Gatlinburg Adventure

Gatlinburg is located in Tennessee on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park from Settlers Mountain. This is what we call the busy side of the Smokies. Gatlinburg is a tourist town but has managed to maintain a certain charm about it. It has the candy shops, the usual miniature golf courses, motion simulators, Go-Karts and bumper cars, but Gatlinburg also has other interesting things to see and do.

It has some nice places to eat with sidewalks for you to stroll around and window shop. Parking can be a problem during the summer peak seasons but you will be able to find parking garages for a fee.

The award for most tourist attractions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee goes to Ripley's. Ripley's features an aquarium, mini golf, haunted adventures, mirror maze, a moving theater, a fun zone and, of course, the famous Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.

The quality of the Aquarium will beat your expectations, and you will enjoy seeing all the exhibits. They have a glass tunnel that you walk through that gives you the feeling of being up close and personal with the fish. There are also many interactive hands-on things for kids. Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum has many unusual exhibits to see. If you like the freakish and the strange, you will love the museum.

Other items of interest on your Gatlinburg Adventure include the Gatlinburg Sky Lift and the Ober Alpine Slide and Aerial Tramway. Everywhere you turn, you'll find plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg!

Gatlinburg is about an hour drive from Settlers Mountain and is a journey through the park to get there. After a day at Gatlinburg you will be glad to return to the peaceful side of the Great Smokies. During the winter they close the road through park sometimes because of snow and ice and a different route is available.

Ask your Settlers Mountain Associate for directions based on the latest Park updates.