Things to Do in Gatlinburg
DESTINATION GUIDE

Things to Do in Gatlinburg

45 curated spots from Gatlinburg itineraries

Activities & Attractions

25 curated experiences

Anakeesta Adventure Park
Do
afternoon

Anakeesta Adventure Park

Mountaintop adventure park with 6 zipline runs (side-by-side dual lines), mountain coaster, aerial bridges, and dining. Control your speed for thrilling or relaxed experience.

4h · $79-99 per person (various package options)
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Do
afternoon

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Free exhibits of student and local art; watch live demos

1h 30m · Free
Check-in and Balcony Time at Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
Do
afternoon

Check-in and Balcony Time at Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

Arrive, settle into your modern room or suite, and enjoy a relaxed hour on the balcony or by the fireplace before heading out, using this as your home base for short, manageable walks.

1h · Free (with stay)
Ely's Mill
Do
morning

Ely's Mill

Historic free mill site with creek views and short trails

1h 30m · Free
Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
Do
afternoon

Gatlinburg Pinball Museum

Free viewing of vintage machines; nostalgic family fun

1h · Free
Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
Do
afternoon

Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

Panoramic free views of town and mountains; prime photography

45m · Free
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park & SkyBridge
Do
evening

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park & SkyBridge

Take the chairlift up Crockett Mountain to a mountaintop plaza and walk part or all of the SkyBridge for dramatic views and couple photos, with plenty of seating and resting areas.

2h · $30-40 per person
Gatlinburg Space Needle
Do
afternoon

Gatlinburg Space Needle

Ride the glass elevator to an open-air observation deck with panoramic views of Gatlinburg and the Smokies, great for daytime or blue-hour photos.

1h 15m · $18-25 per person
Gatlinburg Trailhead
Do
morning

Gatlinburg Trailhead

Easy 3.8-mile roundtrip riverside trail into Great Smoky Mountains National Park; spot wildlife and streams

2h · Free
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
Do
morning

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

Self-guided 8-mile loop of free studios, galleries, and artisan demos; pottery and woodworking

2h · Free
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Cades Cove Loop
Do
morning

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Cades Cove Loop

Popular 11-mile scenic driving loop featuring wildlife spotting opportunities (black bears, deer, wild turkeys), historic homesteads, and overlooks. Pull-offs throughout for photo stops and short hikes.

3h · Free (park entry)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Newfound Gap Road & Photography Overlooks
Do
afternoon

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Newfound Gap Road & Photography Overlooks

Scenic mountain pass drive with multiple pull-offs and overlooks offering panoramic Smoky Mountain views. Photo-worthy vistas at various elevations; clear days provide 50+ mile views.

2h · Free (park entry)
Heartwood Art Gallery
Do
afternoon

Heartwood Art Gallery

Free viewing of local carvings and crafts; photo-friendly

1h · Free
Martha Jane Ogle Cabin
Do
afternoon

Martha Jane Ogle Cabin

Historic pioneer log cabin along trail; learn Appalachian history

45m · Free
Mills Park
Do
morning

Mills Park

Quiet park with picnic spots, restrooms, and nature trails; family relaxation

1h 30m · Free
Mynatt Park
Do
morning

Mynatt Park

Free playground, picnic areas, and stream for kids to play

1h 30m · Free
Ole Smoky Distillery or Sugarlands Distilling Company
Do
evening

Ole Smoky Distillery or Sugarlands Distilling Company

Authentic Tennessee moonshine distilleries with tastings of various infusions (apple pie, peach, traditional), distillery tours, and gift shopping. Family-friendly tasting rooms with Southern hospitality.

1h 30m · $10-20 per person (tastings)
Ole Smoky Distillery The Holler
Do
afternoon

Ole Smoky Distillery The Holler

Free moonshine tastings and live music in a fun barn setting; non-alcoholic options available

1h · Free
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Do
morning

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Interactive aquarium with hands-on marine encounters, diverse species displays, and educational exhibits. Combo tickets available for other Ripley's attractions (Haunted House, Mysteries).

2h · $32-42 per person (aquarium), combo options available
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Do
morning

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Large, modern aquarium with underwater tunnels, touch pools, and well-curated exhibits, most of which follow a single, gently sloping path.

2h 30m · $40-50 per person
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Do
morning

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Scenic 5.5-mile one-way drive with historic cabins, waterfalls, and pullouts; short family hikes

2h · Free
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
Do
evening

Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum

Browse quirky free collection of 20,000+ shakers; quick family photo op

45m · Free
Scenic Drive to Newfound Gap Overlook
Do
afternoon

Scenic Drive to Newfound Gap Overlook

Enjoy a leisurely drive from Gatlinburg up Newfound Gap Road to the main overlook, with sweeping vistas of the Smokies right from the parking area.

2h · Free
Sugarlands Distilling Company
Do
afternoon

Sugarlands Distilling Company

Free distillery tours and tastings; learn moonshine history

1h · Free
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Do
morning

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Free exhibits on park history, wildlife displays, and ranger talks; grab maps

1h 30m · Free

Restaurants & Food

20 local favorites

Anakeesta On-Mountain Dining
Eat
afternoon

Anakeesta On-Mountain Dining

Elevated dining at the mountaintop adventure park with craft food options and unobstructed Smoky Mountain views. Casual but special occasion feel.

45m · $18-32 per person
Arrowmont Cafe
Eat
afternoon

Arrowmont Cafe

Simple sandwiches and salads at school cafe; fresh and local

45m · $8-12 per person
Cherokee Grill & Steakhouse
Eat
evening

Cherokee Grill & Steakhouse

Lodge-style yet sleek steakhouse with stone and wood details, dim lighting, and a cozy, romantic atmosphere.

1h 30m · $40-75 per person
Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar Gatlinburg
Eat
evening

Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar Gatlinburg

Upscale seafood spot with a polished, contemporary interior and views toward the river, excellent for a special first-night dinner.

1h 30m · $45-80 per person
Crockett's Breakfast Camp
Eat
morning

Crockett's Breakfast Camp

Themed log cabin breakfast spot offering hearty Southern breakfast—biscuits, pancakes, and log cabin comfort. Fun, energetic atmosphere to fuel your adventure days.

1h · $15-25 per person
Crockett's Breakfast Camp Takeout
Eat
morning

Crockett's Breakfast Camp Takeout

Pancakes and sausage to-go window; hearty Southern start

45m · $7-10 per person
Flapjack's Pancake Cabin To-Go
Eat
morning

Flapjack's Pancake Cabin To-Go

Stacked pancakes and fruit; portable

45m · $7-10 per person
Gatlinburg Farmers Market
Eat
morning

Gatlinburg Farmers Market

Fresh local produce, baked goods, and coffee stalls; grab apple fritters and fruit

45m · $5-8 per person
Glades Road Cafe
Eat
afternoon

Glades Road Cafe

Grilled cheese and soup; cozy budget spot

45m · $8-11 per person
Log Cabin Pancake House Takeout
Eat
evening

Log Cabin Pancake House Takeout

Pancake sandwiches to-go; evening comfort food

45m · $8-11 per person
Margaritaville Restaurant Gatlinburg
Eat
morning

Margaritaville Restaurant Gatlinburg

Resort-style restaurant in the Margaritaville Resort with a clean, modern-coastal interior and spacious seating; ideal for a relaxed, slightly indulgent breakfast to start the trip.

1h · $18-30 per person
Mellow Mushroom Gatlinburg
Eat
afternoon

Mellow Mushroom Gatlinburg

Colorful but clean-lined pizza restaurant just off the main strip, good for a casual midday break between attractions.

1h · $18-32 per person
Old Mill Restaurant
Eat
evening

Old Mill Restaurant

Historic 1807 grist mill setting with Southern comfort food—fried chicken, country cooking, and local specialties. Authentic heritage dining experience.

1h 30m · $22-38 per person
Pancake House
Eat
morning

Pancake House

Classic Gatlinburg breakfast diner with loaded pancakes, omelets, and country-style breakfast; small-town comfort and quick turnover.

45m · $12-22 per person
Park Grill Street Vendor
Eat
evening

Park Grill Street Vendor

Corn dogs and fries from Parkway carts; classic local fair food

30m · $6-10 per person
Picnic at Sugarlands
Eat
afternoon

Picnic at Sugarlands

Use market produce for riverside picnic tables

1h · $0-5 per person
Rockey's Pizza Takeout
Eat
morning

Rockey's Pizza Takeout

Breakfast pizza slices; unconventional local twist

45m · $7-10 per person
Smoky Mountain Brewery Food Truck
Eat
afternoon

Smoky Mountain Brewery Food Truck

Street eats like BBQ sliders and fries near brewery; family portions

45m · $8-12 per person
Smoky Mountain Fudge Cart
Eat
evening

Smoky Mountain Fudge Cart

Sample free fudge bits, buy small treats; street food style

30m · $4-7 per person
The Greenbrier Restaurant (Dining Room Level)
Eat
evening

The Greenbrier Restaurant (Dining Room Level)

Elegant, wooded-hillside restaurant with a modern-rustic dining room and an intimate, special-occasion feel.

2h · $50-90 per person

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