If you’re searching for the best things to do in Gatlinburg, you’re 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, you’ll never run out of things to do. Whether you’re in town for a weekend or just passing through, these are my top five favorite Gatlinburg activities — the ones that actually live up to the hype.
(If you’ve got more than a day, check out my Spend a Week in Gatlinburg and Sevierville itinerary — it’s a full Smoky Mountain deep dive.)
If you’re visiting the Smokies and skip hiking, I’m pretty sure they revoke your visitor pass. Hiking is easily one of the most popular things to do in Gatlinburg, and it’s not hard to see why. Don’t worry — you don’t 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 didn’t get winded).
For something even easier, try Cataract Falls, a quick walk near Sugarlands Visitor Center, or drive up to Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) — you get brag-worthy 360° views without committing to a full workout.
And if you’re 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 you’re here in summer, this is a must-do. It’s the kind of day that’s equal parts relaxing and ridiculous — picture yourself drifting down the river with a bunch of friends, tethered together in a lazy-day parade of inner tubes.
They’ve 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 — River A for a calm, scenic float and River B for a little more excitement (aka a few rapids that’ll make you laugh-scream). River A takes about two hours; River B, about one.
A few tips from experience: book in advance so you don’t 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 — phones and rivers don’t always mix well.
It’s the perfect blend of sunshine, mountain air, and “I’m not doing anything productive today and that’s fine.”
I’ll be honest — I’m a big shopper. I can (and will) spend hours wandering stores if there’s 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 there’s 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 didn’t know you needed.
The Paula Deen Store is full of southern-style kitchenware and home décor — this place is dangerous in the best possible way, I want one of everything — and Byrd’s Famous Cookies and Goo Goo Cluster are the perfect snack stops for “just one more sample” moments. Shopping here isn’t just an activity; it’s a full experience.
If you like a good tasting, Gatlinburg’s distilleries are calling your name. Sampling local drinks (or treats) is one of the classic things to do in Gatlinburg, whether you’re sipping cider or eating your way down the Parkway. Start with Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery — it’s 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 don’t skip Tennessee Cider Company — their hard ciders are locally made, deliciously crisp, and perfect if you want something lighter (or just a break from moonshine). It’s a whole experience — even if you don’t know your way around a tasting flight.
But if you don’t drink, you can still join the fun — just turn it into a food crawl instead. Start with BBQ at Calhoun’s, 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 don’t count in Gatlinburg, right?
Top Places to Eat in Gatlinburg for a full list of restaurants.
If you came for views, you’ll want to head up — literally. Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park where you can ride a scenic gondola, stroll the Treetop Skywalk, or zipline through the trees if you’re feeling brave. There’s shopping, dining, and even a mountaintop bar with panoramic views that make you want to stay until sunset.
And then there’s the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, home to the SkyBridge — 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. It’s breathtaking, a little nerve-wracking, and totally worth it.
(Pro tip: go at sunset — 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 — 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, you’ll already be planning your next trip before you even leave.
It’s the perfect mix of mountain air, sugar highs, and southern hospitality. No matter how you spend your time here, you’ll 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
Confession: my newsletter is where the good stuff lives. Not the polished, edited-for-the-grid stuff, the “here’s the hole-in-the-wall I almost skipped” stuff, the packing lists I actually use, the “don’t book this hotel” warnings before you waste your money on them.
The newsletter is basically me texting you before a trip instead of after one. Sign up and you’ll be the first to know where I’m headed next, plus a few things I’ll never post here.
Link in bio if you want in. ✈️
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
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