Top 7 Things to Do This Summer in the Smokies

• Experience Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration with rides, fireworks, and live shows
• Cool off at Dollywood’s Splash Country, featuring Neon Nights and Splash Bash LIVE
• Enjoy indoor fun at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg and WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge
• Hike to a Smoky Mountain waterfall for breathtaking scenery
• Try zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge for a unique adventure
• Take scenic drives along Cades Cove Loop Road, Newfound Gap Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
• Relax in comfort at Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals, close to all Smoky Mountain summer activities

Discover the Smokies: Where Summer Adventure Begins

Did you know the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 800 miles of hiking trails and more than 90 species of native trees? Imagine arriving for your Gatlinburg summer vacation, stepping onto the deck of your cabin rental, and breathing in the fresh mountain air as the sun sets over the peaks. Whether you’re planning a family getaway, an adventure with friends, or a romantic escape, the Smokies are packed with unforgettable summer activities. Let’s explore the top 7 things to do in the Smokies in summer, each one guaranteed to make your trip memorable!

Smoky Mountain Summer Activities at a Glance

1. Experience Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration is the ultimate Pigeon Forge summer activity. A highlight is the drone and fireworks show, lighting up the sky every evening. You also won’t want to miss the fan-favorite Gazillion Bubble Show, The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience, and the Wings of America Birds of Prey shows! Sample up to festive foods, cool off in the interactive Bubble Foam Zone, and take photos under the whimsical Kite Sky. With extended park hours, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy every moment. Staying at our cabins near Dollywood puts you just minutes from the theme park, making it easy to catch every show and ride!

Is Dollywood Worth Visiting in Summer?
Yes, absolutely. Dollywood is packed with reasons to visit this summer. The drone and fireworks show lights up the sky every evening. Add in live shows like the Gazillion Bubble Show, extended park hours, and delicious festival food, and you have one of the best summer experiences in the Smoky Mountains!

2. Make a Splash at Dollywood’s Splash Country

Beat the summer heat at Dollywood’s Splash Country! This water park is packed with fun for all ages: ride the waves in the 25,000-square-foot Mountain Waves pool, race down TailSpin Racer, or brave Fire Tower Falls, the tallest and fastest slides. RiverRush is Tennessee’s first water coaster, with four drops and over 1,100 feet of track, while Little Creek Falls is perfect for young kids.

If you’re looking for a unique nighttime experience, Neon Nights transforms the water park on select Fridays and Saturdays with neon lights, themed decor, live entertainment, exclusive menu items, and shorter wait times at select attractions. Additionally, Splash Bash LIVE brings DJ sets to the Mountain Waves stage most Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. There’s so much to do at Dollywood’s Splash Country this summer in the Smokies!

3. Explore Indoor Attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Rainy day or just need a break from the sun? Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are packed with indoor attractions for every age. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies features interactive exhibits and colorful aquatic life. You can walk through an underwater tunnel beneath sharks and sea turtles! WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge is an indoor “edu-tainment” park with 100+ hands-on exhibits across six Wonder Zones. Highlights include the Hurricane Simulator, a four-story glow-in-the-dark ropes course, laser tag, the Bubble Lab, and a 4D Motion Theater. Other fun and educational indoor things to do include the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals put you close to all the best indoor fun in the Smokies!

4. Hike to a Waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summer is the perfect time for waterfall hikes near Gatlinburg! Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, and Abrams Falls are popular options. Each trail offers lush forest scenery, refreshing streams, and excellent photo opportunities. Always check current trail conditions before heading out, and be sure to bring water, sturdy shoes, and a camera. Our cabin rentals are conveniently located for easy access to some of these iconic hikes, making it simple to return to comfort after your adventure!

What Are the Best Outdoor Activities in the Smokies in Summer?
The Smokies offer a wide range of outdoor activities in summer. Hiking to Smoky Mountain waterfalls like Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, and Abrams Falls rewards you with stunning scenery, refreshing streams, and great photo opportunities. Taking a scenic drive along Cades Cove Loop Road, Newfound Gap Road, or Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is one of the most accessible and beautiful ways to experience the national park. And for something completely different, zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge is a one-of-a-kind thrill that most visitors have never tried. Always check current trail and road conditions before heading out.

Mini-Summary: Nature and Indoor Fun in the Smokies

• Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies features colorful fish and educational fun.
• WonderWorks offers 100+ hands-on exhibits, a four-story ropes course, and laser tag, perfect for rainy days.
• Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls are popular summer waterfall hikes.
• Always check trail conditions before you hike.

5. Go Zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park

For a truly unique summer activity in the Smokies, try zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge, the only zorbing park of its kind in the USA! Choose from three tracks: the Red Track ( most popular, up to 3 riders per orb), the Purple Track (fastest, up to 3 riders), or the Orange Track (extreme zigzag, solo riders only). Advance online booking is recommended, especially for weekends and peak summer dates. The park is open rain or shine; just bring a swimsuit and towel. Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals is the perfect home base for your Pigeon Forge summer activities, so you can roll into adventure and relax in comfort!

6. Take a Scenic Drive Through the Smoky Mountains

One of the best ways to experience summer in the Smokies is from the comfort of your car. Cades Cove Loop Road offers an 11-mile journey with lush meadows, historic cabins, and prime wildlife viewing. Newfound Gap Road features breathtaking mountain overlooks. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail winds through dense forests and past historic sites. Always look up current road status before you go, and check the weather since mountain conditions can change quickly. Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals are conveniently located for easy access to these scenic drives!

Mini-Summary: Adventure and Relaxation in the Smokies

• Zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park is a one-of-a-kind summer adventure.
• Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Roaring Fork are great summertime drives.
• Check the NPS website before any hike or drive for current conditions.
• End every Smoky Mountain day in comfort at an Aunt Bug's Cabin Rentals property.

7. Relax at Your Smoky Mountain Cabin Rental

After a full day of adventure, there’s nothing better than relaxing at your private cabin rental. Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals offers a wide selection of Smoky Mountain cabins, from cozy one-bedroom retreats to spacious lodges for large groups. Enjoy amenities like hot tubs, mountain views, game rooms, theater rooms, and private decks, perfect for unwinding with family or friends. We have cabins that are conveniently located near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you’re never far from the top things to do in the Smokies in summer.

Where Should I Stay for a Smoky Mountain Summer Vacation?
Aunt Bug's Cabin Rentals is the best choice for a Smoky Mountain summer vacation. With a wide selection of cabins, from romantic one-bedroom hideaways to spacious lodges for large groups, you can find the perfect fit for your travel style. Cabins come with amenities like hot tubs, mountain views, game rooms, theater rooms, and private decks, so you can relax in comfort after a full day of adventure. And because all of our cabins are conveniently located near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the national park, you are never far from the top things to do in the Smokies in summer.

Ready to make your Gatlinburg summer vacation unforgettable?

Spend your summer in the Smokies with the comfort and convenience of Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals! Explore our selection of Smoky Mountain cabins and book your stay today!