Gatlinburg is a city in Sevier County in Eastern Tennessee that is renowned for its mountains. Many of the area’s attractions offer breathtaking views of the nearby park. The Space Needle Observation Tower, for example, offers views from over 400 feet from the ground. There is the Sky Lift as well, which transports from downtown to the local area amusement park or the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. Gatlinburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Tennessee.
If you are planning on going on vacation soon, you will discover that Gatlinburg is an outstanding choice. It offers something to everyone. It is located close to the Great Smoky Mountains, giving this resort an incredible location. In fact, people sometimes refer to Gatlinburg as the entryway of the Great Smoky Mountains.
You will learn more about some of Gatlinburg’s attractions below:
The Ripley Aquarium of the Smokies
Situated in downtown Gatlinburg, this aquarium was voted as the best aquarium in the United States. This is an amazing place to see marine life. There are over 100,000 creatures located at the aquarium. While you are here, you can be confident that you will be safe at all times, and you will not need to worry about getting wet. You definitely don’t want to miss this attraction!
The highlight of this aquarium is its 340-foot tunnel that is totally underwater. It is an incredible place to view giant sea turtles, fish, stingrays, sharks, and numerous other aquatic creatures that can be found at the aquarium. It is one of the world’s longest underwater tunnels. It also has a moving glide path, so you will feel like you are being transported across the ocean’s depths. There is nothing quite like having a huge shark swim right past you.
The aquarium provides all types of exciting exhibits, including the Penguin Playhouse, the Gallery of the Seas, a Coral Reef, a Sting Ray Bay, a Tropical Rain Forest, a Shark Lagoon. The Penguin Playhouse attraction will definitely be a huge hit with the entire family. The Penguin Playhouse opened in 2010 and provides kids with the opportunity to crawl through tunnels to view penguins up close. This attraction cost approximately $5 million.
Downtown Gatlinburg
The downtown area of Gatlinburg is situated near the Smoky Mountains entrance. This thriving tourist area offers numerous shops, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Approximately 1 million people visit Gatlinburg every year. It is easy to understand why when you see the downtown attractions. There is so much to do and see, and many of the attractions are both entertaining and educational. From seniors to children, everyone will have plenty of fun in downtown Gatlinburg.
It can even be exciting to walk around Gatlinburg’s downtown area. You will be right next to the Smoky Mountains, and there is plenty of ambiance in the area. There are numerous attractions to enjoy, with lots of variety. You might not have enough time to visit every attraction you would like to see. It is home to the United States No. 1 ranked aquarium along with an observation tower that offers amazing views of the Smoky Mountains. While visiting the downtown area, you will definitely stay busy.
Renting a Vacation Cabin in Gatlinburg
Since there is so much to do and see in the Smoky Mountains, it isn’t possible to do everything in just one day. This is why you need to ensure that you have plenty of time to experience everything that this area offers. You can get away from everything still feel as if you are completely at home when you rent a vacation cabin in Gatlinburg. Your Great Smoky Mountains trip can be even more exciting when you stay in a cabin. Even better, it is much less expensive to stay in a cabin than it is to rent a city hotel room.
The chalets and cabins in the area are an excellent option for all different types of vacations. Whether you are taking a family vacation, planning a retreat for your company, or going on your honeymoon, you will definitely have a great time here. While you are staying in one of the cabins, you will have convenient access to all of the various amenities that you have at home, in addition to other luxuries such as an indoor pool and breathtaking mountain views. You will have a fully stocked kitchen, which will allow you to cook your own meals if you want to, in addition to separate bedrooms and large living spaces. There are cabins that range from 1 up to 6 bedrooms, so it will be easy for you to find a cabin that is the best size to meet your needs. Check out Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville cabins if you are planning on going on vacation in the area.
Anakeesta: This is a theme park in the mountains. You can reach it from Downtown Gatlinburg. While you are there, you can enjoy all different types of enjoyable activities, including incredible restaurants, shopping, gem mining, and a canopy forest trail. There is also a Santa’s Village event hosted by the park, so you can hear carolers and see Christmas lights.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a great attraction to visit at all times of the year. You can go hiking through winter snow or go on a scenic drive. Some of the areas you might want to visit include Elkmont, Tremont, Greenbrier, and Cosby.