Gatlinburg is famous for its spectacular natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sometimes, however, the weather just doesn’t cooperate with your plans to visit the national park or go ziplining. Fortunately, our Smoky Mountain city is also home to a superb selection of indoor attractions! Whether it’s raining, snowing, too hot, or too cold, these indoor destinations provide fun for the whole family all year round. To help you make the most of your vacation, Amazing Views Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to the top four indoor things to do in Gatlinburg:
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies ranks among the top 10 aquariums in the country on TripAdvisor, and it’s easy to see why! This wonderful attraction is home to over 10,000 sea creatures and is known for its interactive exhibits. The aquarium’s hands-on philosophy is taken quite literally at “Touch-A-Ray Bay,” where visitors have the chance to pet a real live sting ray. Wondering what other animals you’ll see in the aquarium? Here are 5 animals you’ll love seeing at the Gatlinburg aquarium!
Other highlights of the aquarium include Shark Lagoon, an immersive tunnel with the ocean’s most fearsome predators, and the Penguin Playhouse, a fun habitat for some lovable African penguins.
2. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is truly one of Gatlinburg’s hidden gems. This one-of-a-kind museum features 20,000 + sets of salt and pepper shakers from all around the world. What makes this museum so much fun is seeing the incredibly creative designs for the shakers. Guests will admire salt and pepper shakers that look like animals, cars, foods, historical figures, aliens, cowboys, and thousands of other unexpected sources of inspiration.
Admission is only $3.00 per person (children 12 and under are free) and this money goes towards the purchase of any set of salt and pepper shakers in the gift shop. It’s easy to see why the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is one of the very best indoor things to do in Gatlinburg!
3. Fannie Farkle’s
With a name like Fannie Farkle’s, you know you’re in for a fun time! This hugely popular arcade in downtown Gatlinburg has an awesome collection of both classic and modern games. Fannie Farkle’s uses a state-of-the-art card system, so there is no need to keep track of tokens or tickets. Guests simply load money onto their card and, after they’ve played until their heart’s content, redeem their “virtual tickets” for a great selection of prizes.
When you visit Fannie Farkle’s, don’t forget to take a break from the games to enjoy one of their famous corn dogs, cheese steaks, or sausage subs. Be sure to come hungry, because the portions at Fannie Farkle’s are huge!
4. Gatlin’s Smoky Mountain Fun
Gatlin’s Smoky Mountain Fun offers a number of indoor attractions that your kids are sure to love. The Blacklight Golf Course is a fun indoor mini golf adventure where all of the obstacles and decorations glow in the dark. This great course features an under the sea theme, complete with a sunken pirate ship, an enormous octopus, and a mermaid.
In addition to mini golf, visitors to Gatlin’s Smoky Mountain Fun can also experience laser tag, a thrilling motion ride movie theater, bumper cars, and escape games. Guests can save money when they enjoy two or more attractions, so we definitely recommend planning at least a couple activities at Gatlin’s.
When you stay with Amazing Views Cabin Rentals, you will be just a short drive from all of the best indoor things to do in Gatlinburg. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 12 bedroom lodges, we are guaranteed to have the perfect property for your vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our complete selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!
