7-Day Adventure Itinerary in Dandridge, TN

  • Day 1: Smoky Mountains National Park
    20 minutes (12 miles) from Dandridge

    Explore the great outdoors by visiting the Smoky Mountains National Park. This park, covering parts of Tennessee and North Carolina, offers stunning views of the mountains, hiking trails, and camping opportunities.

  • Day 2: Dollywood
    40 minutes (30 miles) from Dandridge

    Get your adrenaline pumping at Dollywood, a theme park with thrilling rides, live entertainment, and great food. Don't miss their newest roller coaster, the Lightning Rod, which is the fastest wooden coaster in the world.

  • Day 3: River Rafting on Pigeon River
    30 minutes (17 miles) from Dandridge

    Experience the thrill of white water rafting on Pigeon River. There are many local companies that offer guided trips for all skill levels. Along the way, you'll see stunning scenery and maybe even spot some wildlife.

  • Day 4: Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show
    30 minutes (20 miles) from Dandridge

    Enjoy dinner and a show at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show. This interactive show will have you trying to solve a murder mystery while enjoying a three-course meal.

  • Day 5: Forbidden Caverns
    20 minutes (10 miles) from Dandridge

    Explore the underground world at Forbidden Caverns. This guided tour takes you through a stunning cave system with underground streams, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.

  • Day 6: Douglas Lake
    25 minutes (14 miles) from Dandridge

    Enjoy a day of water sports and relaxation at Douglas Lake. This lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, and more. There are also several public beaches and picnic areas.

  • Day 7: NASCAR SpeedPark
    35 minutes (24 miles) from Dandridge

    Finish your adventure-packed trip with a visit to NASCAR SpeedPark. This park offers go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats and more. Don't forget to visit their arcade and gift shop too!

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Smoky Mountains National Park (Full Day, Free)
  • Dollywood (Full Day, $80 per person)
  • River Rafting on Pigeon River (Half Day, $50-100 per person)
  • Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show (3 Hours, $50 per person)
  • Forbidden Caverns (1 Hour, $17 per person)
  • Douglas Lake (Full Day, Free)
  • NASCAR SpeedPark (Half Day, $35-50 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $240-$315 per person

Transportation

Unless you plan on staying in one location for the entire trip, renting a car is recommended to get around to different activities. A rental car can cost anywhere from $40-$100 per day depending on the type of car. Keep in mind that some activities require a bit of driving, so be sure to factor that into your travel time.

Useful Tips

For those with more than 7 days, consider adding a day trip to Knoxville, TN for a change of pace. For those with less time, consider skipping one of the activities or shortening the time spent at each location.

Airports

The closest airport to Dandridge is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), located about 30 minutes (25 miles) away in Knoxville, TN.

0