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Gatlinburg is the gateway to the national park and a walkable mountain downtown; Pigeon Forge, just up the Parkway, is the entertainment strip. Most trips mix both. Prices below were checked in November 2026 and change often, so confirm before you go.
In the national park
Waterfall hikes
Grotto, Rainbow, Abrams and Ramsey Cascades. Note: Laurel Falls is closed until 2027.
Read the guide →Cades Cove loop
Wildlife, historic cabins and the Abrams Falls trailhead. Closed to cars on Wednesdays from May to September, per the NPS.
Park entry is free, but parking longer than 15 minutes needs a tag ($5 day, $15 week, $40 year).
In and above Gatlinburg
Anakeesta
Mountaintop park reached by gondola from downtown, per Anakeesta.
Check Anakeesta tickets →Gatlinburg SkyBridge
North America's longest pedestrian cable bridge, at the top of the SkyLift.
Read the guide →Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Shark tunnel and penguins downtown, per Ripley's. The top rainy-day pick.
Read the guide →Ober Mountain
Tennessee's only ski area, plus snow tubing, a mountain coaster and a wildlife habitat.
Read the guide →
In Pigeon Forge
Dollywood
The area's biggest attraction. Smoky Mountain Christmas runs Nov 6, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Plan your visit →Dinner shows
Hatfield & McCoy, Pirates Voyage and Dolly Parton's Stampede, with prices from GetYourGuide.
Compare dinner shows →Ziplines, ATVs and jeep tours
MegaZip from $84 and guided ATV rides from $87, per GetYourGuide.
See outdoor tours →
Browse every bookable experience
Tours, tickets and guided hikes with free cancellation on many options.
If it rains
See our rainy-day list: the aquarium, indoor shows and a cabin with an indoor pool cover most of a wet day.
