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Activity Guide

The Gatlinburg Strip

Three miles of mountain town energy -- candy shops, fudge, moonshine, observation towers, the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, and more family-owned restaurants than you can count.

place Parkway (US-441), Gatlinburg, TN schedule Shops open 10 AM to 10 PM daily attach_money Free to walk; paid attractions throughout location_city Walkable, 2 to 4 miles end to end
Before You Go

What to Know

Parking
Paid lots and garages throughout; arrive early on summer weekends
Walkability
The strip is fully walkable from Tram to traffic light 10
Tram
Free parking near Gatlinburg Welcome Center, tram to strip
Best Time
Weekday mornings before 11 AM for least crowds
Evening
The strip is open and lively until 11 PM most nights
Shoes
Wear comfortable walking shoes -- plan 2 to 4 miles on foot
Where to Go

Anchors of the Gatlinburg Strip

The strip has dozens of attractions. These are the anchors worth planning around.

Gatlinburg SkyBridge
place200 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 9 AM to sunset
bridgeNorth America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, 680 ft
$29/adult open_in_newgatlinburgskylift.com
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
place765 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 9 AM to sunset
terrainChairlift to the SkyBridge and mountaintop views
$29/adult
Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler
place903 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 11 PM
local_barFree tastings, live music, free entry, 21+ for tastings
Free tastings open_in_newolesmoky.com
Gatlinburg Space Needle
place115 Historic Nature Trail
scheduleDaily 9 AM to 11 PM
panorama_fish_eye407-ft tower, panoramic Smokies views, arcade below
$12 to $15/person open_in_newgatlinburgspaceneedle.com
Sugarlands Distilling Co.
place805 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 10 PM
local_barAward-winning moonshine and whiskey, free tours and tastings
Free tastings open_in_newsugarlandsdistilling.com
Anakeesta
place576 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 9 AM to 9 PM (seasonal)
heightMountaintop park via gondola, garden, ziplines, dining
From $32/adult open_in_newanakeesta.com

Last verified: May 2026. Hours and pricing are seasonal and subject to change.

Local Knowledge

Things Most Visitors Don't Know

How to experience Gatlinburg beyond the standard tourist path.

local_bar
Three Free Moonshine Stops
Ole Smoky, Sugarlands, and Ole Smoky's second location (The Barrelhouse) all offer free tastings. For adults who want a progressive tasting walk, the strip delivers without buying a ticket for anything.
parking
The Tram Trick
Park at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on the north end for free, then take the paid tram to the strip. Total cost $2 round-trip vs. $10 to $20 for downtown lots. Walk back uphill at the end if it is a nice evening.
groups
Split and Reconvene Strategy
The strip is long enough that groups can split into smaller clusters at one end and meet for lunch or dinner at a predetermined restaurant. Works well for mixed-interest groups.
restaurant
Best Actual Food on the Strip
The Peddler Steakhouse (uphill from the strip, been there since 1976) and Smoky Mountain Brewery (right on the strip) are the two most consistently praised restaurants for sit-down meals.
schedule
The Strip on a Rainy Day
Rain does not shut the strip down. Moonshine tastings, the SkyBridge (actually fun in mist), the aquarium, and indoor candy shops all work perfectly in a rainstorm.
nights
Best at Night in Summer
Summer evenings from 7 to 10 PM on the strip have a genuine electric atmosphere. Street performers, the fountain at the Aquarium plaza, lights everywhere. It is worth staying for.
On the Calendar

Events Worth Timing Your Trip Around

Annual events that take over the Gatlinburg strip.

Jan
TBD
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
Downtown Gatlinburg -- Annual -- Millions of lights through January
Oct
TBD
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Convention Center -- 180+ artisans, two-week event
Jul
4
Fourth of July Parade
The Strip -- Annual -- One of the best small-town parades in TN
calendar_today See All Events

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