Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
5 Ways To Spend A Rainy Vacation Day
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on February 11, 2020
The weather here in the Smokies has truly been a broken record for the past few weeks. Rain, rain and more rain. And just when you think it's over, there's some more rain. And did we mention that it's been raining?
Rain.
The monotony and dreariness of this whole deluge has enough to bring even the most upbeat spirits down. But with a few suggestions courtesy of us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, you might find a few silver linings in those clouds and manage to shine a few rays of hope onto an otherwise soggy vacation day in the Smokies.
1. Shops
One of the great things about outlet malls – besides the low prices – is that they're covered by roofs. Which means you can shop without getting rained on. Yes, you're on your own when it comes to getting from your vehicle to the shops themselves, but at places like the Tanger Outlet Center in Sevierville, covered walkways allow you to move from shop to shop while staying dry. And the selection is incredible. That particular mall has dozens of options for clothing, footwear, tools, kitchen gear, music, jewelry, housewares, specialty foods, electronics and much, much more. Maybe while you're there, you can even get a good deal on an umbrella… And Tanger isn't the only outlet mall in the area. Sevierville also has Governor's Crossing Outlet Mall, while Pigeon Forge has the Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall and the Z Buda Mall.
2. Shows
Speaking of indoors, there are lots of places around here where you can keep dry and be entertained at the same time. Music theaters are one example. Between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, there are more than a dozen options when it comes to live entertainment, and you'll find everything from music and comedy to magic and feats of skill and live competitions on our stages. Many area shows also serve dinner, making it easy to kill two wet birds with one dry stone. Besides the traditional music theater venues, you'll also find a number of restaurants in the Smokies that showcase live music, including Ole Red in Gatlinburg (daily) and Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant in Pigeon Forge (weekends).
3. Attractions
Here's another handy indoor alternative for keeping the elements at bay. The good news is that there are dozens and dozens of attractions in the Smokies to choose from, virtually all of them suitable for any age. And with that kind of variety, you're sure to find something that everyone is interested in at one point or another. Tour a unique museum, go on a mind-bending interactive adventure, see exotic live animals or even try your hand (your whole body, really) at indoor skydiving.
4. Restaurants
Nope, this is not picnic weather. So seek out the atmosphere and cuisine of your favorite restaurant and make the best of the situation. The choices are practically endless, with options that include fast food, fast casual and full-service. Whether your taste is for burgers, steaks, seafood, ethnic cuisines or Southern comfort foods, the nearest eatery in the Smokies is rarely more than a stone's throw away.
5. Cabin/Condo/Motel
Yet another alternative is to simply stay in your room or cabin and have a staycation on your vacation. This is great weather for turning on a fireplace, getting in a hot tub and streaming or renting some of your favorite movies to pass the time. After all, vacations don't always have to be go-go-go. Sometimes it's good to rest and just chill-chill-chill.
One more thing to note about the rain: There have been flash flood conditions in the Smokies in spots. So while you can always hit the road and take a drive, we hope you'll slow down and proceed with caution. And if you come to any section of road that is completely underwater, don't take a chance on trying to make your way through. Head back and find an alternate route to your destination. And here's hoping all this rain is gone by the time we open for the 2020 season and resume our zip lining in Tennessee!
