Gatlinburg

Travel Guide
Gatlinburg featuring mountains, a sunset and landscape views
This picturesque town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers miles of wilderness, breathtaking scenery and lots of options for adventurers.

From world-class hiking, white water rafting and trout streams to an aerial tramway, space needle and a Hollywood Star Cars museum, Gatlinburg’s attractions are diverse and plentiful. Gatlinburg stands at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so outdoor adventures feature highly on any visit.

Stay at one of the campsites, cabins or chalets near town or head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, pitch a tent and camp for a few days. Other accommodation options include the hotels, condos, bed-and-breakfast places, and lodges in in central Gatlinburg. You can start a hike straight from town into the national park where there’s 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) of trails. Routes vary in length and difficulty.

Drop a line or cast a fly in the hundreds of miles of streams in the Smokies where fishing is permitted year-round with a permit. Try one of the rafting adventures, which range in pace from a gentle float to a thrilling white-water ride. If you like your adventure high above the ground, jump on the zip line in downtown Gatlinburg. You’ll fly under the forest canopy, traveling at up to 50 miles an hour (80 kilometers per hour).

After exploring the outdoors, enjoy the many indoor attractions in the downtown area. Car lovers will want to stop by the Hollywood Star Cars Museum for a look at the Batmobile, used in the 1992 film Batman Returns, the Flinstones’ car from The Flintsones movie (1994), and many others.

Play mini golf at Fort Fun or go for a wild ride at the Shoot ’em Up Cinema. See a show at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in the evening or dine at one of many places around town. At the top of the Space Needle, you’ll get a great view of the the town from a height of 400 feet (122 meters). Get up-close to sea creatures at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

It’s easy to get around town using the Gatlinburg Trolleys. There’s ample parking too, most of which you will have to pay to use.

+Spencer Spellman

Where to stay in Gatlinburg

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Chalet Village

If you're spending some time in Chalet Village, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park are top sights worth seeing.

Chalet Village
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Chalet Village North

Though Chalet Village North may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park.

Chalet Village North
Brookside Lodge
Brookside Lodge
3 out of 5
463 E Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
The price is HK$458 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
HK$458
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,551 reviews)
"Very quaint and cozy. Staff was great and knowledgeable. What a great place"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Brookside Lodge
Glenstone Lodge
Glenstone Lodge
3.5 out of 5
504 Historic Nature Trl, Gatlinburg, TN
The price is HK$951 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
HK$951
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,007 reviews)
"Had a wonderful stay"

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2024

Glenstone Lodge
The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg
The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg
4 out of 5
705 Cherokee Orchard Road, Gatlinburg, TN
The price is HK$930 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
HK$930
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,182 reviews)
Fun and easy getaway
"We had a great stay! The views from the room were beautiful. Having the trollley stop at the hotel was a great bonus. If I had any complaint it would be that the pool towels were pretty small."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Baskins Creek Condos
Baskins Creek Condos
4 out of 5
215 Woliss Ln, Gatlinburg, TN
Stay at this 4-star condo in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Great ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (156 reviews)
"Very nice place clean thank u will visit again"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Baskins Creek Condos
Black Bear Lodge: Mountain-view Log Cabin Only 3 Miles from Downtown Gatlinburg
Black Bear Lodge: Mountain-view Log Cabin Only 3 Miles from Downtown Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg
Stay at this cabin in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Dollywood ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (8 reviews)
Lovely place
"This place is a close drive to everything you want to do while also being tucked away. You do have neighbors but there was space between cabins and I never heard or saw them. There are only 4 cabins there so it’s not too crowded. We saw a lot of wildlife around the cabin which I loved! The only thing ..."

Reviewed on 6 Dec 2023

Black Bear Lodge: Mountain-view Log Cabin Only 3 Miles from Downtown Gatlinburg
LeConte - Secluded Mountain Top Cabin
LeConte - Secluded Mountain Top Cabin
Gatlinburg
Stay at this cabin in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Bent Creek Golf Club and Little Pigeon River are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
Perfect little getaway
"Beautiful and clean cabin, exactly as pictured! Everything we needed to getaway for the weekend. We would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

LeConte - Secluded Mountain Top Cabin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Gatlinburg

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Dec 2019

Best location for relaxing lots to do and see for all ages.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
27 Jun 2019

Not a town for the nature loving outdoor type but more theme park family orientated.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 May 2019

Loved it - we're from the UK and it was a totally unique American experience.