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Travel Guide

Fall

In The Smoky Mountains

Fall Features

Bear-Varian Fall Festival at Anakeesta

Experience the many colors of Autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg's award winning outdoor family theme park this fall. Enjoy Bavarian themed food and drinks, games, and live entertainment. Stroll through Vista Gardens to enjoy some stunning pumpkin carvings.

Anakeesta Event

Scenic Helicopter Tours

Since 1972 the iconic Scenic Helicopter Tours has guided visitors high above the skies to experience the best sights of the Smokies. Be sure to book a tour to see the best of fall colors.

Scenic Helicopter Tours

Fall Festivals

One of the best parts about this time of year is the plethora of autumn activities being celebrated in so many different ways. Young adults may enjoy Gatlinburg's Oktoberfest, while younger children will love picking pumpkins at Kyker Farms. Stop by a bluegrass festival or peruse handmade goods at a craft fair.

Fall Festivals

Things To Do In

September

The 22nd of the month marks the first day of fall. As the leaves start to turn golden against the crisp blue skies, plan on some fun autumn outdoor activities to kick off the season.

Fall Rod Run: Click for details.

Fall Rod Run

Sep 14-16, 2023

The area's largest and most beloved automotive event kicks off mid-September at the LeConte Center. This year's event features some unique show cars and even a special tribute to Smokey and the Bandit.

Event Info
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival: Click for details.

Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival

Sep 14-16, 2023

Bring your own lawn chair and set up daily from noon to 11 pm for some fantastic live music at this year's Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival.

Event Info
Oktoberfest @ Peaceful Side Social: Click for details.

Oktoberfest @ Peaceful Side Social

Sep 16, 2023

Come out and enjoy the second ever Oktoberfest at Peaceful Side Social in Townsend. The even features seasonal brews, classic German cuisne, live music, and competitive games.

Event Info
Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival: Click for details.

Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival

Sep 22-23, 2023

The Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival is a first-class production featuring an all-star lineup of some of the nation's top Bluegrass talent.

Event Info
Dollywood Harvest Festival: Click for details.

Dollywood Harvest Festival

Sep 20 - Oct 30, 2023

Celebrate the change of season at the fan-favorite Dollywood Harvest Festival including the Great Pumpkin LumiNights after dark.

Event Info
National Quartet Convention: Click for details.

National Quartet Convention

Sep 24-30, 2023

Join 40,000+ people from all over the country at Gospel music's largest gathering of the year: the National Quartet Convention.

Event Info
Loretta Lynn Tribute Show: Click for details.

Loretta Lynn Tribute Show

Sep 29, 2023

Grab tickets to this ultimate tribute show at Country Tonite, featuring Loretta's original backup band The Coalminers.

Event Info
Townsend Fall Heritage Festival: Click for details.

Townsend Fall Heritage Festival

Sep 29-30, 2023

Stop by the Townsend Visitors Center for a celebration of mountain heritage, Appalachian skills, arts and crafts, tasty food and bluegrass music.

Event Info

Sunnyland Farms

All new at The Mountain Mile Tower & Shops, Sunnyland Farms is your one-stop-shop for delicious gourmet gifts, fine chocolates, and a vast selection Georgia pecans. Stock up on their fall selection of treats and bring home some pecans for your holiday recipes this season.

Sunnyland Farms
Pecan pie Pecan pie

Fall At Kyker Farms

Sep 30 - Oct 31, 2023

The classic autumn activities at Kyker Farms are so much fun for the little ones. Enjoy the corn maze and hay ride before finding the perfect pumpkin. Explore the petting zoo, swing on a rope swing, and get plenty of adorable family photos.

Kyker Farms

Autumn Hikes in the Smokies

There is no better time to venture out into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than the peak of fall colors in mid-October. Check out our top recommendations for fall hikes to enjoy.

Fall Hikes
black bear

Be Bear Aware

Did you know that the American black bear doubles its body weight before hibernation? During the fall season, bears are more active as they forage for food. Remember to enjoy from a distance and never feed the bears.

Things To Do In

October

If you're looking for a place to see some of the most beautiful fall colors in the country, look no further than the Smoky Mountains. Look for peak colors in mid-October. There are countless ways to enjoy them.

Fall Festival at Ober Mountain: Click for details.

Fall Festival at Ober Mountain

Sep 19 - Oct 28, 2023

Celebrate the change of season at the month-long fall festival at Ober Mountain, featuring music, movies, food, and outstanding autumn scenery.

Event Info
History & Haunts in Downtown Sevierville: Click for details.

History & Haunts in Downtown Sevierville

Oct 19, 2023

Enjoy a family-friendly night of frights and fun in downtown Sevierville with walking tours, fireworks, and even a Halloween themed dance party.

Event Info
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair: Click for details.

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair

Oct 5-22, 2023

A premier holiday shopping destination, the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair features local artisans, live music, and unique goods.

Event Info
Pigeon Forge Halloween Events: Click for details.

Pigeon Forge Halloween Events

Oct 1-31, 2023

If you're looking for a place to go trick or treating, pumpkin carving, or spooked senseless, check out our list of Halloween events.

Event Info

Chalkfest at The Island

Oct 8, 2023

Peruse the amazing chalk art at The Island in the crisp autumn air at Sevier County's one and only chalk festival. Chalkfest brings together professional and amateur artists alike to make concrete their canvas. This year's theme is entertainment.

Chalkfest

Smoky Mountain Llama Treks

Stunning autumn scenery and loveable llamas make up this unique hiking experience with Smoky Mountain Llama Treks, and one of the best ways to see fall colors. You won't regret booking one of their three excursions this fall.

Llama Treks
Llama

Gatlinburg SkyPark

Make your way across the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. The SkyBridge at Gatlinburg SkyPark puts you 1,800 ft above sea level and right in front of Mt. LeConte - a sight to behold in its autumn foliage.

SkyPark
Big Rock Dude Ranch: Click for details.

Big Rock Dude Ranch

A great way to experience fall colors, horseback riding at Big Rock Dude Ranch is a thrilling activity for all ages. There's plenty of things to do: gem mining, a petting zoo, a fishing pond and more.

Big Rock Dude Ranch
Rocky Top Wine Trail: Click for details.

Rocky Top Wine Trail

With five different wineries and countless flavor selections, the Rocky Top Wine Trail is an essential to-do for those over the age of 21. Your passport allows you to stop by each of the wineries for free tastings, unique activites and snacks.

Wine Trail
TopJump Extreme Arena: Click for details.

TopJump Extreme Arena

Need to get warmed up? TopJump is the best trampoline park in the area, and they've got everything from dodgeball, an indoor ninja park, kids play area, to virtual reality. The kids will have a blast on your next visit.

TopJump
Scenic Drives: Click for details.

Scenic Drives

Ready to see the best of the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out our list of the top scenic drives in and around the national park. These treks are one of the best ways to see fall colors in the area.

Scenic Drives

Fall Features

Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort

Does it get much better than camping with Mount LeConte in the background? Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort has the newest accommodations and amenities set along a natural lazy river in the best location in the mountains. Choose a tent site or bring your RV.

Pigeon Forge Landing

Coasts & Goblins

Stop by Rocky Top Mountain Coaster on weekends in October for a special, spooky experience. The ride is made even more thrilling with incredible lights, goblins, ghouls and ghosts. Bring your friends and prepare for a scare!

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

Pink Jeep Tours

See the very best of the Smokies in all of the mountains' fall splendor with Pink Jeep Tours, voted Best Tours for 2022. They offer several different tour options to help you escape the hustle and bustle for premium autumn leaf-peeping and photo ops.

Pink Jeep Tours
Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving In The Smokies

Planning on spending this tasty holiday in the Smokies? Check out our guide on things to do during Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge as well as our list of restaurants with delicious specials for the occasion. We keep it updated as info becomes available.

Thanksgiving

Seasonal Spirits

Seasonal Spirits

Click on a bottle to learn more.

Apple Barn Winery: Apple Raspberry Reserve

Apple Raspberry Reserve

Apple Barn Winery

This classic from the Apple Barn is blended with raspberry juice for a medium sweet delicious flavor.

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Tennessee Homemade Wines: Old Apple

Old Apple

Tennessee Homemade Wines

A 100 year old recipe made from a combination of locally grown apples. This white blend is light, clean, and deliciously crisp.

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Smith Creek Distillery: Salted Caramel Moonshine

Salted Caramel Moonshine

Smith Creek Distillery

The perfect combination of salty and sweet, with a nice smack in the face to finish.

Smith Creek
King's Family Distillery: Apple Whiskey

Apple Whiskey

King's Family Distillery

This family recipe comes from two year old whiskey and natural apple flavors combined with cane sugar, hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and smoky caramel for a flavor described as excellence in a bottle.

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Tennessee Cider Company: Red Apple Hard Cider

Red Apple Hard Cider

Tennessee Cider Company

This traditional flavor made from a blend of tart and crisp red apples makes for a perfect refreshment in the autumn months.

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Junction 35 Spirits: New Whiskey Flavor

Caramel Apple Whiskey

Junction 35 Spirits

Stop by Junction 35 at The Mountain Mile to try out their multitude of tasty fall flavors.

Junction 35
The Spookier Side

If you're interested in things to do in Pigeon Forge in October, we've got some spooky activities in the Smoky Mountains for you to try. But beware: these spooktacular adventures are not for the faint of heart. These attractions are open year round, but this is our favorite time to enjoy them.

Three players attempting to open a door

The Haunting Of Hyde House

The elegant and mysterious Hyde House has sat vacant and deteriorating for many years. Local legend claims the mansion is cursed with tormented spirits haunting the hallways. When your group is abandoned by its tour guide, you will meet one of these ghostly residents: Little Isabella. You must solve her puzzles to finally free her from this earthly purgatory.

Enter If You Dare
Magic box with question mark

Masters Of Magic

Have you ever been curious about the other side of magic? Enter the Realm of Illusions, where a legendary magician has invited you to participate in a magical challenge. You must solve an array of tricks and puzzles to progress through Reflecto's historic theater to find your way into this mystical realm.

Mystify
A skull peaks through a hole in the an old portrait

The Haunting

Your job in this spooky escape room is to decide whether or not the notorious Worthington Mansion is truly haunted by the rumored spirits and terrible secrets of its past. Your investigation will decide the truth; but don't forget - you can't escape until it does.

Escape
Players in the Mystery Mansion escape room

Mystery Mansion

The ruins of another old mansion sit abandoned by a reclusive and eccentric family. You've heard the rumors; there is a ghostly presence that looms over the old estate. You and your team must race against the clock to uncover the mansion's secrets before it's too late.

Break Out
Two brave visitors walk through a hall of zombie arms

Outbreak: Dread The Undead

Explore the remains of a destroyed laboratory where the DNA-altering experiments of biotechnology experts at the once notorious Chemacorp have gone terribly wrong. With the building on lockdown, you must fight your way through an army of the undead and avoid infection to find the exit.

Explore

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