Location: Gatlinburg
Top Things to do in Gatlinburg
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Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (TN)
Gatlinburg, at the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is an ideal base for a family looking to explore the park's numerous offerings. After you've gone hiking, fishing, rafting or horseback riding, ride an elevator 342 feet to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for stunning views of the Smokies. There's also an amusement center next door with nifty rides and games.
Restaurants in Gatlinburg
1. St Mary's Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By ThomasF_11 - Cincinnati, United States
Quaint little Catholic Church that was most welcoming to travelers for Sunday Mass! Convenient Parking to the side of the church!
2. Fowler's Clay Works
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 351 reviews
Hand made pottery studio, featuring the works of Mike,Cheryl, Ava and the Fowler's Clay Works crew. All pieces are one of a kind, functional and decorative. Also offering pottery classes for visitors and locals.
Reviewed By loribP365VI
My husband and I had the best experience in making pottery on our trip to Gatlinburg and Fowler's Clay Works.Mike was very patient with me and helped us to make the perfect additions to our collection. He really made it a fun class by allowing us to make mistakes and learn along the way. I highly recommend signing up for a class and stopping in to check out the beautiful, artistic pieces they create. I will definitely be back.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,217 reviews
Reviewed By V8732FEjohnd - Riverview, United States
Excellent hiking trails - Hiked the Rainbow Falls 1st day - very nice, scenic, runs along a river and finishes at a nice waterfall - rougher trial - took 4 - 4 1/2 hrs round trip - did grotto falls second - much smoother trial but steeper than rainbow - took maybe 3 hrs round trip - both excellent - very scenic would return
4. Rowdy Bear Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 847 reviews
Rowdy Bear is home to two amazing rides! The Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster is a gravity propelled coaster that allows you to zip and zoom through the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains all while operating your very own coaster cart! You control your speeds up to 35mph. The Mountain Glider is the FIRST IN THE WORLD! It is a suspended single railed, dual racing coaster that combines free falling and hang gliding into one fun, safe, & exhilarating experience. This coaster can reach speeds of up to 25mph and offers amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains while you swing through the treetops! We are open 365 days a year and operate in rain, snow, and sunshine. Free parking. Online ticket purchase available by visiting our website. Visit our Sister Park- Rowdy Bear Ridge @2155 Parkway, Pigeon Forge Home to Tennessee’s First Year Round Outdoor Tubing Hill! 500’ Lanes with a 70’ drop. Ride single or attach up to 3 tubes! Also home to the Worlds First Laser Gun and POWER COASTER!
Reviewed By DonnaEnd - Fort Worth, United States
We visited Rowdy Bear yesterday, we are a mixed age group.....14-62 years old and we ALL rode the coaster, it was a blast!!!! Dalton, Chris, Nathan, Tanna, Autumn, Brenda and Josh were AMAZING!!!! They were so nice and fun!!! We have tickets to another coaster already pre-purchased at another place, but we will be back to Rowdy Bear before our vacation ends!! They were so excited that we enjoyed it so much! You can tell they care about their business and jobs, our experience was fantastic, go to Rowdy Bear, you will love it!! Thanks again y’all!!!!
5. Gatlinburg Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 905danielleh - Hobart, United States
The people were very nice and had interesting information about area. I loved the souvenir shopping right there.
6. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,673 reviews
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, TN, is literally teeming with life - over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in 350 individual species. There are more fish in this aquarium than there are people living in the entire town of Gatlinburg!
Reviewed By MatthewR498 - Hershey, United States
We were a little wary of this given the expensive entrance fees but our son had his heart set on going so we did and I am so happy we did - it was absolutely worth the cost. You see so many amazing animals, all the little info placards have some truly fascinating facts/trivia, and the big shark tank/moving cave was an amazing experience. I loved seeing all the "weird" animals that fit with Ripley's brand (Mantis Shrimp, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, etc) and my son watched the penguins for a good 20 minutes - only bummer was the tubes to "get in" with them were blocked but with Covid I 100% get why/agree with that choice. Also it's a little thing but I really appreciated that the gift shop had a big selection of books - so many places just have toys/candy/clothes (which makes sense) so it was really great to get to buy my son some books about all the crazy sea creatures he had just seen.
7. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,661 reviews
Home of North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge: Gatlinburg SkyBridge. At the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, guests will experience the best views of the beautiful Smoky Mountains and the town of Gatlinburg. Come relax and enjoy the views!
Reviewed By MotorcityDude313 - Gatlinburg, United States
Great view definitely worth doing!! Largest suspension bridge in America so I was told!! Talk about a thrill this is it my first time on a skylight and you can ride all day the bridge is the highlight of it all great pictures and if you lucky you may spot a bear!!
8. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,376 reviews
Reviewed By Thelocal17 - Gatlinburg, United States
It wasn’t the nicest car museum you can go to around here but worth it for the price. I’m a huge car enthusiast and love the fast and furious movies, seeing Paul walkers GTR and Eclipse made my whole trip I was ecstatic to see those cars so close.
9. Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 817 reviews
Reviewed By walapsbit - Hickory, United States
Your visit to Gatlinburg, Tennessee must include watching a show at this small theater celebrating their 42nd year!!! Audience participation makes it all the more fun! A fun variety show with singing, dancing, sing-along, a little bit of magic and lots of clowning around!!! And affordable price of admission to boot!
10. Ely's Mill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By shme1981 - Jacksonville, United States
This was our first time going on Roaring Fork Road. At the end is Ely's Mill and it is full of treasures. We actually found walking sticks that are different than the one's sold in town and very unique. The handmade items are such a treasure. The fact that we can rent cabins and stay here is a bonus! Next time we will! Also, pay in cash or it will cost you an extra 10% fee. :)
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