sunrise over Gatlinburg, Tennessee

6 Fun Nighttime Activities for Your Gatlinburg Family Vacation

night on the downtown strip on a Gatlinburg family vacation
August 12, 2025

When the sun sets in the Smokies, your fun in Gatlinburg doesn’t have to stop! In fact, there are a number of fun activities you can enjoy at night on your next Gatlinburg family vacation! The streets of Gatlinburg are alive and many local attractions remain open so you can continue enjoying all your adventures in the Smokies. Sidney James Mountain Lodge is the ideal home base for your trip as we’re located right in the middle of it all! Here are 6 fun nighttime activities for your next Gatlinburg family vacation:

1. Watch a Sunset

No Gatlinburg family vacation is complete without seeing a gorgeous sunset at least once! The best part is you don’t even have to hike to see a sunset as there are a number of great places to watch the sun go down. At Sidney James Mountain Lodge you can step out onto your balcony or the outdoor scenic picnic area by a stream and enjoy the sunset! If you want to get a higher vantage point, head to the nearby Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook for a stunning view of the sun setting.

2. See Gatlinburg Lit Up From the Space Needle

the space needle at night is a must on a Gatlinburg family vacation

Want to see Gatlinburg glow? Head to the Gatlinburg Space Needle at night! You’ll travel up a glass elevator to an observation tower 407 feet in the air, where you can enjoy views of Gatlinburg as the lights dot the landscape. The Space Needle is open until 1 a.m. so you have plenty of time to enjoy the views!

3. Explore the Gatlinburg Strip

The Gatlinburg Strip is still full of fun when the sun sets! It’s a great time to explore everything the Strip has to offer. Whether you want to stop at one of the many shops and browse, get a sweet treat for dessert, or even step inside one of the attractions open late, there’s plenty of fun on the strip for your Gatlinburg family vacation!

4. Mini Golf Under the Stars at Hillbilly Golf

Hillbilly Golf is a must on your Gatlinburg family vacation

Put family bragging rights on the line with a round of nighttime putt putt at Hillbilly Golf! See who comes out on top when you play this fun game under the Smoky Mountain stars. Hillbilly Golf has 2 challenging courses, complete with cool features like a log wagon, a bear cave, and a blacksmith area, making it fun and exciting for kids. It’s open until 10 p.m. every day of the week, weather permitting.

5. Ride the Moonshine Mountain Coaster

A ride on a Smokies mountain coaster is thrilling when you experience it during the day. But it’s even better at night on the Moonshine Mountain Coaster! Not only do you get to experience the exhilaration of fast speeds, twists, and turns, but the ride turns into an exciting light show when you hop on at night. Your kids won’t stop talking about this one!

6. Fun at Our Pools

the pools at sidney james are a must on your gatlinburg family vacation

Spend your Gatlinburg family vacation at Sidney James Mountain Lodge! With 2 outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a kiddie pool, and a hot tub, there are plenty of opportunities for fun in the water. Whether the family wants to play classic pool games like marco polo or they just want to splash around while mom and dad relax with a book, spending time at our pools is a fun nighttime activity.

Plan Your Gatlinburg Family Vacation

Make your nights just as fun as your days when you enjoy these activities on your Gatlinburg family vacation! Our Gatlinburg hotel is right in the middle of all the action with all the amenities you need for an unforgettable time! Take a look at our Gatlinburg hotel rooms today to find an amazing place to stay!