During Winterfest, shop owners and city workers illuminate the city with lights and holiday decorations. It is a feast for the eyes and well worth a trip to Gatlinburg in the winter. Take a stroll through downtown Gatlinburg, and you can smell the funnel cakes cooking, caramel popcorn popping, and see the beautiful Smoky Mountains in the distance. It’s a magical adventure and one you don’t want to miss. Take a look at a few Gatlinburg shops and attractions you must see during your winter trip.

The Village

Consisting of various shops and boutiques, The Village is one of Gatlinburg’s most popular attractions during the winter. With its stone pathways and beautiful decorations, The Village transforms Gatlinburg’s bustling city streets into a quaint, European-inspired shopping experience. Grab one-of-a-kind donuts from the renowned Donut Friar; sip hot chocolate in Coffee and Company; or grab some winter hiking gear from The Day Hiker.

Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

Sail across the mountains this winter in the Aerial Tramway, a 120 passenger tram which shuttles visitors from downtown Gatlinburg to Ober Gatlinburg, a popular ski resort in the Smokies. The ride is twenty-minutes round trip with rich views of the Smokies.

Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse

Come face-to-face with penguins this winter by visiting the interactive Penguin Playhouse at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The exhibit provides views of the penguins from above and below, and if you enter through the tunnels and travel to the penguin’s beach, you can view the penguins from only inches away!