Every year around the middle of June, summer solstice arrives, announcing the end of spring and the beginning of summer with the sun reaching its highest point in the sky. As the longest day of 2018 (with first light at 5:48 a.m. and last light at 9:23 p.m.), June 21 will be a special time for your first summer excursion! Start summertime right with a full day of wining and dining, playing and exploring, shopping and laughing, and mostly relaxing in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee — a place filled with beautiful sights and fun attractions, surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains and local wildlife, and saturated with kind souls and good times.
With so many entertaining activities, we’ve narrowed down our list to an epic 50 things to do for summer solstice. Intimidated? Don’t be — 5 categories will guide your way, so skip ahead, skim about, choose the ones you like, and leave the others out! Want to make the most of your day? Get up early for sunrise at 6:18 a.m. and find a great spot for sunset at 8:53 p.m.
Wine & Dine
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- Begin the day with a scrumptious Southern breakfast of homemade biscuits, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, savory sausage, and more at The Old Mill Restaurant.
- Reserve a spot at The Wild Plum Tea Room (dog-friendly and cash only) for an afternoon meal with your pet.
- Enjoy fine dining at its best — by the Little Pigeon River at The Peddler Steakhouse.
- Collect stamps along the Rocky Top Wine Trail (wine tasting encouraged of course) for a prize!
- Tour the most visited distillery in the U.S. — the Old Smoky Moonshine Distillery, better known as The Holler.
Play All Day
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- Spend hours on end riding exciting rides, eating tasty treats, meeting skilled craftsmen, and watching musical performances at Dollywood!
- View the Smokies like never before atop Crockett Mountain via Sky Lift Gatlinburg.
- Face your fears and look horror in the eye at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, the #1 haunted house in Gatlinburg.
- Channel your inner child, become a nimble ninja, and transform into a rock-star climber at TopJump Trampoline Park and Climbing Center.
- Break out of prison, locate the art thief, find Clyde’s gold, and repair the spaceship before it’s too late at The Escape Game.
- Find Nemo (and Dory), play with penguins, swim with rays, and view Shark Lagoon from a glass-bottom boat at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
- Putt-putt on the roof or inside, mini-bowl in style, and attack the candy shop at Crave Golf Club.
- Ice skate year-round, experience a wildlife encounter, soar down the water raft rides, and shop for trip mementos at Ober Gatlinburg.
- Kiss your sweetheart at the top of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and take a photo by the show fountain at The Island.
- Plunge into the waters at Dollywood’s Splash Country via riveting rides, wave pools, interactive lagoons, and more in Pigeon Forge!
- Observe the local talents of the Smokies and purchase a few keepsakes around the Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg.
- Catch a 360-degree view of the city and the surrounding mountains at the Gatlinburg Space Needle – 400 feet above the ground!
- Shop till you drop at The Village, a quaint, European-style shopping center in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg with goodies to eat and souvenirs to keep!
- Reward yourself with sweeties from the Candy Factory…if you can escape Ripley’s Mirror Maze.
- Put your record-breaking skills to the test at Ripley’s Guinness World Records Adventure.
Go on an Outdoor Adventure
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- Take a selfie by a waterfall at the end of a midday hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Cycle with friends or take a casual drive around the famous loop road at Cades Cove — you might even catch a glimpse of a foraging black bear!
- Fly through the forest at your own pace (up to 27 mph) on the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster.
- Explore Firefly Village, duel zipline with your bestie, and take a stroll 40-60 feet above the forest floor along the Tree Canopy Walk at Anakeesta.
- Scream with the best of them from up to 12,000 feet with Skydive Smoky Mountains.
- Walk through picturesque landscapes and meet beautiful tropical birds at Parrot Mountain and Garden of Eden.
- Reconnect with nature on a horseback ride through the Smokies — there are plenty of stables around.
- See the national park and surrounding area from a bird’s eye view via Scenic Helicopter Tours.
- Go on a guided tour through the Smokies and listen to a Cherokee tale with A Walk in the Woods, a family-owned business with 60+ years of experience hiking the Appalachians.
- Whitewater raft with your adventurous pals through the soul of the Smokies — Smoky Mountain Outdoors will keep you safe.
- Venture the Smokies with man’s second-best friend, a llama (kicking, biting, and spitting not included), with Smoky Mountain Llama Treks.
- Visit Clingmans Dome, the highest point (at 6,643 feet) in the national park, for unobstructed 360 views, great for birdwatching.
- Journey through the mountains for an hour and a half in style with Off Road Hummer Tours.
- Picnic with the whole family at Pigeon Forge City Park, great for relaxing in the sun while the kids tackle the playgrounds.
- Camp for a few days in the national park — keep your camera ready for passing wildlife and entrancing views.
Attend a Show
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- Enjoy a hearty 4-course meal with a fantastic show filled with trick riding, musical performances, and special effects at Dolly Parton’s Stampede.
- Laugh uncontrollably at clean comedy with close family and friends at The Comedy Barn Theater Show.
- Witness unbelievable stunts and incredible illusions by Darren Romeo at Magic Beyond Belief.
- Cheer for your family of choice at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, where the eatin’ is good and the comedy is genius!
- Solve suspenseful (and hilarious) crimes while you dine at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show.
Enjoy the Cabin Life
- Open the cabin door to a bouquet of wildflowers as a present to your beloved.
- Spend all afternoon battling on the arcade unit, playing rounds of pool, and beating everyone at air hockey in the rec room.
- Watch a movie marathon of family favorites in the private home theater with surround sound and a big screen TV.
- Book a private chef to prepare a gourmet meal for two by candlelight — how romantic!
- Start the day with a bowl of fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola paired with breathtaking mountain views from the back deck.
- Sunbathe at the outdoor community pool and work out (if you feel like it) at the resort gym.
- Give your spouse the Just for Her gift basket, featuring bath goodies, a book of poetry, an aromatherapy candle, a relaxing massager, and more!
- Float with soothing tunes or splash around with the little ones in the private indoor pool downstairs.
- Host a barbecue party with meats and veggies on the gas grill and dishware from the fully equipped kitchen.
- Unwind in the outdoor hot tub with your girlfriends — a glass of champagne wouldn’t hurt either!
No matter your decision, get out there and make the most of summer solstice 2018 — after all, it is the longest day of the year!