There’s nothing wrong with lounging around and enjoying the gorgeous views while visiting Gatlinburg – vacations are supposed to be relaxing!
But there are also tons of things to do in Gatlinburg if you’re looking for a little adventure. We’ll share 13 of the best activities you may want to try during your visit below.
Visiting Gatlinburg? Fun Activities Abound!
Whether you’re traveling with a carload full of kiddos, sneaking away with your special sweetie, or in need of some solo R&R, Gatlinburg offers something for everyone. From glass-bottom boats to a breathtaking aerial tramway, Gatlinburg is home to a variety of unique events and attractions.
Here are 13 of the best Gatlinburg fun activities you’ll want to check out when visiting:
1. See Some Sea Creatures
Want something that’s not only fun for your kids but also educational? Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is hard to beat! Located on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg, this attraction features daily shows, glass-bottom boat rides, and interactive presentations that’ll give your youngsters the chance to see sharks, sea turtles, sting rays, and more.
Be sure to check out their Penguin Painting Experience for your chance to take home a one-of-a-kind work of art created by one of these adorable birds!
Gatlinburg Visitor Pro Tip: Most of the attractions in downtown Gatlinburg are within walking distance of each other, but you can catch the Gatlinburg Free Trolley if you like. You can catch it right in front of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. It provides an easy way to get around downtown and operates 365 days a year!
2. Go for a Bike Ride
There’s no shortage of great bike riding locations in the Smokies, and that includes several places in the Gatlinburg area. Gatlinburg Trail is a good choice for beginners, as it’s only 1.9 miles long and relatively flat. But if you’re looking for a little longer route and don’t mind driving about an hour to get there, the 16.5-mile-long Foothills Parkway offers some of the best nature scenery in the area.
Rather not break a sweat? No problem – just rent an e-bike and relax while coasting along these mountain roads.
3. Visit Anakeesta Mountain Theme Park
Situated atop beautiful Anakeesta Mountain, this theme park offers a number of things to enjoy during a visit. The fun actually starts before you even reach the actual park, as you’ll have the choice to reach the mountain peak via a chairlift or a ride in a Ridge Rambler vehicle. Once you reach the top, you can visit several different “villages,” with each offering different attractions and activities, ranging from splash pads to cafes to tree top sky walks that’ll allow you to see the mountains in all their glory.
Just be sure to check out AnaVista Tower during your visit; it’s the tallest point in Downtown Gatlinburg and offers incredible 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg Visitor Pro Tip: Before you buy your ticket to Anakeesta Mountain Theme Park, be sure to check out some of their neat add-ons and special events, such as the zipline, breakfast with Santa, and mountain coaster.
4. Make Your Way Through a Museum
Gatlinburg is home to a number of museums that’ll let you spend the day learning about a variety of different things. Whether you are interested in pinball machines, salt and pepper shakers, or the region’s heritage, there is something for everyone. And if you would like to see some truly weird things, be sure to check out Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium.
You can also enjoy the Titanic Museum or the Hollywood Wax Museum, if you don’t mind driving about 15 minutes to nearby Pigeon Forge.
Make the Most of Your Gatlinburg Vacation: While you’re in Pigeon Forge, you may want to consider enjoying some of the other things the town offers. With plenty of fantastic restaurants, shopping opportunities, and family-friendly attractions, there are so many things to do you won’t know where to start. But we recommend riding the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride and taking some unique photos at Beyond the Lens. And before you leave, also be sure to check out Goats on the Roof — it’s a one-of-a-kind experience!
5. “Coast” Down a Mountain
Located at 306 Parkway, Moonshine Mountain Coaster offers visitors the chance to speed down the Great Smoky Mountains at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour in a single- or double-occupancy, handbrake-controlled mountain coaster.
The coolest part about this park may be that a little precipitation won’t rain on the parade – these mountain coaster cars come equipped with rain shields, meaning that you can still have a blast in wet weather. Just be sure to check the park’s website before visiting, as its operating hours vary a bit throughout the week.
6. Head out for a Hike
There’s a reason Gatlinburg is called the “gateway to the Smokies” — it provides a great launching point for all of your Great Smoky Mountains National Park adventures. And hiking has to be one of the best ways to enjoy the park and surrounding region. Many of the nature trails in the area will allow you the chance to see waterfalls, and there are different locations to explore giving you plenty of options no matter your skill level.
We already mentioned that Gatlinburg Trail is great for bike rides, but it’s also a good trail for those seeking an easy, laid-back hike. If you’d like something a little more challenging, consider Laurel Falls Trail – stretching for 4 miles and featuring 1700 feet of elevation change through the Great Smoky Mountains, it offers visitors the chance to see the trail’s namesake falls.
7. Get Wet While White Water Rafting
Located about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Outdoors offers white-water rafting options for people of all skill levels. Trips down the lower Pigeon River are pretty relaxing and great for families, while trips down the upper portions of the river (the outfit’s most popular option) will leave your heart racing as you travel down 6.5 miles of class 3 and class 4 rapids. There’s even an “extreme” upper river rafting option for those with more experience.
Different trips are available during different seasons and reservations are strongly recommended, so visit the company’s website for more information.
Gatlinburg Visitor Pro Tip: Always bring a set of dry clothes for the trip back to the cabin after a whitewater raft adventure. It’ll do wonders for everyone’s morale, and it makes it easier to stop and grab a bite to eat on the way.
8. Check Out Some Hollywood Hot Rods
Car and film lovers alike will love the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. Featuring the actual cars from movies and TV shows ranging from Gone in 60 Seconds to the Dukes of Hazard, these cars are all staged in realistic set recreations and feature sounds, lights, and action to help them come to life!
Some of the most famous vehicles on display at the museum include Ecto-1 from The Ghostbusters, the Beverly Hillbillies’ Jalopy, and – the museum’s star attraction – the Batmobile from the 1966 TV show. The museum is located at 914 Parkway, and it is open seven days a week, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
9. Get Your Game On
A sprawling, 30,000-square-foot arcade full of games for all ages, Arcadia is the perfect place to play with your family and friends during your Gatlinburg vacation. Featuring new, cutting-edge games and old classics alike, Arcadia is perhaps most famous for its incredible redemption center that lets game winners earn luxury, name-brand prizes.
Arcadia is located at 115 Historic Trail in Downtown Gatlinburg. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Gatlinburg Space Needle, located right above the arcade.
10. Grab Some of Gatlinburg’s Famous Grub
You gotta eat, and fortunately, Gatlinburg has a ton of great restaurants you can enjoy with family and friends. Best of all, there are options for every budget — whether you’re looking for discounts or are ready to spend a ton of money on world-class fare, this town has you covered!
A few of our favorite Gatlinburg restaurants include:
- Jason Aldean’s Gatlinburg Kitchen and Rooftop Bar: Famous for beloved homestyle dishes, we recommend trying the Southern Meatloaf and Jason’s Mac & Cheese.
- Luigi’s Pizza: Authentic Italian pizza in a cozy atmosphere? Yes please! (They even deliver, if you’d rather enjoy a night in your cabin.)
- Pancake Pantry: A 64-year-old restaurant that is world famous for its incredible selection of different types of pancakes.
- Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud: Listen to catchy songs, watch jaw-dropping stunts, and enjoy knee-slapping laughs while filling your belly with great food at this family friendly dinner show theater.
- Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse: The perfect option for adults and couples seeking an upscale dinner, you’ll absolutely love their prime rib.
- Smoky Mountain Trout House: While they have the freshest fish in Gatlinburg, this restaurant also caters to land lovers and offers things like burgers and ribeye steaks.
11. Make Your Way Through a Mirror Maze
A Gatlinburg favorite since 2006, the Amazing Mirror Maze provides affordable fun for the whole family. Located at 919 Parkway, this attraction is open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM (during the summer, the maze remains open until midnight).
Best of all, the maze is located under the same roof as two other attractions: Circus Mini Golf, a black-lit mini golf course that must be seen to be believed, and the Shoot ‘em Up Cinema, a 7D movie ride that kids love.
12. Enjoy One of Gatlinburg’s Seasonal Activities
Whether you’re visiting in spring, summer, fall, or winter, Gatlinburg hosts a variety of special events and fun activities that vary over the course of the year. Some of the most notable examples include:
- New Year’s Eve Celebration (December 31st): Watch fireworks, drones, a ball drop, and more!
- Pancake Week (February 21st to February 28th): Yummy pancakes provided by several area restaurants.
- Gatlinburg St. Patrick’s Week (March 10th to March 17th): A weeklong celebration featuring Irish food, cultural performances, decorations, and Celtic music.
- Gatlinburg Fourth of July Celebration (July 4th): The whole family will love this fireworks show and parade, which was voted one of the country’s 10 best by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.
- Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (July and October): Take your chance to browse and buy premium crafts, ranging from paintings to leather goods to pottery pieces.
- Gatlinburg Veteran’s Day Celebration (November 11th): Observe this national holiday while listening to live music and seeing special presentations and award ceremonies.
- Gatlinburger Week (September 15th to 21st): Sample burgers from local restaurants and vote for your favorite during this week celebrating all things burgers!
Just note that many of these attractions change a bit each year, so always check the appropriate website before heading out to one of these special events.
13. Play with Some Paint
Painting Around offers customized art experiences for visitors who want to scratch their creative itch. You can paint your own canvas, make adorable pot crafts, or create rock art for your home garden. But our favorite activity is the splatter paint room, which gives you the chance to splatter glow-in-the-dark paint on canvases, companions, or anything else you can think of in a black-lit room.
Do note that Painting Around is only open by appointment on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, but they’re open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM the rest of the week.
14. Get in a Game of Golf
It’s always fun to play a round in new places, and Gatlinburg Golf Course is no exception. Surrounded by acres of nature and set against a backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, this course measures more than 6,200 yards in total length and features a number of interesting, fun, and challenging holes. The 12th hole is especially noteworthy, given that it drops nearly 200 feet in height from the tee to the hole, making it one of the most unique holes in the country.
Best of all, you don’t have to worry about slow players bogging things down; the course imposes a strict 15-minute-per-hole rule to keep things moving and ensure everyone has a chance to sneak in a game.
15. Go on a Ghost Walk
Feeling brave? Prove it by going for a lantern-led stroll that gives you the chance to explore the “history and mystery” of the Smoky Mountains. Among other things, Gatlinburg Ghost Walks will give you the chance to learn about a former actress who’s said to haunt a local hotel, the lost graves of the region’s native people, and a popular city attraction that’s still said to be haunted – and you’ll learn it all from a trained paranormal researcher!
Voted one of the 10 best ghost tours in the nation by USA Today, these tours are available on a nightly basis.
Frightening Adventure Warning: This ghost walk can be pretty spooky, so be careful with taking young kiddos (or friends who scare easily!).
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It’s easy to see why people love visiting Gatlinburg: Few places have so many attractions to enjoy! Whether you want to go shopping, enjoy the area’s great restaurants, or go on an adventure in the great outdoors, Gatlinburg has something for everyone!
But whether you are eager to explore the entire region or you’d rather kick back and relax, make sure that you select one of the best rental cabins in the area for your stay.
