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Gatlinburg, a seemingly small town, boasts immense popularity as a tourist hub. Serving as the gateway to the most frequented national park in the US, it warmly welcomes over 12 million visitors annually. The Gatlinburg Strip offers a vibrant carnival-like ambiance for avid shoppers and scene-makers, while attractions like the Space Needle provide panoramic views. Seeking a broader perspective, elevate your experience at Anakeesta, Ober Gatlinburg, or SkyLift Park. For a heavenly retreat, venture to the Top of Old Smoky on Clingmans Dome. Gatlinburg caters to couples, families, and adventurers alike, offering lakeside accommodations and mountain gear. Prepare for a transformative journey through Gatlinburg’s diverse attractions.
Ole Smoky Moonshine
Few places in Gatlinburg capture the essence of mountain life like the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery. Outside, live music, laughter, and the scent of cooked grains fill the air. Inside, the aroma and laughter intensify, leading you to a free sampling bar run by an Ole Smoky Moonshine distiller. He shares samples along with the history of each batch, answering questions and proudly explaining his craft. This is a common sight at the distillery. The owners and staff aim to educate and entertain, providing free moonshine samples and a museum walkthrough detailing the moonshine process. With a live band and rocking chairs outside and samples and a museum inside, the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery is a must-visit for any adult in Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg Sky Lift
What’s more significant: the journey or the destination? For the Gatlinburg Sky Lift, it’s both. Since the 1950s, it’s been delighting visitors with thrills and scenery. Its charm lies in its simplicity, meticulously maintained to retain a vintage feel. Each ascent up the 1,800-foot Crocket Mountain offers serene vistas, evoking nostalgia for days gone by. The summit reveals breathtaking panoramas: sturdy fir trees, babbling brooks, and the splendid sight of Gatlinburg below. The SkyDeck and SkyBridge are beloved by crowds, the latter stretching 700 feet as North America’s longest suspended pedestrian bridge. At heights surpassing 150 feet, it promises an unforgettable experience and unparalleled views.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Experience Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, home to 10,000 sea creatures across 350 species. Open since 2000, it’s a top Gatlinburg attraction, drawing a million visitors annually. Highlights include the 340-foot Underwater Tunnel, Shark Lagoon, Coral Reef, and Gallery of the Seas. Kids enjoy interactive games and touching live crabs in the Discovery Center. Watch divers feed rays, explore the Tropical Rainforest exhibit, and pet stingrays at Touch a Ray Bay. Enjoy fast food at the lower-floor restaurant and browse the gift shop. Located near downtown Gatlinburg, it’s easily accessible by trolley or car. Check the website for tickets and event details.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a creekside walk or shuttle ride from Gatlinburg, offers ranger assistance to explore the park. From North Carolina, stop at Oconoluftee Visitor Center and look for elk. Use maps to find suitable trails or scenic drives. Popular hiking trails cover 900 miles, with spring-fed creeks and mixed forests. The park has over 1,400 flowering plant species, including magnolias and rhododendrons. Wherever you camp, picnic, or fly fish, take time to appreciate the views and sounds of nature. These experiences will be cherished forever.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
Clingmans Dome is Tennessee’s highest point and the peak of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Standing at 6,643 feet, the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is a one-hour drive from downtown. For the best views, visit at sunrise or sunset on clear days to see vistas stretching 100 miles across the misty mountains.
The 45-foot observation tower offers panoramic views of Tennessee and neighboring Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. From the Clingmans Dome parking lot, walk the half-mile paved path to the tower base, then take the concrete ramp to the top. Along the way, you’ll cross the famous Appalachian Trail, which winds all the way to Maine. Informative signs at the tower describe the peaks and towns below, including Gatlinburg.
Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is a year-round ski resort and amusement park with activities like a chairlift to a scenic lookout, an ice-skating rink, ski runs, an alpine slide, mini golf, and Kiddie Land. You can take the Aerial Tramway from downtown Gatlinburg instead of driving. The Wildlife Encounter area showcases black bears, river otters, and bobcats. A short trail leads to alpine meadows and lookouts. The resort also features seven restaurants and a multilevel concourse with 15 stores.
Get Your Thrills on a Mountain Coaster
Children as young as 3 years old and 38″ tall can enjoy the Moonshine Mountain Coaster with an adult controlling the sled, making it perfect for families. The ride features over 3000 ft of track and a 250 ft altitude difference, allowing drivers to control their speed, reaching up to 30 mph over approximately 5 minutes. There’s ample free parking and a gift shop offering drinks, ice cream, candy, snacks, apparel, and unique souvenirs. This was our family’s absolute favorite part about Gatlinburg, and we still talk about it years later … how we should’ve gone on it more than once.
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