10 Things to Do in Gatlinburg That You Shouldn't Miss

November 17, 2017 Christa Meece

Gatlinburg, at the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is an ideal base for a family looking to explore the park's numerous offerings. After you've gone hiking, fishing, rafting or horseback riding, ride an elevator 342 feet to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for stunning views of the Smokies. There's also an amusement center next door with nifty rides and games.
Restaurants in Gatlinburg

1. Sugarlands Distilling Company

805 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3248 +1 865-325-1355
Excellent
93%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Sugarlands Distilling Company

Sugarlands Distilling Company is conveniently located in downtown Gatlinburg. Visitors who come to the barn-style distillery can take a behind-the-scenes tour of our still house and learn firsthand how we make our authentic Sugarlands spirits. Adults over the age of 21 can take a guided tasting flight of our spirits at the Sippin' Posts. Our Back Porch stage offers free shows covering many genres, open to guests of all ages. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS SIP WISELY.

Reviewed By Amber H

Every time we visit Gatlinburg (5-6 times a year) we stop by Sugarlands. JOSH and ZACH were a blast during both tastings and kept us laughing! See y’all in June!Thank you for your kind words and continued support, it takes dedication to visit 5-6 times in a calendar year! Sampling with Josh and Zach is an exciting experience, we are happy that you enjoyed it. We will see you again soon, travel safe!

2. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

88 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3261 +1 888-240-1358
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, TN, is literally teeming with life - over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in 350 individual species. There are more fish in this aquarium than there are people living in the entire town of Gatlinburg!

Reviewed By Helen P

We used to love this aquarium and have visited many times. The kids are entertained for a couple of hours which would be fine if it wasn't so very expensive. $35 for adults, $19 per child, plus tax. Lunch at the restaurant for 2 kids and 1 adult was another $40. By the time you get through the gift shop, it's a $200 day, which I guess is that they're counting on.
The aquarium is always very crowded. You must wait in a long line to park (which you have to pay for on top of everything else!), then to buy tickets (this line is outside, exposed to rain, sun, etc, with no cover), and then wait again to pay. Wait for the restroom (there's only one in the whole place), wait to see the animals, wait wait wait. It's frustrating to say the least.
This may have been our last visit, unfortunately.

3. Tennessee Homemade Wines

643 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3203 +1 865-412-1030
Excellent
94%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Tennessee Homemade Wines

Made with local fruit. Crafted by local folk. Served by local friends. Specializing in sweet wine and Southern Hospitality, stop by for a free taste. a few wines you can expext to sample: Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, and Muscadine Wine. Open 7 days a week

Reviewed By Robin M - St. Augustine, Florida

Went to this wonderful homemade winery in Gatlingburg! Very nice folks. We were greeted by Teresa and I must say that she was the reason we purchased 6 bottles of great tasting wine!! She was kind, knowledgeable and went out of her way to satisfy our taste! We visit 2 times a year and will make Tennessee Homemade Wines our stop! Thank you Teresa! The Clements from St.Augustine, Fl.... the golfer and Yorkie owner!!

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gatlinburg, TN 37738 +1 865-436-1200
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 237 reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Reviewed By Jim M - Lake Orion, Michigan

This is a gem on the eastern seaboard. When one imagines mountains one imagines the Rockies and/or Sierra Nevada's. While these mountains don't have the rugged, snow peaked vistas, they're beautiful none-the-less and can provide excellent hiking experiences for the whole family. Hiking experience is certainly not required.

5. Fowler's Clay Works

1402 E Parkway, Suite 10, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-5754 +1 865-412-1003
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 199 reviews

Fowler's Clay Works

Hand made pottery studio, featuring the works of Mike and Cheryl Fowler. All pieces are one of a kind, functional and decorative. Also offering pottery classes for visitors and locals. Give us a call or come by to book a class and see what it's like to spin your very own!

Reviewed By Lori B

My husband and I had the best experience in making pottery on our trip to Gatlinburg and Fowler's Clay Works.Mike was very patient with me and helped us to make the perfect additions to our collection. He really made it a fun class by allowing us to make mistakes and learn along the way. I highly recommend signing up for a class and stopping in to check out the beautiful, artistic pieces they create. I will definitely be back.

6. 7D Dark Ride Adventure

903 Parkway, Suite 105, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3181 +1 865-277-0247
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 250 reviews

7D Dark Ride Adventure

7D Dark Ride Adventure is a first person shooter that puts you into the game. This state of the art shooting game has seven dimensions, including light, wind, surround sound, and user interaction, all while playing a 3D video. From zombies to a robot creating mad scientist, this is an experience you will never forget. Great for all aged guests and large group sizes. This is a FACE Amusement Group Attraction. 7D Adventure is the first Real 7D theater in Gatlinburg with award-winning technology. We have an 8 seat theater that uses full motion seats that make you feel like you are moving like you are on a roller coaster while interacting with the adventures that are showing. YOU MUST BE 40 inches tall to ride WEIGHT MAX is 350 lbs IF YOU HAVE EPILEPSY, REFRAIN FROM USING THIS RIDE IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS RIDING IS NOT RECOMMENDED: Recent surgery or illness, heart conditions, neck or bone conditions, pregnancy, high blood pressure or aneurysms, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Reviewed By twhiffen - Windsor, Connecticut

I hadn’t done one of these interactive giant screen video games before...other than the dark ride shooters at Amusement parks.
These things are popping up everywhere and are quite the experience. There were 5 of us and although you are all on the same team trying to kill the zombies or werewolves, etc...there is a scoreboard at the end which ranks each player (including a pic of you playing) this turns an otherwise cooperative game into competition.
Katie who was our instructor was very good and you could tell she really wanted us to enjoy the experience!
My only complaint (which seems to be everyone else’s as well) is that the ride is just not long enough for the price. $10.99 per person at this posting. They do have deals for 2 and 3 ride combos which make it much better. I went with Groupon which made the ride about $5 per ride which we thought was worth it.
I definitely recommend the experience.

7. Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

Gatlinburg By-Pass, Gatlinburg, TN +1 865-693-5739
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

The Gatlinburg Overlook is located on the Gatlinburg Bypass which runs between the Gatlinburg Spur and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Gatlinburg Spur runs between Pigeon Forge TN and Gatlinburg. The Bypass is accessible from the Spur or from the National Park. There are four parking areas on the Bypass. You can exit your vehicle and take in the views. We recommend the 2nd and 3rd parking areas. From the overlooks, you will see the entire town of Gatlinburg with its majestic mountain backdrop.

Reviewed By Maria K - Chicago, Illinois

It’s definitely worth the drive and a stop to take pictures of Gatlinburg below. I was expecting more, but it is worth the drive. It’s not that much further out of the way, and less traffic than if you don’t take it.

8. Rowdy Bear Mountain

386 Parkway, Located one block before traffic light #3, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4962 +1 865-409-5045
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 286 reviews

Rowdy Bear Mountain

Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park is home to two amazing rides! The Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster is a gravity propelled Mountain coaster ride that allows you to zip and zoom through the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains all while operating your very own coaster cart! You control your speeds up to 30 mph. The Mountain Glider is the FIRST IN THE WORLD!!! It is a suspended single railed, dual racing Glider coaster that combines free falling and hang gliding into one fun safe exhilarating experience. This coaster can reach speeds of up to 35mph and offers amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains while you swing through the treetops! We are open 365 days a year and operate in rain, snow, and sunshine. Free parking. Online ticket purchase available by visiting our website or Facebook.

Reviewed By MLA973 - Kalamazoo, MI

With several options to choose from, we opted for Rowdy Bear because we have a 2-for-1 coupon, and it seemed less intense than other coasters in the area. (Some in our group didn't want an extreme ride.) You are able to control the speed from start to finish, but we left ours on full speed. From below, it doesn't appear to go very high up, but it was a fun surprise as we continued up into the side of the mountain. There are great views of the city from the top. They take your photo on the ride, and they turned out great so we bought them. Went during spring break, but got there right at opening, so we rode twice without a lot of wait. My only regret is that we didn't go back to try again at night. They do offer reduced price re-rides within a few days of purchasing the original ride.

9. Doc Collier Moonshine Distillery

519 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3201 +1 865-325-1468
Excellent
83%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 740 reviews

Doc Collier Moonshine Distillery

Doc Collier's Moonshine Distillery comes from a heritage steeped in folklore and stories found in and around the mountains of East Tennessee. Our family has never been about fads. Great-Great Grandpa William 'Doc' Collier traveled these mountains on horseback delivering his moonshine before moonshine was even a word. This at a time when an honest man knew he could find a stiff drink in our neck of the woods. Enjoy what many fine Appalachians already know! Join us for a free taste of our newly released Straight Shine and come back again for some new flavors!

Reviewed By Kent S

Visiting the distilleries is my favorite part of a visit to Gatlinburg, and the standout parts are always due to exceptional servers. This was our first, and second, visit to Doc Collier’s and Billy was what brought us back. We certainly enjoyed the moonshine, and we added a couple of jars to our “collection “, but we wouldn’t have come back the next day if Billy hadn’t been so much fun. Make sure to add this to your moonshine tour if you haven’t already...

10. St Mary's Catholic Church

304 Historic Nature Trl, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3325 +1 865-436-4907
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 123 reviews

St Mary's Catholic Church

Reviewed By G M - Louisville, Kentucky

Agree with the other reviewers that it was easy to attend mass on vacation with choices of Saturday evening 7pm or Sunday 9am or 11am. We walked away with a homily message that we reflected on during the day. Also an A plus for Hospitality and friendliness.

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