By Rhonda Campbell
Gatlinburg is a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is less than a two-hour drive from Knoxville and the University of Tennessee, one of the region's largest college campuses. Major attractions like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge, the National Hot Rod Association's Thunder Valley race track and Dollywood are all within an hour's drive of Gatlinburg. The city continues to offer visitors a taste of small-town culture and Southern hospitality. Nature is king in Gatlinburg. Whether you love the outdoors or exploring indoor attractions, Gatlinburg has much to offer its winter visitors.
Skiing
Built on Mount Harrison in the Great Smoky Mountains, Ober Gatlinburg Ski resort & Amusement Park is Tennessee's only ski resort. The resort has nine trails, including terrain that is suitable for everyone from beginners to expert skiers. You can take a ride on the scenic aerial tram from downtown Gatlinburg up to the resort. There is a ski rental service at the resort where you can rent skis, gloves and other gear. Ski School Slope and Cub Way are the best slopes for beginning skiers. Ober Chute, Alpine, Castle, Upper Bear Run and Lower Bear Run are ideal for intermediate skiers to explore. Advanced skiers will find Mogul Ridge and Grizzly Trail most challenging. The ski resort lights up the slope so skiing can continue well into the night.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park
1339 Ski Mountain Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-5423
obergatlinburg.com
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
This Gatlinburg aquarium is home to more than 10,000 exotic sea creatures representing more than 350 individual species. Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians also live at the aquarium. Coral Reef, Tropical Rainforest, Ocean Realm, Shark Lagoon, Gallery of the Seas, Touch a Ray Bay, Gallery of the Seas and System Controls are the eight aquarium exhibits. At Touch a Ray Bay you can reach out and touch stingrays as they swim pass. You can watch aquarists work with fish and sharks while you travel through the Shark Lagoon exhibit. Outside the aquarium area, the Discovery Channel exhibit offers you the chance to touch and feel historic artifacts and learn about animals of the world. There are restaurants and a gift shop at the aquarium, which is open year-round.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
888-240-1358
ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com
Hollywood Wax Museum
Gatlinburg's Hollywood Wax Museum is located near the convention center. You can walk through the museum and learn about famous scientists, entertainers, athletes and other celebrities like Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise, Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. Children 5 years and younger are admitted to the museum free of charge. The museum is open year-round.
Hollywood Wax Museum
903 Parkway, Suite 103
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
(865) 430-1800
hollywoodwax.com/gatlinburg
About the Author:
Rhonda Campbell is an entrepreneur, radio host and author. She has more than 17 years of business, human resources and project management experience and decades of book, newspaper, magazine, radio and business writing experience. Her works have appeared in leading periodicals like "Madame Noire," "Halogen TV," "The Network Journal," "Essence," "Your Church Magazine," "The Trenton Times," "Pittsburgh Quarterly" and "New Citizens Press."
Photo Credits:
Smoky Mountain National Park image by Gary from
Fotolia.com
