Best overall
3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience
Highest Outty Ranking in the city right now.
Outty Ranking 88 · from $65
The 15 best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (November 2026)
We rank 29 experiences in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States, on the same 0 to 100 Outty Ranking. The best right now is 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience at 88/100, and 0 experiences here make the 90+ Club. Updated Nov 2026.
Quick picks
Best value
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
Cheapest experience we rank 70 or above.
Outty Ranking 72 · from $14
Best for families
Sharing Nature with Children: Hands-On Smoky Mountain Discovery
Top ranked option that welcomes kids.
Outty Ranking 78 · from $55
Best for a rainy day
River Magic: An Easy Smoky Mountain Guided Walk
Indoor-leaning culture pick that works in any weather.
Outty Ranking 79 · from $109
Best last minute
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains
Highest ranked option with same-day availability.
Outty Ranking 87 · from $20
Best evening out
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Top ranked nightlife or evening experience.
Outty Ranking 63 · from $16
The ranked list
1. 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience
Outty Ranking88We have the best location on the Nantahala River being located right at the takeout. This means you'll only ride the bus once and you'll finish at your car. After the river, enjoy one of our two restaurants by the river. Exceptional at 88/100, 4.9/5 from 208 traveler reviews, 3h from $65, free cancellation.
See prices and availability2. Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains
Outty Ranking87Don't miss a thing as GuideAlong's Great Smoky Mountains Audio Driving Tour takes you on an incredible journey through the most visited US national park. Along the way you'll be guided to all of the park's famous highli. Exceptional at 87/100, 4.7/5 from 148 traveler reviews, 8h from $20, free cancellation.
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3. Chasing Waterfalls: A Smoky Mountain Guided Hike
Outty Ranking87Follow the sound of rushing water into one of the Smokies’ most refreshing guided hikes. Chasing Waterfalls is perfect for those chasing cascades, waterfalls, streams, mossy rocks, cool forest trails, and classic Smoky M. Exceptional at 87/100, 4.9/5 from 175 traveler reviews, 3h from $95, free cancellation.
See prices and availability4. River Magic: An Easy Smoky Mountain Guided Walk
Outty Ranking79Slow down beside one of the Smokies’ biggest and among the most beautiful mountain rivers. River Magic is an easy guided walk designed for guests who want the peace of moving water, forest shade, deep pools, sparkling ca. Strongly Recommended at 79/100, 5.0/5 from 48 traveler reviews, 3.5h from $109, free cancellation.
See prices and availability5. Sharing Nature with Children: Hands-On Smoky Mountain Discovery
Outty Ranking78Designed for curious kids and families, Exploring Nature with Children turns the forest into a living classroom. This hands-on guided nature walk helps children slow down, look closely, ask questions, and connect with th. Strongly Recommended at 78/100, 5.0/5 from 40 traveler reviews, 2h from $55, free cancellation.
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6. Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours
Outty Ranking75Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together! Get the full Smoky Mountain experience with this ultimate bundle tour! Explore these picturesque mountains, uncover the rich history of the. Strongly Recommended at 75/100, 4.3/5 from 113 traveler reviews, 4h from $21, free cancellation.
See prices and availability7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
Outty Ranking72Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country! Tour these famous mount. Strongly Recommended at 72/100, 4.1/5 from 339 traveler reviews, 2h from $14, free cancellation.
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8. Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket
Outty Ranking70General admission includes: Main Exhibit: We are a museum in transition! Take a step behind the scenes as we consider how to update our 27-year-old main exhibit to authentically share Cherokee history, culture, and stor. Strongly Recommended at 70/100, 4.1/5 from 144 traveler reviews, 24h from $15, free cancellation.
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9. Best of the Smokies: Full-Day Private Guided Adventure
Outty Ranking70Spend a full day exploring the Smokies your way. Best of the Smokies: Full-Day Private Guided Adventure is customized around your group’s interests, pace, and sense of adventure, making it one of the most flexible ways t. Solid Choice at 70/100, 5.0/5 from 24 traveler reviews, 8h from $325, free cancellation.
See prices and availability10. Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Outty Ranking69Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together! Discover gorgeous natural scenery and rich history at Cades Cove, one of the most popular destinations in the Smoky Mountains. This scenic l. Solid Choice at 69/100, 4.2/5 from 78 traveler reviews, 1h from $13, free cancellation.
See prices and availability11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Outty Ranking63Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour! Come journey with us as we travel through stunning mountain scenery and explore the historical homes of days gone by. The Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited. Solid Choice at 63/100, 4.5/5 from 6 traveler reviews, 14h from $16, free cancellation.
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12. The Mountains Are Calling Driving Tour to Newfound Gap
Outty Ranking61Your trip begins at Sugarlands Visitor Center, where you’ll meet your naturalist guide from A Walk in the Woods. From there, we’ll travel up into Great Smoky Mountains, stopping along the way for sweeping mountain views,. Solid Choice at 61/100, 4.8/5 from 17 traveler reviews, 2.5h from $150, free cancellation.
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13. Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) Self Guided Walking Audio Tour
Outty Ranking60Take your hike up Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) to the next level with this self-guided walking tour. As you make the ascent to the famous observation deck, you’ll discover fascinating facts about this area’s history, geology,. Solid Choice at 60/100, 5.0/5 from 2 traveler reviews, 1h from $10, free cancellation.
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14. Discover the Great Smoky Mountains: A Self-Guided Tour
Outty Ranking58Explore the Great Smoky Mountains with your self-guided tour through America’s most visited national park. Walk through the stunning Newfound Gap Road past misty peaks and ancient forests, walk behind a waterfall at Grot. Worth a Look at 58/100, 4.0/5 from 4 traveler reviews, 8.5h from $5, free cancellation.
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15. Fall Color Quest: Smoky Mountain Fall Foliage Hike
Outty Ranking57Autumn color in the Smokies changes by elevation, weather, and timing. Fall Color Quest is designed to follow the best color of the day, whether that means glowing streamside forests, colorful hardwood coves, quiet trail. Worth a Look at 57/100, 4.3/5 from 19 traveler reviews, 4h from $175, free cancellation.
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Traveler ratings are provided by Viator and Tripadvisor. The Outty Ranking is our own independent evaluation. How the ranking works.
When to go
Late spring through early fall for full access and the widest tour availability, with quieter trails in the shoulder weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience is the top ranked experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park right now, with an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100 from 208 traveler reviews, from $65 per person. It leads a field of 29 experiences we rank in the city.
What are the must-see attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws visitors for its landscapes, wildlife and guided outdoor experiences. Outty tracks every bookable tour here, scores it with the Outty Ranking, and shows what is worth your time, from full-day guided trips to short scenic outings.
How much do things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park cost?
The 15 best experiences average $73 per person. The cheapest of them is Discover the Great Smoky Mountains: A Self-Guided Tour from $5, and 15 of the 15 offer free cancellation.
What are the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with kids?
Sharing Nature with Children: Hands-On Smoky Mountain Discovery are the highest ranked family-friendly picks. Check the minimum age on each before booking.
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Late spring through early fall for full access and the widest tour availability, with quieter trails in the shoulder weeks.
How is this list ranked?
Every experience is scored 0 to 100 by the Outty Ranking, which blends traveler sentiment, review depth, booking momentum, value against comparable options in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, quality signals and cancellation flexibility. The list updates automatically as new reviews and bookings arrive.
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