The free wine tasting (you can taste up to 4) and the free moonshine tasting, especially, are fun. For the moonshine tasting, you stand around a bar and the "bartender" goes around giving everyone mini shots of each flavor (I think there were maybe 9?) of moonshine. It's kind of a production and a lot of fun. Make sure you have your ID. They won't even let a 90 year old taste without their ID.
This is in downtown Gatlinburg across from the convention center.
For those camping, we love to camp in Cades Cove and Elmont campgrounds. In Cades Cove, we had deer walking across our campsite. Warning: there are restrooms, but no showers. You can drive to Townsend to a local campground to take a shower at around $3 a pop.
The Roaring Fork motor trail is fun and we've seen bears a few times when we've driven it. It does not open until April 1st.
For shopping in downtown Gatlinburg, The Village is nice. We don't go in all of the shops, but my favorites are the Donut Friar
, the spice shop (can't remember the name), the Day Hiker, the candy shop, vinegar and oil shop, Tervis Tumbler, and the Gaelic store (sorry - don't remember names).
In the summer months, the trolley that runs downtown is free. The trolleys that go other places cost 50 cents per rider, per ride.
The sky lift is fun and they have a day long pass.
Laurel Falls is paved, but if you're a small child or not in good shape, it can be a bit of a climb. Taken slow, you should be ok. There's a picnic area to the right not long after you enter the park that has a nice stream. It's really pretty and fun to climb in the rocks, etc.
For a cheap, clean stay in downtown Gatlinburg, Jack Huff's Motor Lodge is nice and right there off the strip, next to The Village.
Traffic can be brutal. After seeing a poor little boy being rushed out of a car stopped in traffic to find a bathroom only to stand on the side of the road and pee his pants in front of everyone, we always potty check before traveling from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg and Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge.
If you are going to do the little gem mining, laser tag, and or mini golf, Fort Fun's ultimate (I think it's called) pass is the way to go. If you ride the simulator ride, sit near the front. You will get banged up in the back!
Sugarlands is definitely a must do. You can get trail info there, buy nicer souvenirs, see a little movie, and walk through the area with stuffed wildlife.
Pancake Pantry is good. Last time we went we just ate there and at Fridays since we knew DS could get something there he could eat. The rest of the time we either picnicked or ate in the room. I can't remember where we've eaten on previous visits (besides the Burning Bush, which is no longer there) except for at the hotel along the river, but can't remember the name. It was tasty (we were not staying there).
