(0)Breathtaking beauty, rich mountain culture, and hundreds of fun attractions…where do you even begin? While Gatlinburg has preserved so much of her natural beauty and heritage, the “Gateway City to the Smoky Mountains” has still evolved along the way with new attractions and events visitors can enjoy year-round! Whatever may bring you to these parts of Tennessee, whether it be a beautiful mountain wedding, a romantic getaway without the kids, a church retreat with couples’ or youth, or your annual family vacation, Gatlinburg has something fun for everyone.
Experience the soul-stirring views in 2 mountaintop attractions, test your courage and challenge your mind at the Ripley’s attractions, or explore the Smokies with an outdoor adventure company! Find out how your all-time favorites in Gatlinburg have changed or preserved that nostalgia and discover new adventures and events bringing new excitement to your dream Smoky Mountain vacation!
Classic Gatlinburg Attractions
Space Needle
This iconic structure on the skyline of Gatlinburg is a must-see for any visitor! One ticket permits 2 rides to the viewing deck 417’ feet above the Parkway. Be romanced by the surrounding mountain views during the day and mesmerized by the city lights under the dark mountain skyline at night.
Ober Gatlinburg
While this is the premier ski resort of the South, Ober has plenty to offer outside of the winter season. You are in for a full day of fun for couples, families, or large groups! Skate along the ice on the indoor ice rink or bump and slide across the ice in Ober’s Ice Bumper Cars before getting a bite to eat, shopping, or venturing outside the Ober Mall to the Alpine Slide and the Wildlife Encounter! You can opt to drive your personal vehicle to the top, directly to Ober, or ride America’s largest aerial tramway, departing regularly from downtown Gatlinburg and boasting incredible views on the way.
Gatlinburg Sky Lift
Simply want the views? The newly-renovated Gatlinburg Sky Lift carries up to 3 riders to the top of Crockett Mountain, 1,800 feet above Gatlinburg! The peaceful ride lends you breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains, both as you scale the mountain and then once you turn to face the city on the descent.
Anakeesta
Though it’s a relatively new attraction, Anakeesta has drawn the attention of visitors and local media with its impressive reviews. Visitors are privileged to breathtaking views from the numerous seating areas in Firefly Village and innovative rides like the brand-new Rail Runner Mountain Coaster, the U.S.’s first Brandauer coaster! Zipline, tour the treetops, and sit down to a mouthwatering meal with gorgeous views at the top of the Chondola trip on Anakeesta Mountain.
Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community
As the nation’s largest and oldest group of independent artisans, the craftsmen and women along this 3-mile loop preserve an old American culture and way of life through trades and creativity passed down through generations.
Sweet Fanny Adams Theater
If you like any kind of theater or simply enjoy a good show, join the audience (and maybe even the show) of one of Gatlinburg’s National Historic Treasures at this 1890s style performance!
Mini Golf & Arcades
Fannie Farkle’s
It’s like a day at the carnival right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg! Hard to miss along the Parkway, the savory smells of freshly made Ogle dogs will lure you in and tons of fun games, both classic and new, will keep you and the whole family laughing and playing for hours.
Fort Fun
Mini golf, laser tag, bumper cars, arcade games, a laser maze, and so much more await the young and young-at-heart in this giant facility living up to its name!
Hillbilly Golf
Amongst the numerous mini golf courses, Hillbilly Golf stands out, or “up.” Before golfing 1 of 2 challenging courses, ride 300’ up the mountainside. With fun Smoky Mountain artifacts and exhibits along your course, you are in for a memorable day of mini golfing!
Halloween Scares, Year-Round
Mysterious Mansion
As the oldest haunted house in Gatlinburg, the staff (both living and otherwise) are very good at scares and haunts! Tour the decrepit home to an unfortunate family of souls with the family or prod your group of friends into a good fright at the dead-end street right off the Parkway.
Ghost and Haunt Tours
Hear the haunting tales of real Gatlinburg inhabitants as you walk the streets at night with your very own ghost hunting equipment used by the professional paranormal investigators!
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
Open 365 days a year, Ripley’s is all your worst nightmares inhabiting a 10,000-square-foot house of horrors. Escape with your sanity in tact before you become part of the family!
Ripley’s Attractions
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
A man’s obsession became one of the most interesting, eclectic exhibits of curiosities and creepiness across 3 floors. Ever growing, this awesome museum is an attraction the whole family will love.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Touted as one of the best aquariums in America, you won’t want to miss out on the more than 10,000 exotic sea creatures ranging from stingrays to sharks to adorable penguins.
Ripley’s Moving Theater
State-of-the-art and incredibly real with the Real-D 5-D Moving Theater equipment, it’s a moving theater to strap in for a digital adventure like no other!
Tennessee Whiskey ‘N Wine
Sugarlands Distillery
Home to award-winning spirits and loads of good times, visit the mountain barn-house on the Parkway to enjoy live music, a $5 dollar tasting that includes a $5 drink voucher, and $12 private tours of the distillery with handcrafted cocktail samplings.
Smoky Mountain Winery
If 500+ awards are not enough, maybe the free tastings and tours from Noon to 5 p.m. daily will bring you to the front doors of Gatlinburg’s oldest winery along the charming cobblestone streets.
Museums
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
From the classic Batmobile to the Transformers favorite, Bumblebee, tour the famous autos of the big screen with motorized celebrities everyone in the family will recognize.
Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens
Gorgeous flowers, beautiful sculptures, a serene prayer garden, and the magnificent story of Jesus come together in a tour that highlights history in Christianity.
Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
This charming little building houses over 20,000 pieces of art you would have never thought to study outside your own dinner table! Founded and maintained by a Belgium archeologist, each shaker, from historical figures to kooky animals, has been carefully cleaned and arranged for your enjoyment.
Outdoor Fun
Smoky Mountain Rafting
Great for families and large groups, take on the class II, III, and IV rapids of the Pigeon River while enjoying some of the most incredible views of the Smoky Mountains!
Rafting In The Smokies
As one of our partners, mention you are staying in a Cabins for YOU cabin and receive $9 off per person for a thrilling day on the whitewater rapids or their Dual Ziplines!
Events
Gatlinburg Craftsmen Fair
If you find yourself in the Smoky Mountains in July or October, be sure to stop by the Gatlinburg Convention Center to witness hundreds of the nation’s most talented artisans on display! Pottery, copper work, leather goods, jewelry, and more are on display and for sale to the public, straight from the artists’ hands.
Winterfest
From early November through February, tour the Christmas light spectacle like no other in the 3 cities of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, and enjoy the most magical holiday ever!
Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
Throughout the summer, beginning at 6 p.m. each evening, visitors to downtown Gatlinburg are privileged to street performers singing, dancing, and telling tales of the early days of the Smoky Mountains.