Gatlinburg Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Gatlinburg showing a sunset, landscape views and mountains
This picturesque Tennessee town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers acres of wilderness, breathtaking scenery and lots of adventure activities.

From world-class hiking and whitewater rafting, to museums and zip-line adventures, Gatlinburg’s attractions are diverse and plentiful. Gatlinburg developed as 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 to pitch a tent and camp for a few days. Other accommodation options include the hotels, condos and lodges in central Gatlinburg.Hike from the town center straight into the national park, where you can explore some of the 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) of trails of varying lengths 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. Join one of the Rafting in the Smokies adventure trips, which range in pace from a gentle float to a thrilling whitewater ride. Jump on the Gatlinburg Ziplines and fly through a forest canopy.

Enjoy panoramic views of the town and mountains at the Gatlinburg Space Needle. Alternatively, ride the Gatlinburg Sky Lift to a 1,800-foot (548-meter) lookout atop Crocket Mountain. Perched on a hilltop, the two miniature golf courses of Hillbilly Golf are ideal for family fun. Head to Fort Fun for more mini-golf or black-light golf. Then, enjoy a virtual horse ride at the 3-D Shoot ’em Up Cinema.

Don’t miss the many indoor attractions in Gatlinburg’s downtown area. Stop by the Hollywood Star Cars Museum for a look at the Batmobile, used in the 1992 film Batman Returns, and the Flintstones’ car from The Flintstones 1994 movie, among others. See unique and record-breaking exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and the Guinness World Records Museum. Get close to sea creatures at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

It’s easy to get around town using the Gatlinburg Trolleys. They’re low cost, but require exact change. There’s ample pay parking too. Gatlinburg is about an hour’s drive southeast of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Where to stay in Gatlinburg

Default Image

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
Default Image

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 NZ$127 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
NZ$127
per night
8 Apr - 9 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! (1,547 reviews)
"Trolley access right out front is super convenient. Staff extremely nice, helpful and had smile on their face. I travel frequently and I can say, I have never had a resort/hotel/inn call me and let me know my room was ready and it was only 11am check in is at 4. Will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Brookside Lodge
Glenstone Lodge
Glenstone Lodge
3.5 out of 5
504 Historic Nature Trl, Gatlinburg, TN
The price is NZ$233 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$233
per night
7 Apr - 8 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! (2,004 reviews)
"Pool"

Reviewed on 26 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 NZ$230 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$230
per night
21 Apr - 22 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! (1,180 reviews)
"A great resort for family’s and a work trip. The indoor pool area was amazing, how ever one of the slides is broken and after speaking with a few people it seems to have been broken awhile. The views from this resort is amazing and the design is different then other resorts. ( be prepared for high ..."

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.
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

Activities

Reviews of Gatlinburg

2.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 33.333333333333336%
4 - Good
0
" "4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 33.333333333333336%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 33.333333333333336%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
4 Jun 2019

As a place to sleep, it's ok. Choice of quality and healthy food is pretty restrictive unless you want to eat fudge (2 stores), candy, fast food, etc. The biggest attribute of Gatlinburg is it's VERY close to the GSMNP, and that is awesome.

Cities near Gatlinburg