Attractions worth the ticket
Dollywood, the mountaintop parks, the aquarium and the coasters — the paid side of the Smokies. Which ones earn their ticket price, and which are better as a quick stop.
Before you go
Tickets add up
A family of four can spend more on one attraction than on a night in the cabin. Pick two or three rather than trying everything.
Parking is extra
Downtown Gatlinburg and the Parkway attractions charge for parking, or use the free trolley and walk.
Weather-proof options
The aquarium, museums and indoor fun centers are the rainy-day plan — worth keeping one in reserve.
Our take
Worth it if
You're travelling with kids or want a change of pace from the trails — these are built for a fun half-day.
Skip them if
You came for the mountains and the quiet. The park itself is free and more memorable than most of these.
The 11 attractions
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01 Anakeesta Sway across Anakeesta's treetop bridges from$37on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
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02 Dollywood Ride the Dollywood Express steam train A full day; two days if you want the festivals, shows and rides without rushing Read the verdict →
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03 Downtown Gatlinburg Stroll the Parkway strip A couple of hours for a stroll, longer with a paid attraction or a meal Read the verdict →
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04 Foxfire Adventure Park Wobble over Foxfire's swinging bridge from$27on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
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05 Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Meet the potters on Glades Road Half a day to browse a handful of studios; a full day with a workshop Read the verdict →
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06 Mountain Coasters in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge Plunge down Rocky Top's rail from$17on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
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07 Ober Gatlinburg Glide up to Ober on the tram About an hour for the tram and the observation deck; half a day with a pass Read the verdict →
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08 Pigeon Forge Fun Centers Race go-karts on the Parkway from$16on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
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09 Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Touch a ray at Ripley's from$45on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
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10 SkyLift & SkyBridge Pass the glass on the SkyBridge from$42on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
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11 Titanic Museum Shovel coal in Titanic's boiler room from$45on GetYourGuide Read the verdict →
“From” prices are the lowest GetYourGuide offer on each page, in USD, checked Sep 2026.