If you’re walking the strip and want something different than grabbing fudge or ice cream, the Goo Goo Cluster Gatlinburg experience lets you build your own chocolate bar—and it’s way bigger than you expect.
This is an easy add if you’re already exploring downtown. It feels like a quick stop, then turns into a full little experience. You customize everything, watch it get made, and walk out with what is basically a brick of delicious chocolate.
If you’re planning out your day, this fits perfectly alongside other stops—check out my guide to Downtown Gatlinburg and learn more in my post about Downtown Gatlinburg: The Ultimate Guide to Restaurants, Attractions, and Things to Do to map it all out.
And if you’re staying nearby, it helps to be within walking distance so you’re not carrying a chocolate slab across town—find hotels near the Gatlinburg strip here.

The Goo Goo Cluster store is right on the strip near Reagan Terrace Mall, so it’s easy to pop into while you’re already walking around.
You don’t need a reservation or any kind of plan. You just walk in. It’s a good stop when you want something sweet but don’t want to just grab another piece of fudge and keep walking.

When we walked in, they greeted us right away and explained how everything works.
You start at a self-service kiosk, which walks you through building your custom cluster step-by-step. It’s simple, and scrolling through all the options is part of the fun. You’ll feel confident in your choices… until you realize you just added five toppings and have no self-control.
Once you place your order, you move over to the chocolate bar and watch them make it right in front of you. That part was one of my favorite parts. It’s quick, but there’s something about watching your exact order come together that makes it feel more like an experience than just buying candy.
The whole thing takes about 10–15 minutes, including a few minutes at the end where it cools before they hand it to you.

This is where things get dangerous—in the best way.
At the kiosk, you build your cluster layer by layer. Some of the options include:
Then the chocolatiers take over and start assembling it right in front of you using premium chocolate.
This isn’t something pulled from a display case. It’s handmade, built to your exact order, and you get to watch the whole thing happen.
One thing to know—this is not a small snack. This is a massive chocolate cluster. I was not expecting it to be as big as it was, and I ended up eating on it for a few days.You think you’re just going to have a bite… and then you’re still eating it the next day.

The custom Goo Goo Cluster costs $15.
For what you get, it felt worth it:
If you compare it to grabbing multiple desserts on the strip, this ends up being one of the better-value stops.

Yes. This is one of those simple things that ends up being more fun than expected.
It doesn’t take up a big part of your day, but it adds something different to your time in Gatlinburg. You’re not just buying candy—you’re picking everything out and watching it come together.
If you’re already walking around downtown, it’s an easy yes. Especially if chocolate is involved, which… feels obvious, but still.
I’d do it again without hesitation.
You don’t need a reservation
It takes about 15 minutes total
It’s rich and large, so consider sharing
It’s right by Reagan Terrace Mall, so it’s easy to add into your route
If you’re building out your day, you could easily pair this with a full itinerary—check out my guide on How to Spend 24 Hours in Gatlinburg: 3 Perfect Itineraries for a One-Day Smoky Mountain Getaway to plan around it.

If you’re making a full Gatlinburg trip out of it, staying close to the strip makes your life easier. You can walk everywhere, pop in and out of places like this, and not worry about parking.
You can browse hotels near downtown Gatlinburg here to find something central.
If you’re coming from outside the area or planning a Smoky Mountain trip, renting a car gives you flexibility to move between Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the national park without relying on rideshares—renting a car makes this much easier if you want to explore more than just the strip.
This is one of those small stops that ends up being a highlight.
You walk in thinking it’ll take five minutes, and leave with a custom chocolate creation that weighs more than expected and somehow lasts for days.
Between choosing your ingredients, watching it get made, and walking out with something you built yourself, it’s a fun break from the usual shops on the strip.
It’s also great if you’re filming or taking photos—the process itself is half the content.
If you’re already in downtown Gatlinburg, this is 100% worth popping into. And if you’re planning your food stops, you can always pair it with a full meal—see my full review of Top Places to Eat in Gatlinburg: Where to Dine from Breakfast to Dessert so you don’t accidentally replace dinner with chocolate. (Although… no judgment if you do.)


We were just passing through the Dominican Republic when locals kept mentioning “Carnival” and within minutes, it was very clear something big was happening.✨
At the time, I didn’t fully understand what we had stumbled into. But after getting home and doing some research, I realized this is the birthplace of Dominican Carnival… and one of the most traditional, historic celebrations in the country.
And now that I know that? It makes complete sense. This isn’t just a parade… it takes over the entire city. If you ever find yourself nearby during Carnival season... go. No planning needed. Just follow the energy.
Read the full experience on the blog ✈️
Tucked away in the Dominican Republic, @elrincondelcaferd is everything you want in a quick coffee spot. ☕️ Fresh flavors, and that don’t rush me energy!
If you’re building your itinerary, add this to your list. Trust me. Save this for your next trip + send it to someone you’re taking with you 🤍
Idaho City is quiet. Historic. Intentionally slow-paced.🪵✈️
It’s not somewhere you rush through.
It’s somewhere you settle into.
If you’re craving a low-key mountain escape that actually feels unplugged, this is it. View my full guide on my bio!
This is something I never travel without ✈️
My @pranamat is basically an acupuncture-level reset… anywhere. From long travel days to jet lag recovery, it’s my go-to for recharging on the spot.
Designed for deep, precision acupressure, it targets key points to help your body recover, restore energy, and support deeper sleep, no matter where you are.
If you know, you know. And if you don’t… you need to. AND make sure to use my code “PLUMMER.”
Right in the heart of Idaho City, The Gold Mine is one of the town’s most recognizable historic buildings. It leans into its gold rush roots but still feels clean, comfortable, and well kept.🤍
Think: themed rooms with personality.
Historic charm that doesn’t feel gimmicky.
A town that still feels refreshingly untouched when you wake up.
One of the best perks? How walkable everything is. Dinner and breakfast were both an easy stroll, which, in a small mountain town, makes the whole experience feel even more relaxed.
If you want your overnight stop to feel memorable (not generic), this checks the right boxes.✈️✨
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.