Want to enjoy a Smoky Mountain vacation without spending a lot of money? Good thing there are a variety of cheap things to do in Gatlinburg TN for the whole family! Read on for our best tips and recommendations for an affordable trip:

1. Walk the Downtown Strip

You can easily spend hours enjoying the Gatlinburg strip without having to spend any money! You can visit the Historic Ogle Cabin at the welcome center, one of the best hidden gems in Gatlinburg, watch candymakers pull taffy, sample fudge, and so much more!

2. Window Shop and Browse Unique Stores

You’ll want to take your time walking the downtown strip, since there are so many interesting shops. Some of the best areas for shopping in Gatlinburg are:

• 

  The Village

• Baskins Square

• The Mountain Mall

• Reagan Terrace

Even if you don’t buy anything, browsing through the stores is fun, and you’ll probably see things you’ve never seen or even heard of before! 

3. Explore the Arts & Crafts Community 

More shopping in the Gatlinburg area can be found along the iconic Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community. Explore the loop and see local artisans at work making their unique pieces! Don’t want to drive around? Take the free Gatlinburg trolley!

4. Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

A scenic drive is one of the best free things to do, and the Gatlinburg Bypass Road provides one of the best overlooks for mountain views. Whether early in the morning, during the day, or at night, spending time at the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is one of the top romantic couples activities in Gatlinburg TN!

5. Free Wine Tastings and Moonshine Samples

From the Gatlinburg Wine Trail to all of the popular distilleries in Gatlinburg TN, there are plenty of opportunities for sampling the local selection of wine, hard cider, whiskey, and moonshine. Try unique flavors for something new or stick to your favorites and learn more about the distilling or wine-making process along the way! It’s no doubt one of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg TN! 

6. Free Live Music Performances 

Gatlinburg attractions for adults like The Ole Smoky Holler provide free music performances throughout the year, so you can sip on some shine while you listen to bluegrass and country singers and musicians. During the summer and fall, Smoky Mountains Tunes and Tales take to the streets of Gatlinburg for evening performances as well! 

7. Biking on the Gatlinburg Trail

Whether you enjoy hiking or biking, the Gatlinburg Trail is nearly 2 miles long and relatively flat, one of the only bike-friendly (and dog-friendly for that matter) trails in the Smokies! If you park at the Visitor Center and end your hike in downtown Gatlinburg, remember that you’ll have to purchase a parking pass for a small fee; it’s still one of the most affordable and cheap things to do in Gatlinburg. 

8. Visit the Sugarlands Visitor Center 

If you start your hike at the downtown Gatlinburg trailhead for the Gatlinburg Trail, the path ends at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. You can stop in to learn more about what to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as explore other easy hiking trails nearby, including Cataract Falls! 

9. Picnic in the National Park

The Twin Creek Picnic Area is the closest picnic area in the national park to Gatlinburg and offers a beautiful pavilion to relax and enjoy the peaceful scenery while you eat. It’s on Cherokee Orchard Road near the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. 

10. Experience our Exotic Car Museum

Speedwerkz isn’t your average Gatlinburg car museum; our attraction is a one-of-a-kind experience featuring some of the rarest cars from around the world! We also have racing simulators and photo ops, all at an affordable price. Plus, kids ages 5 and under are free!

Now that you know the top 10 cheap things to do in Gatlinburg TN, learn more about Speedwerkz ticket prices and start planning your affordable getaway to the Smokies today!