Top 10 Fun Attractions Right on the Parkway in the Smoky Mountains

When you're on vacation, your goal is to relax. If you spend most of your time in the car driving from attraction to attraction, especially around windy mountain roads, relaxation is hard. When you visit the Smokies, you can limit your driving by visiting attractions along US-441, better known as the Smoky Mountain Parkway.

This road, which passes through Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge, is loaded with fantastic things to do that will make your trip memorable.

Gatlinburg Parkway Attractions

1. Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park

A scenic observation tower surrounded by lush gardens and trees, set against a backdrop of rolling Smoky Mountain peaks under a partly cloudy sky.

Photo Credit: @anakeesta

576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Anakeesta is a 70-acre park above Gatlinburg that's rated as one of the town's best attractions. With breathtaking views, a canopy walk, some shopping options, a mountain coaster, and zip lines, Anakeesta has something for everyone. To get to the mountain park, you'll take a ski lift at the bottom of the hill that transports you up to the village.

Don't forget to hike to the top of AnaVista Tower, the tallest viewpoint in Gatlinburg. Here you'll have 360-degree city views below.

2. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Exterior of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies with a large glass-front entrance, colorful signage reading “Best U.S. Aquarium,” and flags flying above the building surrounded by greenery.

Photo Credit: @gatlinburgtnguide

88 River Rd., Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Just off the parkway on the Gatlinburg strip, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies boasts thousands of marine and land creatures. You'll be nose to nose with sharks, seahorses, penguins, and more. Seasonal attractions and events include live mermaids and sensory-friendly visits. Because the aquarium houses living sea animals, every visit is a fresh and interactive experience.

This attraction provides several hands-on experiences, where you get not only to see but also to touch aquatic animals. The aquarium is just off of the parkway on the Gatlinburg strip.

3. Ole Smoky Distillery

Photo Credit: @thekrystalpalace_

903 Parkway #128, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Ole Smoky Distillery has two shops located on the Gatlinburg Parkway. Barrelhouse brews and sells the distillery's whiskey, but The Holler is the firm's flagship store.

Both let you watch moonshine and whiskey distilling processes, and The Holler is also a trip through Gatlinburg's history. Here, you are able to taste the local brew, learn about how they made it, and purchase souvenirs.

4. Moonshine Mountain Coaster

A person in overalls waves an American flag while standing on a mountain coaster track, decorated with large U.S. flags and patriotic bunting, surrounded by dense green forest.

Photo Credit: @moonshinemountaincoaster

306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

With double and single coaster cars, Moonshine Mountain Coaster lets most of the family experience the mountains while getting their adrenaline going. You will ride a lift to the top of the coaster and let gravity pull you down through turns and curves.

If you do not enjoy traveling at high speeds, your car has brakes you can use to control your speed. Although there are numerous mountain coasters in the area, this is an award-winning coaster with multiple accolades for thrill factor and overall quality.

Pigeon Forge Parkway Attractions

5. MagiQuest

A whimsical castle-themed building with red turrets and stone-like walls houses MagiQuest, with colorful banners, large wooden doors, and a parking lot filled with cars in front.

Photo Credit: @ceoxdrone

2491 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

MagiQuest is four activities packaged into one delightful castle. The star of the show is the interactive MagiQuest game, which transports your party through a castle to interact with fantasy creatures while completing a quest.

With your very own magic wand, you'll make choices along the way to finish your own quest. After the game, there's a pirate-themed mini golf, mirror maze, and arcade you can play.

6. Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show

Performers in red and white costumes ride horses in an arena, one carrying a red flag, as part of a lively equestrian show with a western theme.

Photo Credit: @dollysstampede

3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Have a fantastic dinner while watching a Wild West show at Dolly Parton's Stampede. This world-famous dining venue is filled with horses and trick riding. You will eat a four-course meal while you are entertained by the performance. Special effects, aerial performances, and music productions add to the enjoyment of the show.

You can also do the Horse Walk if you arrive ahead of time, walking through the stables to see the 32 horses that participate in the show.

7. Goats on the Roof

A black and white goat with large curved horns drinks from a cup of feed held by a person inside a petting zoo enclosure.

Photo Credit: @theduofinds

1341 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Goats on the Roof is a Smoky Mountain legend. This roadside attraction has live goats roaming across the roof of a souvenir shop. But it's more than a place to shop.

You can feed the goats, take home locally-made baked goods and fudge, ride a mountain coaster, and pan for gems all at the same location. You'll get a kick out of the kitschiness of this stop, and feeding goats is always a fun activity.

Attractions on the Sevierville Parkway

8. Impossibilities Theater

A magician performs on stage at the Iris Theater during the “Impossibilities” magic, mind-reading, and mayhem show, surrounded by props with stage lights and curtains in the background.

Photo Credit: @brentystad

1548 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862

Sit back while your mind is blown at the Impossibilities Show, located on the Sevierville branch of the Parkway. This small theater gives you an up-close-and-personal experience while you watch the performers read minds and perform mind-bending illusions.

Hosted by Master Mentalist Erik Dobell, Impossibilities is one of the region's top performances. Even if magic isn’t your thing, you’ll appreciate the comedic timing of the performer. Because of the small size of the theater, reservations are highly recommended for this attraction.

9. XPERIA: Ocean Journey

A child points excitedly at a swimming sea lion inside an aquarium tank filled with tall strands of green kelp.

Photo Credit: @xperiasmokymountains

1645 Parkway Suite 780, Sevierville, TN 37862

Located within the Tanger Outlets Mall, XPERIA is an experience like no other. With CGI animation and educational storytelling, XPERIA transports you under the sea in a safe, yet very realistic way.

You will learn about sea creatures and be entertained at the same time. This experience not only teaches you about life beneath the ocean, but you get to view unique technology you cannot find anywhere else.

10. Tanger Outlet Mall

A colorful outdoor shopping village with pastel buildings, palm trees, Adirondack chairs, and people walking along a sunny pathway under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Photo Credit: @tangeroutlets

1645 Parkway #960, Sevierville, TN 37862

If you're looking to do some shopping, go check out the Tanger Outlets. You'll find local tourist shops, name-brand outlet shops, and lots of places to eat. Brands range from Crocs to Kate Spade, Coach, and Columbia, just to name a few.

There are more than 100 shops here, so you'll find something for all tastes. Many items are up to 70% off the original price. This is one of the largest outlet centers in the state, so it's definitely worth a visit.

As you plan your trip to these things to do in the Smokies, don’t forget to pick the right place to stay. Our partners at Mountain Laurel Chalets Vacation Rentals can not only provide travel tips but also accommodation options to make your stay as comfortable as possible.