The Fall Activities in Gatlinburg, TN

Escape to the Smoky Mountains

No matter the time of year you visit, there's no shortage of incredible things to do in Gatlinburg, TN.  It's not only one of the most popular getaway towns in the country but one of the most romantic.  And, of course, it's considered the gateway to the incredible Great Smoky Mountains National Park - quickly coming in at #1 on any list of things to do in Gatlinburg, TN!

While a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a "must-do" activity in the area, especially if you manage to get there this fall while the fall colors are at their peak, there are still plenty of other things to do in Gatlinburg, TN. Whether you take in the views from the Space Needle Observation Tower, ride the Sky Lift aerial car, or take to the ski slopes this winter, we know you'll fall in love with this incredible getaway destination and return time and time. 

We do not doubt that the upscale accommodations and exceptional hospitality offered by our Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts will be a significant factor in your decision to return, too. Our member properties genuinely stand out as a unique lodging experience, far superior to a traditional hotel stay. 

In the Gatlinburg area, there are two Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts. Thanks to our unique positioning of properties around the country, a trip here can be combined with a trip to a variety of other incredible places. Why not continue your journey north on the Blue Ridge Parkway, for example? Or even south, to Chattanooga and/or Atlanta?  The options are truly endless. If you're ready to get started, book your getaway to these Gatlinburg Bed and Breakfasts today!

10 Amazing Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Aside from being the gateway to the incredible Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town of Gatlinburg itself is a charming and fun place to visit. There are so many beautiful things to do in Gatlinburg!

Given that we're heading into fall and already seeing colors across the county, we'd be remiss to mention that Gatlinburg is an extraordinary destination for fall colors. If you're in the area this fall and want to take in some of the colors, you don't have to head into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to do it.  There are plenty of great lookouts right from downtown Gatlinburg.

There are so many more great things to do in Gatlinburg than admire the beautiful scenery - and that's just as true in winter as it is in summer or fall. But, honestly, Gatlinburg is a fantastic 4-season getaway destination and the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts of all varieties. Here are just a few of our favorite things to do in Gatlinburg, TN. 

1. Visit Gatlinburg's Skylift Park. It's not only one of the most exciting things to do in Gatlinburg, but you'll also enjoy panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and downtown Gatlinburg. 
2. One of the most popular things to do in Gatlinburg is to visit Anakeesta, where you can walk among the trees on their famed TreeTop Skywalk.  With over 800 feet of connected bridges hanging 50-60 feet in the air, the TreeTop Skywalk is the longest tree-based skywalk bridge in all of North America. It's a unique experience with plenty of incredible vistas to enjoy along the way. 
3. Take a ride to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This 407-foot-tall observation tower is an enchanting place to take in the fall colors or enjoy the breathtaking vistas stretching out before you. 
4. Visit Ober Gatlinburg, both a fun amusement park and a great ski area in the winter. The gondola rid up is itself a wonderfully beautiful journey worth taking. No wonder it always makes the list of best things to do in Gatlinburg!
5. Visit the art galleries in downtown Gatlinburg, or take the eight-mile Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Loop, a prime outlet for the area’s finest art artistic works.
6. Visit one of the breweries, wineries, or distilleries that call Gatlinburg home. 
7. Get in touch with your inner child at the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
8. Visit Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, listed by USA Today's 10best as the best aquarium in North America. 
9. Visit the 80-foot Laurel Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. 
10. Of course, no list of things to do in Gatlinburg is complete without visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which we'll discuss in greater detail below. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

"The mountains are calling, and I must go" is, perhaps, one of the more famous quotes by famed author and outdoor enthusiast John Muir.  Though Muir wrote the quote while exploring a different range of mountains, we think it perfectly sums up the out-of-this-world experience you'll have when visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And, indeed, visiting this park is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg. 

Of course, fall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is all about the colors.  The Smoky Mountains are known for their show-stopping colors. As the National Park with the most biodiversity within its borders, you can expect some genuinely unique foliage you can't find anywhere else. The park has a great guide on the best places to see fall foliage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Beyond leaf-peeping, though, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an extraordinary place to visit.  Here are five highlights of the park which you don't want to miss. 

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most naturally pristine areas of the country, and with more than 800 miles to explore, it's a great place for scenic drives!
2. Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Gatlinburg, and with so many miles of trails at your disposal in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, that probably comes as no surprise. 
3. There are many excellent fishing streams within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and there is a wide range of fishing experiences and opportunities available here. 
4. For a different way to experience the park, enjoy a guided horseback ride through the Smokies. 
5. Chase waterfalls!  There are so many incredible waterfalls within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most popular of them are Grotto, Laurel, Abrams, and Rainbow Falls.

It's hard to believe so much beauty can be found in one place, but it won't take you long to realize that visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most incredible things to do in Gatlinburg, TN. 

When it's time to relax and unwind after a day of adventuring in the Mountains, turn to the cozy comfort offered by our Select Registry Member Bed and Breakfasts, found below.  You won't find lodging properties that compare when it comes to authenticity, quality, and hospitality.  

Gatlinburg TN Bed and Breakfasts

Berry Springs Lodge Resort Bed and Breakfast

Perched atop a hillside and 33 acres, this elegant lodge was built from the ground up as a bed and breakfast resort-inn and was opened in 2000. Guests can mingle in the great room where a towering stone fireplace reaches to the vaulted ceiling or settle in on their own private deck. T

Though only a short distance from Dollywood, shopping, and area attractions, Berry Springs Lodge is light-years from the fray. It’s the best of both worlds…it’s right there for those who want the myriad of options in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, but well away for those who come for the peace, quiet, and beauty of the Smokies. 

Learn More