A stop in Gatlinburg means you'll be near one of the most famous national parks in the United States: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has a little bit of everything: Bear watching (an estimated 1,500 black bears are in the park), camping, hiking and fishing are just some of the available activities.
According to its official website, the park is open every day. However, some portions may be closed because of holidays or weather restrictions. Particularly during the winter months, you should call ahead before planning your trip.
Kids will especially enjoy the variety of ranger-led programs the park offers periodically throughout the year. Kids ages 5 to 12 can earn Junior Ranger badges by completing activity workbooks during their stay.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-1200
nps.gov/grsm
Billed as an all-steel observation tower, the Space Needle provides a unique opportunity to get a bird's-eye view of Gatlinburg and the mountainous terrain. The observation deck is more than 400 feet in the air and provides plenty of binoculars to gaze through. You can either peer through the binoculars on your own, or try a guided, educational tour. The building is also home to a theater, which has family-friendly shows nightly, with tickets ranging from $11.50 to $19.95. An Italian restaurant is also on the premises.
Gatlinburg Space Needle
115 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-4629
gatlinburgspaceneedle.com
Although this park is a winter favorite, it is open the entire year. According to its website, the park has eight trails for skiing and snowboarding. Additionally, an on-site amusement park has a chair lift for scenic viewing, an indoor ice skating rink, an arcade center, miniature golf and water rides. An on-site restaurant and shopping opportunities are also available.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-5432
obergatlinburg.com
