Autumn is a magical time to visit Gatlinburg as the fresh mountain air turns crisp and the leaves change into a spectacular array of colors! If you are lucky enough to visit the Smokies this fall, you will get to see for yourself why so many folks love experiencing this very special time of year! For those who want to know how to make the most of their fall vacation, here are the top 4 things to do during the fall in Gatlinburg TN:
1. Hike Through the National Park
The fall season is the best time to hike the scenic trails at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! While the days may be shorter and you want to get an early start, the wonderful tradeoff is the pleasant weather that is ideal for hiking! Of course, the big draw during the autumn months is the gorgeous fall foliage that has to be seen to be believed! While you can see the stunning colors virtually anywhere in Gatlinburg, a hike is one of the best ways to experience the foliage displays!
2. Take a Chairlift or Cable Car Ride
Another one of the top things to do during the fall in Gatlinburg TN is a cable car ride! These attractions allow you to get high up into the mountains to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage. Note that the fall colors generally develop above 4,000 feet from early to mid-October, while they reach their peak at mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. Some of the chairlift and cable car rides in Gatlinburg include the Aerial Tramway to Ober Gatlinburg, the Chondola to Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg SkyLift to SkyLift Park.
3. Enjoy a Fall Festival
No visit to Gatlinburg during the fall season is complete without joining the fun at a Fall Festival! You will find lots of exciting events happening around town in autumn, including Autumn at Anakeesta. This annual fall festival includes delicious fall foods, night rides on a mountain coaster, ziplining in the dark, Halloween movies and more. Other popular fall events in Gatlinburg include OktOBERfest at Ober Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair. If you don’t want to attend a fall festival, you can have just as much fun strolling along the Parkway in Gatlinburg and seeing all the fall decorations!
4. Drive the Roaring Fork Nature Trail
While there are dozens of scenic drives throughout the Smokies, you won’t want to miss the Roaring Fork Nature Trail during fall in Gatlinburg TN! This lovely drive allows you to experience the “best of the Smokies” as it features lots of great places to stop and hike, beautiful waterfalls, historical structures and of course plenty of fall foliage! Simply turn at stop light #8 in downtown Gatlinburg to begin the drive and travel directly into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Now that you know all of the top things to do during the fall in Gatlinburg TN, check out all of our hotel rooms in downtown Gatlinburg today to plan your fall vacation! We look forward to seeing you this autumn at the Black Bear Inn & Suites!