Gatlinburg sits at the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and that alone makes it one of the most visited small towns in America. But beyond the park entrance, this walkable mountain town packs an extraordinary amount of experiences into its compact downtown and surrounding hillsides.
Whether you are visiting for a long weekend or settling in for a full week at one of the nearby Gatlinburg cabin communities, this guide covers everything worth your time, organized by what actually matters to visitors. Use our trip planner to match your group with the perfect cabin community, or explore the interactive map to see how everything connects.
The Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg
#1 Gatlinburg SkyBridge & SkyPark
North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge stretches 680 feet across a valley at over 1,800 feet elevation. The glass floor panels in the center are not for the faint of heart, but the panoramic mountain views from the SkyDeck make the trip worthwhile regardless. The SkyLift chairlift ride up the mountain is an experience in itself, with open-air seating and views that improve with every foot of elevation gained.
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LOCAL TIP
Visit during the last hour before closing for smaller crowds and golden-hour light that makes for exceptional photos. Sunset from the bridge is genuinely spectacular.
#2 Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Consistently rated among the top aquariums in the United States, Ripley's houses over 10,000 exotic sea creatures across 12 themed galleries. The 340-foot underwater tunnel puts you face-to-face with sharks, rays, and sea turtles gliding overhead. The touch tanks and penguin encounter provide hands-on experiences that keep younger visitors engaged for hours.
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LOCAL TIP
The aquarium stays open until 9 PM most nights. Evening visits are significantly less crowded than the midday rush, and the underwater lighting creates a completely different atmosphere.
#3 Anakeesta
This mountaintop theme park combines treetop adventures with stunning views and a charming village atmosphere. The Chondola ride (a mix of chairlift and gondola) delivers you to the summit, where you will find the Treetop Skywalk, a series of connected bridges winding through the forest canopy 60 feet above the ground. The Dueling Zipline and Rail Runner mountain coaster add adrenaline, while Firefly Village offers craft shopping and dining with views.
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The Treetop Skywalk at dusk, when thousands of LED lights illuminate the walkway, is one of Gatlinburg's most photographable moments.
#4 Ober Mountain
The only ski area in Tennessee offers year-round activities beyond winter sports. The Aerial Tramway from downtown Gatlinburg provides a scenic 2.1-mile ride to the summit. In warmer months, the alpine slide, mountain coaster, and scenic chairlift keep visitors entertained. Winter brings skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, modest compared to western resorts, but a genuine novelty for visitors from the Southeast.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The national park is the reason Gatlinburg exists as a destination. With over 800 miles of trails, the park offers everything from paved waterfall walks to strenuous ridge hikes. Check out our full hiking guide for even more trail recommendations.
#5 Laurel Falls Trail
The most popular waterfall hike in the park is popular for good reason. This 2.6-mile round-trip paved trail leads to an 80-foot waterfall that splits into upper and lower cascades. The trail is accessible for most fitness levels, though the pavement can be uneven in spots. Arrive before 8 AM or after 4 PM to avoid the heaviest foot traffic.
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#6 Chimney Tops Trail
One of the most rewarding hikes in the park, this 3.8-mile round-trip trail gains 1,400 feet of elevation and ends at a rocky outcrop with 360-degree views. The final scramble to the top is steep and requires some hand-over-hand climbing, but the panoramic views of the Sugarlands Valley and surrounding peaks make every step worthwhile.
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#7 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This 5.5-mile one-way loop road winds through one of the most beautiful old-growth forests in the eastern United States. The road passes historic log cabins, rushing mountain streams, and trailheads for some of the park's best waterfalls. Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls are both accessible from pulloffs along this route.
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Downtown Gatlinburg & Shopping
#8 The Village Shops
This European-style shopping village just off the main Parkway houses 27 specialty shops in a charming courtyard setting. The Pepper Palace, Donut Friar, and Day Hiker are perennial favorites. The architecture and landscaping make it one of the most photographed spots in town, even if you do not buy anything.
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#9 Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
The largest independent artisan community in North America stretches 8 miles along Glades Road and Buckhorn Road. Over 100 studios and galleries showcase everything from hand-blown glass and pottery to leather work and watercolors. Many artists work on-site, so you can watch the creative process and commission custom pieces. The free trolley from downtown makes access easy.
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LOCAL TIP
Skip the car and take the free trolley (Purple Route) from downtown. It runs every 20 minutes and stops at all the major studios. The loop takes about 3 hours if you browse at a comfortable pace.
#10 Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler
The most visited distillery in the world sits right on the Gatlinburg Parkway. Free tastings of over 20 moonshine flavors, live bluegrass music on the porch, and a working still you can watch in action. The Barrelhouse location up the street offers whiskey and cocktails in a more upscale setting.
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#11 Gatlinburg Space Needle
This 407-foot observation tower provides 360-degree views of Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding valleys. The glass-floor observation deck adds a thrill, and the base houses an arcade and laser tag arena. At night, the tower is illuminated and the city views take on a completely different character.
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#12 Harrisburg Covered Bridge
One of the few remaining covered bridges in East Tennessee, this photogenic structure spans the Little Pigeon River near Sevierville. Originally built in the 1870s and restored in 2017, the bridge is a popular photography spot and a quiet escape from the Parkway bustle. The surrounding park area has picnic tables and river access.
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Outdoor Adventures
#13 Whitewater Rafting
The Pigeon River, just 30 minutes from Gatlinburg, offers Class III and IV rapids that provide genuine whitewater excitement. Raft Outdoor Adventures and several other outfitters run half-day trips that include all equipment and guides. The Upper Pigeon section delivers the bigger rapids, while the Lower Pigeon is better suited for families with younger children.
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#14 CLIMB Works Zipline Tour
Multiple zipline operations serve the Gatlinburg area, but CLIMB Works stands out for its location and course design. Nine ziplines and three sky bridges traverse the mountainside with views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The longest line stretches over 2,000 feet. The experience takes about 2 to 3 hours including the ATV ride to the mountaintop departure point.
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Where to Eat in Gatlinburg
#15 The Peddler Steakhouse
Perched on the banks of the Little Pigeon River, The Peddler has been Gatlinburg's premier steakhouse since 1976. The salad bar is a destination in itself, and the hand-cut steaks are prepared over a wood-burning grill. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak season.
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#16 Pancake Pantry
The first pancake house in Tennessee (opened 1960) still draws lines that wrap around the building on weekend mornings. The Austrian apple-walnut pancakes and sweet potato pancakes are the signatures. The line moves faster than it looks, the restaurant seats over 200.
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#17 Cherokee Grill
Upscale mountain dining with a menu that goes well beyond typical tourist fare. The trout and prime rib are standouts, and the wine list is surprisingly deep for a mountain town. The stone fireplace and timber-frame interior create an atmosphere that matches the quality of the food.
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#18 No Way Jose's Cantina
The best Mexican food in Gatlinburg occupies a prime spot on the Parkway. Fresh-made tortillas, strong margaritas, and a rooftop patio with mountain views make this a consistent local favorite. The wait can be long during peak hours, but the rooftop bar makes the time pass quickly.
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Hidden Gems Most Visitors Miss
#19 Greenbrier Area of the National Park
While most visitors crowd Sugarlands and the popular trailheads, the Greenbrier entrance (6 miles east of Gatlinburg) offers access to some of the park's most peaceful trails. The Porters Creek Trail leads to a historic farmstead and wildflower displays that rival anything in the park. Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in the park at 100 feet, is accessible from this area via an 8-mile round-trip trail.
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#20 Elkmont Ghost Town
Deep in the park, the remnants of a former logging town and vacation community sit quietly decaying in the forest. The Appalachian Club and Wonderland Hotel ruins are accessible via a short walk from the Elkmont campground. In late June, this area is also ground zero for the famous synchronous firefly display.
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#21 Gatlinburg Trail
The only trail in the park that allows dogs and bicycles, this easy 1.9-mile path connects downtown Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and passes through quiet forest, a welcome contrast to the busy downtown just minutes away.
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#22 Herbert Holt Park
Tucked behind the Gatlinburg Community Center, this small park offers a playground, picnic pavilion, and access to a short riverside trail. It is where locals go when they want green space without driving into the park. The trout fishing here is surprisingly good.
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#23 Morning Hike to Rainbow Falls
This 5.4-mile round-trip trail is one of the most popular in the park, but timing makes all the difference. Starting before 7 AM means you will have the 80-foot waterfall largely to yourself. The morning light filtering through the forest canopy creates conditions that afternoon visitors never see. In winter, the falls sometimes freeze into a massive ice column.
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#24 Gatlinburg Wine Trail
Five wineries and cideries along the Parkway and beyond make up this self-guided tasting trail. For ten dollars you get VIP pours at every stop, sampling over 40 wines and hard ciders ranging from traditional muscadine to experimental sparkling blends. Complete all five within a week and you earn a free gift. Start at any location and work your way through at whatever pace suits the afternoon.
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#25 Ghost Walk of Gatlinburg
After the shops close and the neon dims, a different side of Gatlinburg emerges. This evening walking tour threads through downtown streets and back alleys, stopping at locations tied to documented hauntings, Prohibition-era violence, and Cherokee legend. The guides are local historians first and entertainers second, which means the stories hold up even if you are skeptical. It is one of the best things to do in town after dark, especially on a cool autumn night.
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Where to Stay
The cabin communities surrounding Gatlinburg offer the best combination of mountain seclusion and easy access to town. Each provides amenities that hotels simply cannot match: private hot tubs, full kitchens, game rooms, and mountain views from your own deck. Most are 5 to 15 minutes from downtown, giving you seclusion when you want it and easy access to everything Gatlinburg offers. Browse all Gatlinburg cabin communities or use our comparison tool to find the right fit.
