Top 5 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains
The Smoky Mountains are not only home to the most visited national park in the country, but plenty of exciting attractions for all ages! You’ll find all the action in the park just a short drive from our beautiful campground, and all the fun in downtown Gatlinburg is a nice scenic drive away! So, set up a tent, park your RV or stay in one of our camping cabins this season and enjoy everything that the region has to offer! Here are the top 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 150 official hiking trails for all skill levels, as well as fascinating historical structures, natural wonders, excellent visitor centers and more! As you explore the park, you’ll discover a diversity of wildlife ranging from white-tailed deer to the iconic black bear! Some of the top things to see in the Smoky Mountains are historic cabins, mountain vistas, and cascading waterfalls. Whether you want to see an 80-foot-tall waterfall or a majestic overlook, you can find it within the park! Some of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park include Cades Cove, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), and the Roaring Fork Nature Trail.
2. Visit the Shops in Downtown Gatlinburg
Another one of the fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains is shopping! After all, you’ll want to pick up some cool souvenirs to remember your amazing vacation to the Smokies! When you’re ready to shop until you drop, head to downtown Gatlinburg, park your car, and simply stroll along the downtown streets! There are a wide variety of shopping malls and unique specialty shops along the Parkway, including the Village Shoppes, the Mountain Mall, and the Reagan Terrace Mall!
3. Experience the Attractions at Ober Mountain
Be sure to put Ober Mountain on your Smoky Mountain itinerary, as this mountaintop amusement park and ski area truly has something for everyone in the family! During the colder months of the year, you can enjoy winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing! However, you’ll also find attractions that are open year-round such as the Tennessee Flyer mountain coaster, Scenic Chairlift, Wildlife Habitat, and the famous Aerial Tramway!
4. Enjoy the Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment Options at Anakeesta
When it comes to the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains, don’t miss Anakeesta! This is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Smokies, considering it’s located on a mountain 600 feet above downtown Gatlinburg! Your journey starts with a Chondola ride to the top, where you can choose to ride in an enclosed gondola or a traditional ski lift chair! Once you make it to the peak, you’ll have access to all kinds of wonderful shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including two mountain coasters, a treetop skywalk, and a whimsical firefly shopping village!
5. Discover Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
No visit to the Smoky Mountains is complete without a few hours at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! This incredible state-of-the-art facility features more than 10,000 exotic sea creatures among 10 themed galleries! One of the highlights is the Shark Lagoon, where you’ll travel through a moving 340-foot long glidepath along the ocean floor to see sharks, sawfish, sea turtles, and more! The aquarium also offers the opportunity to touch a ray, interact with moon jellies, and come nose-to-beak with a penguin!
More of the Top Things to See and Do in the Smoky Mountains
This is just a sample of all the fun activities throughout the Smokies, so be sure to read more about all the things to do in the Smoky Mountains!
