Gatlinburg is a beautiful place to visit, but it can also be overwhelming. With so many things to do and see in the area, it can be difficult to decide what to do first. Well, I have some great ideas for how you can spend your time once you arrive at Gatlinburg! From ziplining through the Smoky Mountains National Park (and eating some delicious grilled chicken on the way) to hiking Rainbow Falls — there are plenty of unique experiences waiting for you here.
When it comes to exploring Gatlinburg, there is no shortage of activities to choose from. Whether you’re looking to visit a local museum or take a scenic hike, there is plenty to fill any itinerary. In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favorite recommendations for things to do in Gatlinburg.
In addition to the many outdoor activities available in Gatlinburg, there are also several unique shops and boutiques worth exploring. For example, the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is home to over 100 galleries and shops featuring the work of local artisans. This is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember your trip by.
Unique Things To Do in Gatlinburg
Another great option for shopping in Gatlinburg is the Smoky Mountain Knife Works. This store is the world’s largest knife store and is home to an impressive collection of knives, swords, and other weaponry. Even if you’re not in the market for a new knife, it’s worth stopping in to browse the impressive selection on display.
And of course, no trip to Gatlinburg would be complete without a visit to the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery. Here you can take a tour of the facility and learn how this local moonshine is made. You can also sample some of the different flavors available and purchase a bottle (or two) to take home with you.
So whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or unique shopping opportunities, Gatlinburg has something to offer everyone.
Unique Things To Do in Gatlinburg
a gatlinburg escape room.
Escape rooms are a great way to spend time with friends or family. You work together to solve puzzles and escape the room, which means every person in your group must contribute their own unique skillset in order to succeed. There are many different escape rooms in Gatlinburg, some of them being scary and others just fun and silly!
If you’re looking for a fun family activity, an escape room is the perfect place to go. In fact, there are so many different rooms in Gatlinburg that it can be hard knowing where to start! Here are some of our favorite rooms in town:
-Gatlinburg Escape Room: This is one of the most popular escape rooms in town, and for good reason. The theme for this room is a secret government laboratory where you have to unlock a code to save the world from an alien invasion!
ziplining.
Ziplining
When you’re in Gatlinburg, there’s no better way to spend your day than ziplining. With hundreds of zip lines, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs and style. If you want something more intense or adventurous than what the average visitor might enjoy, try visiting some of the more remote locations—they’ll likely be less crowded and offer spectacular views over nature as well as some breathtaking views of their surroundings.
Zips usually last anywhere between 10 minutes and an hour depending on where they are located (and whether or not you decide to stop along the way). Since zips typically require a minimum of two people per line (or at least one person per line), this means it can take longer than expected before someone else shows up to reserve your spot! It’s best not wait too long because once someone else gets there first then there won’t be room for anyone else until after dark when most people go back home anyways…
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies!
If you’re looking for something fun to do, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is one of the best options. The aquarium is one of the largest in the world and has over 1,500 different animals that you can see at any given time. You can see sharks, stingrays, clownfish and other fish as well as reptiles like snakes and lizards. There are also many amphibians like salamanders that make their home in these tanks!
If you’re looking for something a little less stressful, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is a great option. This mountain coaster has one of the longest runs in the world, allowing you to go up to speeds of 45 mph and enjoy breathtaking views of downtown Gatlinburg!
horseback riding.
If you want to get out of the city, horseback riding is a great way to do it. The horses are trained and safe, so you can feel confident that they won’t run off with your belongings or kick you in the head.
You can ride for an hour or more if you want! And if it’s too cold out when spring arrives (or even late fall), there are plenty of trails where people walk or hike along with their horses rather than on roads as well as guided tours through Gatlinburg’s National Park Service lands.
Escape rooms are a great way to spend time with friends or family. You work together to solve puzzles and escape the room, which means every person in your group must contribute their own unique skillset in order to succeedRipley’s Aquarium of the Smokies also has an amazing aquarium simulator that allows you to swim with sharks in an underwater environment. This is one of the best attractions in Gatlinburg, TennesseeGatlinburg has a lot of other attractions, but the main ones are Ripley’s Aquarium and Ober Gatlinburg. The aquarium is quite expensive (you’ll have to pay for parking as well), but it’s worth it if you like fish. They have a huge variety of them from all over the world, including some that are very rare and endangered.!.
Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Dollywood is a theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. It’s owned and operated by Dolly Parton. The park has over 50 rides, shows, and attractions—including the world-famous rollercoaster Thunderhead (which can reach speeds of 125mph).
Themed after her career as a country singer and entertainer, the park is designed to give you an authentic experience of what it’s like to visit one of her shows at one of her concerts or festivals. You’ll get to see all kinds of things like old-fashioned cars on display at “Carolina Carousel” or enjoy live music from local bands playing at “Dolly’s Jubilee.” There are also plenty more things for everyone here!
hike to rainbow falls.
The hike to Rainbow Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Gatlinburg. It’s a 1.5 mile trek from the top of the falls to its base, and it’s strenuous but worth it! There are many different ways to get there: you can hike on your own or take an organized tour with a guide who will point out interesting things along the way (such as wildlife).
The trail around Rainbow Falls has been improved over time so that today you can enjoy stunning views while also getting some exercise—and maybe even spotting some wildlife like deer or birds! In addition to being beautiful all year round, this trail offers plenty of opportunities for photos because there are many different angles from which you can capture this scene: below ground level at low water levels; above ground at high water levels; above ground during winter snowfall or spring melt; etcetera…
visit ramsey cascades.
Ramsey Cascades is a waterfall located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail to the falls is approximately 3 miles long, and it’s rated moderate due to some steep climbs. It’s not recommended for people with disabilities or those who are elderly, but otherwise you should be fine.
The hike starts at Cades Cove picnic area and follows an old logging road (the last stretch of which may be closed during winter). At first you’ll walk through dense forest before reaching a clearing where there are restrooms and drinking water available. Once through this area, you’ll continue along another dirt path until finally reaching Ramsey Cascades itself—a series of cascades with water flowing down them!
The best time to visit the falls is in late spring or early summer when the water levels are high. They can also be quite beautiful during autumn when they’re covered in leaves (and even more so if there’s snow on the ground). But if it’s raining, you might want to wait until later because Ramsey Cascades can get very slippery during storms.
there are plenty of things to do in gatlinburg besides hiking
One of the most common questions I get from people who visit my home is “what’s there to do in Gatlinburg?” The answer is: a lot! There are plenty of activities that don’t involve hiking, but if you’re looking for something fun and different, then hiking might be the best option.
There are many other things to do besides hiking in Gatlinburg, though it can be hard to find them if you’re not familiar with the area or haven’t done much research beforehand. If you’re new to this area, I’d recommend checking out one of these options:
-Go white water rafting -Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (a great place to take kids) -Take a scenic drive up Little River Road (this road is only open during certain times of the year, so make sure you call ahead before going to find out when)
Conclusion
It’s really a matter of what you enjoy, and how much time you want to spend in the mountains. The options are endless.
