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Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a popular tourist destination in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. This town is close to Pigeon Forge and is full of things to do. Not only are there plenty of things to do, but there are also lots of pancake restaurants. Not only are there so many things to do in town, but the mountains also lead to many different outdoor activities as well. Finally, you’ll find many, many Dolly Parton themed activities. Here I’ll go over the many different activities both paid and free allowing you to plan the best trip to this fun town.
Free Things To do in Gatlinburg, TN
Wine Tasting
Below there are some Moonshine testings you might want to stop at, but Tennessee also has wines that you can taste! Throughout the downtown of Gatlinburg you’ll see several different wine shops with tastings, but stop by Tennessee Homemade Wines to get a free wine tasting. They have lots of sweet wines and even wine slushies. It is a fun tasting. Along with a moonshine (hooch hop) trail through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge there is also a wine trail.
Hike The Smokey Mountains
Gatlinburg is right next to an entrance to the massive Smokey Mountains National Park. There are so many different hikes and trails in this area. Be sure to bring a map, water bottles, and some snacks on your hikes. There are hikes for all different experience levels and abilities. The trails can be days long to include some camping or just a couple of hours. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature.
Window Shop
Head to the Village Shops to do a little window shopping. Gatlinburg’s downtown area is large with many different activities, but tucked off the main parkway is Village Shops. You’ll see it by the long line outside the Pancake Pantry. As you walk through this beautifully decorated area you’ll discover many fun little shops. It is perfect for some window shopping. Check out the Friar Donut and the different themed shops.
Enjoy The Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is a testament to the creative spirit of Tennessee. It is a showcase of the cultural heritage and preservation of traditional Appalachian crafts. This 8-mile loop showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of local artisans. You’ll find everything from intricate pottery to incredible woodwork, vibrant paintings to beautiful jewelry. Between the scenic surroundings and beautiful art, it is hard not to enjoy the Arts & Crafts Community.
Explore The Downtown Gatlinburg Area
This is where most of the activities in Gatlinburg take place. You’ll find that the main Parkway offers the most things to do and explore. Definitely park your car and take to walking. Stroll around into different stores and see what they offer. There are so many fun shops and way too many souvenirs to buy. There are candy shops, fudge shops, chocolate boutiques, souvenir shops, and even one that is all glass. It is a bustling area with so much to see.
Things to do in Gatlinburg, TN
SkyPark
There are several skylifts in Gatlinburg. We picked SkyPark because it has a high and long suspension bridge overlooking the mountains and the whole town. In October they have a sunrise breakfast option at the top of SkyPark. The chairlift takes you to the top of the mountain that boasts a fire pit, an overlook to the town, the suspension bridge, and a restaurant. There is also a trail to walk down.
Amazing Mirror Maze
Have you ever thought, “Oh, I can escape a Mirror Maze so easily”? No? Well, me neither, but given the opportunity, I thought it could be fun to try. Now, I’m not sure what we were thinking when we could barely get out of a corn maze, and this time, we were in a maze of ourselves. It is weird and so fun to walk through hallways with strange turns, getting closer and further away from yourself. Are you even real? It’s hard to know! But for about 15 minutes (30 if you’re us), you will make it out of the maze and consider going again because it is truly a unique and fun experience. I would not recommend it if you get dizzy easily.
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
The only museum of its kind in the US (and it has a sister museum in Spain!). The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum is the personal collection of one woman who managed to collect over 20,000 pairs of shakers. Her family has put them up for the public to enjoy in the Sal & Pepper Shaker Museum. You’ll really get to marvel over the most unique and fun shakers. Definitely a must visit!
Westgate Wild Bear Falls Water Park
Whatever the weather, you can head to Wild Bear Falls Water Park! This indoor water park has a retractable roof and heated water for an amazing water park experience in all seasons. You can float along the lazy river, glide down a giant water slide, or adventure through a tree house. Families can drop kids off while parents go to the Serenity Spa by Westgate. It is one of the many family-friendly activities and things to do in Gatlinburg.
Hillbilly Mini Golf
Have you ever wanted to take a funicular up the side of a mountain (read: hill) and then mini golf down with a bunch of Appalachia hillbilly signs? Perfect, then Hillbilly Mini Golf will solve your weirdly specific desire. This mini-golf is such a fun activity, and it goes by way too fast.
The funicular is really what sold this mini-golf to Larry compared to the many, many other mini-golfs in the area. You take a short train ride up the mountain (again, read hill) and then make your way down by trying to stay under par. There are two sides that you can take to make it down the mountain. After paying for the first round, the second round can be played within the next three days at a discount.
White Water Rafting
The Smoky Mountains have many wonderful whitewater river areas. If you’re interested in some summer adventures in nature, then I highly recommend white water rafting. You get on a bus with an experienced guide (and some new stranger-friends) then they take you up river. After you are launched into the river, you paddle downstream and hit many different rapids. It is exhilarating to feel the bumps and speed of the water. You are wearing a life jacket and helmet, but I recommend being a strong swimmer. If you’re interested in riding solo, you can also white water kayak. By far, it is one of my favorite outdoor activities.
Get the best White Water Rafting Trip here!
Mountain Moonshine Coaster
Head to Gatlinburg’s first mountain coaster, the Moonshine Mountain Coaster. While enjoying the beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery, you’ll coast through the hills at up to 30mph. This thrilling ride takes dips and turns, using gravity and your weight to increase your speed and thrills. You can control how fast and slow your ride goes. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, head over to the coaster at night for the light show!
Jeep Tours
Want to enjoy the scenic beauty of Gatlinburg? Check it out with a Jeep Rental or a Jeep Tour. With rugged exploration, you’ll enjoy a perfect blend of off-road and on-road, allowing you to conquer the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re looking for adventure or a leisurely drive, these Jeep rentals and tours provide so much freedom to explore. It is the thrill of the open-air driving experience that makes it worthwhile.
Gem Mining
Head over to Anakeesta to try your luck at the Gem Mine! The interactive waterfall and sluice allow all to search for a unique gemstone or fossil. This is a perfect place for a family-friendly activity. Anakeesta has many activities available, as well as a chairlift. However, gem mining is one of the more unique activities. Then, you get to keep anything you find in the waterfall and sluice.
Moonshine Tasting
Appalachia is well known for its role in prohibition. Due to this, there are multiple Moonshine Distilleries in Tennessee. Of course, if you are in Tennessee, you’ve got to try some of the more fun moonshine flavors. There are a couple of distilleries in Gatlinburg that offer tastings.
We headed to the Barrelhouse from Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery to try some moonshine. It was the first time we tried moonshine, and the bartenders were so friendly and funny. The whole experience was so fun! Luckily, the shots are tiny, so you won’t feel the five shots too much. There are several other distilleries, such as Tennessee Shine Company and Sugarlands Distillery.
Get a Moonshine and local wines tour here!
Speedwerkz Exotic Car Experience
One thing we were surprised about when we visited Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge was that it is a popular location for “car people.” They regularly host car shows, and you’ll see lots of souped-up cars. Of course, as such a popular spot for car people, you have to stop at the Speedwerkz Exotic Car Experience.
The Car Experience is unlike anything else. There are 15 hyper, super, or exotic cars inside. Additionally, you can get behind the car’s steering wheel in a simulator to know what it is like to be a race driver.
Places to Eat in Gatlinburg, TN
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
For a truly unique Tennessee breakfast, come to Davy Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. The whole restaurant is decorated to transport you directly into the breakfast camp, down to the menu that comes as a newspaper with stories from Davy Crockett’s time. While the food is delicious, it is also a huge amount of food! Come extra hungry to eat here. We didn’t even have lunch after eating breakfast at Davy’s Camp.
The Peddler Steakhouse
For a fancier dinner, head to the Peddler Steakhouse. We came to this restaurant overlooking the river to celebrate Larry’s birthday. They have a salad buffet that is included with all the steak entrees. Then, the steak peddler comes over and offers the different cuts of steak. You can choose right then and there how much steak you’d like. Then, it is cooked to absolute perfection and brought to your table. Enjoy every moment of the melt-in-your-mouth steak!
The Pancake Pantry
Come early and come hungry! Located in the Village Shops, this breakfast stop has a line out the door from the moment the doors open. There are so many different pancake options that it’s hard just to pick one. Luckily, the line moves fast, so you won’t have much time to dwell on your choices. Additionally, they serve breakfast all day, so if you didn’t get to try all the pancakes you wanted, you can come back for lunch and dinner!
Get the best 48 hour itinerary for Gatlinburg here!
FAQs: Visiting Gatlinburg, TN
What is parking like in Gatlinburg, TN?
Parking in Gatlinburg can be a challenge. There is very little free parking, and most places do not have their own parking. If they have their own parking, they will tow if you are parked for something other than that location. Most parking is a $20 flat rate for the whole day. We saw one lot that was a $2/hour parking. If you get to Gatlinburg early in the morning, you’ll find free street parking on River Rd. That is the only place near downtown with free street parking that we could find.
Is there public transportation in Gatlinburg?
YES! There is a free trolley in Gatlinburg. It has several bus lines to take you through most of the popular tourist locations. They also start at the visitor center’s parking lot, giving you an easy and accessible parking option. Then you take the purple line straight to the Ripley’s aquarium, and you’re in the heart of Gatlinburg.
There is also a trolley between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, which is free. This is a great option if you choose to park in Pigeon Forge (there is more free parking there) and then spend the day in Gatlinburg. It is important to note that the trolleys stop running at midnight.
How close to Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg?
Pigeon Forge is 7.1 miles away from Gatlinburg. It is a very scenic drive through the mountains to get to Gatlinburg. Without much traffic, it is about a thirteen-minute drive. The roads are not terribly windy either.
What other cities are within driving distance of Gatlinburg, TN?
- Charlotte, NC— 212 miles (about 4.5 hours)
- Asheville, NC— 97.8 miles (about 2 hours)
- Boone, NC– 166 miles (about 3 hours)
- Knoxville, TN– 38.2 miles (about 1 hour)
- Nashville, TN– 221 miles (about 3.5 hours)
- Atlanta, GA— 197 miles (about 4 hours)
Wrap-up of Things to do in Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg has so many wonderful things to do. It is such a fun place, especially to get away as a family. There is truly something for everyone, from outdoor adventures to water parks to tons of mini golf. It is the perfect mountain getaway to enjoy incredible views and make lots of happy memories. Plus, Gatlinburg has so many pancake houses that you’ll get your fill for a lifetime.
