Rain boots and umbrella

Things to Do in Gatlinburg on a Rainy Day

Worried you’ll be stuck in your room all day when it rains during your vacation? Luckily, Black Bear Inn and Suites has the remedy with this list of things to do in Gatlinburg on a rainy day. There’s plenty to do outside your hotel and fun things inside too!

1. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the SmokiesRipley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers enjoy fun to keep you busy for hours! Let your kids waddle with Penguins, pet rays in Ray Bay, and spot sharks in Shark Lagoon as you and the kids explore the underwater tunnel. Ripley’s Aquarium provides plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with and learn about marine life. The aquarium also has a special and limited time exhibit about Pearl Harbor, along with a place to grab a bite to eat and a gift shop. This could take up a whole day of things to do in Gatlinburg on a rainy day!

2. Go Ice Skating

Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park and ski resort. They offer ice skating year round for all ages. Put your balance skills to the test or brush up on old skills with this fun activity! You’ll have plenty of time to wait out the rain because ice skating sessions here are three hours long! And when you’re done you can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant upstairs from the skating rink, or explore the rest of the indoor mall at Ober.

3. Play in an ArcadeFannie Farkles arcade

Forget the Xbox or Playstation, beat out the rain for hours in an arcade downtown in Gatlinburg! Teach your kids a lesson in classic games like skee-ball, pin ball, even life size mario kart! At the end of the day cash in all of your hoarded tickets for a grand prize. The arcades in town also offer tasty bites to eat!

Two arcades to try:

Fannie Farkles

Arcadia at the Space Needle

4. Take a Swim

Splash around in our indoor pool for a rainy day activity. Black Bear Inn and Suites offers a heated pool and hot tub. While your kids splash around in the pool you can soak your vacation troubles away in the hot tub. If it’s calm enough you can even listen to sound of the rain in our all window enclosed pool area.indoor pool view at black bear inn

5. Cozy up in your Suite

You don’t even have to leave your room to find something to do during a rainy day in the Smokies. Stay cozy in your pajamas all day! You can curl up in bed or on the couch in front of the TV to binge watch your favorite show. Some suites come with fireplaces and in-suite jacuzzi tubs that will make you so relaxed you won’t mind being inside on a vacation day. An old fashioned lazy day is perfect for things to do in Gatlinburg on a rainy day.

Wash away the rainy day blues with one of the activities on this list. We’ll keep you cozy in our rooms and suites, and you can ask us for more suggestions on stuff to do in Gatlinburg. Book a stay with us rain or shine and you’ll have plenty to do during your Smoky Mountain vacation.