What to Do in Gatlinburg TN: 14 Ridiculously Fun Things You Can’t Miss

Gatlinburg is where cozy cabin core meets slightly chaotic energy, and somehow, it all works. Tucked in the Smoky Mountains, this little Tennessee town is serving scenic drama, syrup-drenched everything, and more quirky attractions than your group chat can handle.

One minute you’re hiking through misty trails that look like a deleted Twilight scene, the next you’re taste-testing moonshine while debating if a bear-themed mug counts as a tax write-off. It’s got charm, it’s got kitsch, and it’s got just enough “what is happening” to make every moment memorable.

Whether you’re traveling with the kids, the girls, or just your emotionally exhausted inner child, Gatlinburg knows how to deliver a core-memory kind of trip.

We’re talking sky rides, pancake stacks, and mountain views for cheap that might just heal your soul. Let’s get into the fun things to do in Gatlinburg: things to do, eat, see, and romanticize while you’re here!

For When You Want to Touch Grass (Literally)

Looking for the best outdoor things to do in Gatlinburg TN? This mountain town is basically a natural beauty, packed with jaw-dropping views, tree-lined trails, and just enough adventure to make you feel like you could survive in the wild for at least one full afternoon.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If Gatlinburg is the gateway, then the Smokies are the main event. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bursting with scenic drives, wildlife sightings, and trails that range from casual strolls to “why did I think I could do this” hikes.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a dreamy loop you can drive, packed with waterfalls and old cabins that look like something out of Little House on the Prairie.

For a slower pace and postcard-perfect views, Cades Cove is your go-to for easy nature walks, historic churches, and the occasional bear cameo.

Anakeesta

Think mountaintop village meets thrill-seeker starter pack. Anakeesta is perched high above Gatlinburg, and getting there is half the fun thanks to a scenic chairlift or gondola.

Once you’re up top, you’ll find treetop canopy walks, dueling zip lines, and a mountain coaster that’ll make your stomach do a tiny flip of joy.

There’s also a dreamy garden walk and a firepit lounge area if you’re more into sipping hot cocoa and pretending you’re in a rom-com montage.

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

This is the spot for people who want a little drama with their mountain views! The SkyLift takes you up Crockett Mountain, and from there, you can brave the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

It’s the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, there’s a glass section in the middle for added thrill (and possibly panic).

The views are unreal, especially at sunset, and the SkyDeck area gives you a comfy place to soak it all in without breaking a sweat.

Ober Gatlinburg

Ober is like winter wonderland meets retro amusement park, and we’re into it. You’ll ride an aerial tramway from downtown Gatlinburg up to the resort, where you can ski, snowboard, ice skate, or just drink something warm while pretending you’re sporty.

In warmer months, it turns into a mountain playground with alpine slides, mini golf, and wildlife encounters. It’s the kind of place where the whole family can find something to do, even if “something” is sitting by the fire with funnel cake.

Clingmans Dome

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies, and yes, your ears might pop on the way up. After a scenic drive with plenty of pull-over-and-snap-a-photo moments, there’s a short but steep walk to the observation tower.

From the top, you can see seven states on a clear day, which is basically nature’s version of bragging rights. Just bring a jacket, even in summer—it gets chilly fast, and no one looks cool shivering in flip flops.

What to Do in Gatlinburg When You’re Not Hiking

Wondering what to do in Gatlinburg TN when you’re not on a trail or riding a sky lift? This town is packed with enough quirky attractions, live entertainment, and Insta-worthy detours to keep you busy long after the hiking trail boots come off.

Think haunted houses, dinner shows, aquariums, and places that proudly blur the line between fun and completely unhinged.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

This place is basically the underwater version of a theme park, but with more sharks and fewer lines. You’ll wander through tunnels surrounded by sea creatures giving serious Finding Nemo energy, and yes, the jellyfish room is totally hypnotic.

There’s also a penguin exhibit where they waddle around like tiny grumpy old men in tuxedos, and it’s honestly healing.

It’s kid-friendly, adult-approved, and perfect when you want to feel like you’ve escaped to Atlantis without leaving your mountain bubble.

Museums

Only in Gatlinburg can you bounce between the Batmobile, a Bible-themed wax museum, and 20,000 salt and pepper shakers all before lunch.

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is a wild ride through movie history, complete with the Back to the Future DeLorean and a full Fast & Furious flex. Christ in the Smokies? Surprisingly serene with dramatic lighting and a garden that feels like a church picnic dream sequence.

And the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is so bizarrely specific, you’ll leave with questions, photos, and possibly a new appreciation for condiments.

Mini-Golf and Mountain Coasters

If you’ve never played mini-golf inside a candy kingdom or zoomed down a mountain on a solo coaster cart, Gatlinburg is here to fix that. The mini-golf here is not chill—think blacklights, animatronics, and themes that go way too hard (in the best way).

For roller-coaster energy without the theme park lines, the Moonshine Mountain Coaster lets you control your own speed while flying through the trees like a caffeinated forest fairy. Bonus: you can scream as loud as you want and nobody will judge you.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure

This haunted house is giving spooky season energy year-round. It’s got creepy corridors, live actors who love jump scares a little too much, and that classic haunted-house smell of fog machine and adrenaline.

It’s scary enough to make you clutch your friend’s arm, but campy enough that you’ll be laughing by the time you reach the exit. Basically, it’s Halloween with air-conditioning and fewer costume malfunctions.

Retail Therapy and Ridiculously Good Eats Near Gatlinburg

Looking for things to do near Gatlinburg that involve food, shopping, or ideally both? Well, this area is packed with spots that know how to feed your inner foodie and satisfy your impulse-buy tendencies in one swoop.

Think local candy counters, old-school general stores, moonshine tasting rooms, and gift shops with everything from handmade pottery to questionable-but-iconic bear merch.

The Village Shops

This tucked-away gem is basically a Pinterest board you can walk through. Think cobblestone paths, vintage signage, and shops filled with candles, quirky socks, and the best donuts in a five-mile radius.

You’ll browse, snack, and probably buy something wildly unnecessary but weirdly perfect. Bonus points if you find the hidden courtyard fountain and pretend you’re in a Nancy Meyers vacation montage.

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

If your love language is “local and handmade,” this place is your mothership! The loop is lined with woodcarvers, weavers, soap-makers, and artists who can turn anything into a cabin-chic masterpiece.

You’ll start out looking for a souvenir and end up emotionally attached to a hand-carved spoon. It’s cozy, creative, and just chaotic enough to make shopping feel like an adventure.

Distilleries

Let’s be honest, this is the most fun you’ll ever have standing at a counter sampling tiny plastic cups of booze.

Ole Smoky and Sugarlands are where moonshine meets main character energy. Flavors range from peach to “did I just drink fire,” and yes, the vibe is very much adult field trip. Between the live music and the friendly chaos, you’ll leave buzzed, happy, and possibly with a souvenir you don’t remember buying.

Tennessee Homemade Wines

If fruity wine in a mason jar sounds like your kind of vibe, welcome to your new favorite stop. This place pours samples like they’re inviting you to Sunday dinner, with flavors like blueberry and peach that go down dangerously easy.

The staff is funny, chatty, and will absolutely convince you to take home a bottle or five. It’s the sweet Southern charm you didn’t know you needed until you were already two sips deep.

Restaurants

Gatlinburg’s food scene is here to feed both your stomach and your serotonin. Pancake Pantry is a local legend where the syrup flows freely, and the pancakes are bigger than your face.

The Peddler serves up steakhouse classics with cozy cabin energy and riverside views that make everything taste better. Whether you’re team breakfast or team “I need a ribeye right now,” this town understands the assignment.

Your Turn: Spill the Gatlinburg Tea

Got a favorite pancake stack, secret shopping stop, or moonshine flavor that changed your life a little? Drop your best Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge tips in the comments.

We’re all ears—and possibly already halfway to the fudge shop you recommend.

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