It can be quite exciting to run into bear clubs when you are out on a hiking trail. Or maybe there are sharks swimming close to you while you are exploring corals within the ocean’s depth. Would you like to be able to experience all of these kinds of adventures all in one trip? If so, you should plan a trip to Gatlinburg located in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. Tourists are warmly welcomed by Gatlinburg and offer amazing sights that are not available in other places.
A majority of the area’s tourists attraction offers stunning views of the local aerial cable cars, observation towers, and diverse marine life. It is the sole gateway leading into the Great Smoky Mountains, a 520,000-acre area. A long-lasting impression is always made by this mountain due to a broad selection of adventure activities, outstanding restaurants, challenging hiking trails, and impressive hotels. Would you like to get a Gatlinburg trip planned? Your ultimate Gatlinburg, TN travel guide is Find Rentals, where you can find everything you would like to know about Gatlinburg in just a few clicks.
Things that can be done in Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg has many different tourist destinations available since it is the gateway into the Great Smoky Mountains. Find Rentals has compiled a shortlist of some of the best must-visit places below for your convenience.
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
This is definitely a place that you do not want to miss. The award-winning aquarium certainly lives up to its reputation. It offers a broad selection of interactive experiences that can be enjoyed with creatures from the sea. It involves thousands of exotic sealife swimming directly above you. As they are passing by, you are going to want to reach out and touch them. Visitors are able to touch the stingrays as well as travel along the glide path moving underneath the sea which is full of sharks.
It is one of the best aquariums in the world, and it should be on top of your list of plans you would like to visit. Along with exploring the different parts of the aquarium to see thousands of fishes and sea creatures, there are also live animal shows that you can watch and enjoy hands-on experiences that will make your visit truly memorable.
- Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Have you always wanted to experience a comprehensive view of the entire Great Smoky Mountains range? This park opened in1954 and has the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North American. If you have a fear of heights, do not look down too often. The bridge swings quite vigorously, especially when many people are on it. Hold onto both sides when you are walking across the bridge.
Making a round trip of the bridge from the beginning takes around twenty minutes. Tourists tend to take longer than that since they like taking plenty of photos of the Great Smoky Mountains. Make sure your hands are on the bridge’s outside part while you are taking selfies since if you drop your phone accidentally it will be lost forever.
- Ober Gatlinburg
This amusement park has activities available for all seasons. Locals call it a four-season amusement park. Winter is the park’s peak season due to snowboard and skiing facilities. However, during the summer there are also plenty of things to do. The aerial tramway offers a stunning view of Gatlinburg. Along with the tramway, you can also ake your kids on the summer tube where they can slide to their heart’s content.
Ober is also well-known for its Spring Fling contest involving many different water sports. Another event that can be enjoyed is MayFest. It is one of the best spring festivals in Gatlinburg. At the beginning of falls is when the snow starts developing in Ober. Snow tubing is something you definitely do not want to miss out on. It isn’t the time for skiing. You will need to wait until wintertime for snowboarding and skiing. Snow tubing can provide you with a glimpse into what can be expected later on.
- Gatlinburg Space Needle
The observation tower is an iconic landmark in the area that looks over the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg. At the top, there is a 360-degree of these majestic mountains. You can get to the top by purchasing a ticket to take the glass elevator. It will take you up to the top floor located 400 feet up in the air. The panoramic view of the mountains and town is absolutely breathtaking. Early morning is the best time to visit. This is when the sun is slowly spreading its light across the Smoky Mountains. You definitely do not want to miss it.
There are also arcade games that can be played for hours in addition to enjoying the beautiful view. Your kids will love it. The Gatlinburg Space Need has many games and simulators. You earn e-tickets when you win games. You can redeem your tickets at the redemption counter to play more.
Best time to visit Gatlinburg
The weather is one of the most important factors for most tourists. Fortunately, during most of the year, the weather is quite pleasant. The mountain climate during the summer is not too hot and during the winter is not too cold. Many tourists also visit Gatlinburg for its light hiking trails. For some people, this can make it confusing to determine what the best time of the year is to visit Gatlinburg As your Gatli TN Travel guide, we recommend visiting in either September or October.
Summer and winter are the busiest seasons. Gatlinburg winters are well-known for their snowboard and skiing activities. Hundreds of people come to try their skiing skills out. All of the festivals happen in the summer. However, it is a bit humid from June through August. So if you don’t want to end up drenched in sweat as you are hiking, then you should visit the Gatlinburg area in either September or October.
Where to stay in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg which is apart of Great Smoky Mountains has some amazing holiday rentals that provide luxurious amenities for a very comfortable visit. We work with the best hotels, inns, and hotels to help you find a place to stay that fits your budget the best. You can filter your searches based on various criteria, which include price per night, room size, and available amenities. The following are some of the best hotels that can be booked at Find Rentals for your convenience:
- Gatlinburg Downtown Holiday Inn Express
From the time that you first see it, you will absolutely fall in love with this inn. It features 5-sta hotel-quality decorations. The room rental rates are very affordable and the inn offers many different amenities, including free breakfast, indoor pools, a gym, and more. Therefore you won’t have to worry about finding a great Gatlinburg accommodation for your visit. You can book your stay directly on your website, leaving you free to completely enjoy your Gatlinburg trip.
- Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
The quality of the rooms makes it had to tell that it is an economy inn. In addition, it is located near many of the top tourist destinations that we discussed earlier. Book your stay well in advance since the inn tends to remain full over the whole year. All guests are provided with an outdoor pool, free breakfast, and WiFi.
- Gatlinburg Baymont by Wyndham
As one of the most luxurious hotels in Gatlinburg, it does tend to be more expensive than other inns in the area. However, you can enjoy a spectacular view from your room which definitely makes it worth it. The casual riverfront hotel has an indoor pool, a gym, free breakfast, and WiFi.
- Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa
From this resort, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Great Smoky Mountains. These relaxed villas that you can stay in that are secluded from the main resort. The villas are also ideal for honeymoon couples. Lower prices rooms are also available inside the resort.
Now that you have learned about all of the important information on visiting Gatlinburg, it’s time for you to start planning your itinerary. Allow Find Rentals to be your very own Gatlinburg TN Travel Guide and provide you with assistance on our customized tour plan. We can help to ensure that your vacation is one that you will remember for your entire life. Before booking a hotel room, make sure that you review all of our tourist destinations and hotels.
