Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, is a treasure trove of adventures and family-friendly activities that cater to all ages and interests. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Gatlinburg has something for everyone. From the breathtaking vistas of the Smoky Mountains to the vibrant attractions downtown, this charming mountain town is the perfect destination for your next fun-filled vacation. For a comprehensive exploration of the area, an insiders travel guide to gatlinburg can help ensure you don’t miss any hidden gems. You can also search our comprehensive Things To Do in Gatinburg area to help you plan your stay.
Here, we’ll guide you through the top 5 things to do in Gatlinburg, ensuring you make the most of your time in this beautiful and lively city.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker’s paradise, offering over 800 miles of trails suitable for all skill levels. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned hiker, the park provides a diverse selection of trails that meander through lush forests, picturesque meadows, and alongside cascading streams. Iconic trails like the Appalachian Trail, which traverses the park, present challenging routes for experienced hikers, while shorter trails such as the Alum Cave and Laurel Falls trails are perfect for families and beginners.
These trails feature breathtaking views and unique perspectives of the park’s natural beauty, along with opportunities to explore its rich biodiversity. If you’re seeking a more leisurely adventure, the park’s self-guided nature trails are an excellent option.
Designed to be both educational and enjoyable, these trails provide insights into the park’s flora, fauna, and historical significance. For instance, the Sugarlands Valley Accessible Nature Trail offers a gentle and informative walk, highlighting the park’s natural and cultural resources in an accessible way.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its exceptional natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Home to over 1,500 species of flowering plants and a variety of animals—including black bears, elk, white-tailed deer, and numerous bird species—the park is a dream destination for wildlife observation and photography.
Visitors can often spot wildlife along the trails, especially during early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active. The park’s diverse ecosystems, such as its old-growth forests and mountain streams, create stunning backdrops for capturing photographs of both the landscape and its inhabitants.
Cades Cove, a historic valley within the park, is particularly popular for wildlife viewing and photography. Known for its preserved log cabins, churches, and other historical structures, the cove is also a hotspot for observing white-tailed deer, turkey, and black bears in their natural habitat.
The cove’s loop road makes it easy to drive through and stop at various points to observe and photograph the wildlife and scenery, ensuring visitors can enjoy this incredible area at their own pace.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit attraction in Gatlinburg, offering an immersive experience into the fascinating world of marine life. The aquarium houses over 10,000 exotic sea creatures, spread across 10 uniquely themed galleries. One of the standout features is the Shark Lagoon, where you can get up close to 12-foot sharks, sandtiger sharks, and nurse sharks through a breathtaking 340-foot long underwater tunnel.
This moving glide path creates the sensation of gliding through the ocean depths, with sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays swimming just inches away. Another captivating exhibit is the Tropical Rainforest, which replicates one of Earth’s oldest living ecosystems. Here, you can encounter fascinating creatures such as poison dart frogs, arapaimas, piranhas, and even four-eyed fish.
The Coral Reef exhibit is another highlight, showcasing the vibrant colors and diverse life of a coral reef ecosystem. Additionally, the aquarium features the Penguin Playhouse, where African black-footed penguins can be observed in their natural habitat. This exhibit includes both indoor and outdoor areas, allowing the penguins to swim and sunbathe, offering visitors a truly unique and engaging experience.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies goes beyond observation, offering a variety of interactive experiences that make it a fun and educational destination for families. At the Touch A-Ray Bay, visitors can pet stingrays, creating a hands-on and memorable experience. The Penguin Playhouse features acrylic tunnels and pop-up domes, enabling kids to get nose-to-nose with the penguins for an unforgettable encounter.
Throughout the day, the aquarium hosts entertaining shows and feedings, such as the Penguin Parade, Ray Bay Dive, Coral Reef Dive, and Penguin Feedings. These daily events add an extra layer of excitement to your visit.
With its engaging exhibits and interactive elements, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a perfect destination for visitors of all ages, combining fun, education, and unforgettable experiences.
Anakeesta’s Treetop Skywalk is an unforgettable adventure that offers a unique perspective on the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains. This skywalk, the longest tree-based bridge in North America, spans over 880 feet and is suspended 50 to 60 feet above the ground. As you walk along the connected bridges, you’ll be surrounded by the lush canopy of the forest, providing breathtaking views of the mountains and the town of Gatlinburg below.
The Treetop Skywalk is a great way to experience the serenity of the forest while enjoying the thrill of being elevated among the treetops.
Anakeesta is not just about adventure; it also offers a delightful shopping and dining experience. The park is divided into several themed villages, including the whimsical Firefly Village and the nature-themed Black Bear Village.
These villages are filled with quaint shops, boutiques, and artisanal stalls where you can find unique souvenirs, local crafts, and handmade goods. For those looking to indulge in some culinary delights, Anakeesta features several dining options, including the Cliff Top restaurant, which offers an elevated dining experience with stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Additionally, you can enjoy slow-smoked BBQ at the Smokehouse or relax with a drink from the Bar at the Top of the World, all while taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The park also hosts various seasonal events and festivals, such as live music in Black Bear Village and special themed celebrations, which add to the vibrant atmosphere and make your visit even more memorable. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or a family-friendly meal, Anakeesta’s dining options cater to all tastes and preferences, ensuring a satisfying and enjoyable experience for everyone.
The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park experience begins with a scenic ride on the iconic yellow chairlift, which carries you 500 vertical feet to the summit of Crockett Mountain. This classic Smoky Mountain excursion, a beloved attraction since 1954, offers breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the charming town of Gatlinburg below.
Rebuilt in 2018, the chairlift features spacious seats and a safety bar to ensure a comfortable and secure ride for every visitor. The round-trip journey lasts approximately 20 minutes, though most guests opt to disembark at the top to explore the park’s additional attractions. As you ascend, you’ll be treated to lush mountain scenery and may even spot birds soaring nearby, adding a touch of natural wonder to your experience.
The continuous movement of the chairs, combined with the assistance of operators during boarding and disembarking, makes the process smooth and efficient for all guests.
At the summit of Crockett Mountain, you’ll encounter the record-breaking SkyBridge, celebrated as the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, spanning an impressive 680 feet. Walking across this exhilarating bridge offers stunning panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg.
The bridge reaches a dramatic height of 140 feet at its midpoint, where glass-floor panels provide a thrilling perspective straight down. This unique feature adds an extra layer of excitement to your walk across the SkyBridge.
After your crossing, unwind at the expansive SkyDeck, a thoughtfully designed observation area with outdoor seating that allows you to soak in the views at your leisure. The SkyDeck is part of the SkyCenter, a two-story facility offering a snack shop, bar, and gift shop. Here, you can enjoy refreshments, browse for souvenirs, and even view or purchase souvenir photos to commemorate your adventure.
The SkyCenter is the perfect place to conclude your visit, leaving you with lasting memories of the unparalleled beauty and excitement of Gatlinburg SkyLift Park.
The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is a vibrant hub of creative talent, home to over 120 local artisans and craftsmen. Established in 1937, it stands as the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States, showcasing a diverse array of traditional Appalachian crafts.
As you explore the 8-mile loop of shops, studios, and galleries, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and interact with skilled artisans who are deeply passionate about their work. From woodcarvers and furniture makers to potters, jewelers, and weavers, each artisan brings unique skills and techniques to the table, creating an impressive range of handmade goods such as candles, baskets, brooms, quilts, and ceramics. Visitors can witness these artisans at work in their studios, gaining valuable insight into the time-honored processes and techniques passed down through generations.
The personal touch and the chance to see the craftsmanship up close make the experience even more enriching, allowing you to truly appreciate the dedication and skill that goes into each piece of art.
The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is not just a place to observe and purchase art; it’s also an interactive destination where you can participate in various hands-on activities. Throughout the year, the community offers over 25 select classes where visitors can create their own crafts. You can learn the art of pottery-making at Fowlers Clay Works, try your hand at candle-making at Lorelei’s, or even engage in paper marbling with Pat at Cliff Dwellers.
These classes provide a fun and educational experience, allowing you to take home your own handmade creations as souvenirs. Additionally, the community hosts several annual craft shows, including the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Arts & Crafts Shows, which are held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
These events bring together artisans in one convenient location, offering visitors the chance to meet the craftsmen, learn about their work, and purchase unique pieces. These shows are perfect for finding special gifts or home decor items, adding an extra layer of excitement to your visit.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a vibrant destination that offers something for everyone, whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for family fun. From the breathtaking vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the interactive exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, each attraction provides a unique and memorable experience.
Don’t miss the thrilling adventures at Anakeesta, the panoramic views from the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, and the rich cultural experience of the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community.
With its diverse range of activities, stunning natural beauty, and welcoming atmosphere, Gatlinburg is the perfect place to create lasting memories. So pack your bags, plan your trip, and get ready to experience all that this incredible mountain town has to offer.
The closest airport to Gatlinburg is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), located approximately 40 miles away. This translates to about a 1-hour to 1-hour 15-minute drive, depending on traffic conditions.
There is no entrance fee to enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, a parking fee applies for vehicles parked longer than 15 minutes. The rates are as follows: $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $40 annually.
You can get a fishing license and permit in Gatlinburg at several locations, including the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Food City grocery stores, and NOC’s Great Outpost. Costs range from $3.50 to $9.00 per day, depending on the duration of the permit (one, three, or ten-day passes).
Yes, pets are welcome on many streets and attractions in Gatlinburg. You can bring them to places like the Gatlinburg Trail, Gatlinburg SkyLift, and various pet-friendly restaurants, shops, and parks, such as Mills Park, The Village Shops, and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. However, please note that pets are not allowed on most trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, except for the Gatlinburg Trail. Additionally, pets are not permitted on the Skybridge or certain attractions like the Space Needle.
Gatlinburg Cabins with EV Chargers
Bring Your Appetite to the Taste Of Autumn in Gatlinburg, TN
Smoky Mountain SpringFest in Pigeon Forge 2024
24 Romantic Things To Do in Gatlinburg for Couples
Guide To Visiting Gatlinburg in 2021
Guide to Backpacking in the Smoky Mountains: 8 Top Trails