One of the best parts of visiting Gatlinburg, TN is that there is always something new to experience! This year, a number of exciting attractions have opened in our Smoky Mountain city. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Stony Brook Cabins has put together a guide to all of the new Gatlinburg attractions.

1. Rowdy Bear Mountain

If you're a fan of thrill rides, you'll definitely want to stop by Rowdy Bear Mountain! This new attraction is home to an awesome Gravity Coaster that is built right into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Located just a short walk away from The Strip, this self-propelled coaster offers plenty of twists and turns and beautiful views of Gatlinburg's natural scenery. In the fall, Rowdy Bear Mountain hopes to introduce another ride: a Mountain Glider that will allow guests to soar above the trees.

2. Glass Bottom Boat Tours at Ripley's Aquarium

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies recently unveiled a brand new way to see their aquatic residents. When you take one of the aquarium's Glass Bottom Boat Adventures, you'll float through Shark Lagoon, which is home to over 8,500 sea creatures. With only three inches of glass between you and the water, you'll enjoy unparalleled views of sharks, turtles, eels, stingray, and many other species. It's easy to see why Ripley's Glass Bottom Boat Adventures is one of the most popular new Gatlinburg attractions!

3. Improved Gatlinburg Sky Lift

After undergoing renovations, the Gatlinburg Sky Lift is back and better than ever! The new chairlift ride now features 92 chairs that can seat up to three passengers. The Sky Lift also boasts taller towers and cross arms, which means that passengers are 8 - 10 feet higher during their ride. While the Gatlinburg Sky Lift currently offers a continuous ride, the owners of the attraction plan on building a new Sky Deck on the top of Crockett Mountain where guests can get off to do some shopping or have a bite to eat.

4. Anakeesta

Set to open in August of 2017, Anakeesta is the city's most eagerly anticipated new attraction! Located in the foothills of the mountains, this shopping and adventure complex will be accessible via a fun Chondola ride (a mix between a chairlift and a gondola) that leaves from the Parkway. Once you arrive at Anakeesta, you'll find a huge variety of awesome things to do, including a zipline course, treehouse playground, mountain coaster, treetop canopy walk, and gem mining station.In addition to all of the outdoor activities, guests can also visit the Firefly Village shopping area. Highlights of the Village include the Summit Smokehouse (a BBQ restaurant), Pearl's Pie in the Sky (a sweet shop), Great Outdoors Trading Company (a shop with hiking apparel and locally made crafts), and Catching Fireflies (a boutique with children's clothing and toys). When you stay with Stony Brook Cabins, you will be near all of the incredible new Gatlinburg attractions. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 6 bedroom cabins, we are guaranteed to have the perfect accommodations for your vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of cabin rentals in Gatlinburg!