The mountain town of Gatlinburg in Tennessee lets visitors enjoy both beautiful surroundings and fun activities. No matter if you want to explore, spend time with family or enjoy romance, Gatlinburg has lots to offer. In this guide, you will get the latest information you need to create the ideal trip for 2025.

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Things to Do in Gatlinburg Tennessee

Gatlinburg has many activities and places to visit, making each visitor’s stay memorable.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: offers trails for hiking, many waterfalls and wonderful views. Driving on Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove might give you a chance to see black bears, deer and other animals.

• Anakeesta: is an award-winning outdoor park that lets you see the Smokies in all their splendor and try exciting adventures in the treetops. Let the Hellbender Mountain Coaster and the RailRunner give you an unforgettable ride.

• Gatlinburg SkyLift Park: You can enjoy breathtaking mountain views by getting on the SkyLift, found at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. At the very top, SkyDeck is a cozy area to observe the city. The new SkyTrail path lets you walk 0.5 miles from one side of the bridge to the other.

• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: Visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies allows you to discover many unique sea creatures. Experience the Ocean Wonders show with its mix of lighting, sound and water, which gives a full impression of being underwater.

• Ober Mountain: At Ober Mountain, you can choose from many activities like the Cloud Catcher Zipline, mountain biking and skiing no matter the season.

If you want to see the city in a different way, try climbing to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, visiting the Hollywood Star Cars Museum or enjoying a day at the famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg Tennessee

Here are some of the top-rated activities and attractions in Gatlinburg:

• Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Stroll along the Gatlinburg SkyBridge which is known as North America’s longest bridge for walkers.

• Moonshine Mountain Coaster: Here, you can relish a fast and exciting ride through the scenic Smoky Mountains.

• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: At Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, you can see many kinds of marine animals.

• Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook: Take in wonderful views of both downtown Gatlinburg and the mountains from the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook.

What to Do in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg offers a variety of unique experiences:

• Explore the Arts and Crafts Community: Browse through the Arts and Crafts section and discover different works made by local artists on this drive.

• Visit Distilleries: Stop by many moonshine distilleries like Ole Smoky and Sugarlands Distilling Company when you visit the Appalachians.

• Attend Local Events: Take time to go to neighborhood festivals to discover the unique cultural traditions.

Gatlinburg News

Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in Gatlinburg:

New Attractions:

• Soli Mountain Water Park: Soli Mountain Water Park was opened to the public in May 2025 in Pigeon Forge.
• Scooby-Doo Mystery Putt: A planned Scooby-Doo Mystery Putt course is ready to open in Pigeon Forge in June 2025.
• Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster: Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster is scheduled to be completed and ready for people in late May 2025.
• Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ: Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ is anticipated to start serving customers in Summer 2025.

Events & Festivals:

• Anakeesta’s United Taste of America festival: May 23rd marked the start of Anakeesta’s United Taste of America festival which will continue until August 10th.
• Ober Mountain’s Strawberry Stroll: Ober Mountain’s Strawberry Stroll: The event goes on the whole month of May.

Recent News:

• There were injuries reported after a collateral car collision on Parkway in early June 2025.

Best Places to Eat in Gatlinburg Tennessee

You will find plenty of dining opportunities in Gatlinburg to meet your taste buds.

• The Greenbrier: The Greenbrier is famous for excellent food and classic Appalachian dishes.
• The Peddler Steakhouse: At The Peddler Steakhouse, you can enjoy top shelf meat dishes and admire views of the river.
• Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar: If you love seafood, Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar is a place you should visit.
• Pancake Pantry: Pancake Pantry is well-known in Gatlinburg for its amazing pancakes.
• Tennessee Jed’s: Especially known for serving great, affordable sandwiches.

Gatlinburg Tennessee Travel Guide

Here are some essential tips for planning your trip to Gatlinburg:

• Accommodation: You will find campsites, cabins, chalets, hotels, condos or bed-and-breakfast places for your accommodation.
• Transportation: Move around the city by taking the Gatlinburg Trolley.
• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Oregon is in May, as you will enjoy better weather and not have to share the state with crowded summer tourists. Fall offers beautiful sights of the changing leaves.
• Outdoor Activities: You can enjoy hiking, biking, walking along trails, rafting and ziplining outside.

Visit Gatlinburg Tennessee

We are happy to invite you to Gatlinburg. This small mountain town is perfect for those looking for excitement, a chance to relax or spent time with family.

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