Experience the best of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in this exciting 5-day itinerary, filled with fun attractions and the natural wonders of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With a wide range of activities to choose from, planning your trip to this beautiful area can be overwhelming. We’ll outline activities to help you get the most out of your family’s visit to this popular destination to discover the highlights of this popular destination and make the most of your family’s visit.
From exploring the breathtaking trails and waterfalls of Great Smoky Mountain National Park to enjoying the thrills of Dollywood theme park, we’ve got you covered. Explore the rich cultural heritage of Gatlinburg while enjoying the soulful sounds of bluegrass music. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where you can marvel at the fascinating underwater world and get a unique perspective on marine creatures. With our carefully crafted itinerary, you’ll have an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Smokies.
Start your Gatlinburg adventure with a hotel that will fit your big family. Want more room? Check out a Gatlinburg vacation rental.
Day 1: Exploring Exciting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Attractions
Gatlinburg is the most popular entry point to Great Smoky Mountain National Park but the town itself is quite the place to visit! Compiled with Pigeon Forge you might think you’ve stumbled into a Vegas-type town of the east. My crew had no idea what to expect and it was very amusing to see their wide-eyed amazement at the abundance of touristy activities to do along the highway.
We suggest choosing activities to do before you arrive as there will be many opportunities to open your wallet. It’ll be easier to tell your kids, these activities are what we planned for this trip instead of debating everything they’ll want to do once you arrive.
Ripley’s Combo Pass
A smart way to economize on various activities is by purchasing a Ripley’s Combo Pass. This pass combines the Aquarium with your choice of 2 to 10 other attractions. When you opt for the adult Aquarium plus 10 attraction combo pass, it boils down to approximately $10 per attraction – a great deal! What’s even better is the pass’s flexibility. If you find yourself returning to Gatlinburg within a year of your purchase, you can use any remaining attractions on your pass, as it stays valid for a full year from the purchase date. The Aquarium plus 10 attractions includes:
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium
- Ripley’s Moving Theater
- Ripley’s Mirror Maze
- Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
- Ripley’s Super Fun Zone (Laser Tag)
- Ripley’s Super Fun Zone (Indoor Mini Golf)
- Ripley’s Mountain Coaster (One ride)
- Ripley’s Super Fun Park (One hour of unlimited rides)
- Old Mac Mini Golf (18 holes)
- Davy Crockett Mini Golf (18 holes)
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has been named one of the top aquariums in America by TripAdvisor. Displays include a shark lagoon, touch-a-ray bay, rain forest, a coral reef with tropical fish, and penguins. Check out the daily show schedule which includes penguin feedings and parades, educational coral reef and ray bay talks, and mermaid dive shows. We visited late on a May rainy day and enjoyed all the displays and the two shows we attended. Since the crowd was thin, we rode through the shark lagoon’s 340-foot-long glide path three times.
Day 2: Thrilling Adventures at Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Amusement Parks
On your second day, explore one of the thrilling amusement parks that dot the local landscape – Dollywood, The Island in Pigeon Forge, Anakeesta, SkyLift Park, and Ober Gatlinburg
Dollywood
Dollywood, co-owned by the country music legend, Dolly Parton, covers a sprawling 150 acres with over 40 world-class rides, including the famous Lightning Rod – the world’s fastest wooden coaster. With a mix of classic amusement rides, exciting live performances, and authentic Southern dining, Dollywood was voted the #1 theme park in the US by Tripadvisor in 2022.
The Island in Pigeon Forge
Head to The Island in Pigeon Forge, a vibrant destination featuring a 200-foot-high observation wheel and show fountain. The park has no admission charge, you’ll buy a ride, wheel, and ropes tickets. Let the kids take on the challenge of the Island Ropes Course or enjoy the Island Bumper Cars, while you relax in the rocking chairs by the Island Fountains, savoring the sounds of bluegrass music. Before leaving, take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel to enjoy a nighttime view of the bustling Parkway.
Anakeesta
Anakeesta is a unique mountaintop adventure park nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Top rides and attractions include the Treetop Skywalk, a suspended bridge path offering a birds-eye view of the surroundings, and the AnaVista Tower, the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg, which provides a breathtaking 360° view of the Smoky Mountains. The standard admission ticket to Anakeesta includes unlimited Chondola, chairlift, and Ridge Rambler rides to the park.
Gatlinburg SkyPark and Ober Gatlinburg
Don’t miss out on the Gatlinburg SkyPark, which spans over 26 acres of fun and offers stunning panoramic views from the SkyDeck. Lastly, Ober Gatlinburg, an amusement park and ski area sprawling over 900 acres, offers year-round activities from skiing to wildlife encounters, making it a must-visit destination.
Day 3: Splash and Play at Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Water Parks
Schedule a day to indulge in the thrilling water park experiences that the area has to offer. These local water parks provide endless fun and entertainment for the whole family. From exhilarating water slides and splash pads to lazy rivers and wave pools, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss the chance to cool off and have a blast or relax at these exciting attractions.
Dollywood’s Splash Country
Recognized as one of the top waterparks in the United States by The Travel Channel, Dollywood’s Splash Country offers a wide range of water slides and attractions that cater to all adventure levels. These include TailSpin Racer, a competitive six-lane mat-racing slide, The Cascades, a vast 8,000-square-foot lagoon-style pool, and Fire Tower Falls, the tallest pair of speed slides in the state. Other attractions include Mountain Waves, a 25,000-square-foot wave pool, and the Downbound Float Trip, a tranquil lazy river.
Wild Bear Falls Water Park
In colder months or on rainy days, check out Wild Bear Falls Water Park located at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort (they offer villas that sleep 6). With over 60,000 square feet of fun aquatic attractions and more than 300,000 gallons of water flowing daily, it features a state-of-the-art retractable roof, allowing guests to enjoy comfortable conditions year-round. The park offers a variety of exciting attractions, including a lazy river, thrilling water slides, a toddler-friendly spray playground, an indoor/outdoor hot tub, and more.
Hotel Water Park Resort
For a little water fun every day of your trip, book a hotel resort with a water park. Check out Country Cascades, a resort with rooms for up to six. Their seasonal water park features a 300-foot-long slide, a raft slide, a splash play area, and resort amenities including kid activities.
Day 4: Discovering the Wonders of Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road
Arrive early and drive to Cades Cove. Pick up a Cades Cove Tour booklet to learn about the history of the area and provide more information about the 18 points along the loop including buildings such as churches, homes, and a gristmill. In summer months, the road is closed on Wednesdays to vehicle traffic to allow visitors to hike or bike the loop. The cove offers nine hikes including the popular Abrams Falls Trailhead. During peak visiting season, it can take four hours or more to make your way through the loop.
Since you arrived at Cades Cove as early as possible, head back to Sugarland Visitor Center, which opens at 9 AM, to pick up the park’s other auto tour booklets.
Continue the day’s activities by setting out on the breathtaking Newfound Gap Road to Cherokee. This picturesque route winds through the park, offering plenty of overlooks and pull-outs where you can pause to admire the stunning views. See our Great Smoky Mountain guide for our top 14 viewpoints and stops along this route including Clingman’s Dome and Mingus Mill. Without stopping, the drive takes about an hour one way so plan for 3-5 hours to complete the drive to Cherokee and back.
Day 5: Scenic Delights and Outdoor Fun in Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Roaring Fork Motor Trail, Sugarland Visitor Center, and Hiking
On your second day, head over early to Roaring Fork Motor Trail. As you meander along the winding, narrow road, the green tree canopy and the soothing sounds of Roaring Fork Creek make for a relaxing journey. The trail offers glimpses of history through well-preserved log cabins and homesteads and several hiking opportunities including Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls. Don’t miss Place of a Thousand Drips on your left-hand side right next to the road. Use the Roaring Fork auto tour to learn more about the area as informational placards are limited.
Drive through Gatlinburg back into the park to the Sugarland Visitor Center. Enjoy a hike to Cataract Falls (0.7 miles round trip), the Gatlinburg Trail (1.9 miles one way), or Fighting Creek Nature Trail (1.2-mile loop).
Have extra time? Schedule a waterfall hike. With over 100 waterfalls in the park, you’ll find many to fill your day. Little River Road is a great area to see many of them in one day. See our article on 10 falls to view in this area. (Coming soon!)
Alternative option: Drive across the park without stopping to explore Oconaluftee Visitor Center/Cherokee area. Then continue on to Bryson City Drive to hike the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop to view Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. From downtown Bryson City, take E Deep Creek Road to the park’s trailhead. On the road, you’ll see a lot of places to rent vinyl tubes and lifejackets to tube Deep Creek. The walkway down to Tom Branch Falls seems like a good place to enter the creek. If you are short on time, we recommend skipping Indian Creek Falls as in our opinion, Juneywhank and Tom Branch were more impressive.
