A great thing about the cities in the Smoky Mountain area is that they are just a short distance away from one another. This means that you can stay in our Pigeon Forge condos and easily spend the day in both Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Read on to learn about some of the attractions! Here is a list of 3 great things to do in downtown Gatlinburg:
1. See and Learn About Marine Life at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
The immersive activities at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies expose visitors to 350 individual species. One of them is the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure. Sail across Shark Lagoon and see a whole marine ecosystem at your feet. See colorful schools of fish, giant 12-foot sharks, and sea plants. Other things to do include helping a penguin paint a picture at the Penguin Playhouse. Choose the colors and watch the funny birds as they use their feet as the paintbrush. Additionally, head over to Touch a Ray Bay to feel the smooth backs of stingrays as they glide along the water. No matter what activity you choose, the aquarium's knowledgeable staff will be there to tell you more about the animals you see. Some of them even participate in live dive shows where they teach visitors from behind the glass. It is no surprise that this attraction was voted “Best Aquarium in North America” by USA Today!
2. Go to the Top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle and Play Games at Arcadia
Going to the observation deck at the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle is another one of the fun things to do in downtown Gatlinburg. Visitors get to it by riding a glass elevator. Once there, look out at the breathtaking mountain views. Use the viewfinders around the deck for a closer look! There are also various plaques that have more information about the area. When you come back down, you should check out Arcadia. Located at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, it is the largest arcade in Gatlinburg. There will never be a dull moment with over 25,000 square feet of fun. You will be able to play all your favorite games. When you are finished playing, redeem your hard-earned tickets for a prize.
3. Explore All the Activities at Anakeesta
Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park located above downtown Gatlinburg! Visitors get to it by riding a chairlift. Once at the top, look down from the top of the AnaVista Smoky Mountain Observation Tower. Along with looking at breathtaking views, there are also many fun activities. Go ziplining, ride one of the two mountain coasters, and more! When all that activity makes you hungry, you won’t have to go far! Anakeesta has many places for a delicious meal or snack! Get pizza and gourmet hotdogs at the Kephart Cafe and ice cream at Mimi’s Creamery!
We hope you enjoyed learning about some fun things to do in downtown Gatlinburg! If you want some recommendations for activities that are closer to us, explore this list of fun attractions in Pigeon Forge within walking distance of our condos!
