The attractions in Gatlinburg are endless. It is a perfect destination for virtually all types of tourists. From whitewater skiing to sampling local brews and moonshine, you can easily find a fun pursuit that goes best with you. To help you have a fantastic vacation in Gatlinburg, we have compiled a list of what you should do during the trip.
Things To Do In Gatlinburg – The Ultimate Bucketlist
- Tour Cades Cove On A Bike
Cades Cove is one of the most well-known attractions in Gatlinburg. A thriving community once flourished in this beautiful valley at the base of the Appalachians. Historic log cabins, cantilevered barns, and grinding mills still standing in Cades Cove, giving the area a nostalgic feel.
Bicycling is hands down the most delightful way to explore Cades Cove. Between May and September, the Cades Cove loop road is closed to all but bicyclists and pedestrians on Saturday mornings and Wednesday mornings before 10 AM. So before the hordes of tourists arrive in their gas-guzzling, exhaust-spewing vehicles, you should get up early, rent a bicycle, and enjoy a quiet ride through this beautiful mountain valley.
- Walk Across The Gatlinburg SkyBridge
Do you yearn for a breathtaking panorama of mountain peaks? Look no further than Gatlinburg SkyBridge. It is a literal floating walkway.
Begin your journey with a ride on the chairlift up Crockett Mountain, one of Gatlinburg’s most famous landmarks. If you reach the top, you can walk across the longest suspension bridge in North America.
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge soars to a staggering height of 680 feet. The glass panels in the bridge allow travelers to look straight down from its midpoint. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg.
- Take Your Morning Meal At The Pancake Pantry
Gatlinburg luxury cabins come equipped with top-notch modern amenities, including kitchenettes, game rooms, and a hot tub! Since the cabins are equipped with kitchens, you can enjoy preparing your meals without spending extra money.
However, being in a new city always leads to an urge to try local food. In that case, you should drop by the Pancake Pantry. It’s one of the best breakfast spots in town and the first pancake house in Tennessee. Since 1980, it has been the go-to place for butter, fresh cream, and homemade pancakes for locals and visitors alike.
Banana Pineapple Triumph and Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes are must-tries at the Pancake Pantry. If you are not into pancakes, the menu also features an array of other breakfast options besides pancakes, such as waffles, eggs, and omelets.
- Hurl Some Axes At The Gatlinburg Axe House
Bring the gang out to the Axe House in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg for a round of axe throwing and see who can hit the most targets. This exciting establishment is owned by an avid and professional player who has competed in well-known international competitions.
You may leverage the expertise of the World Axe Throwing League’s trained coaches to help you get to the next level in this interesting sport. Also, your pets will feel right at home here because of the warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Take A Spin On The Roaring Fork Motor Trail
You will not need anything more than gas money and whatever supplies you want to bring with you to explore this historic forest trail. Located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a 5.5-mile loop road with breathtaking scenery and preserved historic buildings. The trail gets its name from the swiftly flowing mountain stream that runs through the area. The voyage will also reward visitors with the chance to see wildflowers, mountain streams, and an expansive hardwood forest.
- Visit Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
Gatlinburg’s Pinball Museum houses the region’s largest selection of pinball machines and other vintage arcade games. This place combines the educational value of a museum with the playful atmosphere of an arcade. You are welcome to look at the displays and interact with them in various ways.
The museum’s game collection consists primarily of rare, limited-edition pieces. Lord of the Rings, the classic Gottlieb Sky-Line pinball machine from 1965, and The Walking Dead are just a few of the pinballs.
- Scream Your Way Down Soaky Mountain Waterpark’s Upside-Down Slides
It takes about 40 minutes to get from downtown Gatlinburg to this beautiful 50-acre water park in Sevierville. Get ready to face your fears on “The Edge Watercoaster”. It is a combo slide that will take you on a nearly 200 meters long ride. Prepare yourself to be shot down through brightly colored tubes at 70 feet. Take a trip down the Rainbow Revenge on a group raft equipped with translucent tubes to see a kaleidoscope of colors created by the water as you descend.
- Climb The Gatlinburg Space Needle
Enjoy the city’s natural and artificial splendors from above while feeling safe in the mountains’ protective embrace. The Space Needle is Gatlinburg’s tallest structure and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding area, including the Smoky Mountains.
You should go to the peak right before sunset if you cannot decide between the bright daytime views and the glittering nighttime ones. As you ride in the glass elevator, look at the vibrant, color-filled towns below.
- Visit Ripley’s Aquarium To See The Marine Life
In a nationwide poll, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies came out as the country’s leading aquarium. The museum features ten different themed areas that are home to a total of 10,000 exotic marine animals. Most visitors enjoy the underwater shark tunnel, the penguin exhibit, and the stingray bay, where they can touch the rays. If you are taking kids along for the trip, do not miss out on one of the aquarium’s mermaid shows.
Conclusion
Pigeon Forge is a fantastic vacation destination. Despite its small size, the city packs a serious punch regarding fun things to do and see. That is why millions of tourists flock to this breathtaking location yearly. If you plan a trip to Gatlinburg, you should indulge in the activities listed above to make the most of your time in the city.