10 Things to Do for the Best Day in Gatlinburg

1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Voted 2017 Best U.S Aquarium by USA Today and One of the Top 5 Aquariums in the USA & World by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice, this attraction is sure to be a fin flipping good time! Explore life under the sea while walking underneath 12- foot sharks and giant sea turtles, make a splash with the stingrays, interact with the jellyfish, and even paint with the penguins! Enjoy a meal with the stingrays at Feeding Frenzy Eatery located outside Stingray Bay and don’t forget to visit The Cargo Hold Gift Shop before you head out!

Website: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg/

Address: 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number: 888-240-1358

2. Ober Gatlinburg

Enjoy all that Ober Gatlinburg has to offer this spring with thrilling attractions and family fun activities. Discover stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains on the Aerial Tramway that takes you over 2 miles up the mountain, head to the indoor arena for an afternoon of ice skating, or take on the thrill of the Ski Mountain Coaster on a 5- minute cruise around the mountains! Your family can also enjoy the fun- filled Alpine Slide through the park, the Scenic Chairlift, and even explore the Wildlife Encounter exhibit to see bears, river otters, bobcats, birds and so much more! Head to The Loft Lounge to savor the many flavors created for you at the Seasons of Ober restaurant. The adventures are waiting for you at Ober Gatlinburg located in the Great Smoky Mountains!

Website: https://obergatlinburg.com/

Address: 1001 Parkway #2, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number: 865-436-5423

3. Anakeesta

Step on board one of Anakeesta’s scenic Chondolas to embark up Anakeesta mountain arriving at Firefly Village where you can explore all the shops, restaurants, and attractions your family will love! Step out 40’- 60’ feet in the air across the 16 connected bridges of the Tree Canopy Walk where stunning views and wildlife are sure to be seen! Speed through the trees on Anakeesta’s Rail Runner Mountain Coaster! Riders sit on a single rail track while experiencing the thrill of racing down the mountain! You can also fly high above the forest floor one of the three Anakeesta’s Dueling Zipline Adventures! Take in the breathtaking views and excitement of swinging across the span of 1,000 feet!  Enjoy all the smoky mountain views, attractions, shops, and eateries at Anakeesta!

Website: https://www.anakeesta.com/

Address: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number: 865-325-2400

4. Bike the Smokies

See the Smokies from a new seat! Bike the Smokies has you and your family covered with either electric or 7 sped bicycles for your perfect biking adventure. Get closer to nature than your average car rides and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Bike the Smokies has plenty of trails to offer with ranges of elevations and experiences to make your ride the most memorable!

Website: http://bikethesmokies.com/

Address: 3726 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number:  865-325-8143

5. CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains

Rated the #1 Zipline in Tennessee, you will not want to miss this attraction! Experience the Smoky Mountains from 9 world- class ziplines including 3 sky bridges, ATV rides, and many surprises throughout the park. If heights aren’t your thing, head over to the trails for mountain biking! Trails provided range from beginner to experienced raider potential featuring The Curliest wooden structure for all riders to enjoy. Bike over streams and through the trees at Climb Works in Gatlinburg!

Website: https://www.climbworks.com/smoky_mountains/

Address: 155 Branam Hollow Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number:  865-325-8116

6. Rowdy Bear Mountain

Rated the #1 mountain coaster in town, Rowdy Bear Mountain has a thrilling coaster as well as the world’s first mountain glider!  Suspended to a single rail coaster, The Mountain Glider combines free falling and hang gliding into one thrilling adventure! If flying through the trees doesn’t sound exciting enough, check out the Rowdy Bear Gravity Coaster. With self controlled speeds reaching up to 35 mph, you will be curving through the trees all while taking in the beautiful mountainous views! To add to the fun, try riding Rowdy Bear Mountain at night! Experience the track lit up in colorful lights as you fly down the mountain after dark!

Website: http://www.rowdybearcoaster.com/

Address: 386 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

 Phone Number: 865-409-5045

7. Smoky Mountain Angler

The Great Smoky Mountains provide more than just thrilling rides, get ready yell “fish on!” and catch your smallmouth bass and trout in the rivers of the Smokies! Maybe you’re set to catch your very first fish or hook the biggest bass in the river, either way the guides here specialize in fly fishing, wade fishing, and even European nymphing. Smoky Mountain Angler is ready to take you to the water, providing casting lessons, specialty trips, wading trips, and rentals. Whether it’s half a day or a full day, the guides will make sure to give you the most memorable fishing experience!

Website: https://www.smokymountainangler.com/

Address: 469 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

 Phone Number: 865-436-8746

8.  Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium

A few of the new exhibits pay a special tribute to Gatlinburg itself! The exterior of the building will showcase trees growing from the ground and holding up the building. This symbolizes the city growing and rebuilding after the 2016 wildfires. The exterior also showcases lights which symbolize the annual synchronous fireflies! As you walk in you’re greeted by a few fascinating creatures! You’ll see the largest preserved two trunk elephant head and a full sized preserved albino giraffe! Ripley’s Believe It Or Not also displays several animals with some “extra” traits such as the two- headed calf, eight- legged buffalo, and much more! All exhibits and sculptures are illusions that are man made, historical artifacts, and preserved life!

Website: https://www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg/odditorium/

Address: 800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

 Phone Number: 865-436-5096

9. Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community

Home to the largest group of independent artisans in America, your family can experience the local, specialty arts and crafts provided here. For over 75 years, this community has been a staple attraction located within Gatlinburg, TN. Be sure to travel along this 8- mile loop for handcrafted gifts and trinkets for those back home. You can also watch local craftsmen create pottery, candles, woodcarvings, and jewelry making. Today, there are over 100 artists and craftsmen offering goods and services as well as quaint lodging and wedding chapels. With plenty of parking available, be sure to stop by the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community!

Wesbite: http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/

Address: 668 Glades Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number: 865-436-2363

10.  Cooter’s Place 

If you are in the Great Smoky Mountains don’t miss a visit to Cooter’s Garage in downtown, Gatlinburg. Ben “Cooter” Jones is your host at this tribute to the Dukes of Hazzard. There you’ll find Original Costumes, Props, Memorabilia, Thousands of Collectibles, and of course, The General Lee! Tour the museum for free then get your picture made in The General Lee, and shop for all things Hazzard in our fabulous gift shop with Indoor Duke’s Themed Go-Karts and the Hazzard Country Club 18-hole Mini-Golf Course.

Website: https://cootersplace.com/pages/cootersgatlinburg

Address: 542 Parkway, Gatlinburg , TN 37738

Phone Number: 865-430-9909