Gatlinburg is a hillside resort city in Tennessee’s Sevier County.
It is tucked away in a lovely valley at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s eastern entrance. It attracts more than a million tourists annually with its abundance of events and attractions. It’s a blend of the region’s rich Alpine heritage and recreational culture with the amenities of a modern travel destination, including a world-class aquarium, sky lifts, mountain coasters, souvenir shops, and a crafts shop.
You can relish Tennessee’s spectacular and inimitable natural beauty with a wide range of outdoor activities. Gatlinburg offers many things to do for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, fun-lovers, snow-skiers, sightseers, families, adults, and kids. You can trek the terrain to explore the park and enjoy the great outdoors. If you plan to stay in the mountains comfortably, you can book a cabin for yourself. The cabins in Gatlinburg TN, provide comfortable lodging among the natural giants, allowing you to experience the aura of your choice. It will offer a golden ticket to stay under the magnificent shade of some of the oldest mountains on the planet.
It’s a must to visit Gatlinburg if you live near Tennessee. Here are some of the best attractions Gatlinburg has to offer:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
It’s no surprise that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited of the country’s 62 national parks, with over 10 million visitors yearly. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by Tennessee and North Carolina.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a central North American refuge for temperate zone flora and fauna that survived the Pleistocene glaciations. Due to its unbreakable chain of sky-high mountains soaring more than 5,000 feet, rambling streams and waterfalls, meadows, and old-growth forests, its natural plain offers unmatchable beauty. Moreover, it is within driving distance from numerous busy hubs in the eastern U.S. From black bears to newts, old forests, spring blossoms, log cabins, and gristmills, the park offers numerous opportunities to explore and learn about the natural history of these ancient mountains. It’s not only a place to explore but a place to meditate and relax during your vacation. The park also offers camping facilities to experience its majesty at all times of the day.
2. Anakeesta
The award-winning open-air family theme park, Anakeesta, is recognized for its vistas of smoky mountain scenery, thrilling treetop adventures such as zipline tours and the mountain coaster, and dining and shopping. It is a hillside spot for all ages, situated in the center of downtown Gatlinburg with majestic mountains and 70 wooded acres of recreation and fun. Every season at Anakeesta offers something new to discover, including musical performances in Black Bear Village and community activities for all ages. The mountaintop park includes all-day park entry and unlimited spectacular rides on the Chondola or Ridge Rambler before touching down in Firefly Village, which features quaint shopping, cuisine, and a whimsical mountain atmosphere. In summary, you can enjoy your vacations to the fullest if you visit Anakeesta.
3. Gatlinburg Sky Lift
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge is North America’s longest pedestrian cable-stayed bridge. The SkyLift is a must-do excursion in the Smoky Mountains. Starting in the heart of Gatlinburg, this journey sweeps riders to the summit of Crockett Mountain for a 500-foot vertical ascent. The round-trip ride is nearly twenty minutes long. However, most people break it up by halting in the middle and exploring the other attractions. While the Gatlinburg SkyLift entails many attractions, it is named after this specific lift for a good reason, as it is its métier. From the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, you can enjoy the best views of the lovely Rocky Mountains and the suburb of Gatlinburg while trekking on the new Sky Trail. You can rest on the expansive SkyDeck while admiring the Smoky Mountains’ highest peaks or get some food and refreshments in the SkyCenter’s two-story building. It’s all you can get in one place!
4. Gatlinburg Whitewater Rafting
If there is another thing that Gatlinburg is famous for, it is its whitewater rafting. It is among the most exhilarating, thrill-seeking activities available in the town. It’s a wild ride, from watching the field of view fade out of sight, signaling that you’re about to withdraw 15 feet in 6 seconds, to kayaking for your life through the Class IV+ rapids. Whatever size of rapids you tackle, you can surely raise your outdoor excitement threshold.
It’s more fun as a group sport where you can engage and coordinate with others while having the time of your life. The experience is something you don’t have in your everyday life; therefore, it is one of a kind. It’s something you should always have on your bucket list of adventures when you visit Gatlinburg, no matter what.
5. Gatlinburg SkyBridge
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge, located at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, is North America’s longest pedestrian cable bridge. It stretches nearly 700 feet along a deep canyon on a single cable from the mountaintop SkyDeck, which is longer than two soccer fields. The SkyBridge has 30 feet of window panes in the middle, which allows you to look down 150 feet to the ground below. If you have ever thought of having a long expedition on foot, this bridge can be its one source with the leverage of giving you a unique scenic view. SkyBridge, including CNN, NBC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, ABC World News, Fox News, and Yahoo, are some of the numerous national news outlets that have featured it. It makes this bridge another reason to spend your time here on vacation.
6. Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle is a 407-feet observation tower featuring an outdoor observation level with a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg. When its construction was completed in 1969, it was the second tallest structure in Tennessee. The Space Needle provides exceptional views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding hills. This allure is especially spectacular during the July 4th fireworks display, the Christmas parade, and other popular events, which attract huge crowds. Nevertheless, it is that one place you can come to at the end of your adventurous day to enjoy a calm view.
Conclusion
You have all the right reasons for a getaway to Gatlinburg to escape your monotonous routine. A peek at this tiny town in Tennessee’s southeast corner is enough to make your mind feel fresh and clear from the clouds of dullness. From nature to adventure, it has all the qualities to leave you in awe.
