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 (2026)
We rank 17 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 Sep 2026.
Quick picks
Best value
Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket
Cheapest experience we rank 70 or above.
Outty Ranking 70 · from $8
Best for a rainy day
Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Indoor-leaning culture pick that works in any weather.
Outty Ranking 66 · from $15
Best last minute
Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) Self Guided Walking Audio Tour
Highest ranked option with same-day availability.
Outty Ranking 60 · from $10
Best evening out
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Top ranked nightlife or evening experience.
Outty Ranking 59 · 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 203 traveler reviews, 3h from $65, free cancellation.
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2. 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 141 traveler reviews, 24h from $8, free cancellation.
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3. Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Outty Ranking66Purchase 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 66/100, 4.1/5 from 77 traveler reviews, 1h from $15, free cancellation.
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4. 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,. Worth a Look at 60/100, 5.0/5 from 2 traveler reviews, 1h from $10, free cancellation.
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5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Outty Ranking59Welcome 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. Worth a Look at 59/100, 4.3/5 from 4 traveler reviews, 14h from $16, free cancellation.
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6. Explore the Smoky Mountains in a Polaris Slingshot-Bryson City NC
Outty Ranking56Arrive at the Bryson City rental location, complete check-in, and collect your Polaris Slingshot R. A refundable $500 security deposit is required at pickup. Before departure, review the vehicle controls and choose a GPS. Worth a Look at 56/100, 5.0/5 from 9 traveler reviews, 4h from $350, free cancellation.
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7. Discover the Great Smoky Mountains: A Self-Guided Tour
Outty Ranking55Explore 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 55/100, 3.5/5 from 2 traveler reviews, 8.5h from €4, free cancellation.
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8. Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Tour: Cherokee to Asheville
Outty Ranking52Drive one of America's most celebrated scenic roads with this self-guided driving tour covering 45 narrated stops across 60 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee to Asheville through mountains over a billion year. Worth a Look at 52/100, 8.5h from $3, free cancellation.
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9. Great Smoky Mountains Self-Guided Scenic Drive and Audio Tour
Outty Ranking51Explore America’s most visited national park at your own pace with this self-guided scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains. Journey along Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg's lush valleys to the stunning ridges. Worth a Look at 51/100, 2.0/5 from 1 traveler reviews, 2h from $15, free cancellation.
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10. Tail of the Dragon Polaris Slingshot Adventure-Bryson City NC
Outty Ranking47Rent a brand-new Polaris Slingshot from the areas only Polaris Outfitter and enjoy the thrill as you drive one of Americas most famous roads. Twists, turns, and thick woods, this drive isn’t about scenic overlooks or na. Worth a Look at 47/100, 5.0/5 from 2 traveler reviews, 4h from $350, free cancellation.
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11. Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour
Outty Ranking40The Fontana Lake Tour 25 miles long This tour takes you through the staple of the smoky mountains , you will see several mountain ranges , lakes , rivers and the best part the Cherokee national forest . You will be. Worth a Look at 40/100, 0.3h from $250, free cancellation.
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12. Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer in Smoky Mountains
Outty Ranking40⭐ Top-Rated Vacation Photoshoots 2025 We’re not just photographers, we’re storytellers capturing your holiday exactly as it feels. With over six years of experience photographing travellers around the world, our small t. Worth a Look at 40/100, 1h from €69, free cancellation.
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13. Guided Hike & Outdoor Painting Class in Smoky Mtns Nat’l Park
Outty Ranking40Begin your adventure with a beginner-friendly hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As you walk, your guide will share fascinating stories about the park's history and help you identify plants, including. Worth a Look at 40/100, 5.0/5 from 1 traveler reviews, 3.5h from $125.
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14. Short Helicopter Valley Tour at Cherokee NC
Outty Ranking39The short valley Tours 5 Miles long This will take you through the qualia valley, over through the smoky mountains where you will experience the Alarka Mountain range. Your adventure will take off from the helipad a. Worth a Look at 39/100, 0.1h from $50, free cancellation.
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15. Helicopter Sightseeing Tour over Bryson City NC
Outty Ranking39Bryson City 15 mile Flight What you will see - This Tour will take off from Cherokee NC , headed strait toward the small city of Bryson City . Its known for some great food , Drinks , and views of the mountains like. Worth a Look at 39/100, 0.2h from $180, 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 203 traveler reviews, from $65 per person. It leads a field of 17 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 $101 per person. The cheapest of them is Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Tour: Cherokee to Asheville from $3, and 14 of the 15 offer free cancellation.
What are the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with kids?
Most of the top experiences suit older kids; check the minimum age listed on each activity 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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