What To Do In Gatlinburg On A Rainy Day: As a vacation spot, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, offers a wide range of activities for both tourists and locals. While the city is famous for its beautiful trails and the stunning Smoky Mountains, it also has restaurants that serve real local food.
In Gatlinburg, outdoor activities are often mentioned as things to do, but the fun doesn’t end when the sky opens up. Indoor activities are plentiful in the Gatlinburg area on rainy days. It is guaranteed that rain will not dampen the spirits of tourists looking for fun and adventure, whether they are in search of unique museums, art communities, or stunning views.
Top Things To Do In Gatlinburg on a Rainy Day
If you’re looking for kid-friendly indoor activities in Gatlinburg on a rainy day or want to explore your inner child, Ripley’s will leave an impression.
Although Gatlinburg has many Ripley’s attractions, the Odditorium is the most well-known. With 16 thematic galleries showcasing the strangest things ever seen by humans, you can easily lose yourself in the exhibits for an afternoon, remembering the weather outside.
Hands-on activities at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies make the experience more real. In places like Shark Lagoon and Touch a Ray Bay, the aquarium’s two-story layout lets visitors interact with harmless sea creatures. A variety of informative and fun museums, live performances, and events are available, ranging from glass-bottom boat tours to seeing penguins.
When you’re looking for a smaller indoor activity, Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater is a great choice. After a short but enjoyable break from the weather, you can enjoy an immersive movie theater experience with moving seats and special effects.
Gatlinburg’s Pancake Pantry is a great place to spend a rainy day adventurously eating. The pancake house has been a popular spot since 1960, serving 24 different kinds of hotcakes with fresh ingredients like real butter, maple syrup, whipped cream, and more. The store is open every day at 7:30 a.m. It is open until 3 p.m. and serves breakfast and lunch.
Visitors to the Smoky Mountains must try moonshine, and Ole Smoky Distillery is a great place to spend a rainy morning or afternoon. Visitors can get free tours of the distillery seven days a week. On these tours, the history of moonshine in the Smoky Mountains is told. In the gift shop, you can buy souvenirs.
Best Tours In Gatlinburg for a Rainy Day
You can get to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by renting a car.
Another popular place to visit near Gatlinburg is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is only a short drive away.
Unfortunate weather, especially rain, can ruin a park trip for many people. You could also go on a self-guided driving tour and drive through the area while enjoying the beautiful views from your car. The $5 tour starts in Gatlinburg and is led by the Action Tour Guide app. People driving cars through the park can enjoy an interesting story about its history as they go along a well-designed path.
In addition to narration, the app goes above and beyond by adding animated videos to help you understand the park’s long history. Whatever the weather is like, this self-guided trip is fun and educational.
Iris Theater’s “Impossibilities” magic show
Within Gatlinburg, tours and events inside are appealing when the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor activities. As one of the most popular ticketed events in town, the Impossibilities magic show is a fun way to spend a rainy night.
The Iris Theater in the Gatlinburg Space Needle lobby will have magicians Chris Collins and Erik Dobell performing. All ages can enjoy the show, which is a thrilling mix of magic, mind-reading, and mayhem that includes exciting audience participation.
Best Things To Do In Gatlinburg When It Rains
Stay positive even though it’s raining in Gatlinburg! This complete travel guide tells you what to do in Gatlinburg if bad weather happens and you have to cancel your plans.
Being sick doesn’t have to ruin your Gatlinburg vacation. Indoor activities abound, so even rainy days will be fun. Whatever the weather is like, you can always pick how to spend your time! Whatever you do if you get to Gatlinburg during a heavy rainstorm.
Make sure you stay calm above all else! Additionally, Gatlinburg is a great place to visit, even when the weather is bad. Indoor activities abound to keep you busy, and rain makes the Smoky Mountains look even more beautiful.
What to Do in Gatlinburg When It Rains
You can spend the day admiring the thousands of fish, sharks, turtles, and other aquatic animals at the indoor Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Explore Stingray Bay, the coral reef, the tropical rainforest, and the tube that goes through Shark Lagoon underwater. Join the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure to see sea life from a different angle.
Explore strange animals at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Through its three floors of amazing exhibits, Odditorium offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Explore amazing collections and antiques, like the amazing Matchstick Hogwarts. These amazing things are on display at this family-friendly attraction.
New and old arcade games are both available at Fannie Farkle’s, and the game card system makes sure that you always keep your points. Do things like eat and play. Grab a snack like the popular Ogle Dog, sausage subs, or cheesesteaks. There’s something for everyone to do at the arcade.
If it’s raining, go to The Escape Room and solve a game to start an exciting adventure. A variety of games are available, ranging in difficulty from easy to hard. These include art museum heists and gold rush inheritance quests. There are multiple chambers and an infinite number of hints in every 60-minute game.
The Hollywood Star Automobiles Museum has real cars from movies and TV shows like Batman, Back to the Future, and Ghostbusters. Explore the largest collection of Fast and Furious cars, which includes cars driven by Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Elvis Presley.
Exploring Gatlinburg During a Rainy Day: Ideas and Activities
The popular vacation spot Gatlinburg is set deep in the Great Smoky Mountains and is famous for its stunning natural beauty and exciting outdoor activities. Unfortunately, bad weather does happen sometimes, but don’t worry! Anytime it rains, Gatlinburg has lots of fun indoor things to do to keep you busy.
Visitors like to go to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. There is an interesting underwater world in this amazing aquarium, even when it’s raining. Witness the ever-changing world of aquatic life by viewing shows with sharks, sea turtles, and odd fish from around the world. On the moving path, you can explore an underwater tunnel or get up close and personal with friendly penguins for an unforgettable experience.
For art fans, the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is a creative paradise. This 8-mile loop with the studios of more than 100 artists and makers is a great place to explore when it’s raining. Discover traditional Appalachian crafts like painting, carving wood, and making jewelry while looking through a wide range of one-of-a-kind handmade items. Undoubtedly, you will discover a one-of-a-kind souvenir from your Gatlinburg vacation.
Additionally, Gatlinburg has great museums. There are hundreds of shakers from all over the world in the somewhat strange Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. The variety and creativity of these little works are amazing, and there are almost 20,000 of them on show.
An interesting museum that you should check out is the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, which has an amazing collection of cars from movies and TV shows. On this exciting trip, you’ll see famous cars like the General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” the Batmobile, and the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.”
Does Gatlinburg get a lot of rain?
Gatlinburg gets about 55 or so inches of annual precipitation, but just a few miles away, up on the higher slopes and tops to the south, the Great Smokies mark one of the wettest places in the East: The peaks and ridges see 80 to 90 or more inches of annual precipitation each year.
It usually rains 55 inches in the lower areas of the Smoky Mountains and up to 85 inches above Clingman Dome, so you’ll probably go to Gatlinburg when it’s raining. Please take advantage of the sunny and wet days by checking out our list of fun things to do!
Family Indoor Activities:
A family vacation in Gatlinburg won’t be ruined by bad weather because there are so many fun things to do there. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to learn about marine life and to connect with it. Another option is to go to Fannie Farkle’s casino and eat some tasty treats.
Museum Exploration:
The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee have some fun and interesting sites. Explore the one-of-a-kind Shaker Museum, which has over 20,000 sets. An impressive collection of famous movie cars can be found at the Hollywood Star Automobiles Museum. These sites offer fun and educational activities.
Relax with a sip and look around town.
For a rainy day, a trip with lots of wind is perfect. Gather an umbrella and embark on a Gatlinburg tasting trip. Explore Tennessee Homemade Wines’ wines that cost $5 or less, Ole Smoky’s moonshine tastes, and Tennessee Cider Company’s unique hard ciders.
Explore the National Park of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of America’s most popular national park, even if it’s raining. The 11-mile circle road at Cades Cove is a beautiful way to drive that gives you views of the valley, wildlife, and historic buildings. The famous “A Place of a Thousand Drips” on Roaring Fork is another beautiful trail. It is especially lovely when it rains.
Gatlinburg has lots of fun things to do, so the weather report should be good for your trip. Enjoy your time with these suggested indoor and outdoor activities, rain or shine. It’s easy to relax and get ready for your trip at our Gatlinburg hotel, which has nicely decorated rooms. Explore our list of places to stay and start making plans for your wonderful holiday!
Does it rain a lot in Gatlinburg TN?
Rainfall averages 55 inches (140 centimeters) per year in the lowlands to 85 inches (216 centimeters) per year at Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. Some pre-trip planning and weather-wise clothing will help ensure an enjoyable visit during any season.
Even when it’s raining or snowing, Gatlinburg has fun things to do all year long. An outline of what’s happening this year:
Time for spring
As spring comes, Gatlinburg has about ten rainy days every month. Indoor fans, on the other hand, can find fun things to do, like going to museums like the Alcatraz East Crime Museum and the fascinating Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
The summertime
The mid-80s are the normal summer temps, and lows are in the 60s from June to August. There are about 11 to 12 rainy days a month on average, and they usually come in the form of cool afternoon showers. Frequent visitors can still enjoy popular places like the busy Dollywood amusement park and the Gatlinburg SkyLift.
Fall:
Fall has beautiful leaves and pleasant weather. With 80-degree weather in September, it feels like summer. By November, it was probably below freezing, with temperatures dropping into the 60s. Famous shopping strips can be explored, which makes popular fall activities similar to those in the spring.
During the winter:
Gatlinburg has beautiful winters from December to February when the temperature is between 20 and 50 degrees. Winter activities include going on beautiful winter hikes and enjoying the holiday spirit of Winterfest lights. Even though it’s not guaranteed, snow gives things a magical touch when it falls.
What time of year is best in Gatlinburg?
Fall. September through October could enjoy the highest consensus as the best time to visit Gatlinburg. There are many reasons why this is so, but many would argue that the biggest factor is the most beautiful fall colors that you will see anywhere in the world.
You should definitely go to Gatlinburg in September or October if you have a reason to. Most impressive is the fall scenery, which has some of the most beautiful colors in the world. Bright fall colors cover the valleys, hills, and mountains.
Outdoor lovers love this time of year because of the beautiful scenery and mild daytime temperatures in the 80s. A calm and peaceful environment replaces the excitement of late summer crowds.
September through October is the finest time to visit, with unparalleled peace, ideal weather, and the most spectacular show of nature’s fall color scheme. This historical time represents Gatlinburg’s spirit at its most peaceful and scenic.
Is Gatlinburg busy on weekdays?
Gatlinburg is less crowded during the week. Generally, weekdays are less busy in Gatlinburg compared to weekends when more people come to town.
Choose a weekday trip to Gatlinburg over a weekend visit for a more relaxing and serene escape, as weekdays are usually less crowded. Exploring popular places like Cades Cove or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the open air becomes more quiet since there are fewer people, which means shorter lines and better parking.
Knowing the busiest weeks is important if you want to avoid traffic in Gatlinburg. The busiest time of year is the first week of October, which also happens to be the week of the Fall Foliage Festival, which draws visitors eager to see the stunning fall foliage.
If you want to avoid traffic, try scheduling your trip for off-peak seasons like January or February. During these months, fewer people visit the area, making it easy to go around without being stuck in traffic. Congestion can also be avoided by exploring other routes rather than depending entirely on main highways such as Parkway or US 441.
Is Gatlinburg open all year?
Though Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains are truly a year-round destination, the off-season in Gatlinburg is during January, February, and March. However, these months still see lots of visitors, this “off-season” is simply less busy than other times of the year.
Although the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg are appealing all year, January, February, and March are traditionally called Gatlinburg’s off-season. While many people come during these months, the term “off-season” implies that activity is lower than it is during peak times.
After the winter holiday season, the Smoky Mountains experience cold, sometimes snowy weather. While many individuals prefer to travel in the summer and fall, others travel particularly to enjoy the beauty of winter scenery or the bright spring wildflowers.
It is crucial to remember that peak times occur even in the off-season, such as Valentine’s Day and weekends that coincide with students’ spring break mountain expeditions. As a result, Gatlinburg is continually crowded with tourists, and the number of visitors rarely declines during the year.
Gatlinburg’s lively indoor activities may brighten up even the darkest of days. The city ensures that inclement weather does not deter tourists and locals from having a wonderful time, whether it’s visiting unusual museums like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies or finding the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community.
The interior landscape is distinguished by unique sites that serve a wide range of interests, such as the Hollywood Star Cars Museum and the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. Beyond its outdoor appeal, Gatlinburg’s allure reveals a strong cultural and creative side that shines even when the skies clear. On rainy days, Gatlinburg provides a fascinating escape, whether you want to explore the world of famous cars, watch aquatic life, or shop for handcrafted items.
