Sevier County, Tennessee is home to Gatlinburg, a fantastic resort city that is now a popular tourist destination. Set in a valley of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is a picturesque and historic destination loved by tourists of all ages. Most people visit this city to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while others come here to see visit one of the nicest ski resorts in the Eastern United States.
Gatlinburg, TN, has impressive hotels, motels, shopping options, cabins, and restaurants. Most of the activities offered in the city are outdoors and revolve around family fun. So, let’s dig a little deep and see what this city has to offer.
12 FUN THINGS TO DO IN GATLINBURG, TN
1. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is the most famous national park in the entire country. It is famous for its ancient mountains, diverse flora and fauna, and remnants of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Furthermore, some major highlights of this park include hiking, wildflowers, and Cades Cove.
Cades Cove is a valley that offers picturesque views as mountains surround it. A one-way road takes people through the cove. This road spans over 11 miles. Cars are allowed to move on the loop road, whereas bicycles are permitted only between May to September.
2. The Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
If you are fond of scenic views that the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is a must-visit place for you. People like to pull-over on the Gatlinburg Bypass as it offers astonishing views of the entire city. You will find many families and photographers trying to capture the stunning sunset. If you are lucky, you might also get the chance to see wild bears and turkey in the nearby landscape. This scenic view is 15-30 minutes away from the central city.
3. Gatlinburg Sky-lift
The skylift has been transporting people up the Crockett Mountain since the 1950s. The Gatlinburg Skylift takes six minutes to climb the 1800-foot mountain. This is where you will find a quiet place to rest, an observation area, a small gift shop, and a refreshment center.
The Gatlinburg Skylift offers its visitors a chance to step back and absorb the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, and its cloud-topped peaks, blue-green forests, blue hills, and rivers. Don’t worry if you plan to visit in the evening; you can still enjoy the view of the illuminated Gatlinburg city.
4. Gatlinburg Space Needle
This is an observation tower that overlooks the Great Smoky Mountains. You move towards an observation deck by using one of the two glass elevators. On the two observation decks, you can use viewfinders free of cost and can see the exhibits. These exhibits provide valuable information about Gatlinburg and the Great Smokies.
Similarly, Arcadia, a two-story arcade, is located at the base of the Space Needle. New games are added regularly to keep things exciting. Arcadia also contains the Slice Pizza Bakery, which is a great place to dine on pizza, appetizers, salads, and calzones.
5. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
A dream destination for Hollywood fans is this Cars Museum. It hosts forty cars that have featured in different movies. You will get to see the jalopy from the Beverly Hillbillies, two Batmobiles – one from “Batman Returns” and the other from the original TV show. You can also see DeLorean’s Back to the Future and the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 van.
Recently, they’ve added cars from the Fast and the Furious moves and the Thunderbird from the Beach Boys. There’s a gift shop in the museum, and you can also take photos with the cars that are on display.
6. The Gatlinburg Trail
Just close to downtown Gatlinburg is the Gatlinburg Trail. It is one of the only two in the National Park, and it allows bicycles and dogs. The 3.8-mile loop starts and ends at Sugarlands Visitor Center. It is an easy trail with great views for people with all fitness levels.
Furthermore, the Gatlinburg Trail runs along the Little Pigeon River, and you get to cross back and forth from one bank of the river through its bridges. From the trial, you can see waterfalls, chimneys of old homesteads, and an age-old cemetery. The trail is shaded, peaceful, and a relief from the hustle and bustle of the Downtown Gatlinburg.
7. Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park & Ski Area
Each year during the winter season, the Ober Gatlinburg gets filled with visitors and locals. You get a chance to reach the peak in an enclosed tram car and return skiing. The Ski Mountain Coaster is a ride that takes five minutes and takes you over a mile.
Also, two alpine slides are 1800-feet in length and travel across the woods to the mountain’s base. You can also enjoy playing mini-golf, try out swings, ride an indoor carousel, and let your kids run around in a kiddie playground.
Other Attractions Worth Noting
Gatlinburg has a lot of other indoor and outdoor activities to offer. Year-round, this mountain town offers activities you won’t find in other places. Here are some other worth mentioning attractions:
- 8 – The Salt & Paper Shaker Museum – What started humbly has now grown into a museum that houses 20,000 sets of shakers and 1,500 pepper mills. It is a place unlike any other in the world.
- 9 – Sugarlands Riding Stables – These stables offer horseback riding experience for people at all levels. You get to enjoy access to mountain streams and woodlands of the Smoky Mountains.
- 10 – The Mountain Mall – This is Gatlinburg’s famous indoor attraction. Located in the downtown, the Mountain Mall displays several shops with custom themes and offers all sorts of experiences.
- 11 – Gatlinburg Walking Tours – There are two tours that Gatlinburg Walking Tours offers. You can visit their Facebook page to see their tour schedules. For instance, “A Taste of Gatlinburg” has seven stops at different local eateries.
- 12 – Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster – If you are an adventure lover, the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster might be a perfect choice. It moves through the Smoky Mountains, and you get to control your speed.
Over the years, Gatlinburg has become a center of attention for ski lovers as people from all across America come here to have a good time during the winter season. Pack your bags and head for the adventures of the Great Smoky Mountains. Please feel free to take advantage of our affiliate discount offers to have the trip of a lifetime!