Off the Beaten Path: Top 6 Things to Do Along Wears Valley Road
Are you looking for fun ways to escape the busyness on the Parkway? We can help! You can spend a whole day (or more) enjoying all the activities along Wears Valley Road. Located just off the beaten path, this road offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle along the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Parkways. We want to show you all the fun you can have here! Take a look at the top 6 things to do along Wears Valley Road:
1. Dine at Elvira’s Cafe
Start your day off right with breakfast at Elvira’s Cafe! This mountainside restaurant offers the best homestyle breakfast in the Wears Valley area. It’s simple, yet delicious. In fact, it’s even been named as one of the “Top 100 Places to Eat Across America in 2022.” The breakfast menu includes hotcakes, omelets, biscuits and gravy, and more. We recommend one of their specialty breakfast crepes, like the Breakfast Scrambler Crepe, which has scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, onions, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and your choice of sausage, ham, or bacon. While you dine, take in the beautiful views of the Smoky Mountains!
2. Experience Goats on the Roof
Plan a trip to one of the more unique attractions in Pigeon Forge — Goats on the Roof. Yes, there are actually live goats on the roof! Visitors can actually purchase live goat feed and hop on the goat-cycle, which allows them to transport the can of goat feed to the roof. Another popular activity at this attraction is gem mining. Search for rare gems like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds! If you’re ready for a thrill, go for a ride on the Goat Coaster, which reaches speeds of almost 30 miles per hour! Before you leave, stop inside at the gift shop for the perfect souvenir.
3. Visit Country Legends Rediscovered
One of the newest things to do on Wears Valley Road is visit the Country Legends Rediscovered Museum. If you love country music, then it’s a must-visit spot. The museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of country music’s greatest legends! You can see everything from Eddie Rabbitt’s guitar on display to paintings of your favorite country legends, like Dolly Parton!
4. Go Ziplining
For another thrilling outdoor adventure, go ziplining with Wears Valley Zipline Adventures. This attraction along Wears Valley Road has some of the longest and highest ziplines in the region. Situated on 43 private acres, one line alone is 2,000 feet long! These ziplines offer beautiful views of Mount LeConte and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!
5. Ride the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is one of the top mountain coasters in the area, and it’s right on Wears Valley Road! This ride is fun for both adults and children. You’ll be in control of your own speed down more than 1 mile of track, so you can choose a more scenic ride or go up to 30 miles per hour! The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster runs during any weather — rain, snow, or shine — so you don’t have to worry about the weather getting in your way of a good time.
6. Have Dinner at PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen
For a taste of New Orleans in the Smokies, enjoy dinner at PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen! If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants off the beaten path, you’ve found it. PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen is purposely set apart from the heavy traffic to bring a unique and personal experience to everyone who makes the drive. It offers delicious cajun cuisine with down-home hospitality. Find everything from gumbo and jambalaya to boiled crawfish right from the boats in New Orleans and fried catfish! Be sure to save room for their specialty — New Orleans White Chocolate Bread Pudding.
More Things to Do on Wears Valley Road
These are some of the can’t-miss things to do along Wears Valley Road, especially if you’re looking for something away from all the excitement on the Parkway! For more ideas of what to do nearby, take a look at these 6 must-visit shops on Wears Valley Road.
