FREE Fun

A Free Day in the Smokies

Understandably, everyone is budget conscious right now. At American Patriot Getaways we have planned some itineraries for all the FREE ways to enjoy your time in the Smokies. You CAN vacation. It CAN be affordable. Let us show you how.

After booking your cabin using one of our specials, or priced rated cabins, and having read our blog about what to pack for your visit, you will need a schedule. The following are “day in the life” agendas that are low cost or FREE things to do in this area to give you the most bang for your buck! There are even seasonal mentions too!

SO, let the FREE in FREEdom ring! We are happy you are here with us, and we want to help you enjoy your time without the added stress of additional expenses. You can enjoy this entire county and not blow your budget. Let us show you how.

Welcome to Sevierville!

DAY 1

Sevierville/Dandrige Day of Fun

Morning:

Opening at 9am- We start this day off with a visit to the Bush’s Beans Visitor Center. Those famous beans have a wonderful history, and this FREE museum helps guests learn about 110 years of Bush Bean’s History.

Mid/Late Morning:

As you head back into Sevierville, via HWY 411, don’t pass up a stop at the Harrisburg Covered Bridge. One of six remaining covered bridges in the state.

After the bridge head to downtown Sevierville to  get your picture with the Dolly Statue and then head over to the Gazebo for your butterfly picture. While at the gazebo, you can picnic on the green. After lunch, head over to the Sevier County Heritage Museum and learn all about this area (this museum is open by appointment only, so don’t forget to set yours up in advance by calling 865-771-9114).

After lunch and the museum, get your walk on at the Burchfiel Grove & Arboretum. The arboretum was established and created in the 90’s to add beauty and education opportunities for the citizens of Sevier County as well as any visitors. The walk was expanded and now guests can walk over to the Sevierville City Park and while at the park kids can enjoy Mt. Ton of Fun. Or if you prefer to drive to the park there are tennis and basketball courts that are free to use as well.

After all that activity, stop at one of the area’s many grocery stores and pick up food for dinner back at the cabin. You can spend your evening relaxing in the hot tub or watching tv. You have now spent your first day here enjoying a unique part of the area. Tomorrow you can explore Pigeon Forge!

Welcome to Pigeon Forge!

Day 2

Pigeon Forge Day of Fun

After having a delicious breakfast at your cabin it’s time to head out to see what you can do in Pigeon Forge for FREE.

Morning:

Did you know that you can meet the horses at the Stampede for free? It’s true. You don’t need a ticket for the show. The horses oftentimes are stabled outside, and folks can stop by and meet them. But if for some reason they aren’t available, and you really like animals, there is a FREE petting zoo at Big Rock Dude Ranch. You can purchase feed, but you don’t have too. If animals aren’t your thing, there is a ton of outside FREE fun to be had at Mountain Mile. They have outside games such as life-sized chess and cornhole. There are also play structures kids can climb on while you sit and relax. For a cheap snack, split a cookie from Crumbl Cookies.

Lunch:

Pack a picnic and head over to one of the many parks in Pigeon Forge. Looking for kid friendly? Wear Farm Park is perfect. Older kids/adults head over to Patriot Park to enjoy a picnic by the river. After lunch, check out Old Mill Square. The mill has been operating since 1830 and is a wonderful photo opportunity. There are also several unique shops to explore.

Afternoon/Evening:

Since you are already parked for FREE at Patriot, go ahead and hop on the Riverwalk Trail. This 6-mile trail is accessible for all and spans all of Pigeon Forge! It’s a great way to spend the rest of the day for FREE in Pigeon Forge. And if you happen to be in town during one of the many parades or car shows that occur in the area, it’s an added bonus. For additional information on FREE events in Pigeon Forge, visit: mypigeonforge.com. You will also pass The Island on this trail and there is always a free light/music show at the fountain and during warmer months there are FREE live performances.

*For adults 21 years of age FREE moonshine tastings are available at Old Forge Distillery in the Old Mill District or at Ole Smoky Mountain Moonshine “The Barn” at the Island.

Welcome to Gatlinburg!

Day 3 (Option 1)

Gatlinburg Day of Fun

There is so much to do in Gatlinburg for FREE you can have a real action-packed day OR two! This first option is for the arts and crafters and window shoppers.

Morning:

The Great Smoky Arts &Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, also known as The Glades, is a must do for anyone interested in crafters specific to this area. This 8-mile loop has well over 100 artists to see. This is a great way to kick off your day in Gatlinburg.

Lunch:

For lunch pack a picnic and enjoy Mynatt Park, the site of the 2016 Wildfires Memorial and Tribute Plaza.

After lunch:

Sadly, there is no FREE option for parking. BUT the best parking is the garage by the Aquarium although on the weekends the local school, Pi Beta Phi, offers parking for a charge and that money helps support this K-8 school. It’s also close to The Village, which is your next stop for FREE fun.

Though the Village is full of shops, you truly don’t have to spend any money to appreciate a place that evokes the charm of a quaint European village. Developed in 1968, material sourced from unique properties all over the world were used to create the Old-World atmosphere that exists today. And if you do have a couple bucks to spend, the Donut Friar is a win for a late-day snack or for some donuts for tomorrow’s breakfast back at the cabin.

After you’ve walked through the Village, cross the street to the Mountain Mall. There are three stories with 36 shops each with a unique theme. Of course, you can walk the entirety of The Strip and not spend any money. There are plenty of wonderful photo opportunities in Gatlinburg day or night.

After a busy day in the Burg, you could splurge and eat out at one of the many unique eateries in Gatlinburg OR you could head back for a delicious home cooked away from home dinner at the cabin.

Day 3 (Option 2)

Gatlinburg Day of Fun

This option is for nature lovers and history buffs. Truly no visit to this area is complete without a visit to our beloved Smoky Mountains National Park. Day passes for parking can be found at Sugarland’s Visitor’s Center, one of 4 visitor centers. You will need a parking pass.

Morning:

Stop at Sugarlands and give this Visitor Center some of your time. The Center does have designated parking, but you will need the previously mentioned parking pass to park anywhere else. There is a free movie, exhibits, bathrooms and several easy hikes located here. One of them even leads to a small waterfall. The Cataracts Falls Trail is a one-mile (round-trip) hike that takes you to a 25-foot waterfall.

Lunch/Rest of the day:

There are so many choices from here that are free. Cades Cove, Clingman’s Dome, Abram’s Falls, it truly just depends on if you want to drive or stop and hike. You can tell a Ranger at any visitor center what you want to do, and they will help you and even provide you with a map.

Any Day

There are so many other areas to visit with FREE things to do as well. From the heart of Wears Valley you can drive the scenic Foothills Parkway. Townsend has a couple of fun things as well such as: The Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum, and the Appalachian Bear Rescue and Visitor and Education Center as well as, Metcalf Bottoms  (another great place to picnic and water play).

Obviously, you don’t have to use these exact schedules. Some of these items can be coupled with your schedules to help create a budget-friendly vacation.

Seasonal FREE Events

Seasonal free events can be found at the following place: https://www.scoc.org/activities_calendar.aspx

Just use this link and click on Countywide Calendar of Events for all the happenings through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Events like Bloomin BBQ Music and Food Festival have no admission costs! The event incorporates and statewide cookoff competition as well as a Mountain Soul vocal competition. This event is in downtown Sevierville and parking is everywhere, and also free. Rain or shine you don’t want to miss this.