What to do in Gatlinburg, TN

Activities, attractions and tours

Photo provided by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Photo provided by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Gatlinburg
Photo provided by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Photo provided by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Gatlinburg has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Gatlinburg is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Gatlinburg to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Gatlinburg Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Gatlinburg.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Gatlinburg attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

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Top places to visit

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The beauty and diversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park explain why it is the most visited of the U.S. national parks. Enjoy nature, wildlife and the quiet peace of endless forests.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park showing tranquil scenes, forests and a house

2. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Experience a spectacular aquatic adventure at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where 10,000 sea creatures represent over 350 species. Explore a tropical rain forest or walk through an underwater tunnel, watch live feeding shows and get face-to-face with tropical animals. Since opening in 2000, the aquarium has become one of Gatlinburg’s most popular attractions and welcomes about 1 million visitors per year.
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Ripley\'s Aquarium of the Smokies featuring marine life and interior views as well as a large group of people

3. SkyPark

Gatlinburg Sky Lift is a 1950s chairlift that transports you from downtown Gatlinburg to a lookout point at the summit of Crockett Mountain. From an elevation of 1,800 feet (549 meters) you can enjoy picnics while taking in the views of the Smoky Mountains and the pretty town below.
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Gatlinburg Sky Lift which includes a gondola and forest scenes

4. Gatlinburg Space Needle

Gatlinburg Space Needle is an observation tower and entertainment complex located in the center of Gatlinburg. Come here to enjoy uninterrupted views of the Smoky Mountains and learn about the region’s history. Watch comedian and magician shows and celebrate New Year’s Eve at a free pyrotechnic fireworks display.
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Gatlinburg Space Needle

5. Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum

Discover weird and wonderful artifacts from around the world at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium. Come and see the museum inspired by the adventures of Robert Ripley, who traveled the world in search of unusual stories, unique people and bizarre souvenirs. With 500 artifacts spread over three floors, the museum is an ideal attraction for all ages.
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Ripley\'s Believe It Or Not Museum featuring interior views

Recommended things to do in Gatlinburg

Number of things to do
90
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Gatlinburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: CA $11
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Gatlinburg

Discover the most popular places to visit in Gatlinburg

Ripley\'s Aquarium of the Smokies featuring marine life and interior views as well as a large group of people

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

From sharks and stingrays, to penguins and octopus, get close to a colorful collection of tropical sea creatures at this walk-through aquarium.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters is just one of the places to see in Gatlinburg, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the riverfront or discover the beautiful waterfalls in this romantic area.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters
Anakeesta

Anakeesta

Bring the kiddos to Anakeesta and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Gatlinburg.

Anakeesta
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Gatlinburg Convention Center

Learn about the events happening at Gatlinburg Convention Center during your trip to Gatlinburg. Discover the beautiful waterfalls and mountain views in this romantic area.

Gatlinburg Convention Center
Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park

Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park

Take the family on an outing to Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park during your trip to Gatlinburg. Discover the mountain views and beautiful waterfalls in this romantic area.

Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park
Gatlinburg Sky Lift which includes a gondola and forest scenes

SkyPark

Ride this historic chairlift to a lookout point that offers spectacular panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg’s townscape.

SkyPark
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park

Bring the family to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park and enjoy the excitement of this theme park in Gatlinburg. Wander the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park
Gatlinburg Space Needle

Gatlinburg Space Needle

Ride in a glass elevator to an observation tower for panoramic mountain views or enjoy comedy, magician and fireworks shows.

Gatlinburg Space Needle
Ripley\'s Believe It Or Not Museum featuring interior views

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum

Get ready to be astounded by unique artifacts from all corners of the globe at this museum dedicated to astonishing people and events.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum

Explore areas of Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg showing landscape views and autumn leaves

Downtown Gatlinburg

While visiting Downtown Gatlinburg, you might make a stop by sights like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Downtown Gatlinburg
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Chalet Village

If you're spending some time in Chalet Village, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park are top sights worth seeing.

Chalet Village
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Chalet Village North

While Chalet Village North isn't home to many top sights, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Chalet Village North

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Gatlinburg

Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge

Pittman Center

Pittman Center

Cherokee

Cherokee

Photo by Megan McCrea

Wears Valley

Frequently asked questions

Is Gatlinburg worth visiting?
Renowned for its family-friendly attractions and golfing, discovering awesome things to do in Gatlinburg is easy. Remember to add Anakeesta to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Gatlinburg?
Once you've visited top attractions like Anakeesta and Laurel Falls, spend some time discovering Gatlinburg's shopping and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Gatlinburg?
The top tourist attraction in Gatlinburg is Anakeesta, so be sure to include it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Gatlinburg?
You can easily enjoy leading attractions like Anakeesta, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Laurel Falls with a three-day break in Gatlinburg. On average, most travellers book three days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so stay a bit longer and head to Pigeon Forge.
Is Gatlinburg a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city centre, Gatlinburg is a great place to discover on foot. Have fun wandering between Anakeesta and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Then take a stroll through Chalet Village, located 3 kilometres from downtown, and Chalet Village North, which is about 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Gatlinburg with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all ages, have a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Gatlinburg with kids.

What to do in Gatlinburg for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or fan of nature, there are lots of things to do in Gatlinburg for adults including Sugarlands Distilling Company and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters.
Are there free things to do in Gatlinburg?
One of the top ways to discover free things to do in Gatlinburg is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without getting your cash out. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is one spot that doesn't have an entrance fee.