Situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the community of Wears Valley is a true hidden gem in Tennessee. The area is filled with quiet streets and old-fashioned country vibes. Most Wears Valley vacation rentals put you at the forefront of some of the greatest outdoor activities and tourist attractions in the region. Many points of interest are located along Wears Valley Road and in nearby tourist hot spots such as Pigeon Forge. From zip lines to country music venues and theme parks, here are some of the best attractions to check out during your Wears Valley adventure.
1. Head to Wears Valley Zipline Adventures
Leave your Wears Valley vacation home for a taste of adventure at this zip line park in Sevierville, offering nearly 2 miles of zip lines with breathtaking views of the mountains. If you’re really seeking a thrill, test your courage on the 2,000-foot zip line that’s situated 275 feet above the forest floor. For even more fun, this local business also offers whitewater rafting in Wears Valley.
2. Browse the Wears Valley Farmers Market
Pick up some fresh kettle corn, homemade jams, and boiled peanuts to enjoy back at your vacation rental with a trip to this old-fashioned market. Visit the pumpkin patch if you’re visiting during the fall, and be sure to ask about hay rides.
3. Saddle Up at Walden Creek Stables
See the beautiful Smoky Mountains on horseback with a guided trail ride from this local stable. Travelers of all ages and experience levels are sure to have a blast riding past old moonshine stills and historic wood cabins. After your ride, consider staying to enjoy a Wild West Adventure show and a Southern-style barbecue dinner.
4. Head to the Wears Valley Music Barn
Looking for a fun way to end a day of hiking and other Smoky Mountain adventures? Stop by this laid-back music venue to listen to local country and bluegrass musicians in an old-fashioned red barn.
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5. Dine With Mountain Views at Elvira’s Cafe
You can’t book a Wears Valley vacation home without a stop at Elvira’s Cafe, a local standby offering crepes and coffee. Treat yourself to a breakfast parfait while taking in the mountain views from the screened-in porch. Elvira’s also holds community celebrations and other events on a frequent basis to make any Wears Valley vacation one to remember.
6. Tube Down Little River
Looking to cool off during the warmer months? Head down to nearby Townsend to rent some sturdy tubes from Smoky Mountain River Rat, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon lazily floating down the river. Ask about tubing trips to the upper section to enjoy some small rapids, or experience a more laid-back float down the lower river.
7. Visit the Friendly Falls Gem Mine
If you’re staying in Wears Valley with little ones, stop by this family-friendly attraction so they can sift for beautiful gems using a sifting box and rushing water. Kids may even find other little treasures that the magic gnomes slipped into their buckets of silt. After a round of treasure hunting, check out the cascading waterfalls, and pick up a few more souvenirs at the Rock Shop.
8. Ride the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
Located just north of Wears Valley, this exciting wooden coaster snaking down the mountainside offers thrills for the whole family. Featuring more than a mile of coaster track, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest downhill ride in the nation, and it’s open year-round. Stop by in the evening for a fun night ride down a track lit by colored LED lights.
9. Tour the Tuckaleechee Caverns
Drive a few miles west to Townsend to journey into beautiful caverns located deep under the Smokies. A guided tour past stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations ends with a trip to the Big Room with a ceiling more than 200 feet high and a breathtaking waterfall.
10. Explore the Titanic Museum
Located in Pigeon Forge just a few miles north of Wears Valley via Wears Valley Road, this attraction features real artifacts from the Titanic, educational displays, and interactive exhibits that make visitors feel like passengers on the great ship. The replica of the grand staircase is one of the biggest highlights.
11. Stop by the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
No trip to the Smokies is complete without stopping by this heritage center, featuring a museum and a historic village. Visitors can also embark on a guided tour of Cades Cove to learn about park history and spot wildlife.
12. Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel in Pigeon Forge
For some old-fashioned amusement park fun, stop by The Island, an entertainment center in Pigeon Forge, to ride this famous, 200-foot observation wheel. Enjoy unbeatable views of the mountains from your all-glass gondola during a relaxing day ride, or enjoy the wheel at night to see Pigeon Forge come to life with colorful lights.
13. See a Performance at the Country Tonite Theatre
Another attraction in nearby Pigeon Forge, this family-friendly theater features music and dance in full costume, always following a fun country theme. If you’re traveling in December, don’t miss one of the Christmas performances.
14. Visit Dollywood
This Smoky Mountain theme park in Pigeon Forge has something for all ages, from a steam train offering mountain rides to thrilling roller coasters and a number of country shows. You also find a museum with Dolly Parton’s own costume and artifact collections, and fans can also step into her tour bus. Visiting during the summer? Slide down the water slides at Dollywood’s Splash Country.
15. Have Fun at Arcade City
Before heading back to your Wears Valley vacation home for some roasted marshmallows by the fire, stop by this Pigeon Forge favorite to play exciting arcade games. Kids love collecting tickets to earn cool prizes to take home.
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