The Best Free Things to Do in Gatlinburg

I could come up with scores of free things you can do in Gatlinburg, but that’s a little overkill. Most people want to know the best of everything in a tourist destination. This will give you an idea of what you can focus on when you’re visiting and don’t want to unnecessarily spend your hard-earned vacation money. In my view, these are the best things to do that don’t require plastic or paper.

Enjoy Your Surroundings

Seems pretty obvious right? Well, you’d be surprised at the amount of visitors who rush through a vacation, and in the process, forget to realize that you need to relax and enjoy the beauty that’s all around. Even in Gatlinburg, there’s exquisite displays of flowers in The Village, along River Road, the downtown Parkway, in the median before the Mountain Mall, and up on Anakeesta mountain. It’s also easy to be distracted by the illustrious beauty of the Smoky Mountain, which is simply impossible to ignore, even on a cloudy day.

Food Sampling

Gatlinburg has one less food sampling place due to the closing of All Sauced Up, but that’s a separate issue. You still have many shops in town that’ll allow you to sample a few morsels of their sweet creations: Chocolate Monkey, Kilwin’s, Cookie Dough Bliss, and any number of other ice cream and fudge shops. Of course the purpose is to get you to buy a larger portion, but don’t feel the need if you have a temporary lock on your purse or wallet.

Hiking

This open the door to many options, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; however, if you don’t want to gas up the car, the Gatlinburg Trail is located at the end of Gatlinburg, and is a perfect hiking option. If you’re feeling ambitious, take the trail to Sugarlands Visitors Center and do a few more. There’s the Fighting Gap Trail and the Cataract Falls Trail. Both are short hikes that will introduce you and the young ones to a mental and emotional state as you’ve never known it. I highly recommend you spend some time to unplug and reconnect with your spiritual side, even if you thought you never had one. Because you just might when you’re here.

Enjoy Live Music in the Holler

Ole Smoky Moonshine may not have my favorite moonshine, but they are one of my favorite places to sit and listen to some live music. A vast majority of the musicianship is local and talented bluegrass players, and they all know how to put on a show. The music hardly ever stops. From the early afternoon to the late evening hours daily, you can sit in one of dozens of rocking chairs facing the stage in the Ole Smoky Holler and listen to soulful Southern renditions. And yes, you don’t have to sample any moonshine; it is totally free for your enjoyment!

Relax by the River

Whether it’s on the Gatlinburg Trail, off the balcony of your hotel, or on a bench beside the aptly named River Road, another perfectly free activity is a relaxing respite by the river. My wife has her spot, and she can spend hours with her favorite book, and you can do the same—whatever clears your mind and gets you closer to your perfect mental state.

Show the Locals Your Hospitality

We’ve always found the kindness in Gatlinburg to never be in short supply. Everywhere you turn, you can find superior Southern hospitality. So it only makes sense to return the favor. You’ll be amazed at some of the stories they are willing to share with you, and it’s 100% free to be kind and personable to your fellow humans, even if it’s not a dominant personality trait of yours to be outgoing. You won’t be able to help it; it rubs off on you. I know from experience, and I love every single story, tip, and advice that comes from an interaction with a local.

There you have it! These things are my versions of what you can enjoy in Gatlinburg without digging into your wad of trip money. I feel it’s the little things that really make a vacation memorable, not the souvenirs you spent hundreds on which don’t register as highly on the memory meter. You may find that the best things in life and Gatlinburg really are free!