Downtown Gatlinburg is the most exciting place to visit in the Smokies! The Strip is filled with all of the area’s most popular shops, attractions, and restaurants. When you stay at Chalet Village, you will be minutes away from all of the fun in the heart of the city. To help you make the most of your vacation, we have put together a guide to five of the best things to do in downtown Gatlinburg.
1. Explore Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium
If you ever watched the Ripley’s Believe It or Not TV show, you know that the Ripley’s brand is all about celebrating the unique and the unusual. Ripley’s Odditorium in downtown Gatlinburg certainly doesn’t disappoint in this regard! This museum is filled to the brim with bizarre artifacts from all around the world, including shrunken heads, a vampire killing kit, and a 12 ft. tall robot sculpture made from scrap car parts. Be sure to bring your camera, because there are lots of fun photo opportunities at the Odditorium.
2. Go Wine Tasting at Sugarland Cellars
Wine tasting is another one of our favorite things to do in downtown Gatlinburg. Sugarland Cellars offers complimentary tours and tastings seven days a week, so you can always stop in to sample one of their signature vintages. The wines at Sugarland Cellars are made from regionally grown grapes and all of the bottles include local history and stories. Sugarland Cellars is one of the stops along the Rocky Top Wine Trail, and if you get your “passport” stamped at all of the participating wineries, you’ll get a special gift to take home!
3. Visit The Village Shops
The Village is the most charming shopping destination in the Smokies. Located behind the Pancake Pantry, this quaint area is designed to look like a small European village, with brick pathways and a lovely fountain. Visitors to The Village will find 27 unique stores that cater to a variety of interests. Some of the most popular places to shop at The Village include:
- Alewine Pottery
- The Spice and Tea Exchange
- Candle Cottage
- Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery
- The Donut Friar
4. Take in the Views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle offers some of the most spectacular views in East Tennessee. From high atop this 400 ft. tall observation tower, guests will enjoy panoramic vistas of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Visiting the Space Needle at night is ideal for a special date with your sweetheart, because the glittering city lights are very romantic. In addition to the observation tower, the Space Needle also features a fun arcade, an excellent pizza restaurant, an exhilarating escape game, and a wonderful theater.
5. Enjoy All the Activities at Gatlin’s Smoky Mountain Fun
Gatlin’s Smoky Mountain Fun truly has something for everyone! This popular attraction offers two outdoor mini golf courses, an indoor putt-putt course, laser tag, bumper cars, a motion ride, escape games, and gem mining. The great thing about visiting Gatlin’s is that you can choose to do just one or two activities, or you can save money by taking advantage of their package deals.
When you stay at Chalet Village, you will be near all of the awesome things to do in downtown Gatlinburg. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 8 bedroom lodges, our community is sure to have the perfect property for your vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of cabins in Gatlinburg!
