Activities for Your Smoky Mountain Vacation
The Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee draw millions of visitors each year and it’s no secret why they come in droves. The Smoky Mountains provide many reasons for travelers to visit. The scenery is spectacularly beautiful, the atmosphere is laid-back, there are plenty of natural and man-made attractions and activities, and accommodations galore.
Any visit to the Smoky Mountains, regardless of the season, must include sightseeing. The mountains offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Snow-capped mountain peaks in winter and colorful foliage in fall are sights to behold. Summer hikes allow visitors to see remote waterfalls and scenic views. Hiking is not the only way to enjoy the views. There are plenty of sights that can be seen from the comfort of a car. Cades Cove is an 11-mile one-way road that allows visitors to see wildlife such as deer, bears, foxes, and more. The Foothills Parkway meanders along the top of Chilhowee Mountain, providing stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. Winterfest transforms Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg into a sea of lights where millions of holiday lights and decorations line the streets and buildings.
The great thing about vacationing in the Smoky Mountains is that there are no deadlines, no manifests, and no to-do lists. The atmosphere is relaxed and calm. Visitors can move at their own pace, be it fast or slow. Sit all day on the front porch sipping coffee or hike a mountain trail. Take a relaxing ride down a tranquil stream on an inner tube or take a brisk bike ride through the woods. Catch a nightly show in Pigeon Forge or go to bed early, it’s up to you. Life in the Smoky Mountains follows your lead.
There are many entertainment venues in the Smokies. Gatlinburg’s streets are lined with shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Guinness World of Records Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, and the 342-foot-tall Space Needle are just a few of the attractions in downtown Gatlinburg. Take a trolley ride up the mountain and you can visit the Ober Gatlinburg ski area, where you can snow ski, ice skate and much more. Take a zipline tour through the treetops at Gatlinburg Zipline Adventures.
Pigeon Forge is home to DollyWood and Splash Country, amusement parks owned by country music superstar Dolly Parton. There are also activities such as go-karts, bungee jumping, miniature golf, laser tag, indoor skydiving, game rooms and much more. Pigeon Forge is also famous for its shops. It has several factory outlet malls, as well as shopping malls and craft shops. Entertainment is abundant with music, comedy, magic and dinner shows in the theaters that line the streets of Pigeon Forge. Museums, restaurants, hotels and convention centers also abound.
There are also plenty of activities for nature lovers in the Smoky Mountains. Hiking trails saturate the Smokies, taking you to some of the most popular spots like Mt. LeConte, Abrams Falls, and more. Fly fishing, tubing, and swimming are popular summer activities in many of the streams and rivers that meander through the mountains. Camping is also a favorite hobby. Large campgrounds are numerous, as are smaller, off-the-beaten-track sites. The truly brave can trek deep into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and set up camp in the wilderness.
Lodging is always plentiful in the Smoky Mountains. Bed and breakfast inns are always a favorite, as are cabin rentals. But there are also many hotels and resorts. Cabins and condominiums are popular. There are even timeshares in the area. Those who like to have a rough time can find RV parks and campgrounds.
With the number of activities, attractions, and beautiful locations, it’s no wonder why the Smoky Mountains are one of the most popular vacation spots in the eastern United States. Come and see for yourself and you will agree.