Gatlinburg, TN

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park showing landscape views, mountains and a sunset
Photo provided by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg

This picturesque town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers miles of wilderness, breathtaking scenery and lots of options for adventurers.

From world-class hiking, white water rafting and trout streams to an aerial tramway, space needle and a Hollywood Star Cars museum, Gatlinburg’s attractions are diverse and plentiful. Gatlinburg stands at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so outdoor adventures feature highly on any visit.

Stay at one of the campsites, cabins or chalets near town or head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, pitch a tent and camp for a few days. Other accommodation options include the hotels, condos, bed-and-breakfast places, and lodges in in central Gatlinburg. You can start a hike straight from town into the national park where there’s 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) of trails. Routes vary in length and difficulty.

Drop a line or cast a fly in the hundreds of miles of streams in the Smokies where fishing is permitted year-round with a permit. Try one of the rafting adventures, which range in pace from a gentle float to a thrilling white-water ride. If you like your adventure high above the ground, jump on the zip line in downtown Gatlinburg. You’ll fly under the forest canopy, traveling at up to 50 miles an hour (80 kilometers per hour).

After exploring the outdoors, enjoy the many indoor attractions in the downtown area. Car lovers will want to stop by the Hollywood Star Cars Museum for a look at the Batmobile, used in the 1992 film Batman Returns, the Flinstones’ car from The Flintsones movie (1994), and many others.

Play mini golf at Fort Fun or go for a wild ride at the Shoot ’em Up Cinema. See a show at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in the evening or dine at one of many places around town. At the top of the Space Needle, you’ll get a great view of the the town from a height of 400 feet (122 meters). Get up-close to sea creatures at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

It’s easy to get around town using the Gatlinburg Trolleys. There’s ample parking too, most of which you will have to pay to use.

+Spencer Spellman

Where to stay in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg showing landscape views and autumn leaves

Downtown Gatlinburg

While visiting Downtown Gatlinburg, you might make a stop by sights like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Downtown Gatlinburg
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Chalet Village

4.5/5(46 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Chalet Village, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park are top sights worth seeing.

Chalet Village
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Chalet Village North

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

While Chalet Village North isn't home to many top sights, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Chalet Village North
The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg

The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg

4 out of 5
705 Cherokee Orchard Road, Gatlinburg, TN
$119 nightly
The price is $134 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$134 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,744 reviews)
"Late checkout was super helpful, and the hotel was better than expected. It is not really walkable from the main drag though. We thought we'd use the trolley, but instead we ended up driving down and parking. We found a central lot for $15, so it worked out fine. Pro tip, with the noon checkout, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg
Edgewater Hotel - Gatlinburg

Edgewater Hotel - Gatlinburg

3 out of 5
402 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN
$136 nightly
The price is $154 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$154 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,115 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Edgewater Hotel - Gatlinburg
Glenstone Lodge

Glenstone Lodge

3.5 out of 5
504 Historic Nature Trl, Gatlinburg, TN
$87 nightly
The price is $99 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$99 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,393 reviews)
"Great location. Friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Glenstone Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg

Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg

3 out of 5
315 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and ...
6.2/10 (80 reviews)
"Comfortable bed, clean room, easy parking. Ice machine was broken."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg
Deer Ridge Mountain Resort

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort

2.5 out of 5
3710 Weber Rd, Gatlinburg, TN
Stay at this condo in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Bent Creek Golf Club and Little Pigeon River are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (28 reviews)
"Mountain view was spectacular. Cozy apartment. My boys loved that it felt like a cabin. Check and out process was simple and efficient. Near grocery store and mountain adventures. Couldn't be more picturesque."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park

4 out of 5
Gatlinburg
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Gatlinburg. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,095 reviews)
"The property was great. It felt like a decently modern cabin in the woods. The people working there are absolutely amazing. Super friendly and curteous. The location is quite easy to find, it is quite steep up the hill. Every hotel we stay I try to give a review based on 3 things. 1. Hospitality, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Gatlinburg

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1993
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
918
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
172
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
34
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
16
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I love how all the shops & attractions are basically within walking distance from eachother. Most parking lots charge $10 to park and would be nice is parking was free.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

So much to do! The people here are friendly and helpful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

i have always loved gatlimburg even as a litte girl

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Gatlinburg is a fun city to visit.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Gatlinburg is a extremely poorly designed tourist trap. It is not worth going there, even to eat, as there are more choices in Pigeon Forge. We went to Gatlingberg area for the park.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It is very touisty. Sidewalks are filled with wall to wall people Fun activities for families with children

Cities near Gatlinburg