Showing 20 top-rated tourist attraction • Updated March 2026
CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains - Zipline Tour
CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains delivers an exceptional zipline experience that consistently exceeds expectations, especially for first-timers. The guides are the true stars here—visitors rave about their perfect blend of professionalism, humor, and genuine care that transforms nervous beginners into enthusiastic zippers. The course features six platforms with spectacular mountain views, long and fast ziplines, and the occasional wildlife sighting (including bears spotted from the platforms).
Ramsey Cascades
100-ft. waterfall cascading into a small pool, reached by a strenuous 8-mile roundtrip hike.
Gatlinburg Sign
This iconic welcome sign has become a must-snap photo opportunity that marks your arrival in Gatlinburg. Visitors love the nostalgic charm and the seasonal decorations—especially the Christmas setup. While it's not a destination unto itself, it's a quick, popular stop that gets busy throughout the day, with lines forming as everyone waits their turn for that perfect welcome-to-the-Smokies shot.
Speedwerkz Exotic Car Experience
Speedwerkz delivers an unexpectedly thrilling experience for automotive enthusiasts, showcasing a jaw-dropping collection of supercars and hypercars that most visitors never expected to see in person. The friendly, welcoming staff and racing simulators add interactive fun beyond just viewing the vehicles. Guests consistently rave about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close with rare machines like Bugattis, McLarens, and Ferraris, with many planning return visits.
Lynn Camp Prong Cascades
Lynn Camp Prong Cascades earns high praise as an accessible hidden gem that delivers mountain beauty without the crowds of the park's famous waterfalls. Visitors consistently describe the walk along Middle Prong Trail as easy and scenic, following the river through stunning rock formations and wildflower-dotted cliffs. The cascades themselves appear at about three-quarters of a mile, though the trail continues beyond for those wanting a longer trek.
Indian Flats Falls
Indian Flats Falls is a rewarding 4.2-mile hike that follows a scenic creek with cascades nearly the entire way. Visitors consistently praise the beautiful waterfall and the relatively easy, gradual incline of the trail. The biggest challenge isn't the hike itself—it's finding the actual falls, as the unmarked side trail around the 4-mile mark is notoriously easy to miss, causing some hikers to turn back thinking they've arrived when they reach the bridge at the bottom.
Meigs Creek Cascade
Meigs Creek Cascade delivers a rewarding moderate hike through beautiful scenery with a quieter, less-crowded experience than many Smokies trails. The roughly 2-mile trek involves multiple stream crossings and a mix of uphill and downhill terrain before reaching the cascades. While the waterfall itself won't take your breath away compared to some of the park's showstoppers, visitors consistently praise the peaceful atmosphere and lovely creek-side scenery along the way.
The Place of a Thousand Drips
Several narrow falls combine into a larger one at this famous scenic spot in the deep forest.
Huskey Branch Falls
Huskey Branch Falls delivers a relaxed, family-friendly waterfall experience along the scenic Little River Trail. Visitors consistently praise the easy, well-maintained gravel path and the peaceful atmosphere with fewer crowds than other Smokies destinations. While the falls themselves are modest in size, most hikers feel the pleasant 4-mile round-trip journey through beautiful riverside scenery makes it worthwhile—especially for families with young children.
Mount Harrison
Hiking trails & a chairlift lead to this mountaintop with scenic views & events, such as live music.
Arch Rock
Arch Rock delivers one of the Smokies' most photogenic trail experiences, featuring a dramatic natural arch with Lord of the Rings-style stone staircases threading through it. The hike along Alum Cave Trail showcases footbridges over streams, river views, and a well-maintained wilderness path that most visitors find manageable with moderate fitness. While the scenery earns consistent praise, parking is notoriously challenging—arrive early or prepare to hunt for roadside spots and contend with cr
The Sinks
Picnicking & photography are popular at this short, scenic waterfall accessible from a parking lot.
Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina delivers an enchanting nighttime light and sound experience that consistently wows families and romantics alike. The illuminated trail through various themed scenes creates memorable moments, though a few seasoned laser show veterans found it less impressive than expected. Most visitors feel it's worth the admission price, especially for those with children interested in space and planets, though be ready for a substantial walk with elevation changes.
The Tulip Tower
The Tulip Tower delivers beautiful panoramic views of the Smokies with an easy, flat walking trail that's accessible to most visitors. Many appreciate the educational displays about Gatlinburg's history and the 2016 fires. While the views are lovely, some find it a nice but not essential stop, and the access bridge to the tower itself has more sway than the main Sky Bridge and isn't wheelchair-friendly.
Mannis Branch Falls
Mannis Branch Falls divides visitors into two camps: those who find the hidden cascade and those who miss it entirely. This isn't your roadside waterfall—you'll need to hike down to the river, wade through swift, thigh-deep water, and scramble up rock formations to reach the secluded falls tucked behind the rocks. When visitors successfully navigate to it, they describe a fairy tale-like setting that's absolutely worth the adventure, though several people report finding only rapids or no falls a
SkyTrail
Visitors consistently describe SkyTrail as a breathtaking, must-see attraction that delivers an unforgettable experience. The suspension bridge and lighted walkway are particular crowd-pleasers, especially in the evening when everything's illuminated. While nearly everyone agrees it's worth the trek, the pricing does give some visitors pause. The swaying bridge in windy conditions adds an exciting element that thrill-seekers particularly enjoy.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls delivers a rewarding but challenging 5-5.5 mile round-trip hike with 1,400 feet of elevation gain through lush forest. The waterfall itself earns universal praise from those who make it, with many calling it a must-do trail, though a few found the falls underwhelming depending on water flow. This is decidedly not a beginner-friendly walk—the rocky, root-covered terrain turns back unprepared hikers regularly—but those who come equipped with proper shoes, water, and realistic expecta
SkyCenter
SkyCenter delivers exactly what visitors come for: sweeping Smoky Mountain views from North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. The chairlift ride up and the glass-bottom panels on the bridge are consistent crowd-pleasers, with many calling it a must-do experience. The main friction point is pricing—several reviewers feel the admission cost is steep, especially when extras like chairlift photos aren't included.
Cataract Falls
Gushing waterfalls located in a mountainous national park, popular with hikers.
Skybridge
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge consistently delivers an exhilarating experience that visitors describe as breathtaking and worth the trip. The chairlift ride up offers scenic views of town below, while the suspension bridge itself provides just enough thrill—especially at the glass-panel section in the middle where brave souls lie down for photos. While some visitors admit to a bit of nervousness on the crossing, the consensus is that it's manageable even for those with mild height concerns, and the v
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tourist attraction in Gatlinburg?
Based on our TSM Score™ rankings, CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains - Zipline Tour is currently the top-rated tourist attraction in Gatlinburg with a rating of 5.0 from 7,106 reviews.
How many tourist attraction are there in Gatlinburg?
We currently track 20 tourist attraction in Gatlinburg, all rated and reviewed by real visitors. Our list is updated regularly as new businesses open and reviews come in.
When is the best time to visit tourist attraction in Gatlinburg?
The best time depends on your preferences. Fall (October-November) offers stunning foliage but larger crowds. Spring (April-May) brings wildflowers and mild weather. Summer is peak season with the most options available. Winter offers lower prices and fewer crowds.