Although it is one of the smallest towns in Tennessee, Gatlinburg is one of the busiest destinations in the state. If you are not afraid of the chill in the air, then you will enjoy visiting this town during the winter season. As much as the fall and spring seasons are stunning or even perfect, the winter is similarly exciting for different reasons. And if you are planning a winter getaway, here are some of the activities you can enjoy.
Ober Gatlinburg is a remarkable ski resort and amusement park that offers recreational activities all-year-round. The complex includes skiing, an alpine slide, indoor ice skating, Kiddie Land, a chairlift, and the Wildlife Encounter, which is a habitat for native creatures such as opossums, black bears, and river otters. Getting there is fun, and most visitors prefer the two-mile-long Aerial Tramway that departs from downtown Gatlinburg. It offers you exhilarating views along the way. Again, the chairlift from Ober Gatlinburg offers visitors a half-hour ride to the summit with its superb lookout.
2. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a forest area with huge mountains that are over 6,500 feet high. The Smokies were named after the mist that often rises from the valleys. Travelers and hikers will enjoy these mountains always, and skiers will enjoy traversing them during winter. Several Visitor Centers provide guides and easy access to beautiful sites, and the park has several camp sites. Among the highlights of this area is the flora that includes a mix of coniferous and deciduous forests and over 1,400 species of flowering plants which include Rhododendrons, orchids, wild azaleas, mountain laurels, and mountain magnolias.
3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
One of best among the attractions in Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has a lot of exotic marine life from all over the globe. Among the highlights is the submerged acrylic tunnel that allows visitors to see sharks and many other ocean creatures up close. Other attractions in Ripley’s that will engage restless teens include Ripley’s Odditorium that has a huge collection of unusual items like the medieval instruments of torture and shrunken heads; the Guinness World Records Museum that highlights Harry Houdini’s torture chamber, and the Haunted Adventure.
4. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is among the most remote areas of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is also among the most popular spots in the area, and it attracts over two million visitors annually. The area was once a home to several settlers, and it attracts visitors because of the incredible mountain views, picturesque rural meadows, and well-maintained pioneer homesteads. This area is also suitable for viewing wildlife, and it offers you the opportunity to see animals such as black bears and deer.
When you are in Gatlinburg, the Hollywood Star Cars Museum is an enjoyable diversion. It features more than 40 cars that were used in Hollywood movies. The collection includes cars from Days of Thunder, The Fast and The Furious, and Gone in 60 Seconds. Others include the Batmobile from the 1960s Batman TV show.
Gatlinburg is a beautiful town, and it has many thrilling activities to enjoy during winter. The town will appeal to people of all ages, whether alone or as a group. And you are bound to enjoy your winter stay in the town.