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.
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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.
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 Kuwohi)
About 45 minutes south of Gatlinburg, straddling the Tennessee–North Carolina line just past Newfound Gap, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) is the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet — a steep half-mile paved trail leads to an observation tower with 360° views stretching across several states on a clear day.
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.
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 friends, 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.
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.
Mini Golf
The Smoky Mountains boast one of the highest concentrations of themed mini golf courses in the country! Three of the most popular putt-putt spots sit within minutes of each other right along or just off the Pigeon Forge Parkway: Ripley's Old MacDonald's Farm (next to Tanger Outlets), Crave Golf Club, and Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay. Both Crave and Sky Pirates feature unique split layouts with indoor and outdoor rooftop holes — perfect for escaping a rainy day or summer heat — or head to Pirate Golf at MagiQuest for a fully indoor, 18-hole blacklight course through a glowing pirate village. We highly encourage searching online to find the theme that best fits your group; the choices here are endless, from retro giant toy boxes and spooky cartoon mysteries to fire-breathing volcano expeditions!
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Three floors of the strange, shocking, and unbelievable in downtown Gatlinburg. Also check out Ripley's Super Fun Zone arcade directly next door, filled with retro games, laser tag, and a self-serve candy wall.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
Drive the 8-mile loop with over 100 working studios and galleries — known to be the largest independent artisan community in the country. Watch glassblowers, potters, and woodworkers at their craft, then shop hand-thrown pottery, blown glass, hand-carved items, leather goods, quilts, jewelry, and baskets, with a few historic eateries and candy shops scattered along the route. Open year-round.
Go-Karting
Pigeon Forge is home to one of the highest concentrations of go-kart racing in the country, with more than 20 tracks spread across 7+ venues lined up and down the Pigeon Forge Parkway. NASCAR SpeedPark has the biggest lineup with 8 tracks for every age and skill level — plenty of options to choose from!
Iron Forge Brewing Co.
A local favorite restaurant and brewery with plenty of indoor and outdoor vibes, fire pits, and even cornhole. Some of the best burgers in the area, and a perfect spot for friends, families, or a laid-back date night. Serves lunch through dinner daily, with a scratch-made kitchen alongside the craft beer.
Applewood Farmhouse & Barn
Just off the Parkway on the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge line, this riverside orchard village is home to two beloved sister restaurants — the original Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Applewood Farmhouse Grill just up the road, both serving the same complimentary apple fritters and hearty Southern classics. Be sure to visit the property's cider bar, winery, and creamery, all within walking distance of each other.
Calhoun's
Mountain-lodge BBQ, ribs, and steaks with an award-winning recipe, right on the Parkway.
Crockett's Breakfast Camp
Legendary hearty breakfast spot in Gatlinburg, known for cinnamon rolls the size of your plate and a hearty cast-iron skillet breakfast!
Blue Moose Burgers & Wings
Local-favorite burgers and jumbo wings in a lively sports-bar setting.
Sunliner Diner
A retro 1950s diner in Pigeon Forge dishing out all-day breakfast, burgers, and thick milkshakes in a vintage setting — a true local favorite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
Watch handmade fudge, taffy, and candy made fresh at two Gatlinburg locations: the original near the Space Needle, and a second inside The Village Shops next to Pancake Pantry.
Black Rifle Coffee
Veteran-owned coffee shop with locations in both Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
Sugarlands Distilling Company
A rare local distillery experience — watch real moonshine and whiskey production happen on the stillhouse tour, right in downtown Gatlinburg. Ranked TripAdvisor's #1 thing to do in Gatlinburg, and USA Today's #1 Best Spirits Tasting Room multiple years running. Their Roaming Man Rye has won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition four times in five years.
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 our 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.
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!
Douglas Lake (Boating & Water Sports)
This massive lake reservoir is the go-to spot for boating, jet skiing, tubing, and kayaking. Convenient boat access and rental locations are scattered across both Sevierville and Dandridge (about a 40 to 60 minute drive from the cabin), including Mountain Cove Marina in Sevierville, and Douglas Lake Marina and Smoky Mountain H2O Sports in Dandridge. We highly recommend calling the marinas in advance to learn about rental options, reservations, and any equipment requirements (e.g. licensing, age, etc.) — the lake's rental season typically runs from mid-March to mid-October, with peak demand during summer weekends.
Ripley's Haunted Adventure
A multimillion-dollar haunted house inside a former casket factory — live actors, pitch-black corridors, and Gatlinburg's #1 haunted house, open year-round.
Mysterious Mansion
Gatlinburg's oldest haunted house, for all ages! Take a tour through a three-story "turn of the century" Victorian, packed with secret passageways, winding staircases, and live actors waiting around every dark corner.
Sawyer's Farmhouse
Two locations in Pigeon Forge, it's a go-to for farm-fresh breakfast and lunch — the Wears Valley Rd. location is just 8 minutes from the cabin. Breakfast and lunch only, closing early afternoon.
Bustin' Butts BBQ
A roadside food truck and produce stand off Newport Highway — 24-hour smoked brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and a rotating lineup of local produce, honey, and jams. Seating is outdoor only under a covered pavilion with picnic tables, so it's more grab-and-go than sit-down. Many say it's worth it for some of the best BBQ in Sevierville.
Five Oaks Farm Kitchen
Right across from Tanger Outlets and next door to the SkyLand Ranch attraction, Five Oaks serves Southern comfort food from breakfast through supper. Portions run generous — many entrées are big enough to share — with standouts like thick ring-baked griddle cakes, chicken and dumplings, and scratch-made biscuits with sausage gravy.
Local Goat
One of Pigeon Forge's most beloved restaurants, with a menu deep enough to satisfy any group — from gourmet burgers to ribs, fresh seafood, and pastas, all made from scratch daily with locally sourced ingredients. Reservations recommended!
The Greenbrier Restaurant
Gatlinburg's premier steakhouse: a chef-driven menu with an in-house dry-aging process, hand-cut prime steaks, and a secluded wooded setting built for a fine meal and special occasions.
Elvira's Café
Adorable breakfast spot nestled in the valley — enjoy mountain views while digging into their locals' favorite crepes.
Smoky Mountain Brewery
Family-friendly restaurant with a full kids menu and even house-made root beer for the little ones. With locations in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, this lively local brewpub and restaurant serves up craft beer, wood-fired pizzas, and hearty American fare for lunch, dinner, and late-night hours.
Buzzed Bull Creamery
Liquid-nitrogen ice cream and boozy milkshakes made to order in Pigeon Forge — kids will love watching the nitro freeze smoke roll off as their treat is made fresh right in front of them.
Ole Smoky Moonshine
This is the world's most-visited distillery, and it's right here in the Smokies! Deeply rooted in Tennessee culture, Ole Smoky is an absolute staple of the mountain experience, drawing more annual traffic than the entire Kentucky Bourbon Trail combined. They feature three lively locations in the area: taste tests and daily live bluegrass at The Barn (at The Island in Pigeon Forge), or downtown Gatlinburg at The Barrelhouse (whiskey-focused) or their flagship moonshine distillery, The Holler. There are plenty more distilleries scattered through the Smokies too — worth a quick search online to find one that fits your taste.
Company Distilling
A riverside bourbon distillery in Townsend led by a former Jack Daniel's master distiller — dry-aged straight bourbon finished in maple wood, a seasonal beer garden, and live music.
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!