What to do and see in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (TN): The Best Walking Tours

June 5, 2021 Nicolette Lion

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. Fall Color Tour in the Smoky Mountains

Sugarlands Visitor Center, 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA A Walk In The Woods
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

**Please note that all participants will be required to wear a mask for the duration of orientation and in any instances where you will be in close contact with others. Please bring your own masks and hand sanitizer as we will have a limited supply for those who forget. You will also be asked to sign an acknowledgement of risks and report any illness within 14 days of tour.** Since 1998, our naturalist guides have taken over 100,000 people into the Smokies to experience the sea of mountains. Experience these ancient treasures up close on this once in a lifetime trip! Your tour guides may include a former Park ranger, a former Appalachian Trail Thur Hiker, or biologist and geologists. A Walk In The Woods offers once in a lifetime guided hiking and walking tours in the Smoky Mountains. Emphasizing the teaching of natural history, A Walk In The Woods' offers spectacular trips into the Smokies.

Inclusions: Professional Guide, All Fees and Taxes, Snacks

Exclusions: Bring 32 oz. of water, Gratuity for your guide., Private transportation, Rain Gear - We have emergency ponchos on hand if needed., Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer - we have a very limited supply for those who forget. Please bring your own as they are required until further notice.

Reviewed By Stan L

First it is well worth the extra for the Express pass. The chair lift to the top was very slow with a lot of stop and starts due to elderly people getting off and on. The gondola line was very long but may be worth the wait if you have little ones that are unruly. The zip line was fine. The guides were fun and encouraging. I didn't want to, but they were good about coaxing me and my wife. We did the tree top walk, and that was good too.

2. Top Rated Wine and Shine Walking Tour

520 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA Smoky Tours
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5.0 based on 313 reviews

Check out our reviews! This is an experience not offered like any other and cannot be experienced the same way on your own. Visit multiple distilleries...not just one! We created this tour to share our passion of local (SMALL BUSINESS) moonshine and wine locations! People love this tour because you will be visiting as friends! From private VIP backstage to sampling, its all included! I will be showing you real life working stills and getting behind the scenes where people can't go. You will be treated as VIP guests at all the locations we visit. During our walk we will have a couple of stopping points where we will go over the fun (NOT DRY) history and tidbits of moonshine and of course talk about "how the old-timers did it". This tour will be action packed for the full 3 hours you are with me with the goal of trying different wines and over 15 different flavors of all proofs and even a moonshine cocktail!

Inclusions: Your ticket purchase includes tastings at each location we visit along with a special moonshine cocktail!

Exclusions: Tips for the Tasting Guides are not expected but definitely appreciated

Reviewed By TTraveler315

This was a fantastic tour. The guides we're accommodating and showed us places off the main drag we found to be excellent. Missy and Riley at Junction 35 we're incredible and Daryl made the trip very authentic. Our group loved the tour and couldn't have made it better if we tried.

3. Hidden Cascade Hiking Tour in Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg

NOC Gatlinburg, 1138 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA A Walk In The Woods
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4.9 based on 137 reviews

**Please note that all participants will be required to wear a mask for orientation and any instances where close contact cannot be avoided. Please bring your own masks and hand sanitizer. You will also be asked to sign an acknowledgement of risks and report any illness within 14 days of tour.** The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its incredible diversity of flora and fauna, rich cultural history, cascading waterfalls and stunning views.  On this 4-hour guided hike, you get it all and with a small group maximum of 11 passengers, avoiding the large crowds.  This hike is for the adventurous at heart as it does have some strenuous climbing and descending on the trail as well as rock hopping across the creeks.  For your safety and peace of mind, all guides are certified as Wilderness First Responders and non-lethal bear aversion techniques. Choose from one of two departure times when you book.

Inclusions: Professional guide, All Fees and Taxes, Snacks

Exclusions: Gratuities are appreciated for good service., Transportation to/from attractions, Drinks are not provided. Bring plenty of water., Lunch, Rain Gear - We do have emergency ponchos on hand if needed. , Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer - we have a very limited supply for those who forget. Please bring your own as they are required until further notice.

Reviewed By Stan L

First it is well worth the extra for the Express pass. The chair lift to the top was very slow with a lot of stop and starts due to elderly people getting off and on. The gondola line was very long but may be worth the wait if you have little ones that are unruly. The zip line was fine. The guides were fun and encouraging. I didn't want to, but they were good about coaxing me and my wife. We did the tree top walk, and that was good too.

4. Gatlinburg Ghost Tour

115 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA Gatlinburg Haunts
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Take the Gatlinburg Haunts tour for a guided look into the dark woody corners of this mountain town. Home to cannibals and family feuds that go back generations, and a healthy tradition of witchcraft. See where the ghosts of today and the past walk these streets, searching for the peace they were unable to find in this peculiar corner of Tennessee.

Inclusions: Professional and Courteous Guides, Intensely researched true stories of history, Documented accounts of historic hauntings

Exclusions: Dinner, Motorized Transport

Reviewed By 892kaitlynnn

This tour was really fun and very educational. It was money well spent considering the high prices of the other tours in the area. Thank you so much we had fun!

5. Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg

327 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA Ghost and Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg
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4.4 based on 581 reviews

Walk the back roads of Gatlinburg and learn about its haunted history and folklore on this nighttime tour. With a guide, you'll learn how you, too, can capture paranormal photos. Use ghost-hunting equipment like you see on tv to potentially communicate with ghosts along the way. The tour is an outdoor walking tour as such there is plenty of room for social distancing and masks are optional, It is wheelchair and stroller accessible and service animals are allowed. Unfortunately, due to the late completion time, the Trollys don’t run that late but we do offer free parking and of course, taxis and Uber, Lyft are available. The walk is about one mile all on flat paved ground spread out over 2 hours with lots of stops so a messy relaxing walk but no places to sit or restrooms are available during the tour. This is not a private tour groups can be as large as the upper 20’s in the busiest times but average in the high teens to low 20’s.

Inclusions: Professional guide, All activities

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Lipps2015

Larry was a great guide. We had a good time, and the equipment was pretty cool. I have always wanted to try something like this! My husband is a total non believer, but he also enjoyed it! He enjoyed listening and learning about the stories. We both were glad we went!

6. Gatlinburg City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest

234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt of Gatlinburg

Operation City Quest of Gatlinburg is a great way to see the city in a fun way! You'll use an app on your phone to submit photos of items you find around the city. For every photo you submit, you'll get points. You'll be able to see your score on the rankings after compared to all who have played across the country. All our Scavenger hunts have a live remote host to help along the way. Come out and explore with us in Gatlinburg.

Inclusions: All Activities, 2 hours with a remote interactive guide, GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Exclusions: Use of Activity-owned smartphone, Private transportation

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