Location: Gatlinburg
Top Things to do in Gatlinburg
10 Water & Amusement Parks in Gatlinburg That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Rowdy Bear Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 847 reviews
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!!!!
2. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,661 reviews
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!!
3. 7D Dark Ride Adventure
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
An adrenaline rush like no other! For an interactive game like you’ve never experienced before, gather your courage and check out the 7D Dark Ride Adventure! Check out our online ticket sales!
Reviewed By 793lieslh - Broxton, United States
My children couldn't wait to go here and kept begging us to go and I see why. We all loved it and enjoyed it. My children loved it so much that they wanted to go back a second time. It was super fun and we all had a great time. This is a place I would definitely visit again and would also recommend. I just wish they had souvenir pictures because I definitely would have brought them to take home with us.
4. Anakeesta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,037 reviews
Anakeesta, Tennessee’s award-winning outdoor family theme park is known for its panoramic smoky mountain views, thrilling treetop adventures including zipline and mountain coaster, dining, shopping, and seasonal special events featuring live music and family-friendly activities. Ride a scenic Chondola or Ridge Rambler adventure truck from Downtown Gatlinburg to the summit of Anakeesta and enter a world of whimsy and family fun at Anakeesta.
Reviewed By shank2018 - Murfreesboro, United States
Beautiful gardens, tree tops walking bridge, zip lining, a chair lift to get you to the top, quaint shops, and of course breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains! Not to mention the shops there as well. If you love nature, you could easily spend hours here.
5. Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park & Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8,117 reviews
From downtown Gatlinburg, hop on to the 120 passenger aerial tramway for a ride to this ski area with a 600-foot vertical drop, nine beautiful trails and an amusement park complete with indoor ice skating, wildlife encounter, Alpine Slide, water rides and more.
Reviewed By Nandup_13 - Singapore, Singapore
The tram operator Mike was so good and the information he was sharing all through the ride was very interesting. One has to pay for parking . It'll be good if we get a waiver for those who take the ride.
6. Wild Bear Falls Waterpark
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 440 reviews
A mountain-themed, world-class family indoor water park, Wild Bear Falls at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, features a state-of-the-art retractable roof, taking Mother Nature out of the equation! Guests can enjoy comfortable conditions year round. At more than 60,000 square feet, Wild Bear Falls is the largest indoor water park resort in the South and the fifth largest in the country. A total of 300,000 gallons of water flow through Wild Bear Falls daily. An idyllic break for both parents and kids, Wild Bear Falls offers an atmosphere that sets aside bonding time and a safe, supervised yet independent kid-friendly atmosphere that allows parents a chance to relax with children visible nearby. Attractions at Wild Bear Falls include a lazy river, a variety of different slides, an amazing treehouse play feature that dumps gallons of water periodically and more.
Reviewed By 10acgirl2014 - Knoxville, United States
Float around the lazy river or play at the zero entry water edge with a baby. This water park is fun for all ages. Check the height for the water slides, grab a tube and be on your way. The park is enclosed and includes hot tubs inside and out. Ample lounge chairs plus a nice locker room with showers and a very clean bathroom with attendant. Upstairs you can grab a snack or hot lunch at the snack bar. Enjoy!
7. Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,188 reviews
The Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster is a unique, family-friendly thrill ride that puts you in the driver's seat. Race through the Smoky Mountains on our unique, wide track with a brake system that puts you in control. And best of all, our tubular rails guarantee a smooth, comfortable ride every time!
Reviewed By iscriblr - Memphis, United States
Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster is a one-off thrill ride which is an another “must do” fun activity in Gatlinburg! With single or double rider cars meandering down the mountain on a “specially designed” silent track – this coaster is all about high-speed, adventure and excitement. Reasonably priced at $16 for an adult, with their own free parking, Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster is absolutely worth your time and money.
8. Rail Runner at Anakeesta
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Journey610102
Had a great time on this attraction. Had to brake/slow down several times!! View was spectacular. Best time of year to come because there was no lineup.
9. Ripley's Haunted Adventure
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 922 reviews
Ripley's Haunted Adventure takes haunted houses to the next level. Live actors lurk behind every corner of this creepy renovated mansion, just waiting to "welcome" you to their home. That high pitched scream you hear...yea that's you. But remember, you must be at least 6 years old to enter, if you dare!
Reviewed By NMONPR
We did this attraction back in 2015. My family of 4, two adult and two children at that time, we all had a great time. We are not too much into being scared, hahaha, so just being a little spooked was good enough. We still talked and laugh about it.
10. Ripley's Moving Theater
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 709 reviews
It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Better strap on your seat belts for this seriously REAL-D 5D Moving Theater experience. Our state of the art theater with digital effects and motions seats will have you feeling like you’re in the movie! Bump, dip, and shake your way through the Happy Family adventure. We advise expectant mothers and people with certain medical conditions not to ride this ride. Fun for a date night, or a trip with the entire family, but hold on tight!
Reviewed By Ahall87
I went with my teenage daughter and two of her friends and we all loved it. It’s very kid friendly and the seats move with effects that come out to as in air or water spray and snow. Can’t wait till I can bring my youngest.
TAGS
