river with Rafting in the Smokies.
- See the weird, strange, and unbelievable at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium.
- Pamper yourself at the St. Somewhere Spa at The Island or get an in-cabin massage!
- Bring your favorite movies and book a cabin with a private home theater for an awesome movie-night experience.
- Jump, fly, and flip at TopJump Trampoline Park.
- Browse designer shops at the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville.
- Explore unique, hands-on exhibits at WonderWorks in downtown Pigeon Forge.
- Get a cabin with a private indoor pool and swim the day away!
- Take a scenic helicopter tour of the Smokies.
- Go skydiving – inside a wind tunnel – with Flyaway Indoor Skydiving!