Things to do in Gatlinburg

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Tennessee

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

4.7

Gatlinburg · 272m from downtown

Riley's Aquarium of the Smoky Mountains is an aquarium under the famous Riley Entertainment Company. The Riley Aquarium of the Smoky Mountains is an indoor aquarium that displays a variety of marine and freshwater creatures. It features multiple exhibit areas, including a touch pool, an ocean tunnel, and a rainforest area. Visitors can view a variety of coral reefs, tropical fish, rays, sharks, and other marine life. The aquarium also offers some interactive experiences, such as a touch pool, which allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the marine life. In addition, the aquarium regularly hosts special events and shows, such as shark dives and marine life talks. Riley's Aquarium of the Smoky Mountains is a major tourist attraction in Gatlinburg, attracting many tourists to visit. It provides an opportunity to learn about marine life and ecosystems and is especially suitable for families and children.

Gatlinburg · 824m from downtown

Sugarlands Distilling Company

4.5

Sugarlands Distilling Company is a distillery and tourist attraction that combines traditional mountain distilling techniques with a visitor experience. Established in 2014, the distillery uses grain and corn as ingredients to produce various flavors of moonshine, rum, vodka, and rye whiskey through processes such as distillation and fermentation. The venue features a log cabin-style exterior and includes a viewing corridor in the "Still House," where visitors can get an up-close look at equipment such as stone mills, copper stills, and fermentation tanks. For the visitor experience, the distillery features several "Sippin' Posts," where adult visitors can participate in tastings of various flavors to learn about the different profiles of the spirits. Additionally, the backyard stage regularly hosts free live music performances, creating a relaxed social atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a drink while listening to music.

Pigeon Forge · 11.3 km from Gatlinburg

The Island in Pigeon Forge

4.7

This one-stop entertainment center in Tennessee is famous for its huge Ferris wheel and diverse shops, making it a great choice for family tourists.

Dolly Parton's Stampede

4.4

Pigeon Forge · 8 km from Gatlinburg

Located in Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee, the Equestrian Cabaret Dinner and Banquet is a dinner-meets-theater experience. Watch 32 horses and their skilled riders perform thrilling tricks, equestrian stunts, and friendly competitions, accompanied by special lighting effects, music, and a song-and-dance routine, creating a lively atmosphere. This year's new show, "Rebecca," features flying horses, vibrant flowers, breathtaking aerialists, and special effects. The dinner show concludes with a moving rendition of Dolly Parton's "Color Me America." Enjoy a four-course feast featuring cream of vegetable soup, roast chicken, pulled pork, and more. Arrive early to visit the horses, take photos, and listen to live country and bluegrass music in the Saloon before the show begins.

2026 Global 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4.6

4.5/5

21 reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves the ancient ecosystem of the southern Appalachian Mountains' temperate forests and is home to thousands of plant species. The park is also incredibly rich in salamander species. It also preserves traces of the lives of early Appalachian mountain settlers. Several historic log cabins, barns, churches, and mills are scattered throughout various historic districts, documenting the settlers' transition from subsistence living to logging and development. Large-scale logging once nearly destroyed this virgin forest, and the establishment of the national park has made ecological restoration the central theme for the decades that followed. It is also a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cades Cove is frequently visited by wildlife, Laurel Falls and Rainbow Falls trails are suitable for visitors of varying fitness levels, and the Appalachian Trail also runs through the park. Spring, with its wildflowers, and fall, with its vibrant foliage, are two particularly worthwhile times to visit.

Sevier County · 11.9 km from Gatlinburg

Anakeesta

4.2

Gatlinburg · 195m from downtown

Anakeesta is a scenic area that combines natural beauty with recreational activities. Nestled in the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the valley and the city, enjoying a tranquil natural atmosphere. Anakeesta is renowned for its unique mountain cable car system, which provides easy access to the summit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and mountains. The area offers a variety of activities for families and tourists, including a treetop walkway, observation decks, gardens, and dining options. Visitors can stroll along the trails, experiencing the feeling of being high above the forest, or take photos from the observation decks, enjoying the distant mountain and city views. Anakeesta also features a children's play area and interactive experience zones, suitable for visitors of all ages.

Gatlinburg SkyPark

4.3

Gatlinburg · 793m from downtown

Gatlinburg SkyPark in Tennessee, USA, is a scenic and recreational destination that blends mountain beauty with aerial experiences. Located in Gatlinburg, it overlooks the vast Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The highlight of Gatlinburg SkyPark is the SkyLift, a vibrant chairlift that ascends to the summit of Crockett Mountain, where you can experience the breathtaking scenery of the forest and the mountains. At the summit, a spacious observation deck offers panoramic views of the valley, the town, and the cascading peaks, perfect for photos and a moment of contemplation. Another highlight is the SkyBridge, North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Walk across it and even peer through the glass floor in the center of the bridge into the valley, a thrilling experience. In addition to the SkyBridge, there's also the SkyTrail and the Tulip Tower, perfect for nature walks and scenic views. The park also has facilities such as SkyCenter, which provides food, drinks, small gift shops, etc., so that tourists can rest comfortably between tours.

Pigeon Forge · 11.2 km from Gatlinburg

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

4.1

The Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a crime museum located in Tennessee, USA. The museum's exhibits include a variety of crime-related items, such as real crime scene photos, criminals' personal belongings, equipment used by the police and FBI, and various crime evidence. In addition, the museum also provides a variety of interactive experiences, such as simulated crime scenes, fingerprint identification, and DNA analysis.

Pigeon Forge · 11.8 km from Gatlinburg

Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

4.2

The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is an alpine coaster nestled among the hills of Pigeon Forge. It is not the intense, looping steel track found in traditional theme parks, but rather an experience of "flowing down from the mountain top" that is integrated into the mountains and forests. Guests sit in small sleds and are slowly pulled to the top of the slope, where they can take in views of dense pine forests and the silhouettes of distant mountains along the way. Once the sled is released, passengers can freely control the brake lever on the track, choosing to leisurely enjoy the scenery or "speed down" at their own pace. The track winds along the mountain terrain, passing through the woods and crossing ups and downs. The wind whistles past their ears, and the view instantly shifts from a sea of green forest to the forest and valleys below the slope, and then to the distant mountain mist. At night, it is accompanied by colorful lights, like a galaxy flowing through the valley.