With the new year comes announcements for new attractions, restaurants, shops, and updates from beloved places. Gatlinburg has a big year ahead with some new things coming your way, and we want to share them with you! Here are 6 new things to do in Gatlinburg in 2023 you don’t want to miss!
Coming Soon to Gatlinburg
People come to Gatlinburg for a good time, and with these newest places in the works, it’ll be even more fun!
Firelight Rooftop
There are several places in downtown Gatlinburg that provide guests with incredible views and amazing food and drinks, but a new place that offers these things is still exciting! Firelight Rooftop is the newest concept to bring visitors an upscale bar experience. From signature cocktails to delicious tapas-style eats, you won’t be able to get enough of Firelight Rooftop ! As of now, there is no known opening date for the bar in Gatlinburg, but we will provide updates as they are released.
Recently Opened
A few new things to do in Gatlinburg have already opened to the public, but you may have missed them. Check out these recently opened attractions you won’t want to miss:
Tennessee Stud Cider
This new thing to do in Gatlinburg is also centered around great drinks! Tennessee Stud Cider is the newest hard cider house making its way to downtown Gatlinburg, and the company is brought to you by the same people of Yee-Haw Brewing Company (located at The Island in Pigeon Forge). The talented brewers at Tennessee Stud Cider start with hand-selected ingredients and combine them with real fruit purees to create incredible flavors you will come to know and love.
Painted Bear Coffee Co
If you’re someone who loves to scope out locally owned coffee companies in new destinations, then you’ve found the next one to try when you visit Gatlinburg! Painted Bear Coffee Co is tucked away from the hustle and bustle in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. The small cabin exterior makes the shop feel homey, and as soon as you taste their coffee offerings, you’ll want to come back every day of your stay!
Cumberland Jack’s
If you’ve been on the hunt for a new downtown Gatlinburg restaurant on your next trip, then you can stop searching! Cumberland Jack’s is the newest place to eat, and you’ll want to come hungry! The huge mountain-size portions stand up to the hype, as well as the Appalachian theme. People go crazy for the meatloaf, pot roast, and fried chicken at Cumberland Jack’s!
New Updates and Expansions
Some of the new things to do in Gatlinburg aren’t brand spanking new. Sometimes an old favorite gets a facelift or they add on even more fun, and that’s what we want to share with you!
Ober Mountain
You may not have heard that Ober Gatlinburg has been rebranded to Ober Mountain after being sold to new owners. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about your favorite parts of Ober Mountain being changed, because the new owners aren’t messing with the old favorites, like the slopes, tubing hill, or alpine slide. What they are doing is adding even more fun activities (like mountain biking and ziplining), and giving this adventure park some updates so people know it’s a year-round destination! For example, the Seasons of Ober Restaurant recently was redesigned for a more retro vibe! We will keep you up to date with all the changes coming to Ober Mountain in the future!
Anakeesta
Another few new things coming to Gatlinburg are just an expansion of the ever-popular Anakeesta! The unique, nighttime experience called Astra Lumina has been open at the theme park for a few months, and it’s a show you have to see to believe! The next project the park is working on is the Hellbender Mountain Coaster, which is named after a salamander species in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it’s going to be the first double rail mountain coaster in the area! Kids will enjoy Birdventure, a play zone that has adventure zones and 7 serpentine slides, and people of all ages will love the European-themed village with retail shops, restaurants, breweries, and entertainment stage!
There are so many new things to do in Gatlinburg in 2023, and we know you’re looking forward to experiencing all of them! We will keep you updated with the latest information as it is released, but in the meantime, check out these other fun things to do in Gatlinburg!
