What are the best things to do in Gatlinburg?
The top 10 things to do in Gatlinburg are: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (free), Gatlinburg SkyBridge, Ripley's Aquarium, Anakeesta mountaintop park, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Cades Cove wildlife loop, The Island entertainment complex, Titanic Museum, and a dinner show. Most visitors need 3-4 days to experience the highlights.
See Our Top 10 ListWith over 12 million visitors each year, the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area offers an almost overwhelming variety of things to do. Whether you're seeking adrenaline pumping thrills, peaceful nature experiences, family fun, or cultural exploration, you'll find it in the Smokies. We've organized this comprehensive list by category to help you plan the perfect itinerary.
Top 10 Must Do Experiences
If you only have a few days, make sure these are on your list:
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
America's most visited national park is completely free to enter. Drive scenic roads, hike to waterfalls, spot wildlife in Cades Cove, and take in views from Clingmans Dome. You could spend a week here and not see it all.
2. Dollywood
More than just a theme park, Dollywood celebrates Appalachian culture with world class coasters, live music, artisan demonstrations, and Dolly Parton's personal touch throughout. The seasonal festivals are legendary.
3. Gatlinburg SkyBridge
Walk across the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, 680 feet across and 140 feet above the valley. Glass floor panels add to the thrill. The SkyLift ride up is part of the experience.
4. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
One of the top aquariums in the country, featuring over 10,000 sea creatures. Walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, touch stingrays, and watch penguins play.
5. Anakeesta
Mountaintop adventure park with treetop walks, ziplines, a mountain coaster, and the charming Firefly Village. Ride the Chondola up and spend hours exploring.
6. The Island in Pigeon Forge
Entertainment complex with the 200 foot Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, 80+ shops, restaurants, and free fountain shows. Perfect for an evening of wandering.
7. Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery
The most visited distillery in America. Free tastings of 20+ moonshine flavors, live bluegrass music, and a look at working stills. Multiple locations throughout the area. Read our complete Ole Smoky guide →
8. Cades Cove Wildlife Loop
This 11 mile loop road through a historic valley is the best place in the park to spot wildlife. Black bears, deer, and wild turkeys are common, especially at dawn and dusk.
9. Titanic Museum Attraction
Half scale ship replica housing the world's largest Titanic artifact collection. Interactive and immersive, you receive a boarding pass with a real passenger's story. Read our complete Titanic Museum guide →
10. Dinner Show
Pigeon Forge is the dinner theater capital of the South. Dolly Parton's Stampede, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, and Pirates Voyage combine entertainment with feasting. Read our complete dinner shows guide →
Outdoor Adventures
- Hiking in the National Park: Over 800 miles of trails from easy walks to challenging summit hikes
- Whitewater Rafting: Class III and IV rapids on the Upper Pigeon River
- Ziplining: Multiple canopy tours throughout the area
- Horseback Riding: Guided trail rides through the Smokies
- Fishing: World class trout fishing in park streams
- Mountain Coasters: Control your own speed down the mountain
- Scenic Drives: Roaring Fork, Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop
- Waterfall Hikes: Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls, Rainbow Falls, and dozens more
Family Attractions
- WonderWorks: Upside down building with 100+ interactive science exhibits
- Hollywood Wax Museum: Lifelike celebrity figures for fun photos
- Ober Gatlinburg: Ski resort in winter, amusement park year round (full guide)
- Gatlinburg Space Needle: 407 foot observation tower with arcade
- Ripley's Believe It or Not: Odditorium of strange and fascinating exhibits
- Mini Golf: 25+ courses ranging from basic to elaborate
- Go Kart Tracks: Multiple tracks along the Pigeon Forge strip
- Zorbing: Roll downhill in a giant inflatable ball at Outdoor Gravity Park
- Pigeon Forge Snow: Indoor snow tubing year round
Cultural Experiences
- Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community: 8 mile loop with 100+ artisan studios
- Dollywood's Craftsmen: Watch blacksmiths, glassblowers, and woodworkers at work
- The Old Mill: Historic 1830s gristmill with restaurant and shops
- Tennessee Museum of Aviation: Vintage aircraft collection in Sevierville
- Mountain Farm Museum: Preserved historic buildings near park entrance
- Local Theaters: Country music, comedy, and variety shows
Free Things to Do
You don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time in the Smokies:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (no entrance fee)
- Gatlinburg Trolley downtown loop
- Ole Smoky Moonshine tastings and live music
- The Island fountain shows
- Window shopping and people watching in downtown Gatlinburg
- Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community (browsing and demonstrations)
- Wildlife viewing at Cades Cove
- Scenic overlooks throughout the park
- Watching candy being made at Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
Rainy Day Activities
When mountain weather turns wet, head indoors:
- Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
- WonderWorks interactive museum
- Hollywood Wax Museum
- Titanic Museum
- Moonshine and winery tastings
- Escape rooms (numerous options)
- Shopping malls and outlets
- Dinner shows (afternoon and evening options)
- Ober Gatlinburg indoor ice skating
- Arcade gaming at multiple locations
People Also Ask
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the number one attraction, drawing over 12 million visitors annually. It's completely free to enter and offers 800+ miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing. The park is accessible directly from downtown Gatlinburg. For ticketed attractions, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is the most popular.
Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, about 5 miles from downtown Gatlinburg. The drive takes approximately 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. The theme park is open from mid-March through early January and includes over 50 rides, live entertainment, artisan demonstrations, and seasonal festivals including the famous Smoky Mountain Christmas.
One day is not enough to fully experience Gatlinburg. In one day, you could walk downtown, visit one major attraction, and drive through part of the national park. However, to experience the highlights—the park, downtown attractions, Pigeon Forge, and a dinner show—plan at least 3-4 days. A full week allows for hiking, relaxation at your cabin, and deeper exploration.
Don't miss these essential Gatlinburg experiences:
- At least one hike in the national park (Laurel Falls is easiest, Clingmans Dome for views)
- Walking the Gatlinburg SkyBridge at sunset or after dark
- The Cades Cove scenic loop for wildlife (go at dawn or dusk)
- Free moonshine tastings at Ole Smoky or Sugarlands
- Watching the sunrise or sunset from a mountain overlook
- Fresh donuts from The Donut Friar
Plan Your Complete Trip
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