Best Attractions in Gatlinburg

CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains delivers an exceptional zipline experience that consistently exceeds expectations, especially for first-timers. The guides are the true stars here—visitors rave about their perfect blend of professionalism, humor, and genuine care that transforms nervous beginners into enthusiastic zippers. The course features six platforms with spectacular mountain views, long and fast ziplines, and the occasional wildlife sighting (including bears spotted from the platforms).

Speedwerkz delivers an unexpectedly thrilling experience for automotive enthusiasts, showcasing a jaw-dropping collection of supercars and hypercars that most visitors never expected to see in person. The friendly, welcoming staff and racing simulators add interactive fun beyond just viewing the vehicles. Guests consistently rave about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close with rare machines like Bugattis, McLarens, and Ferraris, with many planning return visits.

100-ft. waterfall cascading into a small pool, reached by a strenuous 8-mile roundtrip hike.

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades earns high praise as an accessible hidden gem that delivers mountain beauty without the crowds of the park's famous waterfalls. Visitors consistently describe the walk along Middle Prong Trail as easy and scenic, following the river through stunning rock formations and wildflower-dotted cliffs. The cascades themselves appear at about three-quarters of a mile, though the trail continues beyond for those wanting a longer trek.

Indian Flats Falls is a rewarding 4.2-mile hike that follows a scenic creek with cascades nearly the entire way. Visitors consistently praise the beautiful waterfall and the relatively easy, gradual incline of the trail. The biggest challenge isn't the hike itself—it's finding the actual falls, as the unmarked side trail around the 4-mile mark is notoriously easy to miss, causing some hikers to turn back thinking they've arrived when they reach the bridge at the bottom.

This iconic welcome sign has become a must-snap photo opportunity that marks your arrival in Gatlinburg. Visitors love the nostalgic charm and the seasonal decorations—especially the Christmas setup. While it's not a destination unto itself, it's a quick, popular stop that gets busy throughout the day, with lines forming as everyone waits their turn for that perfect welcome-to-the-Smokies shot.

Picnicking & photography are popular at this short, scenic waterfall accessible from a parking lot.

Hiking trails & a chairlift lead to this mountaintop with scenic views & events, such as live music.

Several narrow falls combine into a larger one at this famous scenic spot in the deep forest.

Arch Rock delivers one of the Smokies' most photogenic trail experiences, featuring a dramatic natural arch with Lord of the Rings-style stone staircases threading through it. The hike along Alum Cave Trail showcases footbridges over streams, river views, and a well-maintained wilderness path that most visitors find manageable with moderate fitness. While the scenery earns consistent praise, parking is notoriously challenging—arrive early or prepare to hunt for roadside spots and contend with cr

Huskey Branch Falls delivers a relaxed, family-friendly waterfall experience along the scenic Little River Trail. Visitors consistently praise the easy, well-maintained gravel path and the peaceful atmosphere with fewer crowds than other Smokies destinations. While the falls themselves are modest in size, most hikers feel the pleasant 4-mile round-trip journey through beautiful riverside scenery makes it worthwhile—especially for families with young children.

Meigs Creek Cascade delivers a rewarding moderate hike through beautiful scenery with a quieter, less-crowded experience than many Smokies trails. The roughly 2-mile trek involves multiple stream crossings and a mix of uphill and downhill terrain before reaching the cascades. While the waterfall itself won't take your breath away compared to some of the park's showstoppers, visitors consistently praise the peaceful atmosphere and lovely creek-side scenery along the way.

SkyCenter delivers exactly what visitors come for: sweeping Smoky Mountain views from North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. The chairlift ride up and the glass-bottom panels on the bridge are consistent crowd-pleasers, with many calling it a must-do experience. The main friction point is pricing—several reviewers feel the admission cost is steep, especially when extras like chairlift photos aren't included.

Astra Lumina delivers an enchanting nighttime light and sound experience that consistently wows families and romantics alike. The illuminated trail through various themed scenes creates memorable moments, though a few seasoned laser show veterans found it less impressive than expected. Most visitors feel it's worth the admission price, especially for those with children interested in space and planets, though be ready for a substantial walk with elevation changes.

Visitors consistently describe SkyTrail as a breathtaking, must-see attraction that delivers an unforgettable experience. The suspension bridge and lighted walkway are particular crowd-pleasers, especially in the evening when everything's illuminated. While nearly everyone agrees it's worth the trek, the pricing does give some visitors pause. The swaying bridge in windy conditions adds an exciting element that thrill-seekers particularly enjoy.

Rainbow Falls delivers a rewarding but challenging 5-5.5 mile round-trip hike with 1,400 feet of elevation gain through lush forest. The waterfall itself earns universal praise from those who make it, with many calling it a must-do trail, though a few found the falls underwhelming depending on water flow. This is decidedly not a beginner-friendly walk—the rocky, root-covered terrain turns back unprepared hikers regularly—but those who come equipped with proper shoes, water, and realistic expecta

Treehouse Village delivers an adventure that brings out the kid in adults while making children feel like explorers. Visitors consistently rave about the stunning mountain views and the sheer fun factor of the experience. The attraction appeals to a wide range of visitors, from families seeking adventure to couples looking for a romantic outing. One visitor did note some maintenance concerns with zip ties used in place of proper hardware, which may worry those already nervous about heights.

Mannis Branch Falls divides visitors into two camps: those who find the hidden cascade and those who miss it entirely. This isn't your roadside waterfall—you'll need to hike down to the river, wade through swift, thigh-deep water, and scramble up rock formations to reach the secluded falls tucked behind the rocks. When visitors successfully navigate to it, they describe a fairy tale-like setting that's absolutely worth the adventure, though several people report finding only rapids or no falls a

The Tulip Tower delivers beautiful panoramic views of the Smokies with an easy, flat walking trail that's accessible to most visitors. Many appreciate the educational displays about Gatlinburg's history and the 2016 fires. While the views are lovely, some find it a nice but not essential stop, and the access bridge to the tower itself has more sway than the main Sky Bridge and isn't wheelchair-friendly.

Sprawling aquarium showcasing sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, penguins & a glass-bottom boat ride.

Gushing waterfalls located in a mountainous national park, popular with hikers.

The Gatlinburg SkyBridge consistently delivers an exhilarating experience that visitors describe as breathtaking and worth the trip. The chairlift ride up offers scenic views of town below, while the suspension bridge itself provides just enough thrill—especially at the glass-panel section in the middle where brave souls lie down for photos. While some visitors admit to a bit of nervousness on the crossing, the consensus is that it's manageable even for those with mild height concerns, and the v

A steep trail leads down to this scenic, remote waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Riders control this mountain coaster with sleds that run along a track surrounded by forest.

Fun-themed mini-golf courses with a total of 36 holes themed after the “old days” of Davy Crockett.

Opened in 1969, the 407-ft. observation tower offers an outdoor viewing deck, a theater & an arcade.

Walking night tours of local attractions thought to be haunted, including a 19th-century cemetery.

Arcade City Gatlinburg earns consistent praise for its exceptionally friendly staff—particularly employees like Bruna and Stasha, who go above and beyond to help kids get the prizes they want, even if they're a few tickets short. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities (including what some call the cleanest bathrooms in Gatlinburg) and well-maintained games. However, some guests express frustration with claw machine difficulty, promotional confusion, and concerns about prize authenticity, while

Museum with kitschy oddities on display, including shrunken human heads & rare animal skeletons.

The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair is a beloved biannual event that draws repeat visitors year after year with its impressive collection of skilled artisans and handmade goods. Guests consistently praise the quality of the craftsmanship, the reasonable admission price, and the friendly atmosphere—many specifically appreciate that vendors enjoy discussing their work. The fair runs smoothly and offers family-friendly activities like free birdhouse painting for kids, making it a popular stop for both

Big outdoor adventure hub offering zip lining, gondola rides, a treetop play area & other fun.

This mountainside amusement park features skiing, mini-golf, wildlife encounters, a mall & more.

This interactive 7D shooting experience delivers surprisingly good value for budget-conscious families, with most visitors praising the $6-$13 price point as exceptionally reasonable for Gatlinburg. The laser-gun theater combines 3D visuals with motion seats, and while the experience only lasts about 10 minutes, families report everyone from preschoolers to adults having genuine fun competing for high scores. A few visitors found the visuals unclear or the experience too short, but the overwhelm