For many of us, Halloween is one of the best days of the year. No matter how old you are, dressing up in a costume, eating candy, and getting a little bit scared is so much fun. If you’re visiting Gatlinburg this Halloween, you’re in for a treat… or should we say, a trick or treat?
Gatlinburg has something for everyone this spooky season. Read on to learn about the many events and activities that await this Halloween!
Gatlinburg’s Best Halloween Activities for All Ages
Families with kids, and adults who prefer an autumnal Halloween celebration, are spoiled for choice with the different festivals and activities around Gatlinburg this fall.
One of the best Halloween traditions is taking the time to carve a pumpkin. Visit Dollywood before October 30th and see the Great Pumpkin LumiNights, featuring thousands of jack o lanterns and pumpkin-themed spectacles throughout the park. Start your day off at the Harvest Festival, take the Dollywood Express through the Great Smoky Mountains, and enjoy the glow of pumpkins as the night falls. Don’t forget to enjoy some fall treats, like the Spiced Apple Cider and the Pumpkin Spice Churro.
Anakeesta is another local attraction that celebrates all the best things about Tennessee. You won’t want to miss the annual Autumn at Anakeesta event, which runs until November 1st. Take a zip line through the stunning autumn colors and explore the Vista Gardens, filled with fall decor for the season.
Those with children can take trick or treating to new heights at the Gatlinburg Skylift’s new Autumn Adventures event, taking place until Halloween. On Friday and Saturday nights, the kids can enjoy ghost stories, spooky photo ops, and fantastic light displays. The best part – any child who comes in costume from the 29th to the 31st receives free admission and Halloween candy. Of course, this event is for all ages; don’t miss the breathtaking views of the Smokies from the SkyBridge.
Halloween in Gatlinburg for Adults
Adult Halloween enthusiasts won’t be at a loss for fun things to do throughout October. While we still recommend checking out Dollywood, Anakeesta, and the Skylift, you might be interested in continuing the frightening fun after the sun sets.
One absolute must when visiting Gatlinburg is a ghost tour. After all, with so much history and significance attached to the city, there has to be some ghosts around, right? Gatlinburg Haunts takes you to haunted locations throughout the center of town, from a haunted church to a ghostly graveyard. You’ll learn about the history of the city while uncovering some of the scariest secrets in the Smokies.
Enjoy a delicious meal with a side of haunting at the Greenbrier Restaurant, located in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Greenbrier is an old outpost that has been preserved and turned into a delicious Appalachian restaurant. Foodies will love their delicious cuisine, but watch out – it’s rumoured that the Greenbrier has a resident ghost.
After you’ve had enough scares for the evening, why not stop by the Gatlinburg Wine Trail? Our five wineries feature delicious and inventive wines. Indulge in a free tasting, or mull over what you learned on your ghost tour with a crisp glass of wine.
Gatlinburg’s Best Haunted House
For many of us, no Halloween is complete without visiting a haunted house or two. Get ready to get scared at one (or both) of the following options.
Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion is popular throughout the whole year, not just Halloween, for a reason. As “Gatlinburg’s original haunted house”, they’ve been scaring locals and visitors since they first opened their creaky doors in 1980. Every weekend in October, the Mysterious Mansion hosts special themed Halloween events; this year, you’ll be stepping into the “Orphanage of Tortured Souls”. This haunted house is not recommended for small children.
Another terrifying haunted attraction that you can’t miss is Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, located at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not in Gatlinburg. Take a tour of a haunted mansion but don’t expect to be left alone; you’re guaranteed to run into some hungry zombies. The Haunted Adventure is not recommended for children or for the faint of heart.
There are so many options for making the most of Halloween in Gatlinburg this year, from horrifying haunted houses to cozy autumnal events. What will you choose? Come tell us about your Halloween plans when you come to visit one of the five wineries on the Gatlinburg Wine Trail.
If you’re looking for something delicious on October 30th, join us for one night only in nearby Pigeon Forge for the Chocolate Wine Trail, a Chocolate and Wine Pairing Event. Enjoy three of Pigeon Forge’s most inventive wineries, with a refreshing glass of wine and delicious dessert at each. It’s the adult version of trick or treating; we can’t wait to see you there!