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

April 15, 2022 Almeta Stockton

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 [email protected] http://www.sugarlands.com
Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26,634 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 SavvyTravelerWV

My husband and I stopped in here during our vacation we had fun sampling the different types of moonshine and even took a distillery tour, very fun and interesting place to go!

2. Tennessee Shine Company - Gatlinburg

519 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3201 +1 865-314-5602 [email protected] http://tnshineco.com/
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,752 reviews

Tennessee Shine Company - Gatlinburg

Here at Tennessee Shine Company, we focus on bottling the best instead of the most. That’s why you’ll only find small-batch moonshine and whiskey with our labels. Passed down through generations, our Smoky Mountain recipes stay true to the signature flavors and seasonal blends our families are known for. Pair that with our down-home, friendly atmosphere, and you’ll understand what sets our distillery apart from the rest.

Reviewed By Rob_The_IV - Chicago, United States

Our host, Katie, made us feel right at home. From blueberry pancake batter to root beer float to banana laffy taffy, the flavors and history of Doc Collier's distillery were awesome to experience. I would highly recommend walking downtown Gatlinburg afterward. We visited several distilleries in the area including Ole Smokey and Sugarlands. Doc Collier's is the best!

3. Tennessee Homemade Wines

643 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3203 +1 865-412-1030 [email protected] http://tnhomemadewines.com/
Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6,000 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 Y8627PDjohnh

Great place our favorite wine around and a must to stopin and taste for adults of course great staff Giovanni was great friendly and helpful

4. Ole Smoky Whiskey Barrelhouse

650 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3204 +1 865-325-1111 [email protected] http://olesmoky.com/about/barrelhouse
Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,737 reviews

Ole Smoky Whiskey Barrelhouse

Reviewed By Teresa_david2014 - Woodsfield, United States

Our taste testing bar tender, Matthew, was Great!!! Knowledgeable and very fun!! Would recommend him 100%!!!

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

107 Park Headquarters Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4102 +1 865-436-1200 https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,217 reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Reviewed By V8732FEjohnd - Riverview, United States

Excellent hiking trails - Hiked the Rainbow Falls 1st day - very nice, scenic, runs along a river and finishes at a nice waterfall - rougher trial - took 4 - 4 1/2 hrs round trip - did grotto falls second - much smoother trial but steeper than rainbow - took maybe 3 hrs round trip - both excellent - very scenic would return

6. Rowdy Bear Mountain

386 Parkway Located one block before traffic light #3, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4962 +1 865-409-5045 [email protected] http://www.rowdybearmountain.com
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 847 reviews

Rowdy Bear Mountain

Rowdy Bear is home to two amazing rides! The Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster is a gravity propelled coaster 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 35mph. The Mountain Glider is the FIRST IN THE WORLD! It is a suspended single railed, dual racing coaster that combines free falling and hang gliding into one fun, safe, & exhilarating experience. This coaster can reach speeds of up to 25mph 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. Visit our Sister Park- Rowdy Bear Ridge @2155 Parkway, Pigeon Forge Home to Tennessee’s First Year Round Outdoor Tubing Hill! 500’ Lanes with a 70’ drop. Ride single or attach up to 3 tubes! Also home to the Worlds First Laser Gun and POWER COASTER!

Reviewed By DonnaEnd - Fort Worth, United States

We visited Rowdy Bear yesterday, we are a mixed age group.....14-62 years old and we ALL rode the coaster, it was a blast!!!! Dalton, Chris, Nathan, Tanna, Autumn, Brenda and Josh were AMAZING!!!! They were so nice and fun!!! We have tickets to another coaster already pre-purchased at another place, but we will be back to Rowdy Bear before our vacation ends!! They were so excited that we enjoyed it so much! You can tell they care about their business and jobs, our experience was fantastic, go to Rowdy Bear, you will love it!! Thanks again y’all!!!!

7. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

88 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3261 +1 888-240-1358 [email protected] http://www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg/
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14,673 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 MatthewR498 - Hershey, United States

We were a little wary of this given the expensive entrance fees but our son had his heart set on going so we did and I am so happy we did - it was absolutely worth the cost. You see so many amazing animals, all the little info placards have some truly fascinating facts/trivia, and the big shark tank/moving cave was an amazing experience. I loved seeing all the "weird" animals that fit with Ripley's brand (Mantis Shrimp, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, etc) and my son watched the penguins for a good 20 minutes - only bummer was the tubes to "get in" with them were blocked but with Covid I 100% get why/agree with that choice. Also it's a little thing but I really appreciated that the gift shop had a big selection of books - so many places just have toys/candy/clothes (which makes sense) so it was really great to get to buy my son some books about all the crazy sea creatures he had just seen.

8. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

765 Parkway Center of town at traffic light # 7, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3205 +1 865-436-4307 [email protected] http://www.gatlinburgskylift.com
Excellent
55%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,661 reviews

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Home of North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge: Gatlinburg SkyBridge. At the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, guests will experience the best views of the beautiful Smoky Mountains and the town of Gatlinburg. Come relax and enjoy the views!

Reviewed By MotorcityDude313 - Gatlinburg, United States

Great view definitely worth doing!! Largest suspension bridge in America so I was told!! Talk about a thrill this is it my first time on a skylight and you can ride all day the bridge is the highlight of it all great pictures and if you lucky you may spot a bear!!

9. Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

Gatlinburg By-Pass, Gatlinburg, TN +1 865-693-5739 http://www.gatlinburgoverlook.com
Excellent
79%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,335 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 TXMARTINS - Atlanta, United States

Beautiful by night or day you can see spectacular views of the city! Tucked just outside the gates of Great Smoky National Park Gatlinburg is a fun mountain town with house all the way up the mountains with amazing views.

10. Ole Smoky

903 Parkway Unit 128 Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3181 +1 865-436-6995 [email protected] http://olesmoky.com/
Excellent
79%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11,485 reviews

Ole Smoky

Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed moonshine distillery in the state of Tennessee. A visit to Ole Smoky is the true moonshine experience. As you approach the entrance, you can detect the distinct smell of our grains cooking and fermenting. You'll see authentic working moonshine stills and experience the process from beginning to end. Our distillers will take the time to visit with you and answer any questions about the history and lore of moonshining in East Tennessee.After you see, smell and hear about the process, we offer tastings of our Award winning shine! Samples of our Original Unaged Corn Whiskey, White Lightnin' and Moonshine Cherries as well as Apple Pie and Blackberry flavors - plus we offer seasonal and special flavors that aren't available in package stores. And of course, you'll be able to buy plenty of moonshine and Ole Smoky merchandise to take home with you.

Reviewed By CrimsonRacing - Birmingham, United States

Great place...tons of choices...great employees...fun times Positively a Go to when in Gatlinburg..... Free samples ....plenty of choices

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.