Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Gatlinburg

"World’s Fair Park, one of Knoxville’s most popular attractions, is not just a park but also an event venue and a family-friendly hangout spot. Climb The Sunsphere, the park’s prominent landmark, to catch 360-degree views of the city and the Smoky Mountains on a clear day. Depending on when you visit, you may find live music and festivals happening in this park."

"Worlds Fair Park has the iconic Knoxville Sunsphere in the background. There are also walking paths, bridges and some really great textures for photographing people.Or just for going for a walk on your own photography adventure."

"Set right in the heart of downtown Knoxville, this green space was once the fairgrounds of the 1982 World’s Fair. Today, it serves as a public park, and is one of the can’t-miss free things to do in Knoxville."

"When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, why not start off by hiking up to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet. From the car park, it’s a relatively steep half-mile walk to the observation tower on the summit, but our kids handled it no problem and on a clear day you get spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond – a great spot for sunrise and sunset."

"At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s why it’s no secret that the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower offers the best views of the mountains!. On clear days, views can expand over 100 miles."

"If you’d prefer to see a waterfall without even getting out of your car, Meigs Falls is a great choice. You can stay in the comfort of your vehicle and pull off the road to enjoy the falls, which are located roughly 500 feet away and can be seen through the trees. During the late fall and winter, when all the leaves are gone, the falls become even more visible, making the view even more dramatic."

"The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum is one of many cool things to do in this lovely Tennessee city – and, better yet, it’s 100% free!. Termed as one of the most beautiful places in the USA, the property spans 47 acres and can be dated back to 1786 when it was a horticultural business privately owned by a family. The patriarch of the family was David Howell, a veteran of the Revolutionary War."

"In East Knoxville, the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum was founded to preserve the Howell family’s history, who owned the property in the late 1700s. American Revolutionary War veteran David Howell planted an orchard, where he began selling fruits and vegetables to local families. He also started selling trees, seeds and small plants to westbound settlers."

"The city’s botanical gardens and arboretum are about as tranquil as it gets, with stone-lined paths meandering past all manner of colorful flowers."

"The views of the mountains at Christopher Place -- not to mention the extravagant architecture of the building itself -- are so breathtaking that it's no wonder this bed and breakfast doubles as a wedding venue. As far as amenities go, there's a sauna, a pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, a pool table, and tons of board and card games to play during an evening in. RELATED: 10 Mountains Worth Climbing For The Perfect Selfie"

"Christopher Place is a magnificent, newly constructed, colonial-style mansion sitting on 200 acres of manicured lawns and woods, surrounded by spectacular wilderness of Smoky Mountains. Romantic and luxurious, it is the perfect getaway and refuge from daily stress. The property is secluded but located only about six miles from Newport."

"My visit to this Old City chef-centric eatery set the tone for 2019, which wound up taking me to a number of what would generally be considered haute cuisine restaurants. Rebel Kitchen’s evolving menu showcases regional farmers and producers — an approach reflected in superb dishes like Dover sole with fingerling potatoes and spinach as well as the Painted Hills beef hanger steak, which is prepared sous vide style for 24 hours before being immersed in liquid nitrogen and flash-fried before serving. House-made breads and a delicious bowl of lentil soup completed our culinary tour."

"Honeysuckle Meadows is in the middle of all the adventure that Tennessee has to offer. Located in Wears Valley in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, it’s a short drive from both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, as well as all their attractions. While the campground may be in the middle of all the fun, it’s also a relaxing place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life!"

"Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over the sandstone cliff more than makes up for its lack of height. In fact, Abrams Falls is the most voluminous waterfall in the park, easily making this the most scenic waterfall in the Smokies. As a result, the moderate 5.2-mile roundtrip hike to the waterfall is one of the more popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains."

"Abrams Falls is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Standing at only 20 feet high, it definitely isn’t one of the tallest waterfalls in the park, but the large volume of water rushing over the falls more than makes up for its lack of height. You will definitely want to bring a camera with you when you complete this hike."

"This 5-mile round trip trail ends at the 18-foot high Abrams Falls named after a Cherokee chief whose village was downstream. The pool at the bottom of the falls has an undertow, so don’t swim there."

"This is a great hike for novice hikers as this trail is relatively smooth, and is a gradual climb of only 605 feet over the course of the two miles to the 45-foot Mouse Creek Falls. The Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade, built by the Crestmont logging company in the early 1900's to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom. The trail was improved by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s when it was converted for hiking use."

"Mouse Creek Falls is another recommended option for visitors who want to enjoy nature without the crowds. The trail leading to this 45-foot cascade is a moderately difficult, four-mile round-trip hike along the Big Creek Trail, which passes another smaller waterfall along the way at Midnight Hole. This trail, which was originally a route to transport logs in the early 20th century, was converted into a hiking trail in the 1930s."

"Mouse Creek Falls is a 45 foot high waterfall that tumbles over moss covered rocks. It’s a natural, scenic sight and a bench is even available for you to sit down and admire its beauty."