Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Each time I step inside this place I’m struck by the dramatic contrast between its oasis of calm and the hubbub outside in downtown Gatlinburg. You may not expect to get a close look at the watery depths of planet earth while in the mountains, but this place has been voted Best U.S. Aquarium by USA Today readers. It’s fun to wander around and see what curiosities swim in the tanks around the next bend, but to get answers to all sorts of questions that pop into your head along the way book a “Behind the Scenes Tour;” you’ll learn how the aquarium is run, what goes into keeping its animals healthy, pass through staff-only doors to get a peek at marine science in action, and other surprises. The two-level aquarium is home to a wide range of aquatic life, showcased in multiple environments including a coral reef and tropical rainforest. One highlight is a 340-foot-long tunnel surrounded by water and aquatic life that you can glide through on a moving sidewalk—sharks and sawfish swam right over my head! A touch tank offers the chance to feel horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and stingrays. It’s also fun to watch the popular penguins waddle, swim, and sometimes engage with one another in ways that prove they aren’t shy. You can even meet locals like salamanders—DYK the Great Smoky Mountains are considered the salamander capital of the world?! You can also catch an hourly dive and feeding show, ride in a glass-bottom boat looking down at sharks, and book special events like birthday parties, proposal packages, autism family day, sensory night, and more. The aquarium is open every day of the year, though mermaids only make appearances in June and July.

Gatlinburg SkyPark This is what you get when you combine leisure with an adrenaline rush, a whole lot of fun with a retro vibe. Gatlinburg’s original attraction, the colorful SkyLift, has been a staple since 1954—it opened as the South’s first lift! Depending on the wind levels and your own comfort with heights, the ride can feel relaxing or daring. I’ve enjoyed riding up and down in both sun and snow to reach the summit of Crockett Mountain and its amazing views.

New additions to the expanding SkyPark offer more to do at the top. Dare to cross the record-setting SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. Try to make it farther than me: Two attempts, years apart, I can’t bring myself to reach the middle. Completed in 2019, the SkyBridge is 1,800-feet above sea level/500 feet above Gatlinburg and stretches 700 feet across a valley where you can sometimes spot black bears lumbering around. At the bridge’s half-way point there’s a 30-foot, 1.25-inch-thick span of glass; I’ve been told and have seen photos of it. SkyTrail is an elevated boardwalk that’s just over one-third of a mile long and open for humans and dogs. Cross either one of two rope bridges to climb the 70-foot steel tower with information about area flora and fauna on each level in addition to its amazing views. I’ve crossed both of those bridges, they’re far less intimidating. It’s great to sink into a uniquely comfortable rocking chair on the SkyDeck to gaze at spectacular views of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Grab a snack or drink in the SkyCenter. There’s much to experience now with more to come.

Anakeesta There’s more than one way to reach a mountaintop, and this award-winning adventure park offers three. The world’s only fixed-grip Chondola, a scenic chairlift, offers two ride options: an open-air four-person chair or an enclosed six-person gondola cabin that’s stroller- and wheelchair-accessible to ensure everyone is welcome. After a brief wait, I rode up in a cabin with five friendly strangers and down on a chair solo, both enjoyable 12-minute rides traversing 600 feet. There’s also a wheels-on-the-ground ride in a Ridge Rambler vehicle, a 45-passenger truck that takes you on a guided tour through the forest along the way. At the summit of Anakeesta Mountain there’s much to see and do: the adorable treehouse-themed Firefly Village with shopping and dining; AnaVista Tower, the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg with 360-degree views of the Smokies (though I found that rain can obscure the view); an 880-foot-long canopy walk of 14 connected bridges up to 60 feet above the ground; a dueling 2,400-foot zipline course; a single-rail mountain coaster with thrilling twists and turns through the trees at speeds up to 25 miles per hour; the lush botanical Vista Gardens with over 3,000 plants, flowers, and sculptures; a scenic overlook with views of Mount LeConte and downtown Gatlinburg; an illuminated night walk; an interactive play area for little ones; and more surprises.

Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area Try as he might, my husband has never been able to convince me to ski. But there’s so much to do at Ober Mountain that I could easily amuse myself while he swished and swooshed on a snowy run. To reach this park, I rode one of America’s largest aerial tramways 2.1 miles up from downtown Gatlinburg to the top of Mount Harrison. Two counter-balanced, enclosed cars that are large enough to accommodate up to 120 people offer the smoothest possible transport during the 1,472-foot rise in elevation. It’s 2,813-feet above sea level—definitely above the trees and, in some weather conditions, even above the clouds. Want to go higher? Ascend another 779 feet on Ober’s scenic chairlift, which at 3,019 feet is the longest chairlift of its kind in the U.S. and climbs higher than any other chairlift in Tennessee. The lift is open all year (weather permitting). Ober opened in 1962 as Tennessee’s only ski area and has grown to offer a wide variety of entertainment in all seasons. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and the Snow Zone play area are winter thrills, but all year you can enjoy the indoor ice rink for ice skating and ice bumper cars—a fun way to cool off in summer. The Wildlife Encounter, home to over 15 species of rescued non-releasable wildlife, is where to see river otters, bobcats, red foxes, and bears, among others. You’ll also find shopping and dining options as well as seasonal entertainment.