5 Gatlinburg TN Points of Interest You Don’t Want to Miss

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is home to an almost overwhelming amount of attractions and landmarks. With so many things to see and do, it can be hard to decide where to begin! To help point you in the right direction, Parkside Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to five of the most iconic Gatlinburg TN points of interest:

1. Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg is the state of Tennessee’s only ski resort! During the winter months, Ober offers fantastic skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing for the whole family to enjoy. However, Ober Gatlinburg isn’t just a wintertime destination, as it offers amusement park fun in the spring, summer, and fall. Guests to Ober in the off season will find a thrilling mountain coaster, a mini golf course, a wildlife encounter, an arcade, indoor ice skating rink, scenic chairlift ride, and even more great activities.

Half the fun of visiting Ober is getting there! While you can drive to the resort, we recommend taking the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. This awesome cable car ride leaves from downtown Gatlinburg and takes you all the way to the top of Mt. Harrison. Along the way, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

2. The Village Shops

The Village is another one of our favorite Gatlinburg TN points of interest. This shopping area is designed to look like a quaint European village, complete with a cobblestone walkway and a beautiful fountain. Visitors to The Village will find 27 unique boutiques, including Alewine Pottery, The Spice and Tea Exchange, Thomas Kinkade at The Village, Pepper Palace, and The Day Hiker. If you’re looking for a snack during your shopping spree, be sure to stop by The Donut Friar, which offers heavenly pastries and freshly brewed coffee.

3. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is one of the most scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains. Located minutes away from downtown Gatlinburg, this 5.5 mile one-way loop road includes historic cabins, a beautiful stream, gorgeous mountain views, and the trailheads for some of the national park’s most popular hikes. The Motor Nature Trail is also famous for its wildlife viewing, with turkeys and black bears known to make appearances along the road.

4. Gatlinburg Space Needle

If you’re looking for great views of the downtown area, it’s hard to beat the Gatlinburg Space Needle! This 407 foot tall observation tower provides stunning panoramas of the city and the surrounding mountains. In addition to its impressive vistas, the Gatlinburg Space Needle also offers guests the chance to visit a fun arcade, a great pizza place, and a theater with Las Vegas caliber magic shows.

5. Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen  

Anyone with a serious sweet tooth will love the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen! With two locations on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, this candy shop is the ultimate destination for fudge, caramel apples, salt water taffy, and all of your favorite candies. Everything at the Candy Kitchen is made the old fashioned way using the same techniques the shop has employed since it opened in 1950.

When you stay with Parkside Cabin Rentals, you will be minutes away from all of these wonderful Gatlinburg TN points of interest. 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 getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!