Free or Low-Cost Activities

Looking for free or low-cost activities in the Great Smoky Mountains? Are you visiting the Smoky Mountains on a budget or trying to save money on your next trip? The following locations offer a ton of fun for free or very low cost.

The following locations offer a ton of fun for free or very low cost. If you know of an activity or attraction that is not listed below, please email me.

National Park

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Be A Junior Ranger
• Utilize the Not So Junior Ranger Program
• Visit the observation tower at Clingman’s Dome
• Check out Newfound Gap Road
• Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
• Enjoy Hiking Trails
• Pack a Picnic
• Watch the Wildlife
• Visit Mountain Farm and Mingus
• Drive through Cades Cove
• Ride the Gatlinburg Trolley
• Visit Waterfalls

Visitor Centers

• Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center in Bryson City, NC
• Great Smoky Mountains Association Visitor Center and Store in Bryson City, NC
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC
• Balsam Mountain Ranger Station in Cherokee, NC
• Cherokee Welcome Center in Cherokee, NC
• Sugarland’s Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, TN
• Gatlinburg Welcome Center in Gatlinburg, TN
• Cable Mills Visitor Center in Townsend, TN
• Towsend Visitor Center in Townsend, TN

Pigeon Forge

• Browse the Old Mill Square
• Play at Patriot Park
• Have fun at Wear Farm City Park
• Walk the Greenways
• Meet the Horses at Dolly Parton’s Stampede (Horses are located in the open-air stables one hour prior to show times)
• See a $5 movie at The Forge Cinemas

The Island at Pigeon Forge

• Enjoy Live Music
• Watch the Jars and James Concert Series
• Marvel at The Island Light Show

Gatlinburg

• Check out the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community
• Explore Elkmont
• Walk Through The Village
• Take a Walk Along the Little Pigeon River
• Walk Through Downtown 
• Take a Tour of a Moonshine Distillery
• Play at Herbert Holt Park
• Enjoy Mynatt Park
• Play at Mills Park
• Check out the Gatlinburg Farmer’s Market (Open Mid-May through Mid-October)
• Go to Cooter’s Museum (in the process of moving to Pigeon Forge)
• Visit the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum 

Sevierville

• Snap a photo with the Dolly Statue at the Sevier County Court House
• Visit Smoky Mountain Knife Works and the Knife Museum 
• Play at a Park
• Walk the Greenways
• Go to the Sevier County Heritage Museum
• Visit the Muscle Car Museum
• Check out the Tennessee Museum of Aviation 
• Visit the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm Exotic Petting Zoo and Deer Farm Riding Stables
• Enjoy a Free Outdoor Movie at Sevier Commons During the Summer
• Go Swimming at the Family Aquatic Center
• Enjoy Bowling at the Sevierville Bowling Center

Townsend

• Visit the Little River Railroad Museum
• Go Swimming at the Townsend Wye
• Check Out the Gardens at the Lily Barn
• Learn More About the Appalachian Bear Rescue
• Check out the Wood Carvings at Captain Dave’s Little River Artistry
• Take a Drive on the Foothills Parkway

Wears Valley

• Go Swimming at Honeysuckle Meadows Pool and Deli

Looking to take a day trip? Here are a few attractions within a 2 hour (or less) drive from the Great Smoky Mountains.

Jefferson County

BUSH’S® Visitor Center – Free
bushbeans.com
The BUSH’S® Visitor Center is located at 3901 US-411 in Dandridge, TN. You can trace the values and events that made BUSH’S BEST® what it is today. And it’s all housed in the original A.J. Bush & Company general store, founded in 1897. Open year-round, Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays and major holidays*. Hours vary depending on the season, so please call 865-509-3077 to find out the current schedule.

Monroe County

The Lost Sea Adventure – Homeschool Discount
www.thelostsea.com
Located just 7 Miles off I-75 at 140 Lost Sea Road in Sweetwater, TN. Every Monday, August through May, you may bring your home school students to the Lost Sea, regardless of the number in your group,  and receive the educational rate. Just bring a homeschool ID, letter of intent or attendance record to the Lost Sea ticket desk to purchase your tickets at the special Home School Days rate. If you are bringing a group of 15 or more please call 423-337-6616 Pricing: Students (K-12^th Grade) $10.00 Adult $18.95

McMinn County

Mayfield Dairy Farms 
www.mayfielddairy.com

Visit the Athens, TN dairy to see for yourself how your favorite Mayfield products are made with a fun and educational behind-the-scenes tour! While you’re there, browse the Mayfield gift shop and purchase a generous scoop of your favorite ice cream at their old-fashioned ice cream parlor. It’s fun for the family or a perfect field trip for schools, church groups, or any other organization.

Knox County

Muse at the Mall
www.themuseknoxville.org

The Muse Knoxville is a non-profit children’s S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) museum with educational exhibits and play spaces.

Ijams Nature Center 
www.ijams.org
Ijams Nature Center is a nonprofit, 315-acre educational nature center for all ages, abilities and walks of life. Ijams’ mission is to encourage stewardship of the natural world by providing an urban greenspace for people to learn about and enjoy the outdoors through engaging experiences.

Do you homeschool? I’ve got the perfect post just for you. Check out the list of homeschool discounts in the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding area.

If you know of any other free or low-cost activities that we didn’t mention, feel free to reach out at info@thesmokymtnlife.com