The Smoky Mountains are jam packed with fun activities for motorcycle and automobile enthusiasts, so it’s no wonder why the Smokies are one of the most popular destinations in the country for gearheads! If you love muscle cars, hot rods and Harleys like we do, you’ll fit right in as you discover some of the coolest attractions, car shows and drives in the area! Here are the top 4 things to do in the Smoky Mountains that gearheads will love:
1. Cooter’s Place Pigeon Forge
Cooter’s Place Pigeon Forge celebrates the Dukes of Hazzard and one of the most iconic muscle cars in television history, the General Lee! This fun museum is heaven for any fans of the Duke boys, and the best part is that it offers free admission! You’ll discover actual scripts from the television show and you can even have your picture taken inside the General Lee! Cooter’s Place Pigeon Forge also features a cool gift shop with collectible gifts, shirts, hats, buckles and of course, complete seasons of the Dukes of Hazzard!
2. Pigeon Forge Rod Run
While there are plenty of car shows throughout the year in the Smokies, the big daddy of them all is the Pigeon Forge Rod Run! In fact, this amazing car show is so popular that it actually takes place twice a year! As the area’s largest automotive event, the Pigeon Forge Rod Run features a huge swap meet with hundreds of show cars, cash prizes, awards and more! While the event takes place at the LeConte Center, you’ll see the hot rods all weekend long as they cruise up and down the Pigeon Forge Parkway!
3. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Another one of the things to do in the Smoky Mountains that gearheads will love is the Hollywood Star Cars Museum! This cool Gatlinburg attraction features some of the most famous vehicles from television and film history, including the Batmobile from the original 1966 hit television show! All the cars are displayed in recreated settings, complete with sound, lights and action to add to the fun! Some of the other iconic vehicles include the 1969 Dodge Charger from the Dukes of Hazzard, the 1981 DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future and the 1991 Harley Davidson Fatboy from Terminator 2: Judgment Day!
4. Tail of the Dragon
While there are a ton of scenic drives throughout the Smoky Mountains, one road that should be on every biker’s bucket list is the Tail of the Dragon! While this 11 mile stretch of Highway 129 isn’t particularly renowned for its scenery, it IS known for its winding road that contains 318 curves! It is no wonder why motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts love this highway. Remember to use caution for wildlife and other drivers! You can enjoy a fantastic day on the road by taking the Smoky Mountain version of the drive, which is about 5 hours of “on road” time.
Now that you know the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains for gearheads, you’re ready for the perfect getaway to the Smokies! Don’t forget to cruise by our Pigeon Forge biker bar for some awesome Custom Brews and Chews, as well as the chance to hang out with some of your fellow bikers!
