When you stay at our luxury Gatlinburg cabin rentals, you have plenty of fun attractions and activities at your fingertips! While the Smoky Mountain area is known for its natural beauty and outdoor adventures, you may want to spend time indoors as well. Read on for some recommendations to add to your itinerary– 3 of the top-rated indoor attractions in Gatlinburg!
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a popular Gatlinburg attraction with a top spot on the USA Today’s list of “Best Aquariums in North America.” Some of the highlights include the Penguin Playhouse, a penguin habitat with tunnels underneath that lead to glass tubes. You’ll love standing in them and watching these funny birds waddle about. Get even closer to them when you participate in special events. For example, watch penguins create colorful works of art with their feet during the Penguin Painting Experience. Another additional activity is the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure. Sail across the Shark Lagoon and admire all the creatures at your feet. There is so much to choose from! Together, all the activities expose visitors to over 350 individual marine species. Whatever you do, prepare for a “fin-tastic” time.
2. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Gatlinburg's Hollywood Star Cars Museum is another one of the awesome indoor attractions in Gatlinburg. If you love movies and/or cars, you have to come check it out. This museum houses cars that have been featured on the big and small screens, and the expansive collection includes the BMW Z3 from the 1995 James Bond film, as well as the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura (AKA ECTO) from Ghostbusters. You can also see several of the sleek sports cars driven in The Fast & the Furious Series. Additionally, there are cars once driven by Hollywood royalty. See Dolly Parton’s 1997 Cadillac D’Elegance, Elvis Presley’s 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, Michael Jackson’s Mercedes-Benz 500, and more! No matter which car you view, take a close look at all the details. There are even plaques beside them that have more information.
3. Arcadia at The Gatlinburg Space Needle
Another way to pass the time indoors is by playing games at Arcadia. It’s the largest arcade in Gatlinburg and is located on the bottom floor of the Gatlinburg Space Needle. There are a lot of games to choose from, both classic and modern. Challenge your travel group to a round of SkeeBall or air hockey! After you’re finished playing, redeem your tickets for a prize. If it’s a nice day, take the glass elevator up to the second floor to enjoy the main attraction. This is an observation deck that has an educational experience. There are viewfinders available to help visitors get a closer look at the scenery. Admire the stunning mountain views while learning a bit more about the area. Bring your camera while you do so to get some memorable photos of loved ones with the Smokies in the background!
Now you know of some awesome indoor attractions in Gatlinburg. Need more activity recommendations? Explore our other list of unique things to do in Gatlinburg!
