A Smoky Mountain vacation doesn’t have to break the bank! There are plenty of free and cheap activities that offer lots of fun. Whether you want to spend time in the great outdoors or experience the excitement of downtown Gatlinburg, there’s something for everyone! To help you plan a budget-friendly vacation, we’ve put together this list of free and cheap things to do in Gatlinburg TN.
1. Sample Ciders at Tennessee Cider Company
If you’re looking for a fun activity for adults, one of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg is sample ciders at Tennessee Cider Company! We specialize in producing locally made hard ciders that follow our family traditions. We have a variety of unique ciders made with fresh fruits that showcase the tastes of the Smoky Mountains. If you want to try some for yourself, stop by for a free tasting! You can try any 3 of our hard ciders available on tap for free! For just $5, you can experience a VIP tasting to try all of our hard ciders, mead, dessert wine, and a slushie or mulled cider sample!
2. Tour the Gatlinburg Wine Trail
If you love hard cider and wine, you should tour the Gatlinburg Wine Trail! This is one of the most unique and cheap things to do in Gatlinburg TN. For just $10, you can enjoy VIP tastings at five of the best wine and cider locations in the Smokies! You can try more than 40 different wines, sparkling wines, and ciders along the trail. These tastings are usually $5 each, so you’re actually saving $15 with this special opportunity. Once your “passport” is filled up with stamps from each location, you’ll receive a free gift!
3. Drive Through Roaring Fork
Do you want to experience the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park without traveling far or spending money? Take a scenic drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail! This 5.5-mile loop road travels through a vibrant forest. You’ll have the chance to see beautiful mountain landscapes, rushing streams, and well-preserved log cabins and other historical buildings. It’s completely free to drive through Roaring Fork. If you want to get out and explore one of the hiking trails along the way, you’ll just need to have a $5 parking tag.
4. Go Window Shopping
One of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg is window shopping! Take a stroll through downtown and stop in any shop that seems interesting. The Village and Marketplace are two popular shopping destinations along the Strip, or head to the Mountain Mall if you’d rather be indoors. You’ll find plenty of unique items to laugh or dream about, and you can purchase a few of your favorites to bring back home. If you enjoy seeing handmade goods, head to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community just outside of downtown. This 8-mile loop features talented local artisans and their one-of-a-kind products.
5. Have a Picnic
If you want to relax in the great outdoors, then one of the cheap things to do in Gatlinburg that you need to experience is having a picnic in the park! Pick up a to-go meal or sandwich fixin’s and a bottle of hard cider, then head into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a picnic surrounded by nature’s beauty. There are a number of breathtaking Smoky Mountain picnic areas to choose from, such as Metcalf Bottoms, Cades Cove, and Chimneys. You’ll just need to purchase a $5 parking tag to park in the national park, but it’s good for an entire day of relaxation and exploration in nature!
More Things to Do in Gatlinburg
These are some of the best free and cheap things to do in Gatlinburg TN! Are you looking for more ways to enjoy your time in town? Check out this list of fun things to do on the Gatlinburg Strip that you won’t want to miss!
