Attractions & Dining
Explore the Best of the Smokies
Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains and experience all our local areas offer — from scenic hiking trails and thrilling zipline tours to family-friendly attractions like Dollywood, Anakeesta and Ripley’s Aquarium. Explore Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge’s top dining spots, enjoy live entertainment, and discover endless activities for all ages.
Local Adventures & Dining Delights
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most-visited national park in the U.S. offers hiking, waterfalls, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. (Consider a Guided Tour by local pros <Link to new Hiking blog to be written>)
Anakeesta
A popular mountaintop adventure park with ziplines, a treetop skywalk bridges, garden walkways, mountain coasters and sweeping views.
Dollywood
A top-rated amusement park by Dolly Parton, offering rides, shows, food and endless Appalachian charm.
Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski
A year-round mountain resort featuring skiing, ice skating, mountain biking, summer & winter tubing, carousel, The Jump Pillow, mountain coaster, aerial tram rides and more!
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
A modern outdoor waterpark with thrill slides and kid-friendly splash zones.
Clingmans Dome (aka Kuwoki)
The Artistic Bean which is a coffee shop is filtering as Wears Valley, it should be Townsend. This is definitely where having the location hashtag super helpful for us to track too!
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
A one-way scenic loop drive featuring waterfalls, hiking trails, and historic cabins.
Titanic Museum Attraction
A massive, interactive museum shaped like the Titanic with real artifacts and recreations.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
See iconic cars from movies and TV, including the Batmobile and General Lee.
Herbert Holt Park & Trout Farm (Fishing)
A peaceful park for fishing, especially for young kids learning to cast a line! The park also has a playground and picnic area.
The Track Family Fun Park
A family entertainment center with go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, and kids' rides.
Forbidden Caverns
Explore underground tunnels, grottos, and rock formations in guided cave tours.
WonderWorks
An upside-down science and discovery museum packed with interactive fun for all ages.
Hiking the Alum Cave Trail
One of the park's most popular hikes featuring geological formations and scenic views.
Horseback Riding
Saddle up for a scenic ride through the Smokies. Search online for the various stables in the area. They offer guided horseback rides along wooded trails, mountain paths, and peaceful streams. Advanced reservations are recommended, and age or weight restrictions may apply. Check out our Mountain Guide on <Horseback Riding (blog to be written)>
Fly Fishing in the Smokies
This company offers guided trout trips in mountain streams with licensed, experienced guides. Gear included. Also check out, Smoky Mountain Angler fishing guides and boat rentals. Recommend calling ahead or book online.
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
Offers zip lines, swinging bridges, and adventure trails on a scenic mountain farm.
Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store
An iconic stop for homemade apple treats, fresh cider, and country shopping.
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
A smooth, long alpine coaster ride through wooded mountainside. Only 7 minutes from Modern Pines cabins!
Ziplining in the Smoky Mountains
Soar above the treetops and enjoy sweeping mountain views on some of the Smokies’ best zipline courses in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Top picks include WildSide’s record-breaking MegaZip, Legacy Mountain Ziplines, and Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park with high-elevation lines, swinging bridges, and waterfalls.
Dolly Parton's Stampede
A legendary dinner show featuring horse-riding stunts, music, and Southern food.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
A hilarious dinner theater show with music, comedy, and country cooking.
The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops
A unique open-air development with shopping, dining and entertainment attractions — including a kids' train ride, escape room, lawn games, and a thrilling ride on the Mountain Monster. There's plenty to do with friend, family and kids!
Dave & Buster's
Eat, drink, and play under one roof with classic American food, a full bar, and a massive arcade — perfect for families and groups.
Seasons 101
Modern American cuisine served in a chic downtown setting, perfect for date nights.
The Appalachian
Upscale Southern dining with a contemporary twist, featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Peaceful Side Social
Brewery and craft kitchen offering a relaxed vibe with outdoor seating and live music.
The Artistic Bean
Local coffee shop known for its organic brews and artistic ambiance.
Pottery House Café
Charming restaurant known for scratch-made Southern dishes, served on handcrafted pottery just steps from The Old Mill. Also, stroll the adjacent Old Mill Square for boutique shops, a candy kitchen, and artisan pottery.
The Chop House
Steakhouse known for its premium cuts and elegant dining experience.
Junction 35 Kitchen & Bar
Combines a distillery experience with a robust menu of Southern favorites. (Part of The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops)
Azul Cantina
A stylish Tex-Mex restaurant + rooftop, serving wood-fired tacos, handcrafted cocktails and Latin inspired dishes with a Smoky Mountain twist. (Part of The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops)
Country Roads Axe Co. featuring West by God Coal Fired Pizza
Enjoy axe throwing, great food with the best pizza in town, and self-pour craft beers on tap with a wristband system that lets you sample as you go. This family-friendly spot offers a fun mix of games, drinks, and a lively Smoky Mountain atmosphere. Also great for takeout!
Cades Cove
A beautiful valley driving loop known for its incredible scenery, abundant wildlife, and preserved pioneer cabins.
SkyLift Park & SkyBridge
Home to the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America with panoramic mountain views.
The Island in Pigeon Forge
A family-friendly entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, rides & games, and the Great Smoky Mountain Ferris Wheel.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
An award-winning aquarium with an underwater tunnel and interactive marine life exhibits.
SkyLand Ranch
A scenic ranch experience with live music, games, rides, mini animals, shopping, and the sky-high Legacy Lookout views.
Gatlinburg Space Needle
A 407-foot observation tower with glass elevators that take you to the top for 360° views of the Smoky Mountains! At the base of the needle is Arcadia —the Smoky’s largest arcade with 25,000 sq ft of games, entertainment, food and theater shows.
Pink Jeep Tours
Guided off-road and scenic tours in iconic pink jeeps exploring the national park's backroads.
Parrot Mountain and Gardens
A lush, hillside garden where you can feed and interact with hundreds of tropical birds.
Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
A quirky museum with over 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world.
Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park
Offers gravity coasters, axe throwing, and unique mountain glider rides.
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
One of the longest mountain coasters in the U.S., with over 9 minutes of ride time.
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Home to over 600 animals including exotic reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
A fascinating museum showcasing crime history and law enforcement artifacts.
UTV Rentals & Guided Tours
Explore the Smokies in a street-legal UTV built for adventure. Search online as rentals are available in several towns — be sure to book ahead to secure your choice vehicle and time! Check with each company to see if they offer self-guided rides or guided backwoods tours.
River Rat Tubing
Float the scenic Little River with River Rat's family-friendly or adventure tubing routes. Includes shuttle service, life jackets, and mountain views — perfect for cooling off in the Smokies. Pro tips: Book ahead on summer weekends, wear water shoes, and refuel on coffee or great food nearby at The Artistic Bean or Peaceful Side Social.
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Soar above the Smokies with unforgettable aerial views on guided helicopter rides. Book ahead online or by phone, especially during busy seasons.
Mountain Valley Winery
One of Tennessee's oldest wineries, offering tastings and local flavor. Grab a wine trail passport while you're there! All ages welcome, but must be 21+ for wine tasting and purchases.
Goats on the Roof
A favorite attraction featuring goats on the roof (literally), their famous mountain coaster, Dinosaur themed mini-golf, gem mining, ice cream, and merch shop. Only 7 minutes from Modern Pines cabins!
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park
A high-energy live lumberjack show and an adventure park with ziplining, ropes courses, and log-rolling challenges. Guests can watch real lumberjacks compete, then step into the action themselves with hands-on outdoor fun for all ages. The show portion is Rainy Day friendly!
Escape Rooms
Put your problem-solving skills to the test with immersive, themed escape rooms perfect for families, friends, and rainy days. Choose from a variety of storylines and difficulty levels in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
A favorite amongst out guests! High-energy, pirate-themed dinner show with acrobatics and sea battles.
Bush's Beans Visitor Center
Explore the history of Bush's Beans with a fun, interactive museum, grab a Southern-style meal at the café, and shop for unique gifts. A surprisingly charming and educational stop — great for families and curious travelers.
Mountain Monster Ride Complex
Offers extreme thrill rides including a 200-foot drop tower (Part of The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops)
Ristorante DellaSantino
A beloved Italian eatery known for its authentic dishes and cozy ambiance.
Graze Burgers
Offers grass-fed beef burgers with gourmet toppings in a historic building.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro
Upscale yet cozy, this refined bistro offers locally sourced farm-to-table dishes in a beautiful wooded setting — perfect for romantic dinners or special occasions.
Heavenly Roast
Cozy café serving artisan coffee and homemade pastries, perfect for a morning stop.
The Old Mill Restaurant
A Smoky Mountain classic serving generous portions of Southern comfort food in a historic riverside gristmill setting. Also, stroll the nearby Old Mill Square for boutique shops, a candy kitchen, and artisan pottery.
Pancake Pantry
Iconic breakfast spot famous for its extensive pancake menu and long-standing tradition. Pro Tip: we arrive near opening time, lines can be 30-90 minutes!
Pinchy's Lobster & Beer Co.
Seafood restaurant offering fresh lobster rolls and a wide selection of beers.
Downtown Flavortown
Guy Fieri's vibrant eatery offering bold flavors and a massive arcade. (Part of The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops)
Tanger Outlets
(Add) Tanger Outlets Shop top brands at Tanger Outlets, a popular shopping destination along the Pigeon Forge Parkway strip. With over 100 stores, it’s the perfect spot to find fashion, home goods, and gifts while enjoying a day in the Smokies.
Book Your Stay!
- Minutes from Dollywood, Pigeon Forge Parkway, and Gatlinburg
- Easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Surrounded by dining, shopping, and endless entertainment
- 50 Minutes from Knoxville’s TYS Airport!