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.)
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
A café, bakery, market, and wine shop all in one Phoenix stop 🍊
At La Grande Orange, order the crepes first, they’re the thing I’d go back for. The chicken salad sandwich is perfect if someone wants lunch while you’re still on breakfast, and the red velvet mini cupcake and a chai latte round it out. The sea salt chocolate chip cookie is heartier than gooey, so it’s best for dunkers. It’s counter service with easy parking, and the market has quirky gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Leave time to browse, because you’ll stay longer than planned.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ☀️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
