Top 18 Activities in Gatlinburg and Surroundings

The trio of gateway cities to Great Smoky Mountains National Park—Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville—share a deep admiration for the beloved figure of East Tennessee: Dolly Parton.

As the country music icon humorously remarked, it takes a lot of cash to maintain this look, so embrace the delightful tackiness around you.

While Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a lush paradise filled with waterfalls and wildflowers, the nearby towns boast mini golf, moonshine distilleries, and theme parks that line the Parkway, the main route through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge leading into the park. You can even spot a massive replica of the Titanic alongside the road.

Expect sensory overload, neon lights, and maybe even fluffy pancakes, but if you lean into the kitschy attractions and Appalachian charm, these Smoky Mountain towns can provide a fantastic experience, especially for families.

Many attractions and eateries operate seasonally or have varying hours, so it's wise to call ahead before planning a visit. Most places will be open from late May through early September.

1. Experience Appalachian Culture at Dollywood

Country music icon Dolly Parton, who grew up in East Tennessee, joyfully honors her heritage with over 40 rides themed around Appalachia at this vibrant theme park in Pigeon Forge. While Dollywood is renowned for its roller coasters, visitors can also enjoy fantastic live music, regional crafts, and delicious Southern cuisine. We recently had a conversation with Dolly Parton herself about the park's newest museum attraction.

Arrive at Dollywood early in the morning to beat the crowds, as they tend to grow larger throughout the day. Ticket add-ons are available to help you skip the longest lines. The park provides two options for line skipping: one for eight rides and another for unlimited access.

The park is closed during January and February, but it reopens for weekends in March. Not all attractions will be available then, but it’s generally less crowded. Dollywood also features excellent playgrounds and rides for toddlers if you're visiting with young children.

Planning tip: Dollywood's Splash Country water park is located next door and opens in the summer. Nearby lodging options include DreamMore Resort and Bear Cove Cabins, both conveniently close to the parks.

2. Experience thrilling adventures atop Anakeesta Mountain

The 'Chondola' transports guests from the bustling streets of Gatlinburg to the peak of Anakeesta Mountain, where the stunning Smoky Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for a treetop canopy walk, zip lining, and a mountain coaster. The observation tower serves as the highest point in the city.

Seven dining options can be found across two quaint “villages” at the summit, where you can enjoy drinks with stunning views at the Tap House and the Bar at the Top of the World.

3. Explore the history of the Titanic

A massive replica of the Titanic, the ill-fated luxury steamship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, features an incredible collection of artifacts, personal stories, and recreated areas from the ship. Each visitor receives a boarding pass with the name of a real passenger or crew member, and you’ll find out if you survived at the end of your tour.

Planning tip: Be sure to book in advance, as it tends to sell out, and walk-up admissions are not guaranteed.

4. Experience moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg

Known by many names—hooch, white lightning, mountain dew—moonshine has a rich history in Appalachia. At its core, it’s simply unaged whiskey, typically made from corn, shedding its outlaw image.

Visit the counter for a colorful selection of samples along with a dose of entertaining history at Ole Smoky Moonshine and Sugarlands Distilling Co, both located on Parkway. Ole Smoky also features a tasting room at The Island in Pigeon Forge. The apple pie flavor is a crowd-pleaser, though we can’t speak for the peanut butter and jelly variety.

Local tip: Not into moonshine? Consider a hard cider tasting at Tennessee Cider Company, where you’ll find inventive flavors like hibiscus, apple pie, and peach mimosa.

5. Take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island

The impressive Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, featuring all-glass gondolas, soars 200 feet above Pigeon Forge, offering breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains stretching into the distance. The gondolas provide a serene escape from the vibrant atmosphere of The Island, a lively entertainment hub filled with shopping, dining, live music, and fun bars.

6. Discover the intriguing history of crime and punishment

Exhibits at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge include the VW Beetle of serial killer Ted Bundy and the white Ford Bronco from O.J. Simpson's infamous car chase. This extensive museum delves into various facets of criminology, showcasing medieval torture, witch trials, serial killers, capital punishment, and crime scene investigations.

Planning tip: While children are welcome, be aware that some displays might be quite disturbing.

7. Enjoy stunning vistas from the top of Clingmans Dome

While Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t known for kitschy family attractions, the observation tower at Clingmans Dome, the park's highest point at 6,643 feet, has a quirky resemblance to a structure from The Jetsons, featuring a circular ramp and a flying-saucer-like platform.

From the observation platform, enjoy panoramic 360-degree views of the rolling, forested peaks, with hiking trails such as the Appalachian Trail weaving through the woods below.

8. Drift down the Little River

During the warmer months, River Rat Tubing offers float trips on the Little River from its base camp in Townsend, a charming gateway town close to the scenic Cades Cove area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. River Rat provides two types of trips: a gentle float perfect for young children and dogs, and a thrilling, rapid-filled adventure for ages 6 and up, both passing by inviting swimming holes.

Local tip: After your float, treat yourself to an ice cream sundae at the nostalgic Burger Master Drive-In.

9. Discover Appalachian arts and crafts

An 8-mile driving route takes you past over 100 galleries, studios, and shops in and around downtown Gatlinburg. Known as the Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community, this area showcases local art in various forms, featuring glassworks, jewelry, leather goods, paintings, pottery, wood carvings, and much more available for purchase.

Planning tip: The Gatlinburg Trolley's yellow line makes stops along the route.

10. Take a stroll across the Gatlinburg SkyBridge

This elegant pedestrian cable bridge soars over a deep valley in the Smoky Mountain foothills, spanning nearly two football fields and connecting two peaks. In the center of the SkyBridge, daring visitors can step onto glass panels, suspended 140 feet above the ground.

A sturdy chairlift transports guests to the bridge and the SkyTrail, a scenic 0.6-mile hiking path featuring rope bridges and a four-platform observation tower.

Planning tip: This trail welcomes dogs.

11. Enjoy a game of mini golf

If you're a mini golf enthusiast, East Tennessee is a paradise. With over 16 courses scattered throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, a round is always within reach. You can even try your hand at glow-in-the-dark mini golf that lights up the course.

Notable mini golf courses in Pigeon Forge include Crave, known for its candy-themed rooftop course, and Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Mini Golf, where a mining car takes you up the 'mountain' to the first hole.

12. Experience a dinner show featuring stampedes, feuds, or pirates

With a plethora of billboards promoting dinner shows in Pigeon Forge, choosing the right one can be a challenge. Don’t worry: just pick a theme that excites your group and go for it. Expect hearty Southern comfort food, interactive audience participation, and plenty of corny humor.

Local tip: A perennial favorite is Dolly Parton’s Stampede, renowned for its impressive horseback stunts, musical performances, and friendly North-South rivalry.

13. Snow tube in July

You won't need a parka at Pigeon Forge Snow, an indoor snow tubing venue where the temperature stays around 65°F. Choose from several snow tracks for a thrilling ride down the hill, and don't forget to build a snowman in the Snow Area. Pigeon Forge Snow is open all year long.

14. Ski Tennessee

Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee's sole ski and snowboard destination, but this Bavarian-themed mountaintop attraction remains lively even after the slopes close in winter.

During the warmer months, children flock to the alpine slide, mountain coaster, summer tubing, and mini golf. The indoor ice-skating rink operates year-round. An enclosed aerial tramway from Gatlinburg to the park glides over the scenic forested mountains, covering 2 miles in about 20 minutes.

15. Discover marine life

A transparent walkway guides visitors through the Shark Lagoon at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Sharks glide overhead while stingrays, moray eels, green sea turtles, and an array of fish enchant visitors in every direction. It's a captivating dive into the wonders of the ocean.

Planning tip: The aquarium is one of eight Ripley’s Believe It or Not attractions located in and around Gatlinburg.

16. Escape the crowds

If the throngs fighting for pancakes and moonshine along the Parkway in Gatlinburg become overwhelming, there’s a perfect escape: the Gatlinburg Trail. This 2-mile walking and biking path runs parallel to Hwy 441, connecting the southern part of downtown Gatlinburg with the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The trail meanders through the woods along a flat path next to the scenic West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.

17. Dive into Appalachian history

Attractions in the gateway towns embrace Appalachian themes, featuring everything from hillbilly-themed mini golf to moonshine distilleries that romanticize bootlegging. The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend offers an authentic glimpse into Appalachian history and culture, showcasing a Historical Village with a 19th-century log cabin, two cantilever barns, and other structures, along with a three-room museum and an amphitheater on site.

18. Explore Sevierville

Situated 35 miles southeast of Knoxville, Sevierville is famous as Dolly Parton's hometown. A striking bronze statue of the country music icon as a young artist stands proudly on the front lawn of the Sevier County Courthouse.

Nearby, visitors can enjoy a scenic stroll along the West Prong Greenway or spend some time hunting for bargains at the Tanger Outlets.

Planning tip: With numerous hotels and motels, the city serves as an excellent base for local adventures.