20 Best Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The October 1966 cover of Southern Living featured a breathtaking shot of U.S. 441 with a camper-shelled pickup leading a caravan of cars through fall foliage in what is now the most visited national park in the U.S. Wouldn't you know it? Our readers have loved the Smokies forever. And their favorite spot in those mountains? Gatlinburg. It's easy to see why.

Given the millions of people who visit this area every year, the actual size of Gatlinburg—which comes in at fewer than 4,000 residents—escapes many travelers. Despite the high-season influxes, it's the area's homey Appalachian charm that helps draw all of the visitors here in the first place. The village has continued to evolve, with a variety of new attractions joining the perennially popular pancake houses, candy shops, and craft galleries. Here are the best things to do in Gatlinburg on your next visit.

Check Out The Classic Attractions

Visit Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park

Two-tiered theme park Anakeesta has a shopping village downtown where you catch a "chondola" lift to the mountaintop Firefly Village. There, you can take in the stunning scenery on canopy walks, zip lines, and a mountain coaster that reaches speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Anakeesta is also home to Anavista, an observation tower offering 360-degree views of the Smokies from downtown Gatlinburg's highest point.

Walk The SkyBridge

One of travelers' favorite stops (and photo ops) in Gatlinburg is the high-flying SkyBridge. To see the sights from above, take the SkyLift to the 680-foot SkyBridge, which is billed as North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge and offers up dramatic views over the forested hills. In the surrounding area, there are lots of great places to embark on hikes and meanders, and more than a few picturesque vistas for snapping photos and taking in the scenery.

Hit The Slopes At Ober Mountain

This four-season theme park is best known for its wintertime activities that give Southerners the opportunity to experience the magic of snow by skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. A year-round family favorite, Ober Mountain also offers a scenic chairlift, aerial tramway, rock climbing wall, alpine slide, mountain biking, chair swing, and wildlife habitat.

Pick A Stay That Suits You

Sleep In Nature At Under Canvas

Tucked into the trees, this collection of safari-style canvas tents with hotel-quality beds brings Under Canvas's established park-side glamping concept to the Southeast. Each tent is equipped with a full bathroom (complete with a flushing toilet and heated shower), a wood-burning stove, and all the comforts you could need for an optimal stay. A giant four-peaked circus-like tent serves as a communal space where campers can order meals and play board games around cozy seating areas. All nights here end with s’mores around a campfire.

undercanvas.com, Laurel Lick Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862

Kick Back And Relax At Margaritaville

Even Parrot Heads have a mountain perch tailored just for them with the buzzy Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg. Get the best of both worlds at this island-inspired stay that allows guests to kick back with a frozen drink at a sprawling resort-style pool, and still have killer views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains.

margaritavilleresortgatlinburg.com, 539 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Rent A Private Cabin

One of the best things about Gatlinburg is how versatile it is. Whether you’re bringing the entire extended family for a multigenerational trip, or just your significant other for a restful retreat, there’s a lovely cabin in the woods tailored to your needs. When you’re ready to start the hunt, Cabins of the Smoky Mountains has more than 340 cabins to choose from.

Stay With A Hometown Hero

Country music icon Dolly Parton grew up around these parts. Though she’s beloved around the world, she chose this specific pocket of Tennessee to build her empire, which includes a theme park (Dollywood), water park (Splash Country), and several dinner theatre venues (Dolly Parton Stampede and Pirates Voyage). Her latest venture, DreamMore Resort and Spa, features 300 rooms, multiple restaurants, a spa, and an outdoor pool with waterfalls.

dollywood.com, 2525 DreamMore Wy, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Explore The Great Outdoors

Take A Waterfall Tour

If waterfalls are what you're after, lace up your hiking boots and set out to find the treasures in the surrounding forests. The Place of a Thousand Drips, Baskins Creek Falls, and Cataract Falls are all close to Gatlinburg. The nearby Laurel Falls trailhead, found just off Fighting Creek Gap Road, will lead to its namesake falls too. For a challenging adventure, take the 4-mile ascent to Ramsey Cascades, the national park’s highest waterfall.

Cast A Fly Fishing Line

You don’t have to be an expert angler to hook a trout. Fly Fishing The Smokies guide service provides everything you need—both equipment and instruction—to have a successful outing on the more than 4,200 miles of trout streams that flow through the Smokies.

Drive The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

The Roaring Fork Nature Trail provides a good starting point for exploration of the park, and it’s just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg. Take a slow scenic drive on the 5.5-mile loop road to see rushing mountain streams, old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins and grist mills. Multiple stops along the road give the option to explore on foot, including a 5.5-mile hike to Rainbow Falls and a 5-mile hike to Grotto Falls, a waterfall you can walk behind.

Get A Taste Of The Local Flavor

Chow Down On A Hearty Country Breakfast

Gatlinburg is known for its pancake houses and perhaps the most popular is Pancake Pantry. Marketed as Tennessee’s first pancake specialty restaurant, the hotcake hub has been a staple of Gatlinburg’s famous Parkway drag since 1960. A short stack of one of their 24 different varieties is just the fuel you need for a long day of adventure. For a similarly filling meal, order The Black Bear Camp Skillet at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. The dish’s description reads like an entire breakfast menu; it comes with country or sugar-cured ham, hickory-smoked bacon, sausage, eggs, sweet corn pone, grits, potatoes, a biscuit, sausage gravy, and a griddle cake. Now that’s a meal.

Have Dinner At Smoky Mountain Trout House

Fine dining isn’t exactly Gatlinburg’s forte, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great dinner out. Like Pancake Pantry, Smoky Mountain Trout House has a long history as a Parkway landmark. The rustic family restaurant specializes in serving the best local catch, which means 10 different entrée options utilizing fresh rainbow trout. Order a plate of Trout Fritters for the table, then decide if you want your entrée fish cornmeal breaded (The Eisenhower), hickory smoked (Ole Smoky), or grilled.

trouthousegatlinburg.com, 410 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Snag A Donut At The Donut Friar

Open daily at 5 a.m., folks line up early for the delectable donuts, pastries, and cinnamon bread served at The Donut Friar. One six original stores at The Village Shoppes, a grouping of 27 unique businesses nestled together on Parkway, The Donut Friar opened in 1969 and is still owned by the same family today. Serving both cake and yeast donuts in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, the only problem you could possibly have once you smell these little bites of heaven is deciding how many to take home.

facebook.com/TheDonutFriar, 634 Parkway #15, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Try Homemade Taffy At Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen

Gatlinburg has changed quite a bit over the past 75 years, but Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen has remained a constant. The candy shop has held several locations on Parkway, but they’ve always delighted locals and visitors alike with their taffy logs (in 33 flavors) and other homemade confections.

olesmokycandykitchen.com, 744 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Do A Moonshine Tasting

Tennessee is famous for its moonshine, and you can try endless varieties at two separate distilleries located less than 300 feet from one another on Parkway. America’s most visited distillery, Ole Smoky (also known as the Holler), offers guided tours of the facility that end in tasting 13 different moonshine and whiskey varieties that range from butter pecan- to sour watermelon-flavored. If you’re eager to try more, head down the street to Sugarlands Distilling Co. to sample their moonshine, whiskey, vodka, and special Appalachian Sippin’ Cream, alcoholic dessert in a jar.

Wander Through Town

Shop at The Village Shoppes

The Old-World shopping venue, which celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, features 27 unique boutiques, eateries, and galleries in a European-themed village atmosphere. Brick walkways and hidden alleys lead to specialty stores like The Sock Shop, The Spice & Tea Exchange of Gatlinburg, and The Candle Cottage.

Ride the Trolley

One of the best ways to see Gatlinburg is by hopping aboard the Gatlinburg Free Trolley. The old-school streetcar runs 365 days a year and follows several routes throughout town that will bring you by all the major attractions, as well as some more off-the-beaten paths locales, too.

Walk Parkway

Downtown Gatlinburg is dominated by one major strip that’s known as Parkway. Block off an afternoon to start on one end and make your way to the other, stopping to pop into local restaurants, boutiques, and fun attractions all along your meandering way.

Enjoy the Arts

Follow the Historic Arts & Crafts Trail

The Great Smoky Arts & Craft Community sponsors this 8-mile loop trail that takes visitors to galleries, shops, and exhibits that include works from more than 100 artists. For the full experience, ride the trolley to get from place to place, and be sure to check out the many local restaurants and bed and breakfasts that are also part of the trail. Buy a handmade work to commemorate your time in Gatlinburg.

Take A Pottery Class At Fowler’s Clay Works

Take your appreciation of the arts to the next level by seeing firsthand just how much talent and time it takes to create works of art. At Fowler’s Clay Works, experienced potter Mike Fowler sells his functional wares, but also offers Make a Mug Experiences. During the 1- to 2-hour long classes, guests have the chance to throw their own mug on a pottery wheel, select their glaze color, and have their handmade souvenir shipped directly to their homes once they’re fired.

fowlersclayworks.com, 1402 East Pkwy #12, Gatlinburg, TN 37738