The Smoky Mountains are a wonderful place to spend your next vacation! Between the gorgeous mountain views and all the thrilling attractions, you are sure to stay busy with so much to see and do. The only problem with having so much to choose from is deciding what you want to see during your trip. That is why we have put together the ultimate guide on things to do in Gatlinburg Tennessee:

Start Off with a Delicious Breakfast

table of breakfast foods at Crockett'sAs you know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Luckily, that is our specialty! Before you begin your busy day of exploring Gatlinburg, be sure to come see us for a delicious morning meal and great service. Our Appalachian-inspired menu is sure to have something everyone in your group will enjoy, even the pickiest of eaters. We serve a wide variety of all your classic breakfast favorites, including eggs, pancakes, waffles, and French toast. Of course, you can never go wrong with one of our famous giant cinnamon rolls! You are on your way to discovering the best things to do in Gatlinburg Tennessee!

Go Under the Sea

Gatlinburg TN is home to one of the best aquariums in the entire country! Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies features over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in 350 individual species. It is one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg Tennessee. While you are at the aquarium, you will come across all sorts of sea animals including jellyfish, sharks, fish, and so much more! Ripley’s Aquarium also provides some incredible hands-on learning exhibits for the whole family, such as the Touch a Ray Bay where you can pet a stingray. If you have children tagging along, they are sure to love the Penguin Playhouse where they can come nose to beak with the adorable aquarium residents.

Explore New Heights

While there are a ton of wonderful attractions along the Parkway in Gatlinburg, you can also take a ride to the top of the mountain with a couple of thrilling amusement parks. The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is home to North America’s longest pedestrian cable bridge and a ton of other fun activities for all ages. Riding the SkyLift is another one of the top things to do in Gatlinburg Tennessee. You can also take the Scenic Chondola to the peak of Anakeesta, where you will find an array of wonderful activities such as ziplining, playhouses for kids, mountain coasters, and much more! These parks are also the best destination to watch a gorgeous sunset from high above the city.

Shopping on the Strip

If you are in need of a Smoky Mountain souvenir for yourself or your family back home, there is no better place to go shopping in the Smokies than the Gatlinburg Strip. You will find all sorts of incredible stores with marvelous souvenirs, from custom T-shirts to wooden sculptures of the Smoky Mountain black bear. While the Parkway is fun to explore during the day, you will be amazed how it transforms after dark with hundreds of bright lights.

After a busy day of experiencing all the things to do in Gatlinburg Tennessee, you can return back to your cabin or hotel to rest up for another exciting adventure. Be sure to get plenty of rest because we will have breakfast waiting for you the next morning when you wake up. Check out our full Gatlinburg restaurant menu to start planning your delicious meal with us! We look forward to seeing you soon!