7 Fun Gatlinburg Activities for Adults

Nestled on the eastern border of Tennessee is a city called Gatlinburg. Its history, charm, art, and beauty make it a popular destination for couples, families, and groups of friends. It’s the second most popular wedding destination in the U.S. and offers fun for day trips, weekend getaways, and week-long vacations. 

Visiting Gatlinburg is something everyone should do at least once. If you’re currently planning a trip there, you should start researching activities. After all, there are many activities in Gatlinburg for adults. 

Here are seven to include on your list for your next trip to Gatlinburg:

1. Visit Hiking Trails

Gatlinburg is home to the Smoky Mountains, making it an ideal location for hiking. You can hike up and around the mountains or in nature preserves. In fact, there are far too many places for hikers to enjoy in a single visit!

You can see waterfalls and breathtaking views when hiking in this area. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is ideal for all levels of hiking, from beginners to experts.

Many people also enjoy hiking through caverns and caves. There are numerous caves and caverns for visitors to explore in this area, each offering unique experiences for those who enjoy secluded adventures. 

2. Go to Dollywood

Yes, adults also enjoy Dollywood, too! When you visit Dollywood, you’ll experience as much fun as the younger crowd! Located in Pigeon Forge, near Gatlinburg, Dollywood is in the heart of the Smokies.

First and foremost, Dollywood is known as an amusement park. This makes it ideal for families with kids, but lone adults also enjoy the rides–perhaps even more so! 

Besides all the rides? Make sure to attend a show at Dollywood. Shows occur at various times throughout the week and offer exciting variety. You’ll find musical entertainment, including southern gospel and country singers, drama, magic, and more!

You can also see master artisans making things at Dollywood. For example, blacksmiths and glass blowers are often in the park, along with master woodworkers, crafters, and others. 

Depending on the time you visit, you might also catch a festival at Dollywood. Before scheduling your trip, look up the schedule to see all the current and future happenings.

3. Ride a Skylift

If you love seeing breathtaking views of nature, you’ll love Gatlinburg SkyPark. This park provides an enchanting skylift ride up the mountain, where you can then walk across the longest cable bridge in North America. You can hike across the SkyTrail and SkyBridge and ride the chairlift at night to experience different views.

Additionally, this attraction provides shops where you can purchase souvenirs and options to grab a bite to eat. Fun fact: the first chairlift at this park was installed in 1954, and it’s been a popular destination for travelers ever since. 

4. Try Some Moonshine

For adults, moonshine tasting is often added to their list of adult activities in Gatlinburg. Of course, moonshine isn’t the only adult beverage you can find in this area. However, it’s likely the most popular one!

You’ll find multiple distilleries in Gatlinburg, each with unique traits. Every distillery offers tastings. For just a few dollars, you can sip your way through a large variety of fun and unusual flavors. 

Some distilleries offer tours for those interested in seeing how they produce moonshine. You can also purchase bottles of moonshine to take home with you after your trip.

Additionally, Gatlinburg has wineries for those preferring wine over whiskey. You can stop in for a tasting and take your favorites home with you! 

5. Go Shopping

Shopping is always a fun activity to add to a vacation. This is especially true in Gatlinburg, which offers many unique shops. 

The Village Shops offer 27 individual and unique shops for souvenirs, gifts, and treasures galore!  Whether you are searching for handmade clothing, jewelry, or art, you will find something you love. Other shops include some of the best eateries in town, providing excellent food and drinks to enjoy after your retail therapy session. 

The Village Shops are near the entrance to the National Park and offer an entire day of fun for adults. 

Of course, this is just one of many options for shopping. If you enjoy browsing great shops, visit The Island at Pigeon Forge, which boasts many eateries, retailers, and galleries. 

6. Ride the Aerial Tramway

Ober Gatlinburg’s Aerial Tramway is “tops” in lots of ways! This experience differs from any other, and it’s a highlight of the city.

The Aerial Tramway is an enclosed device that carries you up the mountains Gatlinburg is famous for. The vehicle is similar to a chairlift but accommodates multiple people at once. 

Enjoy the Tramway year-round; each season provides unique views, taking passengers  2,813 feet above sea level over two miles, which is higher than all the other cable lifts in the area and delivers riders to the top where they will find ample spots to shop and eat along with enjoying a day of skiing or other mountaintop activities.

7. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Many people also plan a day at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when visiting this area. One of the best national parks in the U.S., it offers campsite rentals for those who enjoy camping, but that’s just the start. This National Park contains historic buildings to visit, hiking trails, fishing spots, and bike trails. You can horseback ride, hike to see waterfalls, and look for wildlife. It’s a beautiful park with so much to do and is a must for your Gatlinburg itinerary. 

Try These Activities in Gatlinburg for Adults

Adding these activities in Gatlinburg for adults to your list is a great start. But there’s so much more! 

You won’t be able to see and visit every attraction during your trip, as there are so many things to do. However, you can always go back to Gatlinburg again!

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