What Activities Would You Recommend in Gatlinburg?

EVERYTHING! The 'strip' in Gatlinburg is full of stuff to do, it's like the boardwalk... in the mountains. Let me know if you're still looking at places to stay, I know of an AMAZING cabin in the mountains, which overlooks Dollyworld (sort of... there are trees that hide it so you're not looking at the actually park, but in the morning you can see the smoke from the steam engine! Super pretty)... It's close to everything, but has the BEST view. Actually wait, I just found their site, it's www.thistlebritches.com :)

Dollywood is just a few minutes away in Pigeon Forge. It's a great amusement park, but with extra features. When we were there several years ago, they had blacksmiths and other craftsmen that would demonstrate their crafts. It was fascinating.

Along with Dollywood and the aquarium I would also reccommend taking a drive into the Smoky Mountains and look out for wildlife , we did this and saw a family of black bears.

dollywood and the smokeys are both great spots. i did a family vacation summer of 08 and we really enjoyed it. There is a great breakfast spot in gaitlinburg as well. pancakes something. great food and almost always has a line outside, but absolutely worth it

we LOVE that area. Dollywood is a must. And yes, if you go after (I think it is) 4:00 pm... you have 2 hours to do the park, but you get free return admission the next day. We have done this before. You do have to pay to park both times, though.

Find time to at least hike one trail. There is a loop you can drive also, that has a few pull-off spots with old rustic buildings/homes, etc. (I'm not talking about Cades' Cove, although I have heard that is a great place to see also). Stop on the parkway between Gatlingburg and Pigeon Forge at the Ranger station and they can give you a map and show you what trails are suitable (for your ages, physical ability, and weather conditions). There are several go-kart tracks/goofy golf type places... and they are neat, but nothing special you can't do other places. We always have fun, though.
Last summer we took the kids into the WonderWorks (?) place... the building looks upside down from the front... it was really pretty neat. It is loud inside, but the kids had a BLAST and there is neat stuff to learn/do (rock wall climbing, experiencing freezing waters like the Titanic (stick your arm in this thing they have), experiencing hurricane winds, simulated earthquake, learning how pulleys work by hoisting yourself up on different set ups; virtual games; using robotic arms to stack blocks... it had a little something for everyone... even artwork upstairs that will blow your mind (one looks like it moves and you can "see" down different streets as you walk past it)...
We were there for about 2 hours before my husband couldn't take the volume any more, but the kids were still having a blast..

Uber Gatlinburg has some cool "sled/toboggan" things you can do... and you can ice-skate also.

We never go without spending one day doing "nature" activities... take a picnic lunch (Larry's subs, lol) and eat at a park then hike to a waterfall somewhere. There is also horse riding available, if you are into that... I am always disappointed b/c it is not the same as riding your own, but....
Have fun.. and be sure to "walk the strip"... Ogle Dogs have THE BEST corndogs anywhere!!!

Dollywood is a blast! If you buy your tickets the day before (I think like an hour before closing) you can go in that day and 'preview' the park, then you go back the next day and have the entire time to enjoy it and already have a plan :)

there is always the ripleys believe it or not museum that place was awesome there is soo much history there too u can go to a whole bunch of event with that too