Things to Do in Gatlinburg

If you’ve never been to Gatlinburg during the fall, what are you waiting for? With acres of incredible foliage that changes with each season, this gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains is the ideal travel location for sightseers of every age. In fact, October is one of the most popular months throughout the year to visit. During fall, the leaves start to change to gorgeous shades of yellow, orange, and red. Not only are there beautiful sights everywhere you turn, but there are so many fun activities, festivals, and events in the area! To help guarantee you have a fun fall vacation, we’ve made a list of some of favorite fun things to do in Gatlinburg in October!

Celebrate the splendors of the fall season this year with the Bear-Varian Fall Festival at Anakeesta! From mid-September to late October, the popular mountaintop theme park comes alive with special autumn decor, craft beer tastings, seasonal entertainment for the whole family, delicious Bavarian-inspired eats, and more! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll love the Bear-Varian Fall Festival at Anakeesta:

Enjoy an exclusive VIP wine tasting experience along the Gatlinburg Wine Trail, where you can visit the best wineries in Gatlinburg and Sevierville! There are 5 locations along the trail and you can purchase your Wine Trail Pass at any location for just $10 per person! After selecting your starting point, get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the finest wineries in the Smokies! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll love exploring the Gatlinburg Wine Trail:

When you visit the Anakeesta mountaintop theme park, you’ll have the chance to ride not one - but two thrilling mountain coasters! These unique attractions combine the elements of a traditional roller coaster with a downhill toboggan run, and the best part is that you get to control the speed of your own ride! Here are the top 3 things to know about the Anakeesta mountain coaster attractions:

Ober Mountain has been one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies for years, and for good reason! When visiting this popular mountain top amusement park, you’ll find a ski resort, indoor ice skating rink, mountain coaster, alpine slide, scenic chairlift ride and more! The cool thing about Ober Mountain is that even if you visit there every year, there is always something new to experience! The latest thrill on the mountain is the Spider Jump, which combines the action of a bungee jump and trampoline! Here are the top 4 things to know about the Spider Jump attraction at Ober Mountain:

Downtown Gatlinburg is home to a variety of fun stores where you can pick up everything from locally made crafts to Smoky Mountain souvenirs like t-shirts, hats, and magnets! One of the most exciting shopping destinations is the Village Shops, a unique collection of boutique stores set within a quaint, European-themed village atmosphere! Here are the top 5 stores that you need to visit at the Village Shops in Gatlinburg:

A family vacation is an opportunity to make beautiful memories that all members of the family will remember for many years to come! Finding places for children to be themselves and enjoy their time is one of the best ways to secure a great time in Gatlinburg. If you keep the little ones happy, the rest of the family will have a wonderful time as well! We wanted to help you plan your next vacation by sharing 5 of the best kid friendly attractions in Gatlinburg. Bonus: The adults will love each place as well!

Are you planning a getaway without the kids? While Gatlinburg is primarily known for its family-friendly attractions, there are still plenty of things to do that adults can enjoy as well! From browsing through shops to alcohol tastings, it’s time to enjoy some you time without any children around. To help you decide what to do when you visit, we’ve made a list of the top 5 things to do in Gatlinburg for adults:

If you love mountain biking, there is no better destination in the Smokies than Ober Mountain! During the warmer months of the year, the popular mountaintop park opens its ski area to mountain bikers so that you can conquer the trails and feel the rush of speed on your bike! The best part is that you’ll be able to ride downhill as much as you want as a convenient chairlift ride takes you back to the top! Here are the top 5 reasons why Ober Mountain is the best place to go mountain biking in Gatlinburg:

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is home to an exciting variety of attractions that explore the fascinating world of sea creatures, including a glass bottom boat ride that sets sail into the aquarium’s Shark Lagoon! This is a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at sharks and other aquatic wonders, so don’t miss this fun activity during your visit to this world-famous aquarium! Here are the top 3 things to know about the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies:

Gatlinburg is one of the top travel destinations for families. This is due largely to the fact that there are loads of great family activities in the area that you can enjoy together with your children. When you spend some time in the Gatlinburg area, you will quickly realize that there are lots of fun attractions that are perfect for kids. Here is a look at the 7 best things to do in Gatlinburg for kids:

You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that the Smoky Mountains are one of the most affordable destinations in the USA for a vacation! There is no need to spend a fortune on your getaway this year when you can enjoy the beauty of the Smokies for a fraction of the cost! You’ll find plenty of fun things to do in the area that are cheap or even free, so don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic trip that is easy on your wallet! Here are the top 4 ways to enjoy a budget friendly Smoky Mountain vacation:

The best way to soak in the natural beauty of the Smokies is with one of the area’s scenic chairlift rides! These fun attractions take you on a gentle ride to a high peak so that you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the mountains, and they are all just a short drive away from our hotel! Here are 4 scenic chairlift attractions in the Smoky Mountains that you need to experience:

If you’re looking for some entertainment after a day of sightseeing in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll find plenty of fun activities in downtown Gatlinburg! The town comes alive in the evening with all kinds of great things to do, including breathtaking attractions, fantastic shopping options, and tempting restaurants! Here are 5 fun things to do in downtown Gatlinburg at night:

When it comes to outdoor winter fun in the Smokies, there is no better destination than Ober Mountain! This popular mountaintop park features a variety of exciting “snow” things to do for all ages, including an entire slope of skiing and snowboarding trails! There is even a special Snow Zone for young children so that they can enjoy some outdoor adventures too! Here are 3 fun outdoor winter activities that you’ll love at Ober Mountain: