The Smoky Mountain area is full of exciting attractions, from theme parks to entertainment centers. While most activities are family oriented, you can enjoy them anyway or you can find something that’s geared towards adults. Not sure what you should do when you’re on vacation without the kids? Here are 10 things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for adults:
1. Anakeesta
Whether you prefer to relax and take in the mountain views or head out on a heart-pounding adventure, Anakeesta is the perfect place for adults! Everyone will enjoy walking around the villages as you browse the shops or grab a snack and take in the views. Don’t miss out on walking to the top of AnaVista Tower, which is the tallest viewpoint in downtown Gatlinburg. Anyone who loves thrills will want to experience the Dueling Ziplines, the mountain coaster, or walking through the trees on swinging bridges. End your day at Anakeesta with a drink of choice at the Taphouse!
2. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
You can’t look for things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for adults without coming across Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. This famous chairlift attraction has been around for years, but the recent expansions make it even more exciting to see. From the observation deck, you can take in the sweeping views of the Smokies, and you can see how hard your heart beats as you walk across the SkyBridge! Grab a bite to eat and a drink in the SkyCenter, or pick up a souvenir or two to remember what a great time you had!
3. Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community
Something you won’t find anywhere else is the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community. This is the largest collection of artists and craftsmen in the area, and there’s a huge variety. You’ll have fun exploring each of the shops, and you might just catch the artists at work. There are paintings, photography, brooms, pottery, candles, jewelry, and so much more.
4. Ober Mountain
Ober Mountain is another fun thing to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for adults. While there are activities all year long, Ober also has seasonal attractions! This is the only ski resort in Tennessee, and in the winter, you can ski, snowboard, and snow tube. Summer brings hill tubing and water slides, and the rest of the year includes ice skating, the alpine coaster, a rock climbing wall, and more.
5. Moonshine Tasting
We can’t talk about fun for adults in the Smokies without mentioning moonshine tasting! Of course, you must be at least 21 to enjoy this activity. There are several distilleries in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, so you have quite a few to choose from! They all offer tastings, and the number of flavors ranges from 10 to 13. Each distillery has unique flavors, so you may want to make time to visit several over the course of your trip! Some of the most popular distillers include Ole Smoky, Sugarlands Distilling Company, Old Forge Distillery, and Tennessee Shine Company.
6. Wine Tasting
In addition to moonshine tasting, you can go wine tasting! This is a great thing to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for adults. In Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, you can make your way through the Rocky Top Wine Trail, which is made up of 5 wineries where you can taste their most popular flavors for free. If you happen to be in Gatlinburg, you can follow the Gatlinburg Wine Trail instead!
7. The Island in Pigeon Forge
Although The Island in Pigeon Forge is probably thought of as a family attraction, it is a great place for adults to hang out. You’ll have fun riding The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and SkyFly: Soar America. Play a few games, like an escape room or a round of laser tag. Then head to one of the snack shops or restaurants for a bite to eat. There’s also a Dude’s Daiquiris, Yee Haw Brewing Company, a distillery, and a wine shop if you want to drink!
8. Smoky Mountain Escape Games
If you guys enjoy playing games together, then you’ll want to visit Smoky Mountain Escape Games. This attraction has several rooms to choose from, and they challenge you to really put all the pieces together to “escape.” There’s a room where you can race your friends and family who are working in another room, or you can play a game with a theme of Alice in Wonderland, a haunted mansion, a mad scientist, or a diamond heist.
9. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
Thrill seekers coming to Pigeon Forge have to try Flyaway Indoor Skydiving. You guys will have fun learning how to skydive from the safety of inside a wind tunnel instead of jumping out of a plane. You’ll go through a little bit of training, and one of the guides will take you into the tunnel where you’ll feel weightless!
10. Dollywood
Another attraction that most people would think is just for families is Dollywood, but anyone of any age will love visiting this theme park! Without the kids, you can ride what you want, see some of the incredible shows, browse through shops, and taste delicious food. While you may miss the kids, you’ll definitely have fun with just the adults at Dollywood too!
You can’t miss out on these things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for adults. No matter which attraction you decide to visit, you’ll have so much fun! Now you have an idea of what you want to do, but you still need a place to stay. Look through our Smoky Mountain cabins, and book one for your trip now!
