By Eric Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are popular vacation destinations in the scenic Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee, and many families enjoy a wide variety of activities. The area's natural beauty is its most important asset. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer many
hotel rooms to visitors of nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoy the parks, aquariums and shows these communities offer and have fun outdoors and indoors.
Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park
See wildlife and beautiful unspoiled wilderness in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive to the top of Clingman's Dome, the park's highest mountain. Hike on trails and watch for bears, deer and other local wildlife. Many visitors camp and fish in the park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
(865) 436-1200
Ride an Aerial Tram
Ride the Ober Gatlinburg aerial tram year-round. Rides leave every 20 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and travel 2.1 miles to the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort. See stunning views of the Smoky Mountains, and view the fall colors from a unique perspective. Ober Gatlinburg also offers skiing during the winter months.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg Tennessee 37738
(865) 436-5423
See an Aquarium
See sharks, sea turtles and other marine life at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Watch stingrays and piranhas in the tropical rain forest exhibit. See hundreds of colorful fish in the coral reef. Walk through an acrylic tunnel and come face-to-face with large sharks. The aquarium is open every day and provides lots of indoor fun.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
(865) 430-8808
Visit a Theme Park
Visit Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain theme park. Ride wild roller coasters or enjoyable kiddie rides. See performers from around the world at Dollywood's Festival of Nations each spring. Watch master craftsmen demonstrate glass blowing, woodcarving and other crafts. Enjoy live music and stage shows every day.
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, Tennesee 37863
(865) 428-9488
See the Dixie Stampede
Eat a delicious four-course meal and watch the Dixie Stampede. This dinner show includes unbelievable stunts and special effects. Watch horse riding, ostrich racing and buffalo in this large-scale production. Visitors enjoy dramatic sound effects, lighting and pyrotechnics.
Dixie Stampede
3849 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37868
(800) 356-1676
Resources
About the Author:
Eric Smith has been a freelance writer since 2007 and has published articles on various websites. Smith specializes in a wide variety of topics, particularly health, travel and business. He has a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Oakland University.
Photo Credits:
A scenery landscape of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park image by Gary from
Fotolia.com
