Gatlinburg Attractions

Visitors to Gatlinburg, TN who are looking for some adrenaline-fueled fun during their vacation will definitely want to stop by Rowdy Bear Mountain! This all new attraction is home to two amazing thrill rides that are guaranteed to get your heart racing. To help you make the most of your next getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to these exciting new rides in Gatlinburg.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is home to over 10,000 sea creatures, including sharks, penguins, turtles, and a seemingly endless variety of fish. This summer, the aquarium will host some undersea residents that you don’t see every day: mermaids! Everyone’s favorite mythical creatures will be on hand at Ripley’s in June, July, and August to perform for the aquarium’s many guests. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to seeing the mermaids at Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg.

The Gatlinburg Sky Lift officially reopened at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017 - just in time for Memorial Day weekend!

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies had some very exciting news to share on World Penguin Day! At the end of April, the Gatlinburg aquarium officially announced the debut of Benny Hill and Falkor, two baby African penguins. Visit My Smokies has all the details on these adorable additions to the Ripley’s Aquarium family.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to splash around with the animals at the aquarium? Now you have the chance to splash with the stingrays at Touch-A-Ray Bay! Here’s what you need to know:

Your vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some time on the green! The Smoky Mountains offer a number of superb golf courses that are great for beginners and pros alike. To help you make the most of your getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to three of the best golf courses near Gatlinburg TN.

Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg is one of the best attractions in Gatlinburg, and it’s great for people of all ages. Other than all of the great exhibits that can be seen at the aquarium throughout the year, they also feature special exhibits. The Pearl Harbor Ripley’s Aquarium exhibit is one you definitely don’t want to miss!

The Smoky Mountain area is home to some of the most popular things to see and do in the Southeast. Dollywood, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome frequently top the list of things to do in the region, and deservedly so. However, the Smokies also offer a number of lesser known attractions that can be just as much fun as the big name destinations. We’ve put together a list of five hidden gems in Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains that you’ll definitely want to check out on your next vacation. If you’re already familiar with some of these places, you can consider yourself a Smoky Mountain insider!

When your furry friend jumps in your lap as you’re planning your trip to Gatlinburg, it dawns on you - you don’t want to leave your dog behind when you go on vacation! You start doing research and find that there are many great pet friendly lodging options in the Gatlinburg area. However, before you book your trip, you want to make sure that there are pet friendly places in Gatlinburg TN that you can take your pooch when you aren’t at your cabin or chalet. One of the best kept secrets in the Smokies is how many amazing pet friendly places in Gatlinburg TN there are. These pet friendly places will allow you and every member of your family to enjoy an amazing vacation in Gatlinburg. Here are a few of these spectacular pet friendly places in Gatlinburg TN for you and your dog to visit:

UPDATE: A long-awaited Smoky Mountain coaster is finally open! After a year of construction, the brand new Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg is up and running. At 3,000 feet tall, this thrilling ride is the highest mountain coaster in the state of Tennessee, and one of the tallest of its kind in the world.

We love white water rafting in Gatlinburg TN and we are so excited to share this experience with you! Join us on our Gatlinburg white water rafting adventure by watching the video below!

The Rocky Top Wine Trail is a self-guided ‘tour’ of 5 wineries in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Each location offers free wine tastings, so you’ll have the chance to sample over 50 different local wines. At your first stop, just grab your Wine Trail Passport, get it stamped and you’ll be given a souvenir wine glass. Then, once you complete the trail and have stamps from all 5 locations, you’ll receive another souvenir! The Rocky Top Wine Trail is a great experience for anyone looking to sample local wines while exploring the area. You don’t have to complete the wine trail in one day, so you can stop at the locations as you’re out and about on your vacation. We took an inside look at the Rocky Top Wine Trail and each of the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg wineries.

When it comes to finding the perfect place to host your special event or sports tournament, you probably want more than just your typical venue. You want something that will impress your guests. You want somewhere that has everything you need, even things you didn’t know you needed. That is why we recommend Rocky Top Sports World.

As you know, there is nowhere like the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Unlike any other vacation destination in the US, the Great Smoky Mountains are enjoyable no matter what season it may be. With plenty of activities to enjoy year round, there is something for everyone. Take a look at all of these great family friendly and fun things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for your next vacation:

Opportunities for shopping in the Smoky Mountains are endless. Between outlet malls, downtown shops and locally owned stores, you have days of retail therapy ahead of you. But one possibility you definitely shouldn't miss out on is Gatlinburg shopping at The Village. Tucked into a nook downtown, The Village is a picturesque collection of quaint stores and eateries that are a must for anyone looking for great shopping – and then some. A winding brick path takes you through a unique selection of boutiques, clothiers, eateries and galleries with plenty of bench space for resting and enjoying the scene along the way.