Wonder-seekers come from all over the world to witness the spectacular show of autumn colors in the Great Smoky Mountains. For only a few weeks out of the year, the layered slopes and graceful valleys adorn themselves in red, gold, and yellow, beautifully contrasting the stark blue skies above and crisp mountain streams below. The resulting scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, as expected of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
As if that weren’t enough reason to set Eastern Tennessee apart, resting at the foot of the beautiful Smokies are several fanciful small towns whose unique attractions make a vacation there all the more worthwhile. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg entertainment comes in all shapes and forms. Yet, these attractions, in particular, stand apart for the unique ways they add excitement and perspective to your autumn leaf-peeping endeavors.
Gatlinburg’s Best Spots for Leaf Peeping
When in Gatlinburg during leaf season, there are three places you must go to enjoy some incredible views. First, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park consists of five unique ways to take in a romantic sunset over the mountains. The Skylift is a chairlift that travels from the Gatlinburg Parkway up 500 vertical feet to the peak of Mount Crockett, one of the tallest mountains in the Smokies. Afterward, take a stroll along the 700-foot SkyBridge, dangling at 500 feet above the valley floor, for panoramic views even through the glass flooring at the bridge midpoint. Or, walk hand-in-hand with your sweetheart along the SkyTrail, an elevated wooden boardwalk extending into the hillside. Grab a bite to eat and a drink at the SkyCenter, and bring it outside to sit among the SkyCenter’s fire pits and scenic patio space.
Second, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is the prime location in Gatlinburg for unbeatable views of downtown and the surrounding mountains. Clocking in at 407 feet tall, the accessible glass elevator ride to the top of the observation tower includes an educational program about the history of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Enjoy the viewfinders at the top, or bring your own binoculars. Just don’t forget your camera! After your ride back to ground level, treat yourself and your family to a fun afternoon in the arcade or a magical performance at the Iris Theater.
Last but not least, Ober Gatlinburg hooks you up with more glorious mountain views on the Aerial Tramway, soaring for over two miles and up nearly 1,500 feet! Plus, this aerial car is a convenient way to access the dozens of attractions at Ober, including snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, wildlife encounters, shopping, amusement rides, and dining. Additionally, make sure to hop on Ober’s Scenic Chairlift, the longest chairlift of its kind in the U.S. at 3,019 feet long. From a stunning height of 3,455 feet above sea level, you’ll be able to see Douglas Lake, Mount LeConte, and all of downtown Gatlinburg.
Sky-High Views of the Smokies
Imagine if you could fly like an eagle and gaze in awe at the ripples of mountains unfurling far below you. Well, you can! Hop on a helicopter with Scenic Helicopter Tours, and wave goodbye to the ground as you climb higher and higher into the sky. Choose between five different types of tours to see bodies of water like the French Broad River and Douglas Lake, mountains and valleys like Bluff and Sugarloaf, downtown Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and more. You’ll be in good hands with Scenic Helicopter Tours, which boasts 45 years of piloting experience plus FAA- and National Park Service-certified tours.
With Sky High Air Tours, the exhilarating sound of blades whirring in front of you means one thing: the views are only getting better and better with each foot of altitude! Sky High Air Tours specializes in romantic skyward escapes of 8, 15 or 30 minutes. Unique to these tours is the rare opportunity to witness the Smokies from the bird’s eye view of a vintage open cockpit biplane. The first tour takes you for a sweeping ride over downtown Sevierville. The second soars over Pigeon Forge, where you’ll encounter Dollywood and the foothills of the Smokies. Finally, the half-hour flight follows the same route as the 15-minute tour and includes a stint over the Pigeon Forge Parkway and Douglas Lake as well.
Add A Little Thrill To The Season
A humble walk or sky-high flight to see the autumn colors is certainly enjoyable for anyone. But for some thrill-seeking adventurers, the views could certainly use a bit more adrenaline! If you can relate, then Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park should be your go-to for outdoor activities where panoramic encounters also abound. The park is known for its two 2-hour-long ziplining tours: the Waterfall Canopy Tour of 7 lines and the Goliath Tour of 5 lines. You’ll zoom from one mountaintop to the next, clear valleys like it’s no big deal, and come across secret rivers and streams trickling onward on their journey below. Adrenaline junkies will especially love the Goliath Tour, known to be the highest, longest and fastest zip in the Smokies at 55 mph speeds and 475 feet in the air!
At Jayell Ranch, you can experience the dashing sensation of cutting through the wind on their 2-mile long canopy zipline tour. Throughout this 6-line tour, you’ll catch glimpses of wildlife in their natural highland habitat, views of mountains like LeConte and Hilgard, and sweeping scenes of the ranch itself. If you’ve had enough of the airborne perspective and your feet are itching for solid ground again, the fun among the leaves doesn’t have to stop! For an equally enthralling and active way to experience the Smokies, try out the 12-mile ATV tour or the 1-hour-long horseback riding tour at Jayell Ranch, too.
In Conclusion
The Great Smoky Mountains are home to a unique Appalachian culture, as told through their dinner theater productions, moonshine distilleries, and, of course, the Dolly Parton-themed amusement park, Dollywood. The region undoubtedly deserves a place high up on every serious traveler’s bucket list — even if not for the attractions, then for the natural beauty of these ancient mountains. Thankfully, in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, you can experience a wide variety of fun activities that simultaneously grant you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the fall colors in full force.