10 Best Things To Do Indoors In Gatlinburg, Tennessee

1. Get ready for some spooky time at Mysterious Mansion

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Mysterious Mansion is Gatlinburg’s premier year-round attraction for those interested in a fright-fest. This three-level haunted house is situated in an early 20th-century Victorian-inspired mansion with a distinctively creepy vibe. This venue is decorated with a variety of authentic antiques to enhance the spooky, bygone-era feel. See if you have the nerve to brave bone-chilling chambers, foreboding darkened halls, and hidden passageways.

This is an unguided tour with a duration of 15 to 20 minutes. Those with health issues, such as epilepsy, should note that this venue uses strobe lights.

Mysterious Mansion

Address: 424 River Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Mysterious Mansion

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, & Thu: 3pm - 11pm; Tue: 3pm - 8pm; Fri - Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Price: From 15 USD (free entry for ages 6 and under)

2. Marvel at exotic marine life at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The collection of sea life here is vast. From barracudas to sea turtles, this place is sure to make ardent fans of marine creatures feel like they are in heaven. The standout feature is the incredible 340-foot-long (103.63-meter) shark tunnel. If you can’t get enough sharks, the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure into Shark Lagoon is another exciting activity - although there is an extra charge.

You can also enjoy close contact with penguins, for an additional fee, when you avail of activities such as Penguin Encounter and Penguin Painting Experience.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Address: 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 9pm; Fri - Sun: 9am - 10pm

Price: From 10 USD

3. View iconic vehicles at Hollywood Star Cars Museum

One of the best indoor attractions in Gatlinburg is Hollywood Star Cars Museum. The collection is huge, so you’re certain to find a vehicle from your favorite TV program or blockbuster movie. The genuine Batmobile from the 1960s TV show is a popular display. For a blast from the past, check out the Delorean time-traveling car from Back to the Future. If you’re a fan of the Fast and Furious film franchise, this museum has the snazzy Mitsubishi Eclipse from the first film in the series.

There’s even a 2006 Harley Davidson VRSCR, owned and operated by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson!

Hollywood Star Cars Museum

Address: 914 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Hollywood Star Cars Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)

Price: From 10 USD (free entry for ages 5 and under)

4. Have a gaming overload at Gatlin’s

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gatlin's (@gatlinsfuncenter)

You’ll be a rock star to your kids if you opt for Gatlin’s on a rainy day. This one-stop indoor fun center is packed with amazing diversions that’ll entertain the young and the young at heart for hours. Everything from fast-action laser tag to thrilling escape rooms can be enjoyed here. Don’t forget to challenge friends at the laser maze obstacle course.

There’s an 18-hole miniature golf course outdoors. But don’t despair if the weather is bad, as there’s also an indoor miniature golf course with nine holes and mesmerizing black light.

Gatlin’s

Address: 716 Parkway # 219, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Gatlin’s

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)

Price: From 22 USD

5. Indulge in some family-bonding at Fannie Farkle's Fun Parlor

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

In business for around 40 years, Fannie Farkle’s Fun Parlor is a mainstay in Gatlinburg’s entertainment landscape. This popular tourist hub oozes a vintage carnival vibe. The list of games here ranges from old-school arcade games such as Pac-Man to newer challenges such as Robot Storm.

Guests can replenish between gaming by noshing on Fannie Farkle’s tasty menu items: the signature Ogle Dog, a delicious foot-long corn dog. Other scrumptious comfort foods include hot, gooey cheesesteaks and the establishment’s famed sausage subs.

Fannie Farkle's Fun Parlor

Address: 656 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Fannie Farkle’s Fun Parlor

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm; Sat: 9am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm

6. Make a splash at Wild Bear Falls Waterpark

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Wild Bear Falls Waterpark is the ultimate choice on a hot or even a cold day. This indoor waterpark features a handy retractable roof, so you can enjoy this attraction year-round. It also features heated water for your comfort in cold weather. The establishment boasts a large, slippery waterslide and a 900-foot (274.32-meter) leisurely lazy river. Kids will love the treehouse structure offering delightful interactive water features.

This venue is located within Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and even if you’re a guest here, you need to purchase an entry ticket to the waterpark.

Wild Bear Falls Waterpark

Address: 915 Westgate Resorts Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Wild Bear Falls Waterpark

Opening hours: 11am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 24.95 USD for a one-day admission (free entry for kids 3 and under)

7. Go full-force at 7D Dark Ride Adventure

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

7D Dark Ride Adventure provides an adrenaline rush like no other. This is a fabulous interactive game theater replete with snazzy, top-notch computer-controlled special effects. This is a completely immersive adventure: your theater seat moves with the electrifying on-screen action! Equipped with the appropriate glasses and a weapon for fighting zombies, your mission here is to destroy the walking dead.

Indulge in this stellar shooting game boasting technically superior equipment to deliver a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.

7D Dark Ride Adventure

Address: 903 Parkway Suite #105 Gatlinburg, TN 37863

Website: 7D Dark Ride Adventure

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sun: 11am - 9pm

Price: From 12 USD

8. Get lost in wacky fun at Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

You certainly won’t forget your visit to Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze. Even a master of directions may have trouble navigating this sparkling labyrinth of zig-zagging hallways, infinity mirrors, and bright LED lights. Touted as the biggest mirror maze in the city, this attraction showcases a top-of-the-line light and music show to enhance the fun and baffling puzzle experience.

Guests should not worry about getting hopelessly lost here because qualified search parties are sent every half hour to retrieve confused maze tacklers.

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze

Address: 623 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 11pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 12 am

Price: From 10 USD

9. Discover nifty collectibles at Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum

If you love niche museums, then you can’t go wrong at Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum. This whimsical establishment boasts more than 20,000 pairs of diverse and quirky salt and pepper shakers from all over the globe. There’s also a large pepper mill collection of around 1,500. The shakers are in glass cases and arranged thematically. The collection covers every decade and even showcases some items from as far back as the early 16th century!

The salt and pepper shakers’ shapes are varied, ranging from famous figures from history to bizarre aliens.

Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum

Address: 461 Brookside Village Way Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 10am - 2pm

Price: From 3 USD (free entry for ages 12 and under)

10. Try for a hole-in-one at Treasure Quest Miniature Golf

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

You can experience mini golf in a new and exciting way at Treasure Quest Miniature Golf. Located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, this indoor 18-hole mini golf course blends an array of entertaining and unique elements in a fun time-worn jungle temple setting. During putts, you’ll encounter amazing sights of fierce dinosaurs, spirited pirates, a mysterious mummy’s tomb, and more.

To add to the thrills, the establishment has enhanced five of the golf holes by adding stunning black light.

Treasure Quest Miniature Golf

Address: 653 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Website: Treasure Quest Miniature Golf

Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 10am - 9:30pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 9:30pm; Fri: 10am - 10pm; Sat: 9am - 11pm

Gatlinburg's superb indoor venues

If you need an all-around fun holiday with indoor choices in Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a wonderful destination to consider. Opt for a few of the above activities and you’ll be certain to have a memorable time in Tennessee!