first time visit: want to stay relatively close to things to do

hi everyone, I know these posts are probably frustrating and there's so many of them, but my family is planning on going to Gatlinburg this summer and we enjoy walking everywhere.

where are some good places to stay?

what are fun activities to do? I'm a history nerd museums are a must. and of course we'll be hiking and kayaking.

is there something that we should definitely do that's not super well known?

thanks!!!

ETA: please don't say the national park i have the national parks passport and that wasn't even a question to not spend time there.