A trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without spending a good amount of time in the beauty of the outdoors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers over 500,000 acres of nature to escape to and play. However, you’ll also find many outdoor activities that add a little extra fun to time under the sun. Here are 7 outdoor attractions in Gatlinburg TN you need to visit this year:
1. Adventures at Anakeesta
Sitting above downtown Gatlinburg is Anakeesta , one of the most highly-rated attractions in Tennessee! The adventure begins before you reach the top of the mountain with your choice of traveling by a chairlift, gondola or the Ridge Rambler. A day at Anakeesta includes a treetop skywalk, shopping, ziplining, the new AnaVista Tower and Treeventure, scoops of Bluebell ice cream from Pearl’s Pie in the Sky Shop, and much more. Just be sure to some time relaxing and taking in some of the most stunning views that you’ll find in town before making your way back down.
2. Views at the SkyPark
Come one, come all to the Gatlinburg SkyPark , home of the SkyBridge. North America’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge hovers above downtown Gatlinburg and is one spot that you don’t want to miss while you’re in town. The SkyPark is only accessible by riding a chairlift from the heart of downtown. Once you’re at the top of Crockett Mountain you can relax by the fire pits and take in the views, walk the SkyBridge, have a drink and snack or like many have this past year, propose to the love of your life under Smoky Mountain sky. Also check out some of the great opportunities that they offer like watching the 4th of July fireworks from above the city, an Easter Sunset service and New Year’s Eve celebration.
3. Year-Round Fun at Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee’s only ski resort but they don’t just offer a way to enjoy snowy winter days. You’ll also find year-round fun for the entire family. You can reach Ober by driving to the top or you can ridge the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway from downtown Gatlinburg. The tramway is a short walk from our hotel and gives you the chance to take in some really incredible views. Cool off on hot summer days with ice skating, ice bumper cars, and water raft rides. A mountain coaster, summer tubing, an alpine slide, rock wall, chairlift and more are also available for added adventure and fun. Guests also enjoy dining, shopping and an opportunity to observe native wildlife. Throughout the year, Ober has a wide variety of events for a range of interests so be sure to check out their calendar before you come to town!
4. Where Mountains and Rollercoasters Meet
If you love the mountains and rollercoasters then be sure to add at least one of the area’s mountain coasters to your itinerary! Rowdy Bear Mountain and Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster are both located on the spur end of the Gatlinburg parkway. You’ll find countless others in the area as well. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, The Coaster at Goats on the Roof and Rocky Top Mountain Coaster are a few others to check out.
5. Explore the Smokies on Horseback
If you’re looking for a great way to explore the trails of the Smokies, consider booking a horseback ride during your vacation. Sugarlands Riding Stables is just down the road from our hotel and taking a ride with the Cades Cove Riding Stables is a great experience as well. Not ready for a horseback ride in Cades Cove? Book a carriage ride!
6. Play a Round of Mini-Golf
A great way to wrap up the day or spend a beautiful afternoon in Gatlinburg is to toss in a little friendly competition with a round of mini-golf. Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf is one of the most loved locations in town along with Hillbilly Golf. Gatlin’s Mini Golf is in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and can be accessed with a walk from the hotel. Browse the shops, have lunch and play a couple rounds before heading back to your room here at Bearskin Lodge on the River.
7. Zip Through the Treetops
Zip through the treetops of the Smokies during your vacation in Gatlinburg with a trip to one of the ziplining courses. A day of adventure at Anakeesta includes the option for ziplining as well. Check out their dueling ziplines so you can race your family and friends to the finish line above the trees. These adventures are definitely some of the best attractions in Gatlinburg TN!
Where to Stay
Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains are filled with endless possibilities for adventures in the great outdoors. To make the most of your vacation, you need a great basecamp while you’re in town and we think that staying with us would be the perfect foundation for the trip of a lifetime!
Our hotel is located just steps away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and downtown Gatlinburg. You can easily take a walk along the Gatlinburg Trail, stroll over to the NOC Gatlinburg to book a rafting trip or visit the Gatlinburg SkyBridge and Ober Gatlinburg without ever having to start your vehicle. Our guest rooms are filled with great amenities like a mini-fridge, microwave, a coffee maker, a walk-in shower, free wifi, large flatscreen televisions, and more. A good night’s rest or some time relaxing by our outdoor pool and lazy river will help revive you for another day of adventure during your stay.
Now that you know more about the best outdoor attractions in Gatlinburg TN, you can decide which ones you want to visit on your next trip to the Smokies! Still looking for a place to stay? Check out all of our rooms at our hotel in Gatlinburg and find the one that fits all your needs. We look forward to seeing you!
