When planning a vacation, many wish to enjoy a fun-filled and memorable time. Several places guarantee a wonderful experience, but only some deliver as promised. 

Furthermore, not all places have everything you might be looking for. But what if we told you there’s a town in southern Tennessee that is the quintessential vacationing destination?

Gatlinburg, the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, is packed with thrilling and fun activities. Whether you’re seeking serenity in the outdoors, exploring exhilarating attractions, or want to try southern cuisines, Gatlinburg has it all and much more. 

If you’ve never been to this adventure-packed town, here are 6 reasons you should pack your bags and head south.

So, without further ado, let us get straight to the topic.

  1. Great places to stay 

Imagine sitting amidst the mountains, inhaling the freshness and soaking in the calmness of the surroundings. At Gatlinburg, you can experience all that and much more while living in luxury cabins made for tourists. Amazing, isn’t it? 

When you arrive in this town, you first want a great place to stay. 

If you’re traveling with your partner on a romantic getaway, touring with a group of friends, or vacationing with your family, you’ll find ideal lodging at Tennessee cabins. 

The cabins aren’t just airy, spacious, and comfortable; they’re also packed with a range of amenities that will make your stay worthwhile. 

To begin with, swimming pools, hot tubs, and arcade rooms are just a few of our favorites. If you want a welcoming cabin when you arrive, you can pre-book a lodging at Stony Brook Cabins LLC. 

  1. Exciting outdoor activities

Your adventure at Gatlinburg will begin with an array of outdoor activities. 

You can start with a peaceful walk and soak in the scenic beauty of the natural park of the Smoky Mountains. The park is spread over 500,000 acres and offers hiking trails with breathtaking views of streams and waterfalls. 

Besides hiking trails, waterfalls, and streams, the park also houses several animal species which are a treat to watch. 

If you want to view the mountains from overhead, you can opt for the Sky Lift, which takes its visitors to a viewing deck at 1800 feet.

  1. Experience the mountain coaster

Other than The Great Smoky Mountains Park, the most popular attractions at Gatlinburg are mountain coasters. They’re thrilling roller coasters with a mountain view. 

For example, the Moonshine Mountain Roller Coaster takes you on an exhilarating ride that starts peacefully till the cart reaches the top. From there, it’s a speedy ride of twists and turns. However, one of the best parts about these coasters is that they come with individual breaks, giving you more control of your ride. 

  1. Explore Anakeesta

The most famous theme park in Gatlinburg is Anakeesta which has several fun and thrilling attractions. If you want an eagle’s view of Gatlinburg, you can hitch a ride on the Chondola with two options to take you up to Anakeesta summit: an enclosed gondola and a chairlift. 

If you’re interested in something more exciting, you can ride to the top in a Ridge Rambler that will take you through the forests. 

One of the most thrilling experiences at Anakeesta is ziplining. There are parallel cables so you can zip and beat your friends to the finish line. 

If you’ve toddlers, you can take them to the Treehouse Village Playground, an indoor play space where your kids can climb, explore and discover. 

Apart from that, you can visit the Firefly Village if you want to shop for souvenirs. You can shop for local crafts, jewelry, and decorative articles or even stop to grab a bite.  

  1. Family-friendly attractions

Gatlinburg is an ideal destination for families to have fun. 

To begin with, Hillbilly Golf is an exciting place for the whole family. It’s a mini golf course located at the top of a mountain. It has different golf courses for adults and kids too.

Moreover, one of our favorite stops is the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. It features automobiles from Hollywood movies with a background similar to the original scene. The Batmobile and the Fast and Furious car collection are quite popular among kids and teens. 

In addition to all the fun attractions, you can visit Gatlin’s Rugged Ropes Adventure Course if you’re looking for more adventurous opportunities. Its prime attraction is the overhead rope track.

Also, if you want to play mind-boggling games, visit Gatlin’s Escape Rooms. You’ll be able to solve puzzles, overcome difficult challenges and find surprises in these thematic rooms. The adventure course also has a laser tag arena where you can play using laser guns with your family.

  1. Delicious local cuisine

With so much to do at Gatlinburg, you will likely feel hungry. You can fuel up on the local cuisines and choose from a huge variety. 

If you want to taste an array of delectables, you can visit The Park Grill, which offers chicken, burgers, steaks, and seafood. If you want to dive into grill and barbeque, you can go to the Hungry Bear BBQ, which has grilled chops, ribs, pork, and homemade sides. 

For a mighty breakfast to kickstart your day, you can visit Pancake Pantry. Kids will love this joint as it offers special chocolate chips and M&M pancakes. 

Conclusion

Gatlinburg has a huge range of thrilling activities and fun attractions you wouldn’t want to miss. You can book the perfect cabin for your stay and then head out to explore what the town offers. 

You can visit Anakeesta and enjoy the outdoor attractions and rides. 

Moreover, the Moonshine Mountain Coaster is a popular attraction where you can experience a speedy ride, pull the brakes, and enjoy the scenic beauty. 

There are also several places where your family will enjoy: Hillbilly Golf, Gatlin’s Rugged Ropes Adventure Course, and the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. 

If you want a more peaceful trip, you can walk on the endless serene trails in Smoky Mountain’s natural park. 

Make sure to try the famous southern cuisines at Gatlinburg. You can make an itinerary so you don’t miss out on any fun.