Fall is one of the best seasons for making awesome family memories. With its vibrant colors, crisp breezes, scrumptious baked goods, and festive holidays, it’s just bursting with opportunities for togetherness.
Below you’ll find tons fall activities in East TN that will help you create memorable traditions for years to come. Discover your perfect East Tennessee adventure today!
Fall Activities in East TN
Take a Scenic Fall Drive
Cherohala Skyway Visitors Center
225 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains
(423) 253-8010
Convenient to both Knoxville and Chattanooga, the Cherohala Skyway is a scenic gem bursting with fall color throughout October. Higher elevations will peak in early-mid October while lower elevations will peak later in the month.
There are plenty of hiking trails where you can stop along the route. You can also grab lunch in nearby Tellico Plains or on the other side of the mountain in Robbinsville NC.
Go Apple Picking
Wheeler’s Orchard
960 Wheeler Rd, Dunlap, TN
(423) 949-4255
Wheelers is one of the most popular pick-your-own apple orchards. While here, you can also feed the farm animals, learn about pollinators in the cottage garden, and purchase freshly pressed cider and flavored lemonades.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Kyker Farms
938 Alder Branch Rd, Sevierville, TN
(865) 679-4848
Kyker Farms admission tickets include full access to all farm activities including 3 different corn mazes. There is one larger maze that provides the most challenge and 2 smaller mazes that are great for younger kids with less stamina.
Find the Perfect Pumpkin
Pumpkin picking is a favorite all-ages pastime that will always be in style. At , you can pick a pumpkin right from the growing field for a truly educational experience.
Visiting the real field means kids can view the entire pumpkin lifecycle as they search for their perfect pick.
Pick-Your-Own Sunflowers
Mayfield Farm Park
257 TN-307, Athens, TN
423) 746-9859
In addition to tons of unique outdoor games and activities for the kiddos, Mayfield Farm Park also has a lovely pick-your-own sunflower field. You can purchase flowers by the stem or by the bucket.
Go Hiking
Fall’s cool weather and vibrant colors make it the perfect season for hiking. Look Rock Tower Trail, in the southern section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a fantastic pick.
This short hike is paved and gradually inclines until you reach an observation tower with stunning 360-degree views of the national park and the Tennessee Valley.
Pick-Your-Own Zinnas
Ocoee Valley Farms
1371 US-64, Benton, TN
(423) 650-0710
The pick-your-own flower patch at Ocoee Valley Farms is filled with a variety of bright and colorful zinnas. Create a vibrant bouquet that is sure to make your home glow this season.
The farm also has tons of other activities to help you create a full day of fun!
Admire a Halloween Light Display
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge
(800) 365-5996
Of course, the largest of our local Halloween light displays is at Dollywood. Throughout the fall season, the park will be dripping with festive fall decor and adorable characters.
If you hang around after dark, you’ll be treated to a stunning display of glittering lights throughout the park.
Halloween Haunted Houses
Frightworks
1904 W Emory Rd, Powell
(865) 769-7273
East TN has tons of haunted Halloween attractions. Frightmare Manor is definitely one of the most popular.
Explore a REAL Haunted House
From the Hales Bar Marina to Gatlinburg’s Greenbriar Restaurant, East TN is filled with tons of supposedly real haunted buildings. Some have had so many reports of paranormal activity that they have been featured on shows like Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and more!
You can check out our big guide to REAL haunted houses in Tennessee here. You’ll also find out where you can stream the episodes that feature these locations.
Most Popular Fall Festivals and Events in East TN
Tennessee Valley Fair
Early September
3301 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville
(865) 215-1471
This is the largest fair in all of East TN and it has all the traditional activities you know and love. There will be rides, deliciously fattening fair food, farm animals, tractor pulls, juried exhibits, shows, beauty pageants, and more!
Scots-Irish Festival
Late September
Downtown Dandridge
(865) 207-3881
Celebrate Scots-Irish culture with a parade, bagpipes, traditional foods, clan tents, and more! Admission is free.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen Fair
Early October Through Mid-October
234 Airport Road, Gatlinburg
(865) 436-7479
The Craftsmen Fair runs almost all month long and features over 200 artisan vendor booths. It’s a great place to find adorable fall decor, gifts, and more.
Heritage Days Festival
Mid-October
Downtown Rogersville
(423) 272-7497
Rogersville is an adorable town with quaint gift shops, restaurants, a coffee shop, a historic inn, and more. It’s also home to the oldest printing press in Tennessee.
The Heritage Days Festival is Rogersville’s largest annual event and features a car show, craft vendors, kids’ activities, traditional Appalachian music, a Civil War reenactment, and more!
Monarch Butterfly Tagging
Throughout October
Seven Islands State Birding Park
(865) 407-8335
Help park rangers tag and release monarch butterflies. Preregistration is required.
Share your favorite fall activities in East TN in the comments below!