Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Located at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers many opportunities for outdoor adventures. If a rainy forecast puts the brakes on your plans to explore the great outdoors, however, you definitely won’t be bored! Our charming city is absolutely loaded with awesome indoor activities that are fun for guests of all ages. To help you make the most of your next vacation, The Appy Lodge has put together a guide to six of the best indoor attractions in Gatlinburg TN.

We are excited to report that Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has received a major honor! The popular Gatlinburg aquarium took second place in USA Today’s list of the 10 Best Aquariums in North America. To compile the list, the newspaper's team of experts selected ten finalists and opened up the voting to the readers of USA Today. Ripley’s Aquarium earned more votes than many other notable aquariums, including the Georgia Aquarium, Dallas World Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

One of the best parts about visiting Gatlinburg is seeing the breathtaking views that are all around you. When you stay at The Appy Lodge, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in the stunning views! Here are 5 great ways to see the sights when you stay at our hotel in Gatlinburg:

Here at The Appy Lodge, we take our name from the world-famous Appalachian Trail. Our hotel in Gatlinburg, TN is the perfect place to relax and recharge when you come to hike this legendary trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To help you prepare for your next vacation, we have put together four fun facts about the Appalachian Trail.

Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg has been voted the best aquarium in America by the readers of USA Today, and it’s easy to see why! Home to over 10,000 sea creatures, this hugely popular attraction is famous for its interactive exhibits like the Penguin Playhouse, Shark Lagoon, and Touch-A-Ray Bay. In addition to the hours of fun included with standard admission, Ripley’s also offers a number of special add-on experiences that you won’t find at other aquariums. To help you make the most of your next vacation, The Appy Lodge has put together a guide to six unique adventures you can have at Ripley’s Aquarium.

No trip to Gatlinburg, TN is complete without a visit to the Hollywood Star Cars Museum! Located right on the Parkway, this unique attraction is home to some of the most famous cars to ever grace the silver and small screens. Guests will even have the chance to purchase a souvenir photo taken in one of their favorite vehicles. To help you prepare for your next vacation, The Appy Lodge has put together a guide to five famous cars that are typically on display at the Gatlinburg Hollywood Star Cars Museum.

When you stay at The Appy Lodge in Gatlinburg, TN, you will be just a short drive from some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States! Drawing over 11 million visitors each year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America. Boasting free admission, stunning natural beauty, and over 800 miles of pristine trails to explore, it’s easy to see why the Smokies are so popular. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we have put together a handy guide to the top five places to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Downtown Gatlinburg can feel like a world unto itself! Commonly known as “The Strip”, the downtown area is jam-packed with amazing attractions, shops, and restaurants. To help you make the most of your next vacation, The Appy Lodge has put together a guide to six of the best things to do in downtown Gatlinburg.

Museums, aquariums, shopping, oh my! There are so many incredible things to do in the Smoky Mountains, that you’ll want to keep coming back to try them all. When you stay at The Appy Lodge, you’ll be near all the best attractions in the area. Here are the top 4 things to do in the Smoky Mountains on your next vacation: