Off The Beaten Path – New and Different Ideas

“Off the beaten path” tends to imply attractions or places that don’t get attention for probably decent reasons. Certainly, our tourism-focused area sees a wide selection of attractions and bigger, more general places for family fun get better known than others, but we feel all the attractions in our area deserve a look and an avenue to get better known as well. Additionally, many of these attractions aren’t, in the spirit of the idiom, really off the beaten path, they are in fact right there on the main roads or near enough to count.

From 5 of our tourism-focused nearby communities, we recommend checking out these  attractions that round out the Smoky Mountains’ attractions scene with more selective and unique tastes for more selective and unique people! Take a look:

Pigeon Forge

* Micro Wrestling Federation
185 E Wears Valley Rd Suite 27, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(513) 519-3287
https://www.microwrestling.com/pigeon-forge

From their website:
“THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EVENT TOURING THE U.S. HAS MOVED TO PIGEON FORGE!

The Micro Wrestling Federation is a full-scale, WWE type event supported by an entire cast under five feet tall. Founded in 2000, the MWF is the longest running organization within the Little Person wrestling industry; no other company has performed in more events since our inception. The Micro Wrestling Federation has been imitated without success as we are the original “MICRO” professional wrestling organization.

The Micro Wrestling Federation performs 200 show a year from coast-to-coast as well as 4 shows a week at our own 300-seat mini arena in Pigeon Forge, TN! The Microtorium of Pigeon Forge is located at 185 East Wears Valley Rd in the Shops of Pigeon Forge (the same plaza as the Red Skelton Tribute Theater and Dollar Tree). The Micro Wrestling show is an all-ages event that is great fun for the entire family. Shows are Wednesday – Saturday from 5pm – 7pm; doors open 60 minutes before showtime.”

* Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
3106 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-7777
https://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com/

From their website:
“Flyaway Indoor Skydiving gives you the experience of flying without the fear of jumping from a plane or falling out of the sky. At Flyaway, America’s first vertical wind tunnel, you can break the bonds of gravity and body fly. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving gives you the chance to test your skills of human flight during a single flight session. Each year, thousands achieve the dream of body flight in America’s first indoor skydiving facility in Pigeon Forge. No experience is necessary, we teach you all you need to know to body fly indoors.

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is a vertical wind tunnel that allows you to experience the freedom of human flight. Flyaway is located in Pigeon Forge, TN; the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Pigeon Forge, the stoplights are numbered. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is located at stoplight #5 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN. The best time to fly is early in the day. Please budget up to an hour and 15 minutes for your visit.”

Gatlinburg

* Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
461 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-5515
https://thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com/

From their website:
“The World’s only Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is in Gatlinburg, TN, Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. When you find yourself in this part of the world stop by and see over 20,000 sets of Salt and Pepper Shakers from around the world, and a huge Pepper Mill collection!

One of the main purposes of the museum is to show the changes in a society that can be found represented in shakers. As you walk through the museum you can see the changes from ancient times to the 1500’s, 1800’s, 1920’s, 40’s, 60’s all the way to present time. Another purpose of the museum is to show the variety and the creativity that can be found in salt and pepper shakers. Who where the people and the artist creative enough to come up with all these amazing different shapes? The third purpose of the museum is to bring people together. We are all connected to salt & pepper shaker collectors, a grandparent (or other family members), a friend, a co-worker, or a neighbor. And everyone has a memory about a salt & pepper shaker, either from their childhood or later in life.

As you explore the collection you will see the salt & pepper shakers displayed by themes and colors. I have also created little stories (within the displays), which I have found that, those young of heart are able to see and enjoy. Each theme is separated by pepper mills, my husband’s passion in this world of condiment tools. We currently have over 1500 pepper mills from all over the world. Rolf finds the mechanisms fascinating, from simple to complex.”

* Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
205 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-9947
https://gatlinburgpinballmuseum.com/

From the Gatlinburg Attractions Association website:
“The Gatlinburg Pinball Museum is an interactive museum where you can play over 100 pinball machines and retro arcade games. Our collection of pinballs and retro games is one of the largest in the US. The museum has countless limited edition and rare pinballs and all your favorite arcade games from days gone by.

Some of our pinballs include Medieval Madness, Attack From Mars, Lord of the Rings, Metallica, Dialed In, The Addams Family Gold Edition, The Walking Dead, the 1965 classic Gottlieb Sky-Line, and many more! Located off the Parkway on Historic Nature Trail, just past the Space Needle.”

Sevierville

* Tennessee Museum of Aviation
135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 908-0171
https://www.tnairmuseum.com/

From their website:
“Travel off the beaten path and explore the fascinating realm of flight at this hidden treasure in the Great Smoky Mountains. Airworthy Warbirds are the foundation of this 50,000 sq ft facility. The Tennessee Museum of Aviation is located on the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) in Sevierville. This unique location helps to bring aviation history to life as vintage aircraft are sometimes seen performing unscheduled flight demonstrations. The museums’ collection of military vehicles, aircraft engines, aviation exhibits, trainers, fighters, helicopters, jets and amphibious aircraft will definitely satisfy the interest of “Warbird” fans.

The Exhibit Gallery contains artifacts tracing aviation and military history, uniforms, aircraft models and hundreds of aviation memorabilia. Explore the touching Faith and Courage exhibit, paying tribute to U.S. Military Chaplains from World War II through the present.  An exceptional 52-foot “Wave Wall” traces significant milestones in the history of aviation from before the Wright Brothers, including timelines of Military Aviation and Tennessee’s remarkable contributions to aviation. Aviation enthusiasts and history buffs will appreciate the Exhibit Gallery’s professionally designed displays.  You can literally spend hours reading and exploring this one of a kind Smoky Mountain attraction.”

* RainForest Adventure Zoo
109 Nascar Dr, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 428-4091
https://www.rfadventures.com/

From their website:
“RainForest Adventures zoo is home to hundreds of tropical and temperate animals. Our focus is primarily on the animals you are likely to see on the Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, or other similar nature shows.

The majority of our animals at RainForest Adventures Zoo have been born or hatched in captivity. We have animals on loan from zoos all across the U.S., primarily for the purpose of education. So while visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, take a break and come and meet our family of zoo animals!

* Reptiles: Snakes, Turtles, Tortoises, Crocodilians, Lizards, and more!
* Mammals: Binturong, African Serval, Lemurs, Sugar Gliders, Hedgehogs, and more!
* Birds: Blue & Gold Macaw, Cockatoos, Parrots, Finches, Toucans and more!
* Bugs: Tarantulas, Scorpions, Cockroaches, and more!
* Amphibians: Frogs, Toads, Bullfrogs, Axolotls and more!”

Wears Valley

* School of Cooking
2005 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 366-6829
https://smokymountainschoolofcooking.com/

From their website:
“We teach the basics of Appalachian cooking through live demonstration classes. Join us in our homestyle kitchen where our instructors incorporate culinary techniques and season it with folklore to make cooking fun. Watch, learn, and then eat an Appalachian-inspired meal. If you’re not taking a class, come browse our Appalachian store.

We offer live demonstration classes where you get to watch, learn, and then eat! Sit back and relax as we prepare an authentic Appalachian inspired meal. You will get to take home some great memories along with recipes to try in your own kitchen. Our homestyle kitchen is well equipped to create an atmosphere of learning. Our instructors incorporate culinary techniques to make cooking easy and less stressful. Our main ingredient is fun!”

* Harper Brothers Mountain / The Hawk Skylift
4149 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 777-0055
https://www.harperbrosmountain.com/

From their website:
“Located on Wears Valley Road on the quiet side of the Smoky Mountains, Harper Bros. Mountain offers shopping in our General Merchandise Store (filled with all kinds of things you’ll love to take home), the Hawk SkyLift that features the best and quietest views in the Smokies, and horseback riding trails with Smoky Mountain Horses. And, if that’s not enough, we proudly serve Starbucks coffee – made to order – in our store! Come enjoy the Harper Bros. Mountain Experience!

The Hawk SkyLift is now open! Experience amazing views of the Smokies and reach new heights riding The Hawk Skylift In Wears Valley, TN! A roundtrip ride is a minimum of 30 minutes, and you’ll find rockers and swings, as well as complimentary water in the Hawk’s Nest at the top. Relax, sit back, and experience the peaceful side of the Smokies!”

Townsend

* Artisan Guild Gallery And Studios
7719 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-0859
https://townsendartisanguild.org/

From their website:
“The mission of Townsend Artisan Guild is to connect fine arts and fine crafts and the people of East Tennessee through education of youth and adults, professional development of local artisans, and community development. The membership of the Guild promotes an active interest in the arts through exhibits, demonstrations, lectures, and education as well as raising standards of professional performance among its working artisans.”

We Promote:
* Education
* Exploration
* Awareness
* Development of the arts

We strive to build community interest and appreciation in the arts through:
* Participation in events
* Demonstrations
* Workshops
* Classes
* Festivals

Membership is open to:
* actively working artisans
* aspiring artists
* sponsors of the arts in the community

We seek East Tennessean artisans and fine crafts persons who are interested in working with other artisans to build a strong and supportive fine arts and fine crafts community. The Guild manages a Gallery located at 7719 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN.  The Gallery provides an opportunity for its members to display and sell their work to those who live in our community and those who are visitors to the area.  Participation in the Gallery is open on a quarterly basis.”

* Apple Valley Mountain Village
7138 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-9878
https://applevalleystores.com/

From their website:
“Take a little piece of the GREAT Smoky Mountains home for yourself or to share with someone special! Apple Valley’s General Store features unique gift items and souvenirs that truly embrace the spirit of the Smokies. Stock your pantry with locally produced jams, jellies, and butters, find home decor pieces that will remind you of the mountains, or browse our large t-shirt collection for a classic souvenir. The General Store also features the Evergreen room, filled with your favorite Evergreen brand yard flags and home decor and our cozy quilt room features the most beautiful assortment of brand name quilts to decorate your Smoky Mountain space in luxurious comfort and style.

Before you go, make sure to take some famous Apply Valley fudge home with you!”