Things to do in Gatlinburg
Peak fall foliage in mid to late October is the most spectacular and most crowded time. Summer is warm, green, and busy with families; spring brings wildflowers and winter offers quiet mountains with occasional snow at elevation.
Best months: June, July, September, October
What is worth your time in Gatlinburg
Alum Cave TrailDo not miss
A spectacular hike past Arch Rock and the Alum Cave Bluffs, the most scenic route up toward Mount LeConte and a rite of passage in the park.
Nature · 4 hr4.9
Clingmans DomeDo not miss
At 6,643 feet, the highest point in the Smokies and in Tennessee, capped by a spiraling observation tower with a 360-degree view over endless blue ridges.
Viewpoint · 2.3 hr4.8
Cades CoveDo not miss
An 11-mile one-way loop through a broad mountain valley with historic cabins, churches, and the Smokies' best chance to spot deer, bears, and wild turkeys.
Day Trip · 5 hr4.7
DollywoodDo not miss
Dolly Parton's beloved Smoky Mountain theme park, packing award-winning wooden coasters, Appalachian craft demonstrations, and live music into one foothills-set day.
Activity · 8 hr4.6
Gatlinburg SkyLift ParkDo not miss
A chairlift rises to a mountaintop park crowned by the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, with glass-floor panels over the valley.
Activity · 2 hr4.6
Laurel Falls TrailDo not miss
A paved 2.6-mile round-trip hike to a 80-foot tiered waterfall, the most popular waterfall walk in the park and a Smokies classic.
Nature · 2.5 hr4.6
Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesDo not miss
Gatlinburg's marquee family attraction, with a glass underwater tunnel through a shark-filled tank, penguins, and touch pools right on the Parkway.
Activity · 2.5 hr4.6
AnakeestaDo not miss
A chondola-accessed mountaintop adventure park with treetop walks, a single-rail coaster, ziplines, gardens, and dining high above the Parkway.
Activity · 4 hr4.2
Newfound GapDo not miss
The 5,046-foot mountain pass on the road across Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with sweeping overlooks and the spot where you straddle the Tennessee and North Carolina line.
Day Trip · 8 hr
Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailDo not miss
A narrow 5.5-mile one-way drive past rushing streams, old-growth forest, log homesteads, and trailheads to waterfalls, all minutes from downtown Gatlinburg.
Scenic Route · 2.3 hr
Sugarlands Distilling Company
A downtown craft distillery with guided tours, moonshine and whiskey tastings, and a back-porch stage hosting Appalachian musicians.
Activity · 1.1 hr5
Chimney Tops Overlook
A classic Newfound Gap Road pullout framing the twin rocky pinnacles of the Chimney Tops above a forested gorge, one of the most photographed scenes in the Smokies.
Viewpoint · 33 min4.9
Mount Le Conte
The third-highest peak in the Smokies, a strenuous summit crowned by a rustic lodge, with sunrise and sunset views that reward the long climb.
Nature · 6.5 hr4.9
Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
A pull-off on the Gatlinburg Bypass with a panoramic look down on the town tucked in its valley and the mountains rising behind, a favorite at sunset.
Viewpoint · 28 min4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entrance fee, but a parking tag is now required for stops longer than 15 minutes.
- The Parkway between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge jams up badly on summer and fall weekends; start early or use the trolley.
- Pigeon Forge packs in family attractions like Dollywood and The Island, a short drive north of Gatlinburg.
- Mountain weather shifts fast and runs cooler at elevation; carry a layer and rain shell even on warm days.
- Fall foliage peaks late October at higher elevations and works downhill into November in town.