If you’ve been researching a vacation to the Smokies, you probably know all about popular destinations like Dollywood, Anakeesta, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! In addition to all of the well-known attractions throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you’ll also find some wonderful hidden gems that you may want to include on your itinerary! Here are 5 hidden gems in the Smoky Mountains:
1. House of the Fairies
While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, take a break from the busy areas like Cades Cove and Laurel Falls to discover the House of the Fairies! This hidden gem is situated along the Twin Creeks Trail, a 4.5-mile roundtrip trail that departs from Cherokee Orchard Road just outside of Gatlinburg. While tackling this moderately difficult hike, you’ll be rewarded with a whimsical stone building covered with moss known as the House of the Fairies! The structure was originally part of the Voorheis Estate, a mountain retreat built by Louis E. Voorheis in 1928, and first operated as a springhouse to keep the spring water cool and clean from falling debris.
2. Hawk SkyLift at Harper Bros. Mountain
Another one of the hidden gems in the Smoky Mountains is the Hawk SkyLift at Harper Bros. Mountain in Wears Valley! While many folks tend to experience the well-known chairlift attractions like the SkyLift at Gatlinburg SkyPark, the Chondola at Anakeesta, and the Scenic Chairlift at Ober Mountain, the Hawk SkyLift offers spectacular views in one of the most peaceful areas of the Smokies! The relaxing roundtrip ride takes about 30 minutes, and you can exit at the top to enjoy rocking chairs and complimentary water!
3. Outdoor Gravity Park
The Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge is literally a hidden gem, as this attraction is tucked away on a country road right off the famous Parkway! This is the only “zorbing” park in the United States, so this is also an exciting opportunity to experience a unique activity! Zorbing is the act of rolling down a hill in a giant 11-foot inflatable ball with up to 3 people in the same ball, and the Outdoor Gravity Park has a 1000-foot hill with 3 different tracks to choose from! To make things even more interesting, the inflatable ball is filled with 10 gallons of water (cool in the summer and warm in the winter) to guarantee a soaking good time!
4. Riverwalk Greenway
While you’re driving past all the go-kart tracks, miniature golf courses, and other attractions along the Pigeon Parkway, you’d probably never notice the Riverwalk Greenway! This lovely paved trail is like a little piece of paradise right in the middle of the chaos, offering a pleasant walk that runs along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The Riverwalk Greenway goes behind the Pigeon Forge Community Center and travels behind The Island in Pigeon Forge and LeConte Center parking lots before connecting to the walking trail at Patriot Park.
Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to stay close to these hidden gems in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to welcoming you to our cabin rentals!
