Discover Gatlinburg: Arts and Crafts, SkyPark, and Aquarium

Arts and crafts and local history, SkyPark and the aquarium, as well as a hiking trail and the trolleys, offer different points of interest. Topics range from handcrafted works and animal encounters to crossing a bridge and taking a scenic ride. Consider which aspects interest you; the following differences can help you decide.

Arts, Crafts, and History

Gatlinburg’s Arts and Crafts Community includes shops and galleries featuring pottery, paintings, quilts, wood carvings, musical instruments, and leatherwork. This selection ranges from pottery and woodwork to textiles, musical instruments, and leather crafts. If you’re interested in different forms of craftsmanship, these works offer a concrete starting point for exploring the local arts and crafts scene.

The Historic Arts & Crafts Trail is an 8-mile loop featuring shops, studios, galleries, and restaurants, as well as more than 100 artists and craftspeople. Along with the crafts, the trail itself is a named loop route. The community showcases the variety of works; the trail also highlights the route’s layout and its different types of stops.

The Ogle Cabin was built in 1807. As a single historical point of interest, it differs from the arts and crafts and the loop trail: its year of construction provides a specific point of reference for Gatlinburg’s history.

SkyPark: Bridge, Trail, and Chairlift

At Gatlinburg SkyPark, visitors can cross the SkyBridge and then hike along the SkyTrail. They can also ride a yellow chairlift to mountain overlooks. Crossing the bridge, hiking the trail, and riding the chairlift are different experiences offered at SkyPark.

Animal Encounters and Educational Programs

At Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, visitors can touch horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and stingrays. This is a specific interactive encounter with the animals listed. For a more in-depth experience, the aquarium also offers a variety of educational programs led by its staff. The opportunity to touch animals and the programs for learning about them are two different ways to engage. If you want to plan for a specific educational program, check the latest program information before your visit.

Plan for Trail Distance and Trolleys

Information about the Gatlinburg Trail, updated in August 2026, gives the round-trip distance as approximately 4 miles (6.4 km). The figure therefore describes the total distance for both directions, not the length of a single leg of the trail. This distinction helps you account for the stated distance accurately in your plans.

The Gatlinburg Trolleys run daily and serve visitors and residents on all 365 days of the year. There are no fares or fees to ride. Schedules may vary by route and during special events. So check the latest information for your planned trip in advance, as policies can also change. The fact that rides are free does not, by itself, tell you which schedule is right for you.

Discover more destinations: Pigeon Forge.

View the parent travel guide: Sevier.