Both mountain resort towns offer venues for camping, hiking, dirt-bike riding, rock-climbing and (in the winter) skiing, snowboarding and tubing. There are also a number of go-cart and bumper car attractions in each city. But Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are more famous for their unusual offerings.
Pigeon Forge is home to the world-famous "Dollywood" amusement park (and its sister waterpark "Dollywood Splash Country"). The city also boasts "Kid's Country" (a theme park for very young children), "Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride" (a trek through a simulated dinosaur country), and the free-standing thrill rides "Movie Rider" and "Sky Scraper." Gatlinburg attractions include the indoor waterpark "Wildbear Falls," the magic-themed "World of Illusions" and "Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park," featuring a black bear habitat and nocturnal house.
Whitewater rafting opportunities are offered through "Rafting in the Smokies," "River Rage Tubes and Kayak Rentals" and "Wildwater Rafting Ltd." Several local companies also offer helicopter rides. Adventurous tourists can climb up the Smoky Mountains in the "Gatlinburg Sky Lift and Aerial Tramway", or they can zoom down a steep hill inside a giant globe on a thrill-ride called "Zorb." Christian visitors may enjoy visiting "Noah's Animal Park" in Pigeon Forge, or "Exalt!"--a religious musical production. "Christ in the Smokies"--an inspirational attraction just outside Gatlinburg--lets tourists walk through life-like Biblical scenes.
Putt-putt golf courses abound in each town. Pigeon Forge's "Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf" was inspired by a miner's train ride through a cave, while Gatlinburg's "Hillbilly Golf" emulates the world of mountaineering. "Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini Golf" features two interactive courses, complete with critters, and "The Old Gatlinburg Golf and Games" boasts three courses, including a glow-in-the-dark indoor venue lit with ultraviolet light.
Among Gatlinburg's many museums are "The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum," "The Hollywood Star Cars Museum," "The Hollywood Wax Museum," "The Guinness World of Records Museum" and "Cooter's Place" (featuring "Dukes of Hazzard" memorabilia). The town's Ripley complex boasts an aquarium, a haunted house, a moving theater and a mirror maze, in addition to the signature "Believe It Or Not" museum.
Pigeon Forge is home to the "Dinosaur Walk Museum," "The Elvis Museum," "The Smoky Mountain Car Museum," "The Old Mill" and "WonderWorks," an upside-down interactive museum.
Both towns host special events throughout the year. While many celebrations are traditional (a Christmas light extravaganza in December, a wildflower festival in April, country music jamborees throughout the summer), others are more off-beat. Santa Claus and St. Patrick come together for Gatlinburg's "Holly and Shamrock Parade" in March. Scotland's contributions to Appalachia are celebrated each May with a Scottish Festival and Games. And Gatlinburg celebrates Independence Day every July 4 with a midnight march down Main Street.
