The 16 Best Things To Do In Sevierville, Tennessee

The Pines

Ten-year-old Dolly Parton sang her first paid gig at The Pines Theater in downtown Sevierville as part of the Cas Walker Farm and Home Tour in 1956. The theater went out of business the following year, but was restored and reopened in December 2022 as an elevated entertainment option for tourists and locals alike. Enjoy the venue’s ample games, such as duckpin bowling, Dutch shuffleboard, and giant Jenga, or stop by its trivia and karaoke nights. The Pines also serves craft cocktails, pizza, your favorite bar snacks, and sweet treats like cinnamon bread with apple butter. Combining history and modern flair, it’s the place to be in downtown Sevierville.

thepinesdowntown.com, 230 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862

SkyLand Ranch

To fully enjoy SkyLand Ranch, board its scenic chairlift up to a 100-acre, mountaintop farm where you’ll find miniature animal encounters, daily concerts and performers, dining, and shopping. The entertainment center is also home to the longest mountain coaster in the Southeast—the Wild Stallion, a nine-minute ride across 1.25 miles of track that reaches a max speed of 25mph over two ascents and descents. The amusement park is across the street from the popular Tanger Outlet Stores if you’d like to pair the day with some bargain shopping from your favorite brands.

skylandranch.com, 1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862

Forbidden Caverns

Tennessee is believed to have more caves than any other U.S. state, and Forbidden Caverns in Sevierville lets visitors explore one up close and personal. Guests are guided on a nearly hour-long tour through the subterranean abode, glimpsing sparkling formations, towering natural chimneys, several grottos, and a clear underground stream. The tour paths are lit with fun colors and the trails are outfitted with handrails for easy exploration.

forbiddencavern.com, 455 Blowing Cave Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876

Tennessee Museum of Aviation

Located on the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) in Sevierville, the 50,000-square-foot Tennessee Museum of Aviation is the state’s official repository and archive of aviation history. The museum hosts an impressive collection of vintage military vehicles, aircraft engines, trainers, fighters, helicopters, jets, and amphibious aircraft. This includes two World War II, P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, with less than a dozen remaining in the world. The museum also showcases aviation exhibits on past pilots, their missions, what gear they needed, and how aviation has changed over time. Visitors also have the chance to sit in the cockpit of an A-4 Skyhawk and watch small planes takeoff and land outside.

tnairmuseum.com, 135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville, TN 37862

Historic Downtown Sevierville

Take a stroll on Main Street in Sevierville’s lovingly restored historic downtown. Stop by the Sevierville Visitor Center for information or download a copy of its walking map of the area, which notes various points of interest downtown along with their history. Make sure to take your picture with the bronze Dolly Parton statue by artist Jim Gray outside the 1896 Sevier County Courthouse—a gorgeous example of Victorian architecture. You’ll also find Dolly-themed murals, a jail bar drain cover with a dark past, a magnolia tree with presidential history, and much more small-town lore.

visitsevierville.com, 125 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862

Sevierville Greenways

If you’d like a little time with nature but aren’t quite ready to tackle the hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out one of Sevierville’s greenways for a pleasant stroll close to town. The West Prong Greenway Trail forms a two-mile loop along the banks of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River between the Gatlinburg Highway Bridge and the Chapman Highway Bridge. The paved path is suitable for running, walking, or biking and is beautifully landscaped. You’ll find migratory birds and other waterfowl, pass the McMahan Burial Mound, and can stop at the picnic tables or gazebo at the adjoining Paine Memorial Park.

seviervilletn.org, Sevierville Greenway, Sevierville, TN 37862

Robert A. Tino Gallery

Looking to take a bit of Smoky Mountain magic home with you? Stop by the gallery of beloved local artist Robert A. Tino, who has been painting the Smokies for the last 30 years with oil, acrylic, and watercolor. The Robert A. Tino Gallery is located in a gorgeous farm home that was renovated in 1880 by Lewis C. Buckner, a former slave who became a carpenter, cabinetmaker, and housebuilder of great renown in the region following the Civil War. In addition to Tino’s work, visitors can admire Buckner’s craftsmanship, including hand-carved wood ornamentation on the gallery’s porches, central gable, eaves, staircase banister, and mirrored mantle—all honored with a Tennessee state historical plaque.

robertatinogallery.com, 812 Old Douglas Dam Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876

Harrisburg Covered Bridge

Built in 1875, the Harrisburg Covered Bridge is one of only a handful of remaining historic covered bridges in Tennessee. The 83-foot long crossing goes over the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River off Old State Highway 35 near U.S. 411. The bridge uses a king post truss design.

The Appalachian

For a fancy night out, look no further than dinner at The Appalachian in downtown Sevierville. This fine dining experience led by executive chef David Rule centers traditional Appalachian ingredients using a modern approach. With a large burning hearth located in the heart of the kitchen, diners will enjoy smoky flavors throughout their meal. Do yourself a favor and start with the butterbean hummus. The dip is served with local raw vegetables, Georgia olive oil, hemp seeds, and grilled baguette. For a behind-the-scenes experience, call ahead to reserve a seat at the kitchenside Chef’s Table where the evening’s cooks will specially curate a five-course meal for you and walk through each upon serving.

theappalachianrestaurant.com, 133 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN 37862

Graze Burgers

For the best burger in town, stop by Graze Burgers in downtown Sevierville. Start with an order of fried green tomatoes with housemade pimento cheese and bacon jam. Next, select from an array of specialty burgers, such as the Bourbon Bleu—Cajun spices, bacon, aged bleu cheese fondue, bourbon caramelized onions, and sauteed mushrooms. The restaurant also offers a tasty in-house black bean patty or house-smoked Alaskan salmon patty to accommodate different diets.

grazeburgers.com, 125 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN 37862

Five Oaks Farm Kitchen

For breakfast, plan to visit Five Oaks Farm Kitchen. Its famous pancakes, known as Blanche’s Thick “Ring-Baked” Griddle Cakes, are about an inch thick with a well of sweet cream butter in the middle. One is like eating three. Add a side of bacon and cheesy eggs and you’ll be happy, but definitely rolling yourself out of the establishment by the end of your meal. Breakfast is a busy time, so make sure to visit the restaurant’s website to get on its virtual waitlist for faster seating upon arrival.

fiveoaksfarmkitchen.com, 1638 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862

Shine Girl Distillery

While there are several moonshine tasting options in the Smoky Mountain region, there’s only one that’s owned by Dolly Parton’s niece! Stop by Shine Girl Distillery—the first woman-owned distillery in Sevier County—for Dolly stories and some of the most fun moonshine flavors around, including lavender, rosé, red velvet, and coconut. Danielle Parton uses a moonshine recipe that combines her papaw’s methods from the region’s bootlegging days with her own modern twists using honey and molasses.

shinegirl.com, 1610 Jenkins Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876

Red’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream

Across from The Appalachian restaurant, you’ll find a mural of Dolly Parton as a child sitting at the counter of Red’s Cafe, being served a burger. The eatery was a favorite of hers when she was young, and as of 2024, it has officially returned to downtown Sevierville! Stop by Red’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream for a dose of nostalgia in a 1940s-style diner offering hand-mixed sodas, phosphates, shakes, malts, floats, and more. After its grand opening, the business served a married couple who had met at the original cafe in the 1950s, now returning with their daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter in tow.

redssodafountain.com, 114 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862

Wilderness at the Smokies

For a place where you can both rest your head and embark on a thrilling waterslide, book a stay at Sevierville's Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort and Family Adventure Center. The resort boasts Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark, complete with a see-through roof for weatherproof, year-round fun. You’ll also find an onsite ropes course, multi-level laser tag, blacklight mini-golf, a mega arcade, and much more. Choose from a variety of suites, villas, cabins, or lodge rooms for your vacation.

wildernessatthesmokies.com, 1424 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN 37876

The Historic Central Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Sevierville, the Historic Central Hotel was originally built in the late 1800s, but was destroyed by a fire in 1923. After being rebuilt in 1938, it became a favorite spot for President Roosevelt to stay in the 1940s, including when he came to dedicate the Great Smoky Mountains as a national park. After being converted to a bank in the 1960s, it has more recently been restored to a boutique hotel, offering upscale finishes, large resort-style rooms, a rooftop bar, and a trendy restaurant in the lobby.

newhotelcollection.com/centralhotel.php, 101 E Main St, Sevierville, TN 37862

The Ridge Outdoor Resort

For accommodations that range from stamped concrete RV sites to glamping tents and tiny home cabins, book your Sevierville stay at The Ridge Outdoor Resort. Across its 50-acre property, guests will find two zero-entry pools, a lazy river, luxury bath houses, laundry facilities, two dog parks, a fitness center, a fishing pond, an indoor golf simulator, an onsite deli, daily jeep rentals, golf cart rentals, and more. The site is conveniently located to everything the Smokies region has to offer while still giving an outdoorsy, off-grid vibe.

theridgeoutdoorresort.com, 1250 Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862