Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
April 3, 2025

There are so many fun things to do in Gatlinburg, and it can be easy to go over your vacation budget. Thankfully, this town has a number of budget-friendly options that will save you money without compromising on fun! Here are some of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg that only cost $10 or less:

1. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum

One of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg is visit the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. This museum is the only one of its kind in the world! It features more than 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the globe as well as a huge pepper mill collection. You’ll see shakers in shapes and forms that you never would’ve imagined, from food items to animals to works of art! It costs just $3 to enter, and your admission is then applied towards any salt and pepper shaker purchase in the gift shop! As an added bonus, children 12 and under are free!

2. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

bridge over stream on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

If you’re looking for cheap things to do in Gatlinburg surrounded by nature, take a scenic drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This narrow, winding road travels through the forest and along flowing mountain streams. During your drive, you’ll see well-preserved historical buildings, such as log cabins, grist mills, and more. It’s completely free to drive this 5.5-mile, one-way loop! If you want to get out and explore the many hiking trails, a parking pass costs just $5 for the entire day! Some of these trails lead to magnificent waterfalls, including Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls.

3. Amazing Mirror Maze

Are you traveling with kids? If so, one of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg is Amazing Mirror Maze! This Gatlinburg attraction is located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and features a huge mirror maze filled with special lighting and music. You can work together to navigate your way through the maze, or compete to see who can get through quickest! This attraction is very budget friendly and costs less than $10 per person. Children get a discounted rate, and you can save even more if you bundle this activity with the attached Circus Golf and Shoot ‘em Up Cinema attractions!

4. Ole Smoky Moonshine Tasting

Ole Smoky Barrelhouse

If you’re 21 years old or older, a great cheap thing to do in Gatlinburg is visit Ole Smoky Distillery for a moonshine tasting! Ole Smoky has two locations in Gatlinburg: The Holler and The Barrelhouse. You can visit either one to try tasty samples of locally made moonshine. A regular tasting is just $5 per person and includes both moonshine and whiskey samples as well as a $5 off coupon. For just $3 more, you can enjoy a premium tasting that includes three additional samples. This is a fun and cheap way to try something new during your vacation!

5. Gatlinburg Wine Trail

Another one of the cheap things to do in Gatlinburg for adults is explore the Gatlinburg Wine Trail! This wine trail includes 5 of Tennessee’s best wineries! For just $10, you can enjoy free VIP wine tastings at all 5 wineries within 7 days. You can start at any location, and at your final stop you’ll get a free gift! The stops on the Gatlinburg Wine Trail include Tennessee Homemade Wines, Tennessee Cider Co, Smokin’ Banjo, and Old Mountain Wine Company in Gatlinburg as well as Tennessee Cider Co & Tennessee Homemade Wines in Sevierville.

More Ways to Save on Your Vacation

These are some of the best cheap things to do in Gatlinburg! Are you looking for more ways to save on your vacation? Check out these top free things to do in Gatlinburg and book a stay at one of the best cheap cabins in Pigeon Forge!