If youβre searching for the best things to do in Gatlinburg, youβre in the right place! Between the smoky mountain views, the endless food smells drifting down the Parkway, and more fudge shops than you can count, youβll never run out of things to do. Whether youβre in town for a weekend or just passing through, these are my top five favorite Gatlinburg activities β the ones that actually live up to the hype.
(If youβve got more than a day, check out my Spend a Week in Gatlinburg and Sevierville itinerary β itβs a full Smoky Mountain deep dive.)
If youβre visiting the Smokies and skip hiking, Iβm pretty sure they revoke your visitor pass. Hiking is easily one of the most popular things to do in Gatlinburg, and itβs not hard to see why. Donβt worry β you donβt have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy it here.
Start with Laurel Falls, an easy 2.6-mile round-trip paved trail that ends at an 80-foot waterfall. The bridge in the middle of the falls is perfect for photos (and for catching your breath while pretending you didnβt get winded).
For something even easier, try Cataract Falls, a quick walk near Sugarlands Visitor Center, or drive up to Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) β you get brag-worthy 360Β° views without committing to a full workout.
And if youβre in the mood for more of a challenge, Alum Cave Trail and Chimney Tops will give you all the mountain magic with just enough sweat to make that post-hike dessert feel earned.
Want more hiking options read My Favorite Easy Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains for full trail details.
Just outside of Gatlinburg is River Rat Tubing, and if youβre here in summer, this is a must-do. Itβs the kind of day thatβs equal parts relaxing and ridiculous β picture yourself drifting down the river with a bunch of friends, tethered together in a lazy-day parade of inner tubes.
Theyβve made it super easy: a shuttle picks you up at the end and brings you back so you can do it all over again. There are two options β River A for a calm, scenic float and River B for a little more excitement (aka a few rapids thatβll make you laugh-scream). River A takes about two hours; River B, about one.
A few tips from experience: book in advance so you donβt miss out, fill out your waiver online to save time, and definitely wear water shoes and sunscreen. Parking is free, lockers are available, and if you want photos, bring a GoPro β phones and rivers donβt always mix well.
Itβs the perfect blend of sunshine, mountain air, and βIβm not doing anything productive today and thatβs fine.”
Iβll be honest β Iβm a big shopper. I can (and will) spend hours wandering stores if thereβs even a hint of something cute, cozy, or delicious inside, and Gatlinburg is a gold mine for that. Shopping your way through downtown is one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg, especially if you love a mix of local charm and good snacks. The downtown strip is packed with everything from local boutiques to souvenir shops and fudge counters, and I swear thereβs something new every time I visit.
My favorite spot is The Village, this adorable little cluster of brick walkways, fountains, and boutiques that feels like a European courtyard tucked behind the Parkway. Stop at The Donut Friar for fresh pastries and coffee (the smell alone is worth it), sample olive oils at Zi Olive, and poke around The Honey Pot for whimsical gifts you didnβt know you needed.
The Paula Deen Store is full of southern-style kitchenware and home dΓ©cor β this place is dangerous in the best possible way, I want one of everything β and Byrdβs Famous Cookies and Goo Goo Cluster are the perfect snack stops for βjust one more sampleβ moments. Shopping here isnβt just an activity; itβs a full experience.
If you like a good tasting, Gatlinburgβs distilleries are calling your name. Sampling local drinks (or treats) is one of the classic things to do in Gatlinburg, whether youβre sipping cider or eating your way down the Parkway. Start with Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery β itβs got live music, a fun crowd, and that classic Gatlinburg energy. Then wander over to Sugarlands Distilling Company for creative flavors and a peek at their behind-the-scenes setup, or stop into Tennessee Legend Distillery for smooth, small-batch spirits.
And donβt skip Tennessee Cider Company β their hard ciders are locally made, deliciously crisp, and perfect if you want something lighter (or just a break from moonshine). Itβs a whole experience β even if you donβt know your way around a tasting flight.
But if you donβt drink, you can still join the fun β just turn it into a food crawl instead. Start with BBQ at Calhounβs, grab a milkshake the size of your head at The Crazy Mason, and finish the night with a Heath Bar caramel apple from Chocolate Monkey. Calories donβt count in Gatlinburg, right?
Top Places to Eat in Gatlinburg for a full list of restaurants.
If you came for views, youβll want to head up β literally. Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park where you can ride a scenic gondola, stroll the Treetop Skywalk, or zipline through the trees if youβre feeling brave. Thereβs shopping, dining, and even a mountaintop bar with panoramic views that make you want to stay until sunset.
And then thereβs the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, home to the SkyBridge β the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. Walking across it gives you sweeping Smoky Mountain views and, right in the middle, a few glass panels that let you look straight down 150 feet to the forest below. Itβs breathtaking, a little nerve-wracking, and totally worth it.
(Pro tip: go at sunset β the mountain glow over downtown Gatlinburg is one of the best sights in Tennessee.)
Whether you spend your day hiking, floating, eating, shopping, or dangling over a mountain, Gatlinburg is one of those rare towns that gives you everything β small-town charm, big-time adventure, and plenty of stories to take home. No matter which of these things to do in Gatlinburg you pick, youβll already be planning your next trip before you even leave.
Itβs the perfect mix of mountain air, sugar highs, and southern hospitality. No matter how you spend your time here, youβll already be planning your next trip before you even leave.
Spend a Week in Gatlinburg and Sevierville or Waterfall Hikes in the Smokies for longer trip ideas
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
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