There is no shortage of things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! The Smoky Mountain city combines breathtaking natural beauty with some of the best attractions in the Southeast. Most of the best things to do in Gatlinburg are located along the Parkway, the main road that runs through the heart of the city. The downtown area is very walkable, so it’s easy to spend the whole afternoon enjoying everything there is to experience on The Strip. To help you plan your vacation to the area, we have put together a guide of things to do in Gatlinburg.
Visit These Attractions In Gatlinburg
1. Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
The Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook offers one of the most beautiful views in East Tennessee. From this spot located on the Gatlinburg Bypass, you can see the downtown Gatlinburg skyline and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What makes this vista so special is the dramatic contrast between the city and the mountains. The downtown area is at an elevation of about 1,300 feet, while the highest point in the national park, Mount LeConte, is 6,593 feet tall. The vertical mile difference between the city and Mount Leconte is the largest contrast in elevation in the eastern part of the nation!
2. Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Distillery
Known as “The Holler”, the Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Distillery in downtown Gatlinburg is the most visited distillery in the country! Making moonshine used to be an illicit activity done in the backwoods under the light of the moon, but these days, it is a respected (and legal) part of Gatlinburg’s heritage. For a small fee, visitors to The Holler can sample some of Ole Smoky’s unique moonshine flavors, such as Apple Pie, Lemon Drop, and Blackberry. Of course, you can also purchase a jar to take home! Even if you’re not a drinker, you’ll love listening to the live country and bluegrass musicians that frequent the distillery.
3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies ranks among the top ten aquariums in the United States on TripAdvisor. With over 10,000 sea creatures, Ripley’s has more animals than Gatlinburg has residents! One of the most popular parts of the aquarium is Shark Lagoon, where a 100-yard moving sidewalk takes visitors through an underwater tunnel that is swimming with sharks, eels, and other fearsome deep-sea predators. Another highlight of the aquarium is the Penguin Playhouse, which consists of both an indoor and outdoor style habitat for some adorable African penguins. It’s easy to see why Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is one of the most popular Gatlinburg points of interest!
4. Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community
If you’re looking for handcrafted souvenirs from Gatlinburg, you can’t beat the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. This 8-mile loop is full of studios, galleries, and shops that showcase works from the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Visitors to the Arts & Crafts Community will find paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, candles, baskets, quilts, dolls, brooms, wood carvings, and so much more.
5. Gatlinburg Sky Lift
The Gatlinburg Sky Lift is an exciting way to enjoy aerial views of the downtown area. This fun chair lift ride leaves from The Strip and climbs 1,800 feet to reach the peak of Crockett Mountain. At the top of the mountain, guests will find a scenic overlook with binoculars, a gift shop with snacks, and the chance to have a souvenir photo taken on the Sky Lift. For a romantic experience, take the Gatlinburg Sky Lift at night to see the city’s glittering lights.
6. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is another one of the Gatlinburg Parkway attractions you don’t want to miss. This fun museum is home to some of the most famous cars from TV and movie history, including the Back to the Future DeLorean, the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard, and two Batmobiles. Guests even have the chance to take a photo in some of the iconic vehicles for an extra fee.
7. Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre
The Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre has been entertaining vacationers for over 40 years! Known for its hilarious comedic productions, the shows at Sweet Fanny Adams will appeal to anyone who loved the Carol Burnett Show or Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Sweet Fanny Adams hosts rotating shows throughout the year, so you can come back again and again for new laughs.
8. Aunt Mahalia’s Candies
Aunt Mahalia’s Candies opened in 1939, making it the oldest sweet shop in Gatlinburg. This candy store has stood the test of time because its products are simply that good. Popular items at Aunt Mahalia’s include the fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, and pecan logs. Aunt Mahalia’s has two locations on the Parkway, so you’ll never be far from some delicious sweet treats.
See the foliage in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, offers some of the most spectacular fall colors in the nation! With 100 species of native trees in the Smoky Mountains, the area features leaves of virtually every color. The most important thing to know about the fall colors is when to expect them! While predicting exactly when the leaves will be at their best isn’t an exact science, there are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind. In general, the last two weeks of October and the first week of November are considered “peak season” for the fall foliage. During this time period, the colors are at their most vibrant in the lower elevations of the mountains.
If you can’t visit Gatlinburg towards the end of October, there is no need to despair! It is still possible to see the fall foliage earlier in the season – you just have to go to the top of the Smokies. The leaves in the Gatlinburg area start changing in the higher elevations during the last week of September and the beginning of October. This is a great time to visit Clingmans Dome (the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) for panoramic views of the autumn colors.
What Type of Colors Correspond to Which Trees
The autumn leaves in Gatlinburg are particularly beautiful because each type of tree offers its own unique color. Here is a quick guide to what shades and hues you can expect to see from some of the most recognizable trees in the Smokies:
- Hickories: golden-bronze
- Oaks: brown, red, or russet
- Black Maple: glowing yellow
- Red Maple: bright scarlet or orange
- Sugar Maple: orange-red
- Dogwood: deep red
- Tulip Poplar: golden yellow
- Birch: bright yellow
- Shining Sumac: red
- Black Cherry: yellow
- Sourwood: brick red
The Best Hikes for Seeing the Gatlinburg Fall Foliage
One of the best ways to enjoy the fall colors in Gatlinburg is with a scenic hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are some of the best trails for leaf peeping throughout the season:
- Andrews Bald (late September)
- Mt. LeConte (late September)
- Spence Field (early – mid October)
- Sugarland Mountain Trail (early – mid October)
- Alum Cave (mid – late October)
- Charlie’s Bunion (mid - late October)
- Porters Creek Trail (mid – late October)
- Little River Trail (mid – late October)
- Abrams Falls (early November)
- Meigs Mountain Trail (early November)
Spend a day at Anakeesta
If you are looking for a fun adventure during your vacation to the Smoky Mountains, head directly to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg! This exciting mountaintop attraction offers thrilling rides, unique shopping opportunities, and excellent dining options, all with stunning views of the Smokies!
Your adventure at Anakeesta starts immediately with a ride to the peak aboard the Chondola, the world’s only fixed-grip transportation system! As an alternative, you can hop aboard one of the Ridge Rambler military vehicles that takes you on a scenic guided journey through the forest! There is no need to worry if there is any rain because the Ridge Rambler vehicles are covered for your comfort.
Once you have reached the peak of Anakeesta, several incredible attractions are guaranteed to take your breath away! The Rail Runner is a single-rail mountain coaster that is the first of its kind in the United States! While you may have ridden some other mountain coasters in the Smokies, the single track allows you to ride closer to the ground for a more thrilling experience! The Dueling Zipline Adventure stretches high over the forest floor and offers 3 ziplines where you can zip side by side next to your family members or friends! Other attractions include the Treetop Skywalk, Treehouse Village Adventure, and Gem Mining.
While you are at the summit of Anakeesta, there are several viewpoints where you can enjoy incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains! The panoramic overlook of the Mt. LeConte range is just above Gatlinburg, so be sure to bring your camera along for some fabulous photos! If you are lucky enough to be around during sunset, this is a special opportunity to watch the sun disappear over the Smokies and watch the twinkling lights of Gatlinburg come alive!
One of the highlights of Anakeesta is the Magical Firefly Village, which is built into the treetops of the Smokies and offers treehouse-themed shopping and dining! When hunger strikes, check out the Cliff Top Grill & Bar for delicious chargrilled burgers, salads, and tons of other tasty options! If you prefer a snack, don’t miss the Canadian pastries at BeaverTails or hand-dipped ice cream treats at Pearl’s Pie in the Sky! When it comes to stores, the Great Outdoors Trading Company is a shopper’s paradise with apparel, soaps, jewelry, and loads of other cool stuff! Anakeesta also features the Catching Fireflies shop, a whimsical boutique with toys, plush animals, wind chimes, garden art, and more!
