There’s no place in the world quite like it. Offering exciting adventures at every turn, our mountain village has a special attraction for everyone and all within easy walking distance. With so much to do, why not stay awhile and see it all?
No matter what time of year you visit Gatlinburg, you’ll be impressed with the variety of attractions available.
The following list will guide you along your journey:
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
From the moment you step through the front doors, you are transported from the quaint mountain town of Gatlinburg to an underwater wonderland seeming to have been constructed from pure imagination.
Traveling on moving glide paths, visitors enter the ocean realm and come face to face with thousands of fascinating fishes and menacing sea creatures, everything from barracudas, to rays, to jellyfish, octopus, moray eels and giant sharks!
2. Ole Smoky Moonshine
A visit to Ole Smoky Distillery is the true moonshine experience. The Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, “The Holler”, is America’s most visited distillery and produces all of our signature flavors. A visit to Ole Smoky Distillery is the true moonshine experience.
3. Sugarland Riding Stables
Enjoy a peaceful view of the Great Smoky Mountains on the back of a well trained horse. The natural beautiful horseback riding trails inside the National Park await you with an experienced guide that just might lead you into a flock of wild turkeys, a herd of wild deer or even black bear climbing a tree. Whether you are a novice, or an experienced rider, you are guaranteed a great horseback ride
4. Gatlinburg Sky Lift
The Gatlinburg Sky Lift is one of the best ways to take a ride to overlook the beautiful views of Gatlinburg. Today, it’s a very popular attraction that hundreds of thousands of people ride each year!
The scenic opportunities are only just beginning, however. Once you reach the summit, exit the station, and take your first steps toward the mountain’s edge, you will see why the Skylift is the #1 scenic overlook in Gatlinburg.
5. Hillbilly Golf
Two challenging 18-hole courses await you. Both are riddled with mountaineer hazards from outhouses to stills, rocky walls and lush native plants. It’s great fun and excitement for the whole family.
6. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
With unknown fears and dangers lurking around every corner, and a name like Ripley attached to an attraction, you are guaranteed to be frightened.
7. Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space needle is a cornucopia of fun, and has been the entertainment center and iconic attraction of the city since its opening in 1970. From its 25,000 square feet arcade on the ground floor, to the thrilling 400 foot glass elevator ride, to the spectacular panoramic views on the observation deck
8. Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway
The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is no exception. With friendly conductors full of sight information and 360° of glass windows, the trams are a perfect way to gain spectacular views in a closed and heated environment. It is conveniently located on the streets of Gatlinburg and is fun for all ages, providing a beautiful aerial view at the same time.
9. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Hollywood Star Cars Museum is home to 40 authentic vehicles featuring the best of Hollywood movie, TV and real life music superstars’ cars showcasing some of the most famous movies and TV shows of the last 50 years. The museum is constantly searching for new cars to improve the collection.
10. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum
Although certainly not a beautiful as the sights of the Smoky Mountains, the Ripley’s Museum is certainly breathtaking. The Believe it or Not Museum gets you acquainted with some of the weirdest, most bizarre, and unusual experiences our planet has to offer.
But once you step inside Ripley’s Believe It or Not, you’ll witness some of the most unnatural things around. The museum is 3 stories tall and has more than 500 incredible exhibits and artifacts you won’t find in any other museum in the United States.
11. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
If you’re looking to add some thrills to your vacation, Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is definitely for you! Flyaway offers all of the fun of actual skydiving without jumping out of a plane.
12. Shows in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are both home to a wonderful collection of fun shows that your whole family will love. Here are some of the popular shows in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg:
- Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
- Country Tonite Theatre
- Impossibilities – An Evening of Magic, Mindreading, and Mayhem!
- Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
- Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre
- Soul of Motown
13. MagiQuest
MagiQuest is home to some of the most popular indoor activities in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This enormous castle on the Parkway offers four attractions for guests to enjoy:
- The signature MagiQuest role-playing adventure, which is like a live-action fantasy video game.
- The Odyssey, the largest mirror maze on the planet.
- Pirate Golf, an 18 hole blacklight putt-putt course with a Caribbean pirate theme.
- The Vault, a Mission Impossible-style laser challenge.
14. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is one of Gatlinburg’s hidden gems. This one-of-a-kind museum is entirely dedicated to salt and pepper shakers, with over 20,000 sets of shakers in its collection.
15. Titanic Museum Attraction
A visit to the Titanic Museum Attraction is an absolute must for anyone vacationing in Pigeon Forge. When you come aboard this unique attraction, you will be transported back to 1912 for an immersive look at history’s most famous maritime disaster.
