3 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Gatlinburg

The Great Smoky Mountains provide a perfectly eerie backdrop for Halloween in Gatlinburg. There are spooky thrills and chilling experiences to be had in October all month long guaranteed to cause frights and delights for all ages. Check out these 3 fun ways to celebrate Halloween in Gatlinburg:

1. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a 10,000-square-foot haunted house open year-round, but it is an extra scary place to visit around Halloween. This haunted house is top-rated in Gatlinburg for good reason! Live actors dressed as zombies, ghouls, and all manner of creeps lie in wait behind every corner. There are jump scares, hidden doors, and realistic dummies throughout the self-guided tour that are sure to make anyone scream with both terror and delight.

Ripley’s Fright Nights take place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, as well as Halloween night itself. This annual event features an even scarier way to experience a haunted house, and due to its graphic nature, children under 6 are not permitted. Those between 6 and 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult. There is no added cost for this extra special experience, so you will definitely want to add it to your itinerary for celebrating Halloween in Gatlinburg!

2. Walking Ghost Tours

There are numerous ghost and haunting tours throughout Gatlinburg that each explore the city’s supernatural past. The Ghost and Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg is one of the best ghost tours in town, with the perfect mix of history and mystery. It highlights the stories and local legends of pioneers, soldiers, and regular people and some of Gatlinburg’s colorful events, many with a macabre twist!  

The Haunted Historic Gatlinburg GhostWalk exposes you to the science of paranormal activity, in addition to ghost stories. Tour guides provide information and demonstrations on the tactics and technology used by ghost hunters to identify and commune with spirits from the other side. The lantern-led evening walking tour takes you through Gatlinburg’s most historic places for an authentic haunting experience. 

3. The Mysterious Mansion of Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion is the area’s original haunted attraction set in the Victorian era, featuring twisting, dark corridors, winding staircases, and secret passageways. Rotting residents cower in the shadows, and the 3 stories provide ample opportunity to face your fears and release your screams. Enter if you dare! They also have special presentations each October weekend and on Halloween that are both immersive and terrifyingly fun. Again, this spooky attraction in Gatlinburg is not recommended for small children. 

Where to Stay

You’ve read about a few of the best ways to celebrate Halloween in Gatlinburg, so now you need to find a place to stay! The Bearskin Lodge is close to all of downtown Gatlinburg’s attractions and restaurants, as well as being just a few steps from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our cozy rooms, free breakfast, fitness room, and ample parking make us a fantastic place to stay for families, couples, and friend groups. Browse rooms at our hotel in Gatlinburg and reserve your stay today. We look forward to welcoming you to the Smokies this fall!