Nestled in the scenic beauty of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are go-to destinations to enjoy some of America’s most beautiful outdoors.
However, we can’t always rely on the weather, and rainy days are not ideal for outdoor exploration, right? If you’re traveling to the Smokies and find bad weather, don’t let it spoil your experience. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have top-notch indoor venues that will keep you entertained and make you forget the rain.
Several places offer unique family-friendly entertainment and activities to keep you active. Some even give you the chance to experience nature without getting wet. In this blog, we have curated some of the best places and activities you can enjoy during rainy days in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and around.
Get an umbrella and don’t wait for the sun to come out to have fun!
Best Rainy Day Activities in Gatlinburg, TN
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Holding the title of America’s number-one Aquarium, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is an enchanting underwater wonderland where, on rainy days, you can still get close to nature and even get personal with some captivating creatures.
This family-friendly activity will allow you to see a wide variety of animals from the aquatic kingdom such as sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, colorful fish, and much more. The aquarium is also home to America’s longest underwater tunnel, so you’ll experience nothing less than a magical and immersive adventure.
One of the highlights of every visit is the possibility to get personal with certain creatures. You and your family can pet a friendly stingray, feel its texture, and see from up close how fascinating they are. You can also have close encounters with sharks or waddle alongside playful penguins.
From one activity to another, you might get a little wet, but it’s not because of the rain.
Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
Here’s a fun and unique way to spend rainy days indoors: visit the eccentric Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, where 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from all corners of the globe spark the curiosity of every visitor. This is the largest collection of its kind in the United States, and perhaps the world.
As soon as you step inside the museum, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a magical world where ordinary objects look like art pieces. Shakers of all shapes, sizes, materials, textures, and colors fill the corridors of the museum. The designs pay homage to animals, cartoons, important landmarks, and historical figures. It’s fun to see and learn about the historical significance of some pieces. If you’re visiting with kids in tow, they will certainly be fascinated by the incredible number of shakers.
Before leaving, don’t skip a visit to the gift shop. They sell unique and quirky souvenirs you can take home. The best buy? a fun pair of salt and pepper shakers for yourself, of course!
Mountain Mall
Do you know what else is great for a rainy day? Shopping therapy! In downtown Gatlinburg, Mountain Mall is a mountain-themed shopping complex boasting a charming atmosphere with its cedar walls, barrel trash cans, and even Appalachian sounds playing as ambient music — sometimes they really feel therapeutic.
The vintage allure of the mall is like time travel, transporting visitors to the old mountain charm. The shopping options are very diverse: from jewelry, casual fashion, and sportswear to souvenirs, toys, candies, and groceries, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
If you feel hungry, stop by New York Pizza Company and order one of their homemade pizzas, pastas, calzones, or sandwiches.
Best Rainy Day Activities in Pigeon Forge, TN
Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum is another extraordinary museum in the Smokies. This Pigeon Forge cultural gem will transport you back to 1912 to experience not only the tragic end of the iconic RMS Titanic but also its grandeur and elegance.
The museum has interactive exhibits, over 400 authentic artifacts, and memorabilia that were used in the Oscar-winning movie featuring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The highlight is the meticulous recreation of the ship’s interior that makes everyone travel back in time and feel like they are inside the real thing — and the iconic staircase is also there!
A nice touch is the boarding pass visitors receive containing the name of a real passenger or crew member. Throughout the visit, you can also learn about their histories, enriching the experience and paying tribute to those who lost their lives.
Hollywood Wax Museum
This is a great immersive experience where you can fulfill the fantasy of being face-to-face with your favorite stars. The Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge has an extensive collection of wax figures meticulously crafted to resemble iconic celebrities.
From Hollywood legends, musicians, and athletes to presidents and even fictional characters, you’ll certainly have fun looking for your favorite figures frozen in realistic poses. Since the museum updates its collection regularly, you’ll likely find the hottest pop or movie star of the moment, too.
The best part is that the exhibits allow visitors to interact with the wax figures. You can use the themed props available and take advantage of the exhibit’s amazing backgrounds to take fantastic photos. You can join a movie star in their Oscar acceptance speech or make a duet with a rock star.
The visit is also great for kids since it stimulates their imagination and introduces them to famous figures throughout history and pop culture.
Pigeon Forge Snow
Rain is not always fun, but snow definitely is! Pigeon Forge Snow is America’s first indoor snow park providing winter fun for both kids and parents all year round. Regardless of the season you visit, the park is a winter wonderland 360 days a year, thanks to its unique snow-making technology.
The activities are catered for kids and adults to play together. Have tons of fun on the park’s over ten snow tubing lanes, or build snowmen, and snow castles, and engage in friendly snow fights in designated areas covered with powdery snow. Between one activity to the other, you can rest and grab a snack while you recharge for more snow fun.
WonderWorks
Rain or shine, WonderWorks is an excellent indoor adventure activity. This amazing entertainment complex is brimming with unique interactive fun and engaging exhibits.
Highlights include their four-story, glow-in-the-dark indoor ropes course, laser-tag arena, 4D XD Simulator ride, and the Extreme Weather Zone where you can experience the sensations caused by natural phenomena like hurricanes and earthquakes. Another big hit among kids and adults is the Space Discovery Zone where you can feel the effects that outer space has on humans, experience what it’s like to lay inside a launch capsule, and even wear a replica of an EVA suit that astronauts wear when they need to work outside their spacecraft.
Don’t forget to take fun pics in front of WonderWorks — the eye-catching building is an upside-down house that seems to have been blown away by a hurricane from its original place.
Dinner Shows
Picking a nice restaurant and savoring good food while the rain pours outside sounds like a good idea, right? But what about combining a great meal with fun live entertainment? Even better! Dining shows are one of the best activities for rainy days, and in Pigeon Forge, you’ll find fantastic options.
Some of the most popular dinner shows in town are Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. They all have different stories and styles so that you can choose the one that most suits you and your family. But what they have in common is an exquisite production — expect lots of music, dance, comedy, and even top-notch visual effects. All that while you indulge in delicious food. You have the perfect combo right here!
The Smoky Mountain Brewery
With locations in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, The Smoky Mountain Brewery is a local favorite offering a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere where you can try delicious house-made beers and great bites.
If you’re a beer lover, escape the rain and grab a table at this local gem with an impressive selection of craft beers. From lagers and ales to seasonal specialties, there’s a wide variety of styles to satisfy every taste. For those who don’t like beer, they also have an extensive wine list, signature cocktails, and mocktails.
Want to grab a bite? The brewery serves classic pub fare like burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, chicken wings, and other delicious appetizers.
Their pleasant ambiance is not only great for savoring good beer and food but also for chatting with the locals. Live music performances, trivia nights, and sports events turn the place even livelier.
Rainy Day Activities in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
You certainly don’t need to be disappointed if the weather in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg doesn’t allow you to fully experience all the outdoor splendor they have to offer. With the activities and spots we mentioned above, you’ll have just as much fun indoors as you would have to explore the outdoors.
For more tips on what to do during your visit to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, head to our destination blog. We cover a wide range of topics, including the best places to eat in town, what to do if it rains, and even an optimized vacation reading list for when you visit the Smokies. It’s all there, and we’re constantly updating with even more content!
Where to stay in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg? Look no further!
Our short-term rental cabins provide the ideal blend of privacy, stunning mountain views, and a cozy atmosphere, ensuring a truly relaxing escape in the Smokies.
At Smoky Mountain Holiday, we offer cabins of various sizes and amenities, including hot tubs, full kitchens, fireplaces, cinema and game rooms, and even pet-friendly options. Explore our website to discover our fantastic range of cabin choices.
We’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family have the best possible experience in the Smokies. With Smoky Mountain Holiday, your vacation memories are guaranteed to be unforgettable.