Here are five of the best activities that can be found in the communities just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are many reasons why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited National Park in the United States. It is, as would be expected, incredibly scenic. It is easy to access (at least the lower areas of the mountains) any time of the year. And, it is filled with many interesting artifacts from American history.
However, another reason to visit the park is because the surrounding communities are also filled with fun activities for people of all ages. Here are five of the best activities that can be found in the communities just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
1. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
To be honest, there are many attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains area where you can see incredible views. However, the SkyLift Park in Gatlinburg, TN, tops the list because of its unique attractions. You take a chairlift up to the top of Crockett Mountain, 1800 feet above sea level. From there, you can find trails and observation decks to take in the views. And, of course, there are shops and restaurants.
However, the most popular destination is the SkyBridge. It is the longest pedestrian cable bridge on the continent, measuring at just under 700 feet over a gorgeous valley. And in the middle of the bridge is 30 feet of see-through glass for a pretty breathtaking experience!
2. The Natahala Outdoor Center
If standing on a pane of glass and looking at the ground 500 feet below isn’t enough to get your heart racing, perhaps the Natahala Outdoor Center will do the trick. There, you can experience some incredible whitewater river rafting.
Or, if you enjoy calmer water adventures, you can also float through much gentler pools or find a swimming hole.
The NOC also offers great hiking and even lodging. Plus, with locations in both North Carolina and Tennessee, it is very convenient no matter where you are in the area.
3. Harrah’s Cherokee casino resort
For a different way to get your heart racing, check out the Harrah’s in Cherokee, NC. It has every kind of gambling you might want, from table games to slots to video poker. Plus, since there is legalized sports betting in North Carolina, Harrah’s Cherokee offers a great sportsbook as well, partnering with Caesar’s. It’s also possible that North Carolina could see mobile sports betting soon. It looks to join other states along the east coast in legalizing betting. New York just launched mobile betting, and we could see Georgia sports betting by the end of this year or early next.
If you are not a gambler, Harrah’s Cherokee still offers world-class dining (including restaurants from Gordon Ramsay and Guy Fieri), golf, and spas.
4. Forbidden Caverns
The Forbidden Caverns, in Sevierville, TN, is a pretty impressive natural structure. You will see sparkling gems, chimneys, stalactites, and more. Running through it all is an underground stream. However, the biggest claim to fame for the Forbidden Caverns is the largest wall of cave onyx ever discovered. Cave onyx, also known as dripstone, is quite rare, and it is a spectacular sight to see.
The tour is approximately 1 hour, and it is well worth the time.
5. Great Smoky arts and crafts community
Just east of Gatlinburg lies an 8-mile loop that is a bit of a hidden gem. It contains a series of over 100 small, local, independent shops and galleries, all of which specialize in hand-crafted artistry. Therefore, along the route, you will find all kinds of fun treasures that you will not discover anywhere else.
Celebrate amazing woodworking, candlemaking, pottery, specialty food, and so much more along the drive. Or, stop and try your hand at craftsmanship in any of the DIY shops. No matter what, you will find enough to enjoy hours–or even days–of fun.
Of course, these are only five of the hundreds (or maybe even thousands!) of attractions near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The truth is that you could probably visit the area every year and not be able to absorb all that it has to offer. However, if you only get to make one trip, these are five of the most highly-recommended stops. Each one offers lots of appeal to people from all different walks of life. And each one is sure to add even more excitement to your already stunning visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Photo by NATHAN MULLET on Unsplash
