Our visit to the Smoky Mountains National Park was full of action, adventure and entertainment. Our primary attraction to the Smoky Mountains National Park was the hiking and waterfall chasing but we found so much more to hold our interest and enhance our experience.
We stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and never had to drive more than 15 miles (24 km) in any one direction while enjoying over 25 miles of hiking, (7) amazing waterfalls, beautiful nature-laden drives, fantastic food and an utterly unique downtown with hundreds of stores, shops, museums, games, galleries and even a space needle. You could spend weeks in the Smoky Mountains National Park and never do the same thing twice.
Here are a few of our favorite places to see in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
Sugarlands Visitor Center
The Sugarlands Visitor Center represents a central hub for the Smoky Mountains National Park. From the center you have direct access north to Gatlinburg and the more touristy Pigeon Forge (Dollywood, et al) or south to the Newfound Gap and Bryson City. Its primary role is providing information about the Smoky Mountains National Park and is staffed from 9am-5pm year-round. There are facilities, a large parking lot, a bookstore and a gift shop. Behind the main building follow the signs for “Nature Trail”, part of the Cove Mountain Trail that leads you to the Cataract Falls.
Downtown Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is located in the middle of the northern edge of the Smoky Mountains National Park. It is an ideal hub if you’re interested in hiking and/or waterfall chasing. The downtown is a potpourri of entertainment options for all ages and a nice break from the more physically demanding options in the park. There are shops featuring everything from Ripley’s Believe It or Not to candy extravaganzas!
There are a few indoor, and a number of outdoor, malls scattered along the main US-441 drag of downtown Gatlinburg. The largest indoor mall is the 6-story Mountain Mall featuring the Cowboy Way western wear, the Gatlinburg Tobacconist and the crown jewel, Tennessee Cider Co. Our favorite outdoor mall is the European-styled “The Village” which features a variety of different boutique shops like The Honey Pot, Misty Mountain Soap Co. and the incomparable Donut Friar. The Village reminded us of Tlaquepaque Village in Sedona, AZ.
Much of the entertainment offerings in downtown Gatlinburg have a decidedly Ripley’s theme. There is the main attraction, the Odditorium, with its 10,478 pound (4,753 kg) “kugel ball” entrance containing over 500 exhibits and artifacts spread across 3 floors. There is also a 5D Moving Theater, Mini-Golf, the Amazing Mirror Maze and even a Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
With over 50 restaurants to choose from, every meal can become a unique experience. Most every culinary experience is represented from pancakes and Mexican to pizza and Tennessee Jed’s famous sandwiches. You’ll never have to eat at a chain while staying in the Smoky Mountains National Park . . . unless you want to. If its snacks you’re looking for you won’t run out of options from rock candy and caramel apples to Kilwin’s excellent fudge.
There are a number of ways you can get a birdseye view of downtown Gatlinburg. The most popular is the centerpiece landmark of Gatlinburg, the Space Needle. Rising to 407’ (124 m) via a glass elevator, you’ll enjoy a 360° view of Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains National Park. Across the street is the Skylift Park, a chair lift that brings you to the 680’ (207 m) Gatlinburg Skybridge with views that include the Space Needle, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the entrance to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. One lessor known option is the Doubletree Hotel, located about a mile southeast of the Space Needle (next to the entrance of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail), with fantastic vista views looking back down into town.
7 Hiking Trails
Our passion is hiking and the Smoky Mountains National Park provides more than enough trails to keep any and all visitors entertained. There are so many we’ve dedicated an entire article on the (7) wonderful trails we explored. Click through for 7 Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Trails to Explore for descriptions and tons of great pictures from our hikes.
7 Waterfalls
If hiking is our main passion then waterfalls are our favorite destinations. We love the overlooks, creeks, forests and rocks that litter our favorite paths but there is something magical about waterfalls. They are each so unique, powerful and majestic. We found 7 Great Smoky Mountains Waterfalls to Explore which warranted its own article. Worth a look if only for the amazing pictures we were lucky enough to capture.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
From our Historic Nature Trail Hampton Inn lodgings the entrance to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail was literally just minutes up the street. While there are plenty of places to stop, hike, explore and experience amazing overlooks you could easily never leave your car and have a fantastic time simply driving along the Motor Nature Trail. Click our post 8 Things to See Along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to learn more and see some great nature and historic pictures.
Lodgings
It should come as no surprise that there are a ton of options for overnight stays near the Smoky Mountains National Park. Ironically there is only one option within the actual park itself, the LeConte Lodge. There are almost (50) hotels alone to choose from in Gatlinburg. There are hundreds of cabin rentals, Airbnb, vacation homes, camping sites and RV parks. We chose our old reliable . . . Hampton Inn. There are (2) to choose from, one on the strip and the other on Historic Nature Trail road. As always, clean rooms, pleasant staff, easy access to amenities and free hot breakfast!
Dining
If you walk the strip of downtown Gatlinburg you will find cuisine, and ambiance, to match your every taste and mood. From Parisienne crepes to Tennessee BBQ, fresh grilled trout to juicy seared sirloin or pizza to a Bayou BLT you can experience a different culinary delight every meal. Our favorites included Howard’s Restaurant (steaks & burgers), the Cherokee Grille (BBQ ribs & southern fried catfish), Tennessee Jed’s (sandwiches) and off the beaten path, Estrella Hondumex, a small local grocer/restaurant with an incredible Honduras/Mexican menu frequented by locals (always the best indicator of great food when traveling).
Final Thoughts
There is good reason the Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the world . . . by almost double that of the next closest, the Grand Canyon. It is extremely well maintained, well-marked and easily accessible. Everything you need is close by and conveniently located. The natural beauty is multi-dimensional from the forests filled with hardwood trees to whitewater streams, vista overlooks and flowing waterfalls. There is literally something for everyone.
Did you know that national parks are an American invention? Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 and the National Park Service was created in 1916. What is your favorite national park? We’d love to hear all about your adventures!
