Want to make the most of visiting Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg without breaking the bank? Discover the many fun things to see and do in the area that are absolutely free.
From exploring the Great Smoky Mountains to enjoying the many free festivals and events.
The biggest kept secret to traveling on a budget and still having an awesome time is knowing where to look.
Don’t miss these top free things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Check out below 9 absolutely free things to do in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Visit the Old Mill Shopping District
The Old Mill Shopping District is one budget-friendly activity you won’t want to miss when visiting Pigeon Forge.
Eat, shop, and tour the many restaurants and shops, including the Old Mill Restaurant, Pottery House Cafe, Candy Kitchen, General Store, Farmhouse Kitchen & Pigeon River Pottery.
Visitors won’t want to miss taking a tour of the Historic Old Mill.
Learn about the Old Mill’s history while watching how they make all sorts of flours & meals which are available to purchase at the Old Mill General Store.
Discover ‘The Island’
One of the most popular & budget-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge is to take a look around The Island.
Guests can enjoy the many shops, restaurants, and attractions on offer, including the iconic Smoky Mountain Wheel. The Island is completely free to enter.
Enjoy the many free things to do, such as window shopping, and live entertainment or relax in the many rocking chairs and watch The Island show fountains.
Explore Great Smoky Mountains, National Park
What makes visiting the Great Smoky Mountains so amazing for budget travelers is that it’s the only National Park in the USA that doesn’t charge an entrance fee.
Discover more than 800 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, and lush, dense forests.
The Great Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to soak up those stunning mountain views.
Some of the park’s top hikes include Chimney Tops Trail, Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte & Rainbow Falls Trail.
See the horses at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
Take a stroll down horse walk and meet the stars of Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction.
While you do need tickets to see the hottest show in town, seeing these beautiful horses up close and personal before and after the show is absolutely free.
The Dixie Stampede is a 4-course dinner & show featuring music, pyrotechnics & live horse performances.
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Do some window shopping
No weekend getaway to the Smokies is complete without a little shopping.
From outlet malls to the many antiques & handmade crafts, you won’t want to miss some of the best shopping Pigeon Forge has to offer.
The best places for a little window shopping are the Tanger Outlet Malls, the Old Mill Square, The Villages & The Island.
Wander Patriot Park
Another great one for the list of free things to do in Pigeon Forge is to take a relaxing stroll along the walking trail at Patriot Park.
The park trail leads you along Little Pigeon River, where you can see the big Liberty Bell, Picnic Pavilion, 50 flags of the United States, and the famous Patriot Missile used during the Gulf War.
The park is also home to many special events & activities throughout the year, such as the Winterfest Lights and the 4th of July fireworks display.
Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Roaring Fork is considered to be one of the most visited nature trails within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The motor trail is a 6-mile one-way scenic loop showcasing picturesque mountain views, lush green fields, and an abundance of wildlife.
Visitors can stop and enjoy the many sites along the loop, which include a few historic log cabins, a cemetery, and an old grist mill.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it free for guests to visit all year round.
Looking for more scenic drives within the Smokies? You can always check out Newfound Gap Road, Little River Gorge Road, Cades Cove & Foothills Parkway.
Hot Tip: The loop is quite popular among park guests and can get super busy during the summer & fall months.
Many people stop to see the wildlife making it hard to pass cars as it’s a one-way road only.
I highly recommend driving the loop in the off-peak season (late spring & late fall) and be sure to give yourself plenty of time as it can sometimes take 3 to 4 hrs to complete during busy periods.
Enjoy the many free festivals & events
If you’re searching for cheap things to do in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, consider checking out the many large festivals and events around.
Many of their festivals have cheap admission there, sometimes even free, which is perfect for travelers on a budget.
When planning your trip to the Smokies, be sure to check out the upcoming events calendar to see what’s happening near you.
Many of these include the Winterfest Festival, Artisan Craft Show, Annual Bloomin BBQ & Bluegrass, and more.
Get Sippin With Free Moonshine Tasting
Visit the many distilleries in Downtown Gatlinburg, such as the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, and enjoy free moonshine samples.
Tastings range from original, white lighting & blackberry to more peculiar flavors such as margarita, butter pecan, apple pie & banana pudding cream.
Check out Ole Smokey Holler and other distilleries for a true moonshine experience.
As you can see, there are many free things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for travelers on a budget. Great vacation memories don’t always need to come with a steep price tag.
Looking for more fun things to do in Pigeon Forge? Check out my ultimate Dollywood theme park guide.
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