Gatlinburg

If you’re looking for a great destination for your next vacation, you should definitely consider going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Gatlinburg lies right at the foot of the Smoky Mountains in southern Tennessee. There are an endless number of things to do in Gatlinburg and the surrounding area.

Whether you are looking for some place to take your family, hang out with friends, or get outdoors; you won’t be disappointed. For families, there are multiple theme parks and a lot of places for kids.

Its really similar to Branson, Missouri in terms of having so many things to do. The main differences are Branson has a lot more shows and musical entertainment. Gatlinburg has more theme parks and of course, the Smoky Mountains.

The main attraction for outdoor enthusiasts and many others would be Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s right after Gatlinburg and offers some the best mountain views and hiking in the United States.

There’s no shortage of hiking trails in the park. For full list of things to do in the Smokies, read my article The Smoky Mountains.

Some of the theme parks in Gatlinburg are Anakeesta, Ober Gatlinburg, and Rowdy Bear Mountain. There’s also Dollywood, which is located about 6 miles away in nearby Pigeon Forge.

Anakeesta offers zipling, roller-coasters, a kids playground, gem mining, shopping , and restaurants. Anakeesta has a tree canopy walk that offers some excellent photo opportunities and nature views you won’t want to miss.

Ober Gatlinburg is another theme park you won’t want to miss. It has an aerial tram ride up to the theme park giving visitors one of the very best mountain views available. Once there you’ll find indoor ice skating, skiing in the winter, alpine sledding, and indoor water rides. It’s definitely fan favorite.

Rowdy Bear Mountain is another theme park with several amazing rides, including the world’s only Mountain Glider.

The biggest and most famous theme park is Dollywood. Located in Pigeon Forge; it has over 40 rides and attractions. It has multiple rollercoasters and even a water park. It offers something for everyone. There’s a cabins for rent and a resort located within walking distance of the park.

7D Dark Ride Adventure is a first person shooter ride for families with 3D video award winning technology.

Ripley’s offers several entertainment options. They have Ripley’s Believe it or not, Ripley’s Amazing mirror maze, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Moving Theater with 5D and moving seats, and digital effects.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a massive aquarium where visitors can see over 10,000 species sea life. Ripley’s offers a fun pass where you can get a discount to go to each of their attractions.

If you’re not into theme parks, there’s still a ton to do in the Gatlinburg area. You can go up in the Space Needle or ride the Sky Lift high into the mountains for picturesque views.

For those with a little more of a wild side, you can go on a moon shine or wine tasting tour. Tennessee Mountain Tours will take you to the local distilleries or wineries. They have several tours to choose from but the wine and moonshine tours cost $44.99-$48.99.

There are two tours a day; one at noon and one at 3 P.M. If you just want a night out there are several bars and restaurants available.

If that isn’t your cup of tea and just want to relax with a round of golf, you can do that too. There are three choices to choose from in the area: Gatlinburg Golf Course, Crave Golf Club, and the Bent Creek Golf Course.

For lodging, visitors can stay at one of the many hotels in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or the Mt. Le Conte Lodge inside Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you want to get away from everyone, there’s cabin rentals or you can camp inside the park.

I hope you enjoyed the article. Give us a like or follow us on Social Media if you did. Comment below if you visit the Gatlinburg area. I’d love to hear about your trip and see your pictures. Let me know if there’s anything I left out.

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