Gatlinburg, Tennessee is probably the number one vacation destination in the Great Smoky Mountains – and it’s no wonder. This beautiful town is surrounded by the mist-covered blue mountains, native wildlife, history, and clear mountain streams. There’s so much to do and see here that doing it all is practically impossible to achieve on a vacation, so you’ll need to pick and choose! Having an idea of what you want to include before you arrive will help you schedule your time wisely.

Fishing: Wet a fly in one of the nearby creeks, lakes, or rivers. The Little Pigeon River flows right through downtown, and it’s regularly stocked with trout. Go it alone or hire a knowledgeable fishing guide.

Shopping: More than 400 shops line the streets of Gatlinburg, with a wide selection of souvenirs, handmade local crafts, local art, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Some of the treasures include quilts, wood carvings, paintings, sculpture, leather goods, gourmet foods, and Indian pottery. Be sure to check out Marketplace and the Mountain Mall.

Rafting: Visitors can choose a relaxing float down a lazy river or a white-knuckle adventure on Class IV rapids – or anything in between! Even kids as young as three can get in on some of the action. Local outfitters use experienced guides to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

Hiking: With over 800 miles of trails at its back door, Gatlinburg won’t disappoint avid hikers. With trails ranging from easy to difficult, treks for the not-so-avid hikers are also available. The scenery from the trails is stunning!

Zipline: Wanna experience the Smokies from the treetops? Hop on a zipline and soar up to 50 feet in the air. This is perfectly safe, and the landings are gentle. There’s also a Skybridge that takes you high above the city. For ages five and up.

Horseback riding: Several stables in the area offer wonderful rides through the mountains on gentle, well cared for mounts. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an old cowpoke, the guides will find a horse to match your experience level. This is one of the best ways to experience the breathtaking beauty and peace of the Smokies! Check out Smoky Mountain Stables or Sugarlands Riding Stables.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: This is a must-see! View thousands of marine species in the 1.4 million-gallon tank, including 12-foot sharks, piranhas, and colorful tropical reef fish. You’ll walk through a clear underwater tunnel as huge fish and rays swim over and around you. Kids will love the interactive tanks where they can touch rays and horseshoe crabs.

Space Needle: If you want some unforgettable views of the Smokies, this is the place! A glass elevator takes you to the top of the 400-foot-tall platform. At the base, you’ll find a huge arcade, laser tag, a comedy show, a restaurant, and a gift shop.

Miniature golf: Gatlinburg features several putt-putt courses, with themes ranging from the mountains to the jungle. Some of the most popular include Hillbilly Golf, Treasure Quest Golf, Davy Crockett Mini-Golf, and the ultra-cool 3-D Circus Golf.

Tram/Sky lift: Okay, it should be a requirement for visitors to experience one of these! The views are absolutely amazing. Choose between the enclosed tram car that holds 120 passengers, or the Sky Lift, where you and a companion will share leg-dangling open-air trip up the mountain.

Fort Fun: If you have kids in tow, ya gotta take ‘em here. They’ll enjoy a huge arcade, laser tag, bumper cars, and an awesome 3-D theater. The latest technologies are incorporated into the games for an amazing interactive experience.

World of Illusions: This place will leave you scratching your head and wondering, “How’d they do that?” See a genii in a bottle, calm a raging cyclone with the wave of your hand, watch Merlin the Magician levitate, walk away from your shadow, and make a companion disappear into thin air! There’s lots more here to amaze and baffle, too.

Mysterious Mansion: Gatlinburg has several scary adventures, but this one just has to be the best. On the outside, it looks like an old Victorian farm house. On the inside, it’s full of ghosts, goblins, a dungeon, secret passageways, and all kinds of scary surprises. Even the most jaded haunted-house-goers are sure to get a few thrills and chills! Take a pal or two with you.

Museums and galleries: For some more sober entertainment, visit one of the area’s museums to see antiques, old cars, and scenes from the Bible. There’s also the Ripley’s Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Hollywood Stars’ Cars Museum, and the Guinness World of Records Museum. Visit one of Gatlinburg’s galleries to see the creations of local artists and craftsmen.

Live shows: Visit one of the theaters for some rousing live entertainment. Enjoy a musical review, a comedy show, or a magic show. Some of the performers are masters at getting the audience involved, which just adds to the fun.

Restaurants: If you can’t find what you want to eat in Gatlinburg, you’re not hungry! You’ll have countless choices of steaks, sausage dogs, seafood, sandwiches, burgers, ethnic cuisine, wonderful barbecue, and good ol’ Southern cookin’!

Lodging: The choices for accommodations and Gatlinburg vacation rentals are as varied as the activities. Stay in a hotel, motel, or condo downtown, or choose a more secluded log cabin, vacation home, or chalet. The mountain cabins range from rustic to truly luxurious. Many have hot tubs and other upscale amenities. One of the ultra private cabins is a great lodging choice for honeymoons and romantic getaways!