The Top 5 Downtown Gatlinburg Attractions

Downtown Gatlinburg is unlike anywhere else in the world! Although it is only a few blocks long, the heart of the city is jam-packed with wonderful things to see and do. With so much going on along The Strip, it can be hard to know where to begin. To help you make the most of your vacation, Parkside Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to the top five downtown Gatlinburg attractions.

1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

When you visit Gatlinburg, you definitely don’t want to miss Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Ranked among the top 10 aquariums in the United States by TripAdvisor, Ripley’s has seen well over 15 million visitors over the years. What sets Ripley’s Aquarium apart from the rest is its interactive exhibits. Rather than just reading and watching, guests get a hands-on experience that they’ll remember for years to come.

One of Ripley’s most beloved exhibits is the Penguin Playhouse, which features clear tubes that kids can crawl through to get a closer look at the aquarium’s adorable African penguins. Another popular section of the aquarium is Shark Lagoon, which features a 100 yard moving sidewalk that takes guests through an underwater tunnel that is filled with sharks and other deep sea predators. Guests at our cabins will get $2 off admission to Ripley’s Aquarium as part of our Parkside Perks program.

2. Hollywood Star Cars Museum

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is another one of the very best downtown Gatlinburg attractions. This fun museum is filled with vehicles that have appeared in some of the most popular movies and TV shows over the decades. Highlights of the museum include two Batmobiles (Adam West’s and Michael Keaton’s), the Back to the Future DeLorean, and the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. For an extra fee, you can even have your photo taken in one of the famous cars!

3. Davy Crockett Mini Golf

Mini golf is the ultimate family vacation activity! If you’re looking to play a round or two of putt putt in Gatlinburg, you can’t beat Davy Crockett Mini Golf. Offering two unique courses, Davy Crockett Mini Golf is perfect for players of every ability. Kids in particular will love these courses because of the cute cartoon characters that decorate the attraction and the fun sound effects on many of the holes. Be sure to focus extra hard on the 18th hole, because a hole in one will earn you a free game! Guests at Parkside Cabin Rentals will receive a $2 discount at Davy Crockett Mini Golf.

4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium celebrates everything that is weird and wonderful. This unique museum is home to 500 exhibits and artifacts that are truly bizarre. Some of the unusual things you’ll see at the Odditorium include shrunken heads, an ostrich skeleton, and a vampire killing kit. Parkside guests will get $2 off admission at Ripley’s Odditorium.

5. Sugarland Cellars

If you’re a fan of wine, you’ll love visiting Sugarland Cellars! This locally owned and operated winery offers free tours and wine tastings seven days a week. Sugarland is known for its friendly staff members who are knowledgeable about wine and the Gatlinburg area. One of the highlights of visiting Sugarland Cellars is seeing their unique wine bottles, which contain stories from the Smoky Mountains. Parkside guests who make a purchase at Sugarland Cellars will receive a special complimentary wine tasting and cheese tray.

When you stay in our downtown Gatlinburg cabins, you will be just a short drive from all of these wonderful downtown Gatlinburg attractions. Parkside even provides free parking in downtown Gatlinburg for our guests! With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 7 bedroom lodges, we are sure to have the perfect property for your vacation. To start planning your next getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals.