Bucket List of Fun Things to Do in Gatlinburg

There’s tons of fun to have in Gatlinburg! You could spend a whole day exploring the national park, and the next day in town. With so many options, how do you know where to start? To help you plan your visit, we have put together a bucket list of fun things to do in Gatlinburg.

1. Hiking

When you stay in our cabins at Parkside Cabin Rentals you could have a cabin that sits at the doorstep to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The national park has over 848 miles of hiking trails to explore. The trails vary from easy to very strenuous. The chance to wander along and make it the end of every trail is incredibly rewarding. You can see sights of wildlife, beautiful local flowers, waterfalls, and mountain views! This is one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg! A parking tag is required if you plan to leave your vehicle for more than 15 minutes in the park. Parking tags are $5 for daily passes, $15 for weekly passes, and $40 for annual passes. You can purchase your parking tag at visitor centers, online, or at kiosks in the park. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include:

• Laurel Falls (closed for renovations until summer of 2026)
• Rainbow Falls
• Alum Cave
• Gatlinburg Trail
• Porters Creek

2. Shopping

Shopping is an activity that some people love and others not so much. Either way there’s plenty of it to do in Gatlinburg!

• The Marketplace: The Marketplace is a small shopping area that has a very charming look to the area. Among the little shops you can find a Lids store, Celtic goods and genuine pieces at Mystic Moon Celtic Faire, and more!
• NOC Great Outpost: The NOC is your one stop place for everything outdoorsy that you may need for a trip into the national park. You can find popular brands here like Columbia, Patagonia, Keen, Chaco, and more! You can find some unique Smoky Mountains themed souvenirs as well.
• Baskins Square Mall: Baskins Square is another area full of cute and unique shops. Off the beaten path finds are places like Doc’s Magic Shop and The Potter & the Park. But you can also find a jerky store to load up on snacks for your trip and Smokin' Banjo for a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting.

3. Dining

Vacation food is some of the best food! There is a bunch to choose from downtown. You can find everything from sweets and juicy steaks to delicious Mexican dishes! Some of our favorites include:

• Peddler Steakhouse: Best place in town to find a juicy steak and romantic atmosphere for a date night.
• Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que: You’ll find mouthwatering hickory-smoked barbeque that's slow-cooked to perfection.
• No Way Jose’s: No Way Jose’s serves authentic Mexican dishes in a fun atmosphere.
• Tom and Earl’s Back Alley Grill: Back Alley Grill is great for a cold beer and classic American dishes

4. Visiting Attractions

Another of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg is to visit local attractions! Because of all the options of things you have to do in town, there’s something for everyone! You could start your day at the aquarium, go to lunch, and the end the day playing mini golf! Some of the most popular attractions in town include:

• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
• Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
• Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini Golf Adventure
• Anakeesta
• Ober Mountain

There are so many fun things to do in Gatlinburg, you’ll need and want more than one day to have fun in town. Luckily, you can take a look at and book one of our Gatlinburg cabins and you’ll be just minutes from all of the fun!