10 Things You Must Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The bustling town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee serves as the doorstep to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Covering more than 522-thousand acres, the park was dedicated by President Roosevelt in 1934 with the promise these mountains would always be free to visit. That’s one of the reasons it is consistently the most visited national park in America.
Gatlinburg is synonymous with the term Smokies. You can’t think of one without the other.
Because of its proximity to the park’s entrance, many travelers make Gatlinburg base camp for exploring the wide array of recreational opportunities available in the mountains. You can find everything from moderately-priced hotels and historic lodges to cabins, chalets and other types of vacation rentals scattered across the mountainsides.
As one of the top travel destinations in the U.S., Gatlinburg is famous for its downtown strip known as the Parkway. Hundreds of shops, restaurants, attractions, and places to stay line this street that only has a few blocks and is less than a mile long.
In the video below, we share with you 10 Things You Must Do in Gatlinburg.
Eat at a Pancake House
The best place to start your first day or any day in the Smokies is at a pancake house. There’s no shortage of these popular breakfast spots in Gatlinburg. You can find an eatery that specializes in flapjacks on what seems like every block.
Ride to the Top
There are more ways than ever to take a leisurely ride to the top of one of Gatlinburg’s imposing mountains.
Anakeesta
A chondola sky lift system is utilized to transport visitors 600 feet to the top of Anakeesta Mountain. Following the 10-minute ride in an open chairlift or enclosed 6-person gondola cabin, visitors can explore two distinct villages with a handful of shopping and dining options, including two sit-down restaurants where the spectacular views from your table make it really hard to leave.
The centerpiece of it all is downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point, AnaVista Observation Tower. After climbing 84 steps, you’re greeted with 360-degree views of the Smokies, and on clear days, you can see as far as Kentucky.
For an additional charge not included with general admission to Anakeesta, visitors can take a ride on a mountain coaster, soar through the forest on a zipline, or go gem mining.
Afraid of Heights?
If the thought of riding in an open chairlift or in a gondola makes you nauseous, Anakeesta has provided a grounded alternative to get to the top of the mountain. It’s called the Ridge Rambler. This huge passenger truck will take you through some pretty forest as it winds to the summit. The Ridge Rambler is included with general admission.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Since the 1950s, vacationers have been hopping on the iconic yellow chairs of the Gatlinburg SkyLift. Today at the top of the mountain you’ll find SkyLift Park and the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America.
Ober Gatlinburg
Board an Aerial Tram to Ober Gatlinburg’s Bavarian-themed amusement park and Tennessee’s only ski area, which normally makes snow in the cooler months when temperatures on the mountain are under 28 degrees.
Watch Craftsmen at Work
Arts and crafts have a deep heritage here in the Smokies. One of the most enjoyable, authentic experiences you’ll have during your time in Gatlinburg is to make a trip to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community.
This 8-mile loop road is home to the largest independent organization of artisans in the U.S.
Shop at The Village
An archway adjacent to the Pancake Pantry welcomes shoppers to The Village, a landmark in Gatlinburg dating back more than half a century.
The narrow brick-covered sidewalks and Old World architecture transports visitors to a different time and place. I’ve often described it as a Dickens Village come to life with little touches from the old country in the main square.
This is where you can find the Donut Friar, the Cheese Cupboard, Candle Cottage and more than 20 other unique shops and cafes.
Sample the Shine
Moonshine distilleries seem to be outpacing pancake houses when it comes to new openings along the Parkway.
$5 tastings are offered for folks 21 and over. Participants receive a $5 coupon in return, which can be applied to any purchase made in the distillery’s gift shop.
Each tasting gives you the chance to sample a variety of moonshine flavors served in tiny communion cups.
Bartenders make all the difference when it comes to the type of experience you have. So choose wisely.
Do an Attraction
I’m not sure boredom can be a thing in Gatlinburg. The cheese runs pretty thick along the Parkway with all types of carnie attractions like indoor mini golf, mirror mazes and even an earthquake simulator all to keep you entertained when you’re not eating pancakes and drinking moonshine.
Classics like Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum!, Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion are good bets.
Go Under the Sea
One of the top aquariums in the nation can be found in Gatlinburg. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies features galleries on two floors with thousands of sea creatures. Best of all for families - it’s kid friendly!
View the Burg from Above
Topping out at 407-feet tall, the Gatlinburg Space Needle was the second-tallest tower in Tennessee upon completion in 1969. Be sure to bring your camera for some awesome panoramic photos of the resort town and the gorgeous mountains.
There’s an arcade on the ground floor along with a pretty good pizza joint.
Watch Taffy Being Made
Since the 1950s, tourists have been mesmerized by the taffy-making process at Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen.
While the faces have changed over the decades, candy makers dressed in white uniforms still man the machine and offer visitors one of their original old-fashioned taffy logs.
Play Hillbilly Golf
While there are a handful of mini-golf courses around Gatlinburg, there’s only one Hillbilly Golf.
Players travel up a hillside aboard an incline railway where they tackle one of two 18-hole courses. All the way down are hilarious hillbilly-themed interactive props.
In business since 1971, this is the place you have to play putt-putt in the Smokies. But note they normally close in late November to perform maintenance during the winter season.