13 Fun Things to Do On Your Next Trip to Gatlinburg

If you’re in Tennessee, we wouldn’t recommend ending your trip without a visit to Gatlinburg. One of the most thrilling places to enjoy in the South, this mountain town is full of interesting attractions and day trips. 

It’s worth noting that this town has the only ski resort in Tennessee, which is why it’s a must-visit spot if you’re in the state. If you’re looking for enjoyment in this state, you can never get bored in the winter sports-loving town of Gatlinburg!

So, get out your trip itinerary, as here are the 13 most exciting things to do on your next visit to Gatlinburg. 

If you’re a winter enthusiast, your trip to Gatlinburg was the perfect decision. The town is home to the Ober Ski Mountain resort, which offers everything a winter lover needs and more! That includes snow tubing opportunities, ice skating, snowboarding, and skiing.

You can savor a breathtaking view of the Mt. Harrison slopes alongside the endless activities. The resort offers ten skiing and snowboarding trails serviced by one double, two quads, and one surface lift. You can also try out the mile-long run from the top of Ober Chute.

The Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster is a popular attraction in the town, so your trip will be incomplete without it. The first place you should go from your hotel in Gatlinburg is this family amusement attraction downtown.

The Smokies rollercoaster is undoubtedly the best part of this experience, taking you through zips and plunges at 35 mph. Then, you can enjoy the lift system carrying you uphill for the rest of the experience.

Shopping is the one thing we always swear we wouldn’t do on our trips but end up doing anyway. So if you’re looking for a different shopping experience than the one back home, don’t forget to visit Mountain Mall. 

Mountain Mall is the ideal tourist attraction to get your hands on some unique souvenirs, full of specialty shops and homemade goods. That includes leather goods, art, sports collectibles, handmade jewelry, and more. 

If you’re looking to add a good laugh to your trip itinerary, the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre is the best place to go for a live comedy. Enjoy performances filled with jokes, dances, and songs in Gatlinburg’s only live theatre. 

If you’re like most people and enjoy wine, your Gatlinburg trip won’t be complete without enjoying the Wine and Shine tour. This tour will teach you about the traditions behind distilling Moonshine, even offering delicious samples of various flavors.

On this tour, you’ll stop at spots like Tennessee Shine Company, Little Bear Winery, and Sugarland Distilling Company.

Opened in 1950, the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen is a classic candy shop offering you the best combination of smells and flavors. Aside from delicious candy, the shop has a rich history spanning decades.

Whether you’re into taffy, fudge, or caramel apples, there’s something for everyone at the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen. You’ll find 27 unique flavors of homemade taffy, decadent chocolates, and award-winning fudge in six different flavors. 

What can be better than white water rafting at Smoky Mountain Outdoors if you’re looking for a whole day of fun? This white water rafting service has been the top pick for family tourists for decades. You can enjoy their Upper Pigeon River Rafting trip, which takes you 6.5 miles down the river. If you want something more relaxing, look no further than their Lower Pigeon River rafting tour. 

There’s no better place to create unforgettable, thrilling memories than the Anakeesta theme park. This is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy outdoor adventures in the heart of Gatlinburg. 

Whether you want to walk their 14-Bridge Treetop Skywalk or explore the waterfalls at their Vista Gardens, there’s something for everyone at the Anakeesta theme park. Alongside thrilling adventures like the Dueling Zipline and Rail Runner mountain coaster, you can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the Smoky Mountains.

Riding the Gatlinburg Trolley is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should try out. This trolley takes you back in time, traveling through Gatlinburg’s finest spots. Taking you through the Red, Yellow, and Tan Routes, the Gatlinburg trolley ensures you visit every good campsite, art community, park, restaurant, and museum in the town.

The Mysterious Mansion is the best place to get spooked if you’re into horror. Being the town’s oldest haunted house, this Victorian mansion promises a terrifying experience filled with dark corridors, secret passageways, chambers, and dreadful staircases. Live actors clad in costumes and SFX make the experience even scarier, spooking you every step of the way. 

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is a must-visit spot for car and film enthusiasts touring Gatlinburg. The museum holds the most iconic automobiles seen in Hollywood films. 

That includes ‘The Munster’s’ Drag-u-la, ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean time machine, and two Batmobiles from the Batman TV Show. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the Ghostbusters Ecto-1. George Barris, the industry’s maker of most Hollywood cars, made many of these cars.

Gatlinburg is known for its rich history, so it only makes sense to take a two-hour ghost tour at nightmarish hours of the night. The tour starts at the Holiday Inn’s Smoky Mountain Resort, taking you through the town’s haunted streets and telling stories of its most popular ghosts.

Of course, you can’t end your trip without visiting the most iconic attraction of the town, the Space Needle. Standing over 400 feet high, this tower offers the most beautiful panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains.

Aside from the gorgeous view, you can also enjoy the amusement center in the tower’s heart, offering various activities, simulators, and games. You’ll even find a theater and quick-service restaurant.

Conclusion

Gatlinburg is a beautiful town, but it offers more than the mesmerizing views of the mountains. You can never get bored in Gatlinburg, as there’s always something exciting and new to add to your itinerary. So, peruse our list of the 13 most enjoyable things to do in Gatlinburg to take your next trip up a notch.