There is nowhere else in the country quite like Gatlinburg, TN! Our Smoky Mountain city offers an unparalleled mix of gorgeous natural beauty and fun family attractions. Located just a day’s drive from over 60% of the nation’s population, Gatlinburg is the perfect spot to meet up with friends or relatives. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Top Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to five Gatlinburg destinations that you don’t want to miss.
1. Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle is the most iconic building in the Smokies! This 407 ft. tall observation tower offers breathtaking panoramic views of Gatlinburg and the mountains. The Space Needle’s observation deck features free view finders, so you can get an up close look at all of the beautiful landmarks in the area. In addition to the stellar views, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is also home to a fun arcade, a wonderful theater, an exhilarating escape game, and an excellent pizza restaurant.
2. The Village
The Village is the perfect place to do some shopping in downtown Gatlinburg. Located behind the Pancake Pantry, this special area is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Parkway. With its brick pathways and quaint architecture, The Village really looks like a small German village. Visitors to The Village will find 27 unique boutiques and shops that offer toys, candles, spices, tea, coffee, cheeses, paintings, clothing, hiking supplies, pottery, and many other speciality items for sale. If you’re looking for a sweet snack during your shopping spree, be sure to stop by the Donut Friar for some freshly prepared donuts, pastries, or cinnamon bread!
3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is another one of the most popular Gatlinburg destinations. Ranked among the top 10 aquariums in the nation on TripAdvisor, Ripley’s is famous for its hands on exhibits and fun atmosphere. Guests will love getting an up close look at some adorable birds at the Penguin Playhouse and seeing fearsome predators swim all around them in the Shark Lagoon. Ripley’s also offers a number of special experiences that you can add on to your standard visit to the aquarium. Some of these add-on packages include the chance to swim with real live stingrays and the opportunity to pet (and pose for a photo with) a friendly penguin.
4. Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is a great place to visit all year round! During the winter, Ober is the state of Tennessee’s only ski resort. Offering excellent snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing, this awesome attraction always has fresh powder, due to its high powered snow machines. In the off season, Ober is transformed into a wonderful amusement park with a mountain coaster, arcade, alpine slides, mini golf, chair swings, indoor ice skating rink, and even more fun activities. Getting to Ober is easy, as there is an aerial tramway that runs from The Strip up to the resort throughout the year.
5. Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is home to the largest group of independent artisans in North America. This 8 mile loop located off of the East Parkway is filled with studios, galleries, and shops that showcase the work of local artists. If you’re looking for handcrafted souvenirs from your Gatlinburg vacation, this is the place to find them! With wood carvings, photography, paintings, pottery, jewelry, quilts, baskets, brooms, and hundreds of other items, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re searching for in the Arts & Crafts Community.
When you stay with Top Cabin Rentals, you will be just a short drive from all of the best Gatlinburg destinations. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins for romantic escapes to 8 bedroom cabins for family reunions, we are guaranteed to have the perfect accommodations for your vacation. To start planning your next getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!
