Top 10 Free Things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (TN)

May 21, 2022 Christa Meece

Gatlinburg, at the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is an ideal base for a family looking to explore the park's numerous offerings. After you've gone hiking, fishing, rafting or horseback riding, ride an elevator 342 feet to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for stunning views of the Smokies. There's also an amusement center next door with nifty rides and games.
Restaurants in Gatlinburg

1. St Mary's Catholic Church

304 Historic Nature Trl, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3325 +1 865-436-4907 http://stmarygatlinburg.org
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 153 reviews

St Mary's Catholic Church

Reviewed By ThomasF_11 - Cincinnati, United States

Quaint little Catholic Church that was most welcoming to travelers for Sunday Mass! Convenient Parking to the side of the church!

1003 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-5555 +1 865-436-8445 [email protected] http://www.paulmurray.com
Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 146 reviews

Paul Murray Gallery

Step back into tyme, an 1800's Tenn. Mountain farm comes alive with paintings and sketches of real mtn folk. Capturing the life and spirit of Smoky mountain heritage, artist Paul Murray is dedicated to preserving the last flicker of the past. They tell stories, in these faces you see and feel their hard lived lives, and a soul like no other can capture. Award winning art that will leave an impression long remembered. Wood crafts, Mtn landscape photos, wildlife art, heritage homestead. Enjoy the 200 yr old mtn homestead, sit on our Porch enjoy the peace and listen to real mountain folks storytelling. Coloring station for children, front porch sitting for a peaceful rest amongst log cabins. Bring your camera, we're the most photographed place around. The areas best restaurants close by. Winter hours limited. Look for the big barn with the girl on it 2.5 miles down Glades Rd from 321.

Reviewed By Reaontherun - Nashville, United States

You first step back in time to an old 1800's home on a beautifully wooded lot. Paul's wife greeted us and took us piece by piece around the gallery describing the history of the pieces and the techniques used to create them. The glow she had while describing her husbands trade was amazing in and of itself. My wife and I settled on a couple of great numbered prints that captures some of the characters of the Appalachian area. Her husband, Paul comes in and she convinces him to sign our pieces. The place, the art, the stories and hospitality were all amazing. This is definitely a MUST do on your next trip to Gatlinburg!

3. Sugarlands Distilling Company

805 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3248 +1 865-325-1355 [email protected] http://www.sugarlands.com
Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26,634 reviews

Sugarlands Distilling Company

Sugarlands Distilling Company is conveniently located in downtown Gatlinburg. Visitors who come to the barn-style distillery can take a behind-the-scenes tour of our still house and learn firsthand how we make our authentic Sugarlands spirits. Adults over the age of 21 can take a guided tasting flight of our spirits at the Sippin' Posts. Our Back Porch stage offers free shows covering many genres, open to guests of all ages. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS SIP WISELY.

Reviewed By SavvyTravelerWV

My husband and I stopped in here during our vacation we had fun sampling the different types of moonshine and even took a distillery tour, very fun and interesting place to go!

4. Tennessee Shine Company - Gatlinburg

519 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3201 +1 865-314-5602 [email protected] http://tnshineco.com/
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,752 reviews

Tennessee Shine Company - Gatlinburg

Here at Tennessee Shine Company, we focus on bottling the best instead of the most. That’s why you’ll only find small-batch moonshine and whiskey with our labels. Passed down through generations, our Smoky Mountain recipes stay true to the signature flavors and seasonal blends our families are known for. Pair that with our down-home, friendly atmosphere, and you’ll understand what sets our distillery apart from the rest.

Reviewed By Rob_The_IV - Chicago, United States

Our host, Katie, made us feel right at home. From blueberry pancake batter to root beer float to banana laffy taffy, the flavors and history of Doc Collier's distillery were awesome to experience. I would highly recommend walking downtown Gatlinburg afterward. We visited several distilleries in the area including Ole Smokey and Sugarlands. Doc Collier's is the best!

5. Smoky Mountain Art

968 Parkway Shop 3, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3137 +1 844-686-2787 [email protected] http://www.smokymountainart.net
Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 51 reviews

Smoky Mountain Art

Smoky Mountain Art is an eclectic collaboration of local artists from the southeastern United States. With over 38 artists we offer everything from chainsaw carvings, driftwood art, hand crafted jewelry, gourd art, paintings, hand crafted bags, hand forged knives, dream catchers and much much more. We offer carving lessons as well as carving demonstrations several times a month.

6. Tennessee Homemade Wines

643 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3203 +1 865-412-1030 [email protected] http://tnhomemadewines.com/
Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6,000 reviews

Tennessee Homemade Wines

Made with local fruit. Crafted by local folk. Served by local friends. Specializing in sweet wine and Southern Hospitality, stop by for a free taste. a few wines you can expext to sample: Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, and Muscadine Wine. Open 7 days a week

Reviewed By Y8627PDjohnh

Great place our favorite wine around and a must to stopin and taste for adults of course great staff Giovanni was great friendly and helpful

7. Ole Smoky Whiskey Barrelhouse

650 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3204 +1 865-325-1111 [email protected] http://olesmoky.com/about/barrelhouse
Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,737 reviews

Ole Smoky Whiskey Barrelhouse

Reviewed By Teresa_david2014 - Woodsfield, United States

Our taste testing bar tender, Matthew, was Great!!! Knowledgeable and very fun!! Would recommend him 100%!!!

8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

107 Park Headquarters Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4102 +1 865-436-1200 https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,217 reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Reviewed By V8732FEjohnd - Riverview, United States

Excellent hiking trails - Hiked the Rainbow Falls 1st day - very nice, scenic, runs along a river and finishes at a nice waterfall - rougher trial - took 4 - 4 1/2 hrs round trip - did grotto falls second - much smoother trial but steeper than rainbow - took maybe 3 hrs round trip - both excellent - very scenic would return

9. Gatlinburg Welcome Center

811 E Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4913 +1 800-588-1817 [email protected] https://www.gatlinburg.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Gatlinburg Welcome Center

Reviewed By 905danielleh - Hobart, United States

The people were very nice and had interesting information about area. I loved the souvenir shopping right there.

10. Tennessee Cider Company

611 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3224 +1 865-412-5005 [email protected] http://tncidercompany.com
Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,702 reviews

Tennessee Cider Company

Gatlinburg’s first Hard Cider tasting room. Stop by and enjoy some authentic Appalachian food and cider.

Reviewed By Thewadesterwade

The VIP tasting is a great deal for only $5. Heidi was wonderful in serving us and she even held on to a bottle we purchased while we walked around town (cider day care).

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