Ripley's Aquarium
The Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg will entertain young and old. It features sea creatures of every kind, from enormous spider crabs to mesmerizing jellyfish. The aquarium is also home to the shark tunnel where visitors stand on a moving floor that transports them through a clear tunnel as sharks and other creatures swim over their heads. At Touch a Ray Bay, children and adults alike get the chance to pet a live stingray as it swims by. The aquarium is filled with informational displays, and divers are routinely seen feeding sharks and fish.
Ripley's Aquarium
88 River Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3261
(865) 430-8808
ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com
Bicycling
If you love the outdoors and nature, you can take in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains while getting some exercise too. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers roads that are open to bicyclists as they take a trip deep into the mountains. Cade's Cove Loop is an especially well-maintained road that is closed to cars on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 10:00 a.m., from May to the next-to-last Saturday in September, according to the National Park Service. This road is a good pick for families who want to take a leisurely ride in the early morning.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4102
(865) 436-1200
national-park.com
Golf
The Gatlinburg Golf course has everything you need to play an exciting game of golf. The course is open throughout the year, and includes a shop for equipment and an area to purchase food. It stretches across a beautiful landscape and provides fun for players of all skill levels. Teach your children to play golf or test your skills against some of your best golf buddies. The course is kept in excellent condition to help you play your best game yet.
Gatlinburg Golf Course
520 Dollywood Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-3912
golf.gatlinburg-tn.com
Hard Rock Cafe
When you need a break from the great outdoors, check out Gatlinburg's Hard Rock Cafe. The food is delicious and the music encompasses rock 'n roll from past to present. For a restaurant that both you and your teenagers will enjoy, the Hard Rock Cafe is it. Everyone can enjoy the music and talk about their favorite bands. Pick up a T-shirt or a pin to remember the trip by at the souvenir shop on your way out.
Hard Rock Cafe
515 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3201
(865) 430-7625
hardrock.com
