Gatlinburg is not only known for its convenient location right outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also for world class attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Anakeesta, Ober Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park! However, there are also plenty of hidden gems in the area that are well worth discovering on your Gatlinburg vacation! Here are 3 hidden gems in Gatlinburg that you’ll want to explore:
1. Mynatt Park
Mynatt Park is a beautiful city owned park that is located at 622 Historic Nature Trail and is just minutes from the downtown district. While this hidden gem rarely sees many crowds, it has lots of great things to offer including scenic walking trails, tennis courts, a playground area and a children’s fishing stream! Mynatt Park is also a fabulous place to have a picnic as it features grills and creekside picnic tables! If you need a break from the busy hiking trails within the national park, this lovely location makes the perfect alternative!
2. Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum is a quirky attraction that is way more fascinating than you might think! The museum features more than 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world, as well as a huge pepper mill collection! As you explore the building, you’ll notice the changes in society represented by shakers ranging from ancient times to the present! The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum is also an incredible bargain, as there is just a nominal fee for admission and children ages 12 and under are admitted for free! As a bonus, your admission fee can be applied to any purchase in the gift shop!
3. River Road in Downtown Gatlinburg
Another one of the hidden gems in Gatlinburg that you’ll want to explore is River Road in downtown Gatlinburg! Although this road is literally just steps away from the action on the Parkway, you’d never know it by the lack of foot traffic! If you are looking for a romantic evening stroll by the river or simply want to escape the crowds for a bit, just walk over from the Parkway to this road that runs parallel. While you won’t find all the arcades, miniature golf courses, restaurants and souvenir shops, you will discover a peaceful place to walk during any time of day!
Where to Stay
Enjoy a gem of a vacation by staying at our Gatlinburg cabin rentals! Our affordable cabins are situated among gorgeous mountain settings, but are still just minutes away from all of the exciting attractions throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville! We have cabins of all sizes to accommodate your needs, ranging from 1 bedroom cabins for a romantic getaway to multi-bedroom cabins for family reunions, church retreats and groups of friends! While staying with us, you’ll love all of the amazing amenities including private decks with scenic views, fully equipped kitchens, bubbling hot tubs, game rooms, home theater rooms and more!
Check out all of our cabins in Gatlinburg TN today to stay near these hidden gems in Gatlinburg! We look forward to welcoming you to the Great Smoky Mountains!
