Looking for a great family vacation destination? You might want to consider the quaint mountain village of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is a special gem offering a wide range of activities and adventures for the entire family.
Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the nation’s most visited national park. Yet you’ll also find the area loaded with exceptional shopping, dining, fun-filled amusement and attractions, nightlife and more.
With all the beautiful tourist spots in Gatlinburg, opting for a Gatlinburg vacation package will make it easier for you to visit Smoky mountains and nearby attractions without worrying about your food and accommodation. So, here are 5 exciting stops that can help create the ultimate Gatlinburg getaway.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the heart and soul of Gatlinburg, attracting more than 9 million visitors per year. Stretching out over 500,000 acres and multiple states, the park offers a plethora of outdoor activities. Any time of year is a great time to visit Smoky mountains, thanks to options that range from skiing, hiking, biking and fly fishing to mountain coasters, wildlife viewing and fall color excursions.
With mountains towering over 6,500 feet high, the park features diverse plant and animal life including more than 1,600 species of flowering plants, 100 native tree species and more than 100 native shrub species. You’ll also find more than 65 species of mammals, 200 varieties of birds, 67 native fish species and more than 80 reptiles and amphibians. Visit Cades Cove Loop and see if you can spot one of the 1,500 black bears that call the park home.
Ripley’s Aquarium of The Smokies
Gatlinburg may be situated in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains, but Ripley’s Aquarium of The Smokies is a family-friendly attraction offering an up-close look at more than 10,000 sea animals.
With an extensive collection of sea life, children and visitors can interact and observe different species. Amongst the combined species, visitors can find scorpionfish, a spotted garden eel, sharks, rays and more – many visible in the spectacular underwater tunnel! Sea life can be found throughout the different realms, such as Shark Lagoon, Touch a Ray Bay, Coral Reef, Sting Ray Bay, Penguin Playhouse, Tropical Rainforest and more.
Amongst the many experiences Ripley’s Aquarium provides, visitors can touch, feed, and swim alongside some of the animals. Children also love the Turtle Time experience where you can feed Sally the Sea Turtle.
Gatlinburg Space Needle
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA townscape in the Smoky Mountains.
Nearly anywhere you go in Gatlinburg, you’ll find a beautiful view of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. But the best view in town just might be a bird’s eye view – a spectacular view you can find at the top of the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle.
The giant, 407-foot tall observation tower overlooks downtown Gatlinburg and the treasured Smoky Mountains. Visitors can take a scenic glass elevator ride up to the top of the Space Needle where an observation deck offers a 360-degree view. More than just a great view, visitors will find learning exhibits that offer facts and history of the Gatlinburg area.
There is also a 25,000 square foot amusement center housing simulators and games. Catch the best view in town – atop the Gatlinburg Space Needle.
Ober Gatlinburg
Winter, spring, summer or fall, Ober Gatlinburg is a family-favorite destination offering a mountain of adventure. Sitting high above the streets of Gatlinburg, Ober Gatlinburg is a Ski Area and Amusement Park for the entire family.
Reaching the top is half the fun – you can drive up the mountain or take the scenic route – aboard the Aerial Tramway. When you reach the top, you’ll be treated by amazing views and a wide range of activities. During the winter months, visitors will find snowboarding, snow-tubing, and skiing. That’s only the beginning. The park includes a state-of-the-art indoor ice arena which is open all year-round and even features ice bumper cars!
There’s also a thrilling mountain coaster, fun alpine slides that journey through wood and ski trails, a fun-filled arcade, rock climbing wall, a tricky indoor maze, a special wildlife encounter with owls, river otters, fox, bobcat, turtles, snakes, flying squirrels, a black bear family and more.
The Sugarlands
You’ll find plenty of history in the Great Smoky Mountains and part of that history revolves around the age-old art of moonshine! Sugarlands Distilling Company is one of several Gatlinburg distilleries that offer a closer look at the moonshine industry.
Guests can take a special tour of the stillhouse and see first-hand how Sugarlands Shine is made. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy two hand-crafted cocktails. They even offer workshops where you can be a distiller for a day!
Truly a unique Southern experience, The Sugarlands gives its visitors a glimpse inside the soul of Gatlinburg.
