Gatlinburg is a popular vacation destination in east Tennessee, United States. The city is surrounded by lush mountains and has plenty of beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and mountaintops.
Gatlinburg is an outdoor lover’s paradise. It is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a world-renowned destination for mountain climbers and hikers. With its beautiful scenery, Gatlinburg is also an excellent place for those who want to get close to nature.
The town offers plenty of activities, such as zip lining, fishing, hiking, rafting, and horseback riding, that will keep you happy and entertained throughout your stay. If you are planning a weekend getaway, then Gatlinburg is just the perfect place to visit. This destination will take your breath away!
So here’s your 2-day itinerary for exploring this magnificent town.
- Where to Stay?
The first thing you need to do when planning your trip is book a hotel that suits your budget and requirements while being close to the city’s heart. If you wish to be super comfy and safe and enjoy views of the mountains, staying in a hotel is the best way to do so.
One of the best things about Gatlinburg is that it’s very affordable, so you shouldn’t have issue finding places within your budget.
With that said, there are many affordable and beautiful hotels in Gatlinburg ready to take you in on short notice. These offer many amenities, excellent service, and tasty food. They also provide full-service accommodation and meeting rooms for business events or family reunions!
- Zip Lining at Sky Zone Trampoline Park
This is one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg if you want to have fun with your friends or family. You can also enjoy it during summertime when it is hot outside. There are many types of trampolines at Sky Zone, along with trainers who will help you understand and learn zip lining.
- Anakeesta Mountain Adventures
Anakeesta Mountain is the tallest peak in Gatlinburg, found on the western edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has an elevation of 5,988 feet. The peak was named after the Cherokee word for “the highest point” or “the center.”
Anakeesta Rail Runner Mountain Coaster is a steel roller coaster that flies 1,600 feet high on a single rail track with a roaring speed of 25mph. Other rides, such as “Rock ‘N Roller Coaster,” feature two loops over fifty feet tall and another train track that goes through them both!
- Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway
The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is the highest aerial tramway in the eastern United States, reaching 4,000 feet above sea level and 2.1 miles long. It takes visitors to the top of Mt. Ober Gatlinburg and offers views of Mount Le Conte and other parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The ride lasts about 10 minutes, but it feels like an eternity when you stand at the bottom looking up at all those trees with nothing but blue sky above you!
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park in the eastern United States. The park holds 522,419 acres of protected land and is the most visited national park in the United States.
The main attraction for visitors to this area is its hiking trails (over 10,000 miles). They lead up into some beautiful mountain areas with lots of trees and flowers growing there and many other types of wildlife, including bears, deer, or even black bears if you visit during mating season!
- Gatlinburg’s Top-rated Ghost Walking Tour
Gatlinburg has one of the best ghost-walking tours. There are experienced and knowledgeable guides who will take you on a journey through time as they share their stories of hauntings in the town of Gatlinburg.
Guides will take you on an hour-long guided tour where you will explore Dollywood, Ski Lane Family Fun Park, and others! They also offer other attractions such as haunted hayrides and more!
- Ripley’s Aquarium and Mountain Coaster
Ripley’s Aquarium and the mountain coaster are on the same property, so you can visit both attractions in one day if you like. Entry to the aquarium costs $40 per person and includes admission to all exhibits. You will also receive Ripley’s souvenir booklet with coupons for discounts at other attractions throughout town.
The coaster costs $18 per person. Some people may opt not to go on this ride because they think it is too scary or uncomfortable, but others love it!
- Gatlinburg Sky Lift Park
The Gatlinburg Sky Lift Park is a beautiful place to take the family. Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, it offers a variety of activities for all ages. This facility features an indoor playground with over thirty attractions, including slides, climbing walls, and more.
There are also two large sports courts as well as two basketball courts that can be used by anyone who wants to get some exercise! If you are looking for something more active, you should try out one of their four tubing centers. You will find yourself floating down rivers while being towed by an inner tube!
More exciting activities you shouldn’t miss include mini-golf courses with challenging holes like “choke” and “bungee jump.”
- Top Places to Eat in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg offers affordable, tasty, and a variety of American, mouth-watering Southern cuisines. The architecture and ambiance of Gatlinburg restaurants are really beautiful. They offer great food along with live comedy and music shows. Some of the top-rated restaurants are:
- Ole Smoky
- Donut Friar
- Coffee Company
- Pancake pantry
- The Melting Pot
- Calhoun’s
- Bennett’s Pit Bar B Que
Final Thoughts
Following the tips and recommendations mentioned above, you can plan your ideal 2-day weekend trip to Gatlinburg without issues. This city has many attractions, shops, restaurants, parks, and more. One should not forget to explore this place by taking a tour around the town or renting a car to visit all the sites at their own pace.
Be sure not to miss some of the best ones!
