While Gatlinburg offers plenty of fun and unique experiences nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, not every attraction is worth your time or money.
Here’s your guide to what you should probably skip during your visit. This is just our opinion, based on living near here for years and trying everything there is to do in Gatlinburg.
WHAT TO SKIP IN GATLINBURG
Earthquake The Ride
This Gatlinburg “classic” hasn’t been updated since it was built and earns a dismal 1-star rating on TripAdvisor.
The plot involves getting on a train/subway, which is just a row of seats on a track, with “gut-wrenching high-tech special effects” that include some shaking, strobe lights, and inexplicable animal attacks.
At $15 for a 4-minute experience featuring some of the worst animatronics imaginable, this is a hard pass.
Ripley’s Super Fun Zone
This long-time Gatlinburg attraction doesn’t get much better reviews, and it’s location and bright colors make it something our kids have asked to do many times.
Ripley’s Super Fun Zone includes indoor mini‑golf, laser tag, arcades, and a retro-themed prize shop—but it’s one of the strip’s least worthwhile options.
The super fun zone includes a small indoor mini-golf, but there are much better (and unique) options for that, like Hillbilly Golf. And laser tag, which is also pretty small and crap.ed
Timeshare Pitches
Timeshare promotion in Gatlinburg often come with “free” tickets or discounted stays—but they usually require sitting through 90–120 minute presentation.
These are typically high-pressure and designed to sell you ownership on the spot.
If anyone offers you “free tickets”, keep on walking!
If you decide to attend a timeshare presentation, we recommend conducting thorough research beforehand rather than acting on impulse.
Parkway T-Shirt Shops
The Parkway is full of mass-produced t-shirts and souvenir spots, all at inflated tourist prices.
Unless you’re hunting for something specific, don’t stop at every store.
Some stores also contain what we’d refer to as some not-so-family-friendly t-shirt designs.
Then there’s also the t-shirt shop with a strange rule posted: you’re only allowed to bounce a ball once, we even saw staff correct a child for bouncing it twice.
Expensive On-Parkway Downtown Parking & Road Congestion
Parking in Gatlinburg along the parkway costs $20+. If you’re just driving into town, it’s tempting to take the first one you get to.
But drive a few blocks off the main road to the south, and you’ll find options like $10 on Historic Nature Trail (Airport Rd). Just look in the Space Needle area.
Gatlinburg Space Needle
Speaking of the Space Needle. While it’s not terrible, the Space Needle’s observation tower is much shorter than the surrounding mountains.
You’re paying premium prices for views that pale in comparison to what you’ll get from Anakeesta or the SkyBridge.
As one reviewer noted, “the space needle looks tiny from the top of the mountains!”
Skip this and invest in a mountain experience instead.
Ober Mountain (In The Summer)
This is Gatlinburg’s oldest and most famous attraction, featuring a 2-mile aerial tramway.
We don’t want to be too hard on Ober, they’ve changed owners and are investing in alot of improvements.
But, in summer find there’s not that much to do, especially for the price. There’s a summer alpine slide, indoor ice bumper cars, a few other attractions, and a skating rink. The bumper cars and ice skating share the same rink (see photo above).
However, it still feels dated, like a 1980s mall that hasn’t undergone renovation.
In winter, it has its perks, and it’s a beautiful ride up on the cable car during snow. But in the summer? We’d skip it.
“Maybe” Attractions
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
One of Gatlinburg’s busiest attractions, the aquarium is a good option when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
However, it’s expensive for its size compared to other aquariums.
If you’ve visited larger aquariums elsewhere, you might find this experience underwhelming for the price. Read more on our review here.
Money-Saving Strategies
Read our guide on saving money on a Smoky Mountain vacation here
Better Alternatives
Instead of falling for tourist traps, consider:
- Anakeesta or Gatlinburg SkyPark for mountain views (pick one). Anakeesta for a longer day, Skypark for some amazing views on a quick trip.
- Kuwohi/Clingmans Dome or Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook for free views and great scenic drives.