Gatlinburg

Travel Guide
Gatlinburg featuring landscape views, mountains and a sunset
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 kilometres) 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, travelling at up to 50 miles an hour (80 kilometres 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 metres). 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 S$102 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
S$102
per night
10 Apr - 11 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! (1,555 reviews)
33rd Anniversary trip.
"Nice big room with fireplace and private balcony. Slept to the sound of the river rushing by. Hot breakfast buffet. Lots of outdoor seating and fire pits. Will definitely be returning."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Brookside Lodge
Glenstone Lodge
Glenstone Lodge
3.5 out of 5
504 Historic Nature Trl, Gatlinburg, TN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$202 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
S$202
per night
8 Apr - 9 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! (2,006 reviews)
"Great location and the staff was really helpful."

Reviewed on 27 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$186 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
S$186
per night
8 Apr - 9 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! (1,179 reviews)
"Nice view from the room, pleasant staff."

Reviewed on 26 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.
Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg
Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg
2 out of 5
315 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN
Stay at this aparthotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Great ...
5.2/10 (8 reviews)
Our stay in Gatlinburg
"We had to wait for someone to show up to check in. We finally checked in. Rooms very basic. Needing a lot of attention especially the bathroom. We stayed 4 nights and requested the room to be made up everyday. It never got done. We had to request clean towels on the second night. The shower was good ..."

Reviewed on 11 Nov,2023

Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg
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
Deer Ridge Mountain Resort by JMR
Deer Ridge Mountain Resort by JMR
3 out of 5
3710 Weber Rd, Gatlinburg, TN
Stay at this 3-star golf condo in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a furnished balcony, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (103 reviews)
Happy Family
"Check in was easy and the place was really nice. Great view and plenty of space, the pool and hot tub were indoor and amazing as well. Would recommend and would return."

Reviewed on 11 Mar,2024

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort by JMR
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.