There are all sorts of fun things to do in Gatlinburg, TN, throughout the year – from free things to do to paid attractions and excursions. Whether you’re planning your first Gatlinburg vacation or your hundredth, you are bound to find plenty of activities and fun attractions to experience in this guide as we reveal some of the best things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is the most visited attraction in Gatlinburg and has been rated the best aquarium in the United States by TripAdvisor. The popular Gatlinburg aquarium features numerous exhibits including the Tropical Rainforest, Ocean Realm, Systems Controls, Coral Reef, Shark Lagoon, Discovery Center, Gallery of the Seas, Stingray Bay, Touch a Ray Bay, and Penguin Playhouse. They even have a massive underwater tunnel with a 340-ft long gliding path to view sharks, stingrays, a sea turtle, and all sorts of other sea life! It’s the perfect attraction for people of all ages.
If you want a truly unique experience, then be sure to check out Hollywood Star Cars Museum in downtown Gatlinburg! This incredible museum features some of the most famous cars from Hollywood movies and TV shows over the years, including vehicles from The Fast and The Furious, The Dukes of Hazzard, Ghostbusters, Batman, Gone in 60 Seconds, Back to the Future, and many more! Visit their website to see their collection of famous cars, and click and print our coupon for $2 off per person!
Ober Mountain offers fun things to do year-round with skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the winter and all sorts of activities the rest of the year including an alpine slide, amusement rides, downhill mountain biking, wildlife habitat, ice skating, and more! There are two ways to get to the top of Ober Mountain. You can either drive a winding road to the top of the mountain, or you can take the Aerial Tramway. Visit their website to learn more and plan your trip!
The Ober Mountain Aerial Tramway is located on the south end of the Parkway in Gatlinburg just before you get to Ski Mountain Rd. The tram is a fun and scenic way to get to Ober Mountain, as it provides a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains during a 10 minute, 2.1 mile ride up the mountain. The tram runs every 20 minutes and is one of America’s largest aerial tramways, holding up to 120 passengers.
If the massive aerial tramway is a bit too big for your tastes, consider riding one of the scenic chairlifts in Gatlinburg. These chairlifts typically hold 2 to 4 people in each “chair” that transports riders to the top of a mountain for an incredible view. Two of the most popular chairlifts can be found at Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg SkyPark, both of which are located on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. Another popular chairlift is located at Ober Mountain, taking riders to one of the highest points in Smokies!
White water rafting in the Smoky Mountains is another one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg. There are a handful of white water rafting companies in the area that provide a great time for individuals, families, church groups, corporate retreats, and more. Our guide below reveals how to get the best discounts on white water rafting trips, so be sure to check it out if you want to explore the rapids!
Hillbilly Golf has become a tradition for many people over the years as one of the things they make sure to do when they visit Gatlinburg. It’s a mini golf or “putt putt” course located on the side of a hill that you ride an incline lift 300ft up to hole #1 and then play your way down. Along the way, you’ll see moonshine stills, outhouses, covered wagons, and other parts of mountain folk life! It’s the most unique mini golf experience you’ll likely find anywhere. Hillbilly Golf is located on the north end of town closest to Pigeon Forge.
If you love a good challenge, then you’ll definitely want to check out Gatlin’s Escape Games! You’re locked in a themed room and have 60 minutes to work as a team of 2-8 people to piece together numerous clues and find the answer on how to escape! This is a perfect thing to do for couples, families, and friends. If you’ve never experienced the fun and challenge of an escape room before, then check out Gatlin’s Escape Games when you’re in town!
Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains has been a popular thing to do for…well…as long as the mountains have been around! Gatlinburg has some fantastic trails in the area of various lengths, difficulty, views, etc. Below, you can find a link to the National Park Service website with a list of maps including trail maps, park maps, campground maps, and more to help you find the perfect trails and plan your hike!
Gatlinburg has a handful of fantastic waterfalls, including some that are easy to get to and others that require a bit of a hike. We're sharing a few of the most popular waterfalls in Gatlinburg, TN with links to find out more about them, view photos, get directions, etc. If you plan on taking children to any of these waterfalls, make sure you see how long the hike is and what is involved (crossing streams and such) to be fully prepared: - Grotto Falls - Laurel Falls - Ramsey Cascades - Rainbow Falls - Place of a Thousand Drips – a pretty unique “set” of waterfalls just a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg.
Even though there are some great restaurants in Gatlinburg, one of the best things to do is pack a picnic and head to one of the picnic areas in Gatlinburg, TN. Some of the most popular picnic areas are the Chimneys and Greenbrier. There are picnic tables beside mountain streams where you can wade, swim, rock hop, find salamanders, etc. This is an extremely popular thing to do among couples and families to just get out in the Smoky Mountains and enjoy nature…and it’s practically free! Click the link below to find more about the best picnic areas.
If you want the best views of the Smoky Mountains, then be sure to drive up to Newfound Gap or Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome. Both offer incredible views that everyone should see at least once when they visit Gatlinburg or the Smoky Mountains. Make sure your camera is charged up and ready to take lots of pics! - Newfound Gap - Kuwohi
Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains offer some of the best fishing streams in the nation. The natural surroundings, the clear waters, the native trout, and everything else make fishing in the Smokies a unique experience. You can fish as close as downtown, or you can choose to hike for miles out to a secluded area. There are over 2,000 miles of streams in the Great Smoky Mountains, so finding a place to fish is never a problem! There are some regulations as to when fishing is allowed, what types of bait can be used, etc., so be sure to research that before you set out.
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community has numerous shops where artists, craftsmen, etc., make and sell their handmade goods, including pottery, quilts, artwork, furniture, food, and much more. If you plan to purchase anything during your visit to Gatlinburg, make sure you swing through the craft route to find unique, one-of-a-kind items that you literally cannot find anywhere else. These also make excellent gifts for birthdays, holidays, etc.
Throughout the year, there are numerous events that take place in Gatlinburg – most of which are completely free – such as parades, fireworks, craft shows, etc. Be sure to check out our Gatlinburg calendar of events to see what all will be happening during the year and find some fun things to do in Gatlinburg!
Yes, we know that Pigeon Forge isn’t exactly a fun thing to do in Gatlinburg, but it’s the next town over and offers all sorts of great attractions and activities, including Dollywood, Dollywood's Splash Country, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, WonderWorks, and much more! Be sure to check out our sister site Pigeon Forge TN Guide to discover all of the fun things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN!
If you’re looking to save some money on these and more fun things to do in Gatlinburg, TN, make sure you check out our Gatlinburg discount tickets and coupons so you can enjoy the best things to do in Gatlinburg for the lowest prices possible!
