If you’ve never visited the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s time you pack up and take a Gatlinburg vacation! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the best place to relax and enjoy beautiful mountain views! While you are spending time in the Smokies, make time for these five mountain adventures!

Hike to a Waterfall

Most people plan at least one Smoky Mountain hike for their Gatlinburg vacation! Why not try a waterfall trail this time? One of the most popular waterfall hikes, Laurel Falls, is fairly easy and is good for children, too! The Smoky Mountain hike is approximately 2.6 miles to the round-trip, taking approximately 2 hours to complete the hike. The 80-foot waterfall The trail does get rough in some places, so it is not recommended that you take strollers or wheelchairs on this hike.

Take a Driving Tour

For those that don’t want to go on a Smoky Mountain hike, taking a driving tour will offer the same Smoky Mountain views! One of the most popular driving tours is the Cades Cove Loop Road. The 11 miles of road can sometimes take drivers two to three hours to travel through, so be sure you allow for enough time to see everything! The Cades Cove area has plenty of spaces to pull off to the side to enjoy the views and take pictures. There are a few driving tours in the Smoky Mountains that have pamphlets that correspond with the drive. The brochures will tell passengers about the area.

Visit Historic Buildings

During your Gatlinburg vacation, make sure you visit some of the old cabin homes and mills. Cades Cove is a popular spot to visit old Smoky Mountain buildings. As well as, The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge is a popular tourist destination because it is the most historic site in the area. Having made it to the National Register of Historic Places, the Pigeon Forge Mill, is a great area to visit if you are looking to check out the area’s history!

See Smoky Mountain Wildlife

Cades Cove is a must-visit location for wildlife sightseeing on your Gatlinburg vacation. The area is the most popular for seeing wildlife. Dawn and dusk are typically the best times of day to see animals at a distance. Make sure you take your binoculars, so you can take a better look at black bears and other animals in the Smokies!

Enjoy a Picnic Lunch

Whether you are on a hike or spending time in the mountains viewing old buildings, a picnic is a must! On a hiking trail, find a safe spot to sit and enjoy the Gatlinburg nature surrounding you. If you are looking for the perfect picnic spot off of the trail, try Cades Cove! Remember to always throw away any trash after your picnic, so animals aren’t harmed!

While you are planning your Gatlinburg vacation, check out our Gatlinburg cabin and chalet rentals. Located in Gatlinburg, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we are just a few minutes away from your mountain adventures! You can contact us at 1-888-430-4060 to make a reservation or speak with one of our friendly staff members! We would be glad to help you plan your trip to Gatlinburg!