Gatlinburg, Tennessee: A Complete Guide
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a unique travel destination to fully immerse yourself into outdoor activities and scenery. The small mountain town is filled with family friendly activities such as mini golf, escape games, mirror mazes, aquariums, and so much more. However, most people aren’t aware of all the unique attractions the town offers such as Ripley’s Moving Theater – a literal moving movie theater! Could that be any more fun?
This small town is the ultimate Tennessee vacation destination for the entire family to enjoy! I love Gatlinburg so much, I can’t wait to share all the fun Gatlinburg, Tennessee vacation ideas for you to do and see during your trip!
Fun Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Kids
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is mostly known for the town’s outdoor adventures and, of course, the Great Smoky Mountains, or “smokies.” The name Great Smoky Mountains originated from Cherokees who lived in the area hundreds of years ago. Originally, the mountains were called “Shaconage,” which translates to “place of the blue smoke.” However, the settlers eventually adopted the name “Smoky Mountains,” and the term Great was added later on.
The Smokies became widely popular over the past few years, and the visitor numbers continually increase each year in Gatlinburg – mostly because it is one of the few national parks that doesn’t require an entrance fee. However, the Smokies are mostly famous for their campgrounds and animal wildlife. Throughout the mountains, you can see elk, black bears, deer, and so much more. Right outside of the Smokies are the small towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, two very popular vacation spots for visitors.
Now, let me share with you some exciting things to do in Gatlinburg! From the best places to stay, outdoor activities, hiking trails, and attractions – you’ll be sure to find something to do for all ages during your Tennessee vacation for the whole family to enjoy!
Best Outdoor Activities
1. Rafting in the Smokies
Rafting in the Great Smoky Mountains? What could be more fun? This thrilling outdoor water adventure takes you on the ride of your life in a 7 person size raft with big splashes and bumpy waves. During your rating ride, you can experience breaktaking views of the Pigeon River too! If this water ride sounds too intense, you can also go on a rafting boat tour with one of the professional tour guides, where you can see the lower sections of the Pigeon River. The boat tour is light to moderate intensity, so you don’t have to worry much about big splashes and big bumps!
2. Gatlinburg Sky Park
Gatlinburg’s Sky Park consists of the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, the SkyBridge. While wandering across the SkyBridge, you can admire the best views of the beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee town and the Great Smoky Mountains. Face your fears of heights with the ultimate SkyBridge experience!
3. Mountain Coaster
The Mountain Coaster is a unique roller coaster experience taking you on a ride through the Great Smoky Mountains. The coaster cars are single or double riders on a silent track. And, you can control the speed of your coaster car allowing you to enjoy the ride, anyway you like. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains with a rollercoaster ride! While there are multiple mountain coasters in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I recommend checking out the Moonshine Mountain Coaster or Ripley’s Mountain Coaster!
4. Appalachian Ghost Walks
Experience a walking ghost tour like never before! Grab your family and friends to explore the mysteries of the mountain heritage. Reservations are required, and do sell out fast, so grab your tickets as soon as possible!
5. Ober Mountain Aerial Tramway
Are you visiting Gatlinburg during the winter season? If so, the Ober Mountain Aerial Tramway is a unique outdoor winter sports experience on top of the Smokies! From skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and so much more, experience a downhill ride like never before!
6. Sugarlands Riding Stables
There’s really nothing more “Tennessee” than horseback riding throughout the flat outdoor trails in the Great Smoky Mountains. Horseback riding is a fun activity to enjoy in Gatlinburg, especially if you’ve never been horseback riding before. In this guided horseback riding tour, you can ride through the Sugarlands Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
7. Fly Fishing in the Smokies
Experience fishing like you’ve never experienced before with Gatlinburg’s Fly Fishing experience in the Great Smoky Mountains inner waters. If you’ve never been fly fishing before, I highly recommend experiencing it in during a summer vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
8. Rock Climbing
See how fast you can climb a 30 foot outdoor rock climbing wall in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Ober Rock Wall is a fun experience for all ages who want to get a quick workout during your trip! Or just enjoy a friendly competition to the top of the wall.
9. Zip Lining
Gatlinburg’s Climb Works is a top-rated zip lining tour located right across from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, letting you explore one of the most beautiful places on earth. Zip lining tours are guided, educational, and immersed-in-nature. You’ll experience mountain views like you never knew existed! Zip through the smokies with this unique zip lining experience in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
10. Gatlin’s Rugged Ropes Course
Experience walking on a thin rope 3-stories above the ground like never before (literally)! Gatlin’s Rugged Ropes Course is the first of its kind with adventurers safely harnessed in an overhead rack navigating through 38 challenges in the air, including rickety bridges, suspended ropes, and many other balancing obstacles.
Best Hiking Trails
1. Mount LeConte Summit
Mount LeConte is probably one of the most popular hikes to reach the top of a mountain. Mt. LeConte’s summit has six different trails to help you reach the top. You do not have to take all 6 trails, only one, but either one will take you to the top of the summit! Below are the 6 different trails to reach the top:
Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte
This hike is the shortest, but the steepest hike. The hike is a 5-mile one trip hike, making it a 10-mile round trip hike.
The Boulevard Trail to Mt. LeConte
This hike is an 8-mile one trip hike, making it a 16-mile round trip hike, and just as steep as Alum Cave Trail. This hike is NOT easy if you are not an experienced hiker.
Rainbow Falls Trail to Mt. LeConte
The Rainbow Falls is about a 6.7-mile hike one-way, making it about 13 miles roundtrip. However, halfway through the hike is a beautiful waterfall, and when the sun shines down during the day, you can see a rainbow! The perfect Galtinburg, Tennessee aesthetic for a beautiful photo!
Trillium Gap Trail to Mt. LeConte
This beautiful hike is 8.9 miles one way, making it about a 19 mile round trip hike. The hike is less steep compared to the others, but along the way, you can see Grotto Falls waterfall and even some llamas!
Bullhead Trail to Mt. LeConte
The Bullhead trail is one of the least popular Mt. LeConte hikes in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The hike is 6.9 miles one-way, making it about a 13 miles roundtrip. It is a steady incline for the first mile, then the trail gets extremely steep from thereon after. However, along the way you can see some wildflowers!
Brushy Mountain Trail to Mt. LeConte
One of the less popular hiking trails for Mt. LeConte, but this hike is about a 9.1 mile hike one-day, making it about an 18 mile hike round trip. It’s the longest hike and gains the most elevation, which is why most people don’t hike this trail unless they’ve completed all other trails.
2. Clingmans Dome Trail
This hiking trail is pretty short, but it does have a steep paved incline. However, it’s worth the burning calf muscles. Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. However, if you are afraid of heights, I suggest skipping this one. Mostly because the top of the hike consists of a 360° overlook view of the Smokies, which can be pretty nerve racking if you’re not a fan of heights. This is the perfect thing to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with kids, especially if you’re looking to hike with your family!
3. Abrams Falls
This extremely popular 5.2 mile round trip hike consists of the Great Smoky mountains most voluminous waterfall. Although it is a short hike, it does have some steep inclines, so make sure you’re still wearing the appropriate attire for this hike!
4. Laurel Falls
If you’ve ever seen a photograph of the Great Smoky Mountains, chances are, you saw a photo of Laurel Falls. This short 2.6-mile round trip walk is easily accessible for visitors. With an 80-foot cascade, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed spots in Gatlinburg! The perfect picturesque location for the ultimate Gatlinburg, Tennessee aesthetic.
5. Chimney Top
This two-mile hike might be a short one, but what the Chimney Tops trail lacks in miles, makes up for in feet – 1,375 feet to be exact. Although this trail was affected by a wildfire in 2016, it was reopened in 2017 with a newly constructed observation point, which gives way to amazing mountain views.
Best Attractions
1. Gatlin’s Mini Golf
The perfect evening in Gatlinburg is grabbing a bite to eat with your significant other and going to a mini golf course afterwards. Gatlinburg has multiple mini golf courses you can choose from, however, my favorite is Gatlinburg’s Hillbilly miniature golf course. Of course, Gatlin’s Mini Gulf is a wonderful experience to enjoy with kids too!
2. Gatlin’s Escape Games
Do you have what it takes to escape? Gatlinburg’s Escape Games are a fun experience for the whole family. During your escape game, you’ll be given a scenario where you have to solve a scenario in order to “escape,” and ultimately, solve the game before time is up. The Escape Rooms consist of 5 – 7 different theme rooms, where you can choose the one of your interest. For example, you can choose the Boogeyman escape room theme, and the employees will give you a scenario, and you have to utilize the resources in the room to solve the game. Personally, these are some of my favorite experiences to create with the family! It’s such a fun way to problem solve, while immersing yourself into the scenario!
3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Browse through Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to see aquatic animals that you may have never seen before! At Ripley’s, you can see flounder fish, scorpion fish, penguins, stingrays, and you can even sleep with sharks! That’s right, you can enjoy an overnight experience with sharks! Curious to know if sharks sleep or not? Find out for yourself with Ripley’s Aquarium overnight shark experience!
4. Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
Seeing is believing at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! At Ripley’s, you’ll be able to experience the unbelievable come to life right in front of your eyes. With unusual artifacts and hands-on interactives, adults and children alike won’t be able to believe what they’re seeing. This one-of-a-kind experience is unlike anything you’ll encounter. It is such a magical experience, especially for kids!
5. The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum is the only one of its kind with over 20,000 sets of shakers in all sizes, shapes and materials. You can actually browse over 2,000 salt and pepper shakers in the gift shop to bring a set home with you! It’s a museum unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
6. Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy Factory
Do you have what it takes to navigate through winding hallways and mirrored rooms? Ripley’s Mirror Maze is an unforgettable journey through a perplexing puzzle of mirrors with only one direct path to the exit. Embark on a fun-filled journey by navigating through every corner of this mirror maze! I highly recommend this experience for you and your family!
7. Ripley’s Moving Theater
Have you ever watched a movie and wondered what that experience was like for the characters? Maybe they’re skydiving, maybe they’re on a mechanical bull? Whatever the case maybe, Ripley’s Moving Theater is a 5D experience where you can choose the movie AND experience all the effects! Let your senses run wild as you take on every bump, drop, and turn in this motion simulator movie theater!
8. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a year-round activity where you can tour through a haunted house filled with suspense and surprises that’ll have you jumping around every corner! It’s the perfect place to get your adrenaline pumping! Can you make it out without a scream?
9. Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse
At Riley’s Penguin Playhouse, you can see a variety of penguins in their habitat. You can see swimming penguins, walking penguins, and you can even get up close and personal with the penguins! Fun fact, the Penguin Playhouse was voted the number one place to see penguins by USA Today!
10. Impossibilities Magic Show
One of my favorite experiences as a kid was seeing a magic show with my family. To this day, I can still remember some of the magic at those shows! It was such a mesmerizing experience, and in Gatlinburg, you can also see a comedy magic show starring Mentalist Erik Dobell. You can enjoy world-class entertainment at the Gatlinburg Space Needle!
Final Thoughts
Gatlinburg is such a beautiful experience for the entire family, especially with kids, where you get to try new things outside of your comfort zone! Which of these fun things to do during your Gatlinburg, Tennessee vacation is at the top of your list? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re interested in exploring other Tennessee vacation destinations, be sure to check out my Nashville, Tennessee travel guide, where you’ll find the best things to do from a local!
