Are you planning on being in town during January? You’re probably wondering about things to do in Gatlinburg and what you should try. There are so many fun experiences you can have, from skiing to trying delicious new food. Here are the top 5 things to do in Gatlinburg in January:
1. Winter Activities at Ober Mountain
A fun thing to do in Gatlinburg in January is to go skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing at Ober Mountain. People of all ages and skill levels can enjoy these winter activities. You are able to rent equipment for any of these activities, and then you can go down the slopes. Don’t worry if there isn’t snow; Ober makes their own snow with a huge snow machine! Kids and adults will have a blast going snow tubing, racing down the hill to see who wins. Ober has plenty of other fun activities too, like ice skating!
2. Enjoy Winterfest Lights
The Winterfest Lights aren’t only for Christmas! You can enjoy Winterfest all the way through January. There are several light displays all throughout Gatlinburg, from snowflakes to bears. Just hop in your car and drive around downtown Gatlinburg to enjoy these beautiful displays. If you want to see even more of them, drive into Pigeon Forge!
3. Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyPark
Another fun thing to do in Gatlinburg in January is to see the Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyPark. This is a fun winter event you will love. The entire park is decorated in beautiful lights. The SkyBridge has an arch of lights all the way across. The SkyDeck has lighted displays, and your whole family will enjoy taking in the sparkly lights. If you purchase your tickets early in the day, you can ride to the top during the day and come back at night to enjoy Lights Over Gatlinburg!
4. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
If you’re looking for something to do that’s inside during January, you should visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. This is the perfect place to go to stay warm and have fun, no matter how old you are. Kids and adults will love walking through the exhibits and learning about these sea creatures. Watch penguins play and see sharks swim overhead when you go through the Shark Lagoon tunnel. You’ll see incredible animals and enjoy the interactive exhibits in the aquarium.
5. Try Delicious Food
One fun thing to do in Gatlinburg in January is to try all kinds of delicious food. If you want a nice steak dinner, you can go to The Peddler or Cherokee Grill. In the mood for seafood? There’s Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or Chesapeake’s. You’ll also find Mexican restaurants, southern cuisine, barbeque, and Italian. Plus, if you just want snacks or sweets, there are plenty of places to check out!
These are just some of the fun things to do in Gatlinburg in January. Are you planning on coming back to the Smokies when it warms up? Start planning today by looking at our white water rafting trips in the Smoky Mountains and booking your reservation today!
