Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Smoky Mountains! The leaves are starting to change, the weather is getting cooler, and there are exciting things to do in the area! Gatlinburg is full of autumn themed activities and decorations you won’t want to miss! Check out these 5 things to do when you visit Gatlinburg in the fall:
1. Sample Local Craft Beer
There are so many great breweries and bars where you can grab a brew and some food while you watch the game, but why not enjoy a beer with a view of the Smokies instead? At Anakeesta, purchase a Beer Tasting Card to enjoy several pours of special brews, or head up to Clayton's Landing at Gatlinburg SkyPark for an ice-cold beer on tap from Smoky Mountain SIPS! Plus, an outdoor Bier Garten at Ober Mountain is open every day, where guests over 21 years old can taste all different kinds of beer from Yee-Haw Brewing, so don’t miss out on experiencing Oktoberfest!
2. Experience a Fall Festival
Another fun activity you won’t want to miss out on when you visit Gatlinburg in the fall is experiencing one of the many fun fall festivals, from the Bear-Varian Fall Festival at Anakeesta to the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival in downtown Gatlinburg. Each year, the city of Gatlinburg decorates storefronts with yellows, oranges, and reds. You’ll enjoy spooky skeletons for Halloween, as well as cute scarecrows along every doorway. In addition to these decorations, you’ll also get to enjoy the natural decor: the colorful leaves along the mountainside!
3. Embrace the Spooky Vibes at Haunted Attractions
Spooky season and fall are the perfect times to visit haunted attractions like Gatlinburg's Mysterious Mansion and Ripley's Haunted Adventure! You can expect live actors, eerie thrills around every corner, and jump scares that will have you screaming in fear. There are also several ghost walking tours in Gatlinburg, where you can take a guided tour at night along the streets of Gatlinburg and visit some of the town's most haunted places!
4. Enjoy the Fall Foliage
There’s nothing more fun than getting to see the leaves as they are in the middle of changing colors for fall. Whether you ride the SkyLift, take in the views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or enjoy the journey on the Aerial Tramway, you'll find plenty of ways to admire the stunning foliage surrounding Gatlinburg. You can also stop by the Gatlinburg Overlook, a picturesque viewing spot on the Gatlinburg Bypass Road that shows downtown Gatlinburg set in the middle of the mountains.
5. Go Ziplining Above the Treetops
Want to chase some thrills to go with your mountain views and stunning fall colors? Go on a zipline tour in Gatlinburg! You can soar side by side at Anakeesta, set your sights on Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the lines at CLIMB works, or try Gatlinburg's newest ziplining adventure, the Cloud Catcher at Ober Mountain.
Planning on being in Gatlinburg in the fall? Find out some of the fun things to do in Gatlinburg in October!
