Looking for a halloween weekend of spooky things to do in Gatlinburg, TN? Well, you’re in luck because I may just have your perfect weekend itinerary for that little town amidst the great smoky mountains national park!
I will keep this article sweet and sweet – it’s value-packed, so make sure to check out each attraction! If you’re going there during the week, you will still be able to see and do all of these things :).
Dive into the Supernatural Side of Gatlinburg for Halloween
Nestled amidst the scenic vistas of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is more than just a popular tourist spot – it’s a town steeped in history, and with history often come tales of the supernatural. While you will find many events and attractions in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, here are a number of special events.
Ready to get into the Halloween holiday spirit and visit haunted attractions?
1. Ripley’s Fright Nights at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
Begin your Halloween extravaganza at Ripley’s Fright Nights – even better, this year is their 25th annual Fright Nights! Brace yourself for a heart-pounding visit to Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. Navigate through dimly lit corridors, encountering unexpected scares and ghostly apparitions on a weekend night (perfect for saturday nights!).
Experience the haunted ambiance, where live actors and creepy scenarios set the tone for the supernatural weekend ahead – it’s super worth it for the entire family!
Here are their opening times for the entire month of October:
FRIDAYS & SATURDAY: 4:00 – 11:00 p.m.
SUNDAYS: 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.
HALLOWEEN DAY: 4:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Get your tickets on Tripadvisor here!
Tip: Stay at the G&S Dead and Breakfast during fright nights!
2. Ghost Walk of Gatlinburg & Haunted Tours of Gatlinburg
Alternatively, you can also go on a ghost walk throughout Gatlinburg on Friday night to kick it off – you’d be surprised how many haunted places and stories Gatlinburg has! While the city’s rich tapestry of ghost stories includes accounts of pioneers, love tragedies, loggers, and moonshiners, whispers of ghostly encounters have become almost as prevalent.
Here are some of my favorite ghost tours in Gatlinburg:
- Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg
- Gatlinburg Ghosts of The Smokies Most Haunted Tour
- Appalachian GhostWalks – Haunted Historic Gatlinburg GhostWalk
3. Discover the Underwater World at Ripley’s Aquarium
Ripley’s does a phenomenal job of integrating Halloween into its underwater settings. Imagine watching graceful rays, sharks, and colorful fish swimming around submerged pumpkins and themed decorations. During special Halloween events, divers don themed costumes. It’s not every day you see a diver dressed as a mummy or ghost swimming with marine life!
Even cooler, they offer Halloween-themed events, such as underwater pumpkin carving for pumpkin contests or the Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival – great for kids of all ages!
Get your Tripadvisor tickets here!
Tip: If you’re going to do multiple Ripley’s attractions, make sure to get their multi-passes to save money!
4. Ride the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
Inject some thrill into your day by speeding through the mountains, with Halloween twists on the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster. The Rocky Top Mountain Coaster in Pigeon Forge has the perfect location by being close to Gatlinburg, is an exciting mountain coaster experience that becomes even more thrilling during the Halloween season as you’re seeing leaves change color.
Here’s why:
- Spooky night rides
- Themed decor along the ride with ghoulish figures, glowing eyes, and other scary sights
- Control your speed – yes, it’s one of the few rides in the Us that lets you control your own speed and slow down if you want to check something out more!
5. Visit Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion
Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion is one of the most iconic haunted house attractions in the Smoky Mountains and a must-visit for you if you’re seeking a spine-chilling experience – especially during the Halloween season. Venture into its darkened rooms and creaky dark corridors built in the 1980s, where spirits of the past are rumored to linger – ready to find those secret passageways?
Tip: During the Halloween season, the Mysterious Mansion often ups the ante with additional decorations, actors, and special effects, making the experience even more hauntingly memorable – it’s perfect for the halloween night fun!
Tip: Stay at the Edgewater Inn that’s just up the road and close to everything else in Gatlinburg!
6. Experience the Great Pumpkin LumiNights
Great Pumpkin LumiNights is a festive and enchanting event that takes place at Dollywood during the fall season. It’s a part of Dollywood’s larger Harvest Festival and offers a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
Head to the Great Pumpkin LumiNights as the sun sets and immerse yourself in a sea of glowing pumpkins, hauntingly beautiful displays, and festive Halloween themes – great for the whole family!
Still looking for Travel Must-Haves? Check out my favorite list here!
7. Haunted Cabin Escape Room at Trapped Escape Game
Love escape room games? Well, Trapped escape games in Pigeon near Gatlinburg outdid themselves by giving you a thrilling adventure that combines elements of local lore, classic haunted tales, and challenging puzzles.
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg to Experience Halloween in Gatlinburg
One of the best ways to enjoy Gatlinburg is to stay nearby so you can park your car and walk about to have a great time without worrying – especially for October 31st.
Budget ($) — Gatlinburg Inn: A historic inn located on the Parkway, Gatlinburg Inn.
Best Value ($$) — Glenstone Lodge: Situated within walking distance of downtown Gatlinburg.
Luxe ($$$) — The Lodge at Buckberry Creek: Offering luxurious suites with mountain views.
Unique ($-$$$) — Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek: For a one-of-a-kind experience, stay in a treehouse nestled in the woods.
Going solo, but scared to drive on your own? I’ve been there! Here’s my guide on how to go on road trips by yourself!
Last Thoughts
Gatlinburg is an amazing little town in Tennessee that is great to visit all year long and I love describing it as the sweet version of Las Vegas of the South, ha. Hope you found something to do for Halloween and you’ll have fun!
Know something else that I haven’t listed? Comment below!
XO,
Anna
Anna is a traveler, blogger, and entrepreneur who can’t keep herself still. She’s always on the move, whether working hard on a new passion project or exploring a new city as a part-time digital nomad. Dare to keep up? Check out The Tatted Nomad for everything digital nomad, social media marketing, mental health, and travel (and to see her latest addition, Novah, her service dog and travel companion). As a psychotherapist (to be) she also offers insights about your mental health related questions – anything you see that isn’t covered but you have questions about? Let her know!
