Gatlinburg Scavenger Hunt: 10 of the Best Things to See in Gatlinburg

There’s so much to explore in Gatlinburg! Where does one even begin? Add a layer of adventure to your next visit to Gatlinburg with a Smoky Mountain scavenger hunt! Gatlinburg is home to a number of exciting sights and scenes that you won’t want to miss the next time you’re in town. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the 10 of the best things to see in Gatlinburg. Here’s what’s included in our Smoky Mountains scavenger hunt:

You can visit the spots on our list in any order you want! Click here to download and print our scavenger hunt list.

1. Gatlinburg Space Needle

Towering 407 feet into the air, the Gatlinburg Space Needle overlooks downtown Gatlinburg, offering sweeping views of a city abuzz with fun and relaxation! Take the glass elevators to the observation deck where 360-degree views of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains are sure to put a smile on your face.

2. Willow Man Sculpture at Anakeesta

Tucked away in the vast wilderness of Gatlinburg is a massive sculpture at Anakeesta! Gatlinburg’s mountaintop adventure park features a giant sculpture of Willow, known as “the keeper of the forest”, standing more than 20 feet tall as one of the best things to see in Gatlinburg! Located in Anakeesta’s Vista Gardens, this unique masterpiece is a great spot to take some family photos.

3. The Gatlinburg Trolley

Skip the frustration of driving in heavy traffic by taking advantage of the free Gatlinburg Trolley! Throughout your adventures in Gatlinburg, you’ll likely spot these trolleys navigating the city. Hop on for a free ride at one of several different Gatlinburg Trolley stops scattered through the city.

4. The Aerial Tram at Ober Mountain

The Aerial Tramway at Ober Mountain is one of the largest aerial tramways in the country! Reaching up to 2,813 feet above sea level, this cable lift is a full 1,000 feet higher than any other cable lift in Gatlinburg! These 2-passenger cable cars provide some of the very best views in all of Gatlinburg.

5. The View From Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

If views are your thing, you’ll want to head to the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook! Located on the Gatlinburg Bypass between the Spur and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook offers picturesque views of downtown Gatlinburg from high above. The best part is it’s absolutely free!

6. A Bear

Black bears are sometimes found roaming parts of Gatlinburg! While you aren’t guaranteed to see one, more than 1,500 black bears make their home in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We recommend visiting Cades Cove or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail if you’re looking for a bear, either early in the morning or late in the evening for fewer crowds of people. Make sure to follow some important safety tips if you do spot a bear!

7. A Waterfall

Some of the best things to see in Gatlinburg were created by Mother Nature herself! Gatlinburg is home to a handful of Smoky Mountain waterfalls that make for an exciting day of adventure in the national park! Take a family hike to one of these waterfalls to get a glimpse of all the wildlife and scenery that make Gatlinburg such a special place.

8. The Gatlinburg SkyBridge

Voted as one of the 10 most scenic spots in the United States by CBS News, the Gatlinburg SkyBridge at Gatlinburg SkyPark sits 1,800 feet above sea level as the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America! Walk nearly 700 feet across the suspended bridge over a deep valley below, taking in the incredible sights and views along the way.

9. A Distillery

Tennessee is known across the world for its delicious whiskeys and moonshines! Try these Smoky Mountain delicacies for yourself at one of several distilleries. Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery and Sugarlands Distilling Company are among the best distilleries in Gatlinburg.

10. Pancakes from Pancake Pantry

Gatlinburg is the pancake capital of the world! A big reason for that is Pancake Pantry, the very first pancake house to open its doors to hungry travelers and locals back in 1960! Today, Pancake Pantry is serving up the same delicious fluffy pancakes that have stolen the hearts of visitors for decades now.

Are you ready to get to exploring some of the best things to see in Gatlinburg as part of our Smoky Mountains scavenger hunt? Before you make it to town, make sure to learn more about everything Gatlinburg has to offer!