Mysterious Mansion

Just a half-mile (less than a kilometer) from classic Gatlinburg attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies—but on the quieter River Road—the Mysterious Mansion has been dishing out scares since 1980. Antique furniture and a semi-abandoned feel set the stage for self-guided tours, where you wander the “haunted” house for as long as you can handle. Beyond cobwebbed corners, hidden passageways, and Victorian eeriness, expect actors doing their best to scare you—it’s not recommended for very young children.

• The average visitor completes their tour in roughly 15–20 minutes.

• Don’t worry—the actors aren’t allowed to touch you (and you aren’t permitted to touch them).

• With three floors and no elevator, the mansion is not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs.

The Mysterious Mansion is set right in the heart of Gatlinburg’s kitschy action, so you can easily walk there from Ripley’s Aquarium. Otherwise, If you’re traveling east down Highway 441, simply turn left on River Road after the Gatlinburg Space Needle. If you don’t have a car and it’s too far on foot, taxis and rideshares abound.

Check the mansion’s website before visiting for open hours. The schedule varies greatly by season: Summer has the mansion open seven days a week until late at night; winter typically means just weekends; and the shoulder seasons are somewhere in between. Reservations are not necessary—simply arrive when you’re ready to be spooked.

There are a few bits to remember when it comes to touring the mansion: Stick with your group (only 6 or fewer are allowed entrance at one time); don’t run—the building is old, creaky, and dark; don’t take photos or videos, as requested by staff; if you don’t spook easily, bring a friend who does. That’s the most fun.