When you go on vacation, it would be ideal to have nothing but blue skies and perfect temperatures. However, we all know that is not always how it works. The good news is that when you visit the Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of rainy day attractions in Gatlinburg:
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
When the rain puts a damper on your outdoor plans, you might as well take the opportunity to visit one of the country’s best aquariums. According to USA Today, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has been voted the second best aquarium in the United States. One reason for this is because of the amount of things there are to see when you visit. There are so many different exhibits at the aquarium that you can easily spend the whole day exploring. Two of the most popular things to do are to see the penguins and the rays. At the Penguin Playhouse, you can watch the fluffy animals swim and play in their habitat.
There is also a tunnel that kids can crawl through that leads to a glass tube in the middle of the playhouse, which gives them an up close view of the penguins. At the Touch a Ray Bay, you can learn all there is to know about rays and even get the chance to pet one! The silky smooth feel of the rays’ skin is something you will never forget! This rainy day attraction is one of our favorites!
2. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Do you ever wonder what happens to the famous cars that you see in movies? Well, some of them might have ended up at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg. They have over 40 of the most famous vehicles from movies, television shows, and entertainment icons. While we won’t ruin all the surprises of what you will see at the museum, here are a few of the highlights. The museum has some of the most recognizable cars from the Fast and the Furious franchise, including a Nissan GT-R and a 1969 Dodge Charger. If you are more into television rather than movies, you might notice the museum is home to cars from Dukes of Hazzard, The Flintstones, and The Beverly Hillbillies! If you want to know what other famous cars you can see, be sure to stop by the Hollywood Star Cars Museum and see what makes it one of the most popular attractions in Gatlinburg!
3. Ripley’s Believe It or Not
There really are some things in this world that you have to see to believe. That message rings true at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum. Where else can you go see a shrunken head, two-headed animals, a spinning tunnel, and the world’s largest egg all in one place? These are just a few of the many mind boggling things that are in the museum. They have 12 uniquely themed galleries that contain over 500 oddities! The next time you are in Gatlinburg, stop by and see if you believe it or not!
4. Shoot ‘Em Up 7D Cinema
Have you ever wondered if you could have survived back in the Wild Wild West? Take a journey on the Shoot ‘Em Up Cinema and find out! At this attraction, guests will mount a horse, put on some 3D glasses, grab a rifle, and suit up for the ride! You will get to travel back in time to the Wild West and chase down a runway wagon in order to catch the criminals! This makes for a family fun activity when the weather outside is not cooperating.
Now that you know about some of the best rainy day attractions in Gatlinburg, be sure to check out all the other fun things to do when you visit! We hope to see you soon in the Smoky Mountains!
