Are you looking for handicap accessible attractions in Gatlinburg?
We recognize every person has unique abilities, and accessibility features are tremendously beneficial to all guests. We want to help you find handicap accessible attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge so you can make the most of your Smoky Mountain Getaway.
A few quick tips before we dive in:
- Gatlinburg summer trolleys are handicap accessible
Here are some of our favorite attractions and our analysis of how handicap accessible these attractions really are, along with some resources to learn more about the Smokies.
Ober Gatlinburg
The Aerial Tram at Ober Gatlinburg is accessible, and wheelchairs, walkers, and those needing additional assistance can get back ramp access and priority boarding. Tickets are available online.
Other rides are not accessible, but the facilities at the top and bottom of the mountain are accessible, so you can join the rest of your party as they ski, slide, skate, and jump around the mountain!
Anakeesta is another popular sky lift, where their Gondola cabins are 32″ wide and 49″ deep for your ride to the summit and makes for an adequate fit for your wheelchair. The Firefly Village’s shops, dining pavilion and viewing platforms to enjoy the scenic overlooks are all wheelchair accessible.
Pancake Pantry
Since 1960 when the Pancake Pantry became Tennessee’s first pancake house, visitors to Gatlinburg have made dining with us a tradition. – PancakePantry.com
The restaurant and the surrounding shopping area known as The Village are technically handicap accessible, but a few things to note:
- the restroom at Pancake Pantry is upstairs, and there is no elevator
- there is a steep hill up to the restroom in The Village
If you arrive early in the morning while street parking is still permitted on The Parkway, you could hop the curb and shorten your walk. Otherwise, the parking area for The Village is a lengthy walk from the shopping area and Pancake Pantry.
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is an alternative, just south of Pancake Pantry on The Parkway. They have parking immediately surrounding the restaurant, including handicap accessible spaces.
Ripley’s Aquarium
While technically handicap accessible, you should be aware of the lengthy walk and climb required to access the entrance of the aquarium.
Parking is available in the parking deck at the top of the hill behind the aquarium, and handicap spaces are located at each level near the elevator. Exit the parking deck and head downhill toward the entrance.
At the bottom of the hill, there are two staircases up to the entrance, and the handicap ramp criss-crosses those stairs to reach the plaza level. If you decide to head to the aquarium, find tickets online to get the best possible deal!
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The great outdoors are one of the best features of this region, so you’ll want to visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Most of these individuals who visit the Smokies find there is still has a long way to go in order for the Smokies to be accessible to everyone who comes here. – YourSmokies.com
YourSmokies.com has a terrific writeup of exactly where to go, what to do, and what to expect in every corner of the park, including Visitors’ Centers, scenic views, and a few accessible trails to enjoy.
The Island in Pigeon Forge
Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge for a great meal at Paula Deen’s Kitchen, Timberwood Grill, or one of more than a dozen eateries.
The Island in Pigeon Forge offers families affordable fun night and day. Showcased by The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot-high observation wheel, and our multi-million dollar show fountain, The Island provides the area’s newest shopping, dining and entertainment options in the East Tennessee area.
As a modern development, The Island features flat, rolling sidewalks and easy access to every store, restaurant, and attraction. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is wheelchair accessible and rotates 200 feet over Pigeon Forge, giving you some tremendous views.
Do you have something you would add from your experience? Let us know!