Top things to do near Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Top things to do near Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park include visiting Wild Bear Falls Water Park next door (tickets sold separately), exploring downtown Gatlinburg attractions via the free Gatlinburg Trolley, and taking short drives to Anakeesta, Ober Gatlinburg, Ripley's Aquarium, or trailheads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In this guide
Play at Wild Bear Falls Water Park
Wild Bear Falls Water Park is on-site and open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; admission is usually not included with most room reservations and tickets must be purchased separately at the resort.
The indoor/outdoor water park covers more than 60,000 square feet and holds over 300,000 gallons of water. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride the water slides; children’s pool slides are excluded from that height rule.
- Hours: Open daily 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Height rule: 48 inches minimum for most slides; children’s slides excluded
- Life vests available on request
- Water park stays open through rain unless there is lightning or thunder
| Quick Tip | Policy |
|---|---|
| Supervision for young kids | An adult must accompany children under 10 in the water park at all times |
| Attire | Appropriate swimwear is required |
| Prohibited items | No sharp objects; no running, horseplay, diving, spitting |
Swim and relax at the outdoor pools and hot tubs
The resort features two outdoor pools — Crocket Creek and Mountain Top Pools — with two hot tubs. Pool hours are listed from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Mountain Top area includes an infinity-style pool and a poolside bar where you can order cocktails, draft beer and sodas during listed service hours.
- Outdoor pool hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Mountain Top Pool Bar hours typically 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (subject to change)
- Pool lift and accessible routes are provided for mobility-impaired guests
| Amenity | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Crocket Creek & Mountain Top Pools | Outdoor pools with long evening hours |
| Hot tubs | Two outdoor hot tubs available |
| Poolside service | Mountain Top Pool Bar offers drinks; Snack Shack may operate seasonally |
Dine without leaving the resort
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park has several on-site dining options ranging from a full-service Southern/Cajun restaurant to grab-and-go and pizza counters.
Menus and hours can vary by season, so check with the resort or concierge for current times before heading out.
- Southern Comfort: full-service Southern/Cajun restaurant (lunch 12:00–3:00 p.m.; dinner service in evenings; reservations accepted)
- The Marketplace: grab-and-go market and Starbucks beverages (hours: Sun–Thu 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Fri–Sat 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.)
- Mountain Pizza: pizza pick-up/delivery (listed hours 6:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.)
- Roaring Fork Snack Bar: fast-food grill inside Wild Bear Falls (12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.)
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Southern Comfort | Full-service lunch & dinner with mountain-patio seating |
| The Marketplace | Sandwiches, groceries, Starbucks beverages |
| Mountain Top Pool Bar | Poolside cocktails and beers |
Use the resort as your base for Gatlinburg attractions
Westgate is a short drive from many Gatlinburg attractions and the free Gatlinburg Trolley stops at the resort, making it easy to reach the Parkway without driving and parking downtown.
Popular nearby stops include Anakeesta, Ripley's Aquarium, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, and the Ober Gatlinburg aerial tramway; most are only a few minutes away by car or trolley.
- Free Gatlinburg Trolley: stop at the resort; no fare required
- Anakeesta: about a 5-minute drive
- Ripley's Aquarium and Parkway attractions: around 5–10 minutes by car depending on traffic
- Ober Gatlinburg: a short drive; check tram schedules separately
| Attraction | Typical drive time |
|---|---|
| Anakeesta | About 5 minutes |
| Ripley's Aquarium | Roughly 5–10 minutes |
| Downtown Gatlinburg/Parkway | About 5–10 minutes depending on exact destination |
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The national park is minutes from the resort and offers hiking trails, scenic drives and picnic areas. Driving into the park is the usual way to access trailheads from Gatlinburg.
Cades Cove and longer backcountry trails require longer drives; plan hikes and park logistics in advance and check the National Park Service site for current trail and road conditions.
- Park access: several trailheads and visitor areas are reachable from Gatlinburg
- Cades Cove: a longer drive (about 1–1.5 hours from downtown Gatlinburg)
- Pack water, maps, and appropriate footwear; the resort provides free Wi‑Fi to help plan routes
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Go early | Mornings usually have fewer crowds and cooler temperatures |
| Check weather | Mountain weather changes quickly; dress in layers |
| Use the visitor center | Get current trail, road and wildlife information |
Relax with spa, fitness and family activities
Serenity Spa by Westgate is on-site and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; it offers more than 50 treatments including facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps and massages. Massage services require reservations.
For families, the resort offers mini golf, a children’s playground, a game room, and scheduled fitness classes at the health club. Free self-parking and complimentary Wi‑Fi make logistics easier for day trips.
- Serenity Spa hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; reservations recommended for massage services
- Fitness Center hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- On-site family activities: miniature golf, playground, game room
| Facility | Note |
|---|---|
| Serenity Spa | Over 50 treatments; reserve ahead |
| Health Club / Fitness Classes | Hours listed on site; included in resort fee access |
| Mini golf & playground | On-site family entertainment |
