Top 3 Gatlinburg Attractions to Visit Before the Fall Season Ends

When you visit Gatlinburg attractions in the fall, you’re in for a very special adventure. Not only will you be seeing the beauty of the Smokies, you’ll be seeing all of the fall colors right as the season turns to winter. These are a few of our favorite Gatlinburg attractions that you absolutely need to visit before the fall season ends:

1. Gatlinburg Space Needle

If you’ve never visited the Gatlinburg Space Needle, it’s one of the best places to see the Smoky Mountains — in the fall and even in the winter. When you arrive, you will make your way to the top of the Space Needle that overlooks Gatlinburg with stunning, 360-degree views of the mountains. You can choose the amount of time you spend at the top of the Space Needle, too. So, it’s a perfect Gatlinburg attraction for anyone’s schedule. Just don’t forget to pack your camera or cell phone so you can take lots of pictures!

Another great thing about the Space Needle is that you can experience two different views while you’re in the area. If you visit during the daytime hours, you’ll see the sun shining over the area, and if you visit in the evening, you’ll see the sparkling lights of Gatlinburg that light up the sky.

As the fall season ends, Gatlinburg Winterfest will be taking place and over 4 million holiday lights will also light up the sky. We definitely suggest experiencing the views in the evening if you’ve never seen it before!

2. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Of course, no matter what time of year you visit, you have to make a point to spend some time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As we move into the winter season, the days get cooler and the daylight hours get shorter, so it’s a good idea to plan your day out so you can get the best of the Smokies in the shortest amount of time. Here’s a couple of the most popular places to see before the fall season ends:

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is open from March through November, and it’s definitely worth seeing! It’s the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at 6,643 feet. Depending on the time of day you visit and what the weather is like, you can see up to 100 miles in every direction. Keep in mind that there is a half mile hike to reach the Clingmans Dome observation tower, so you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing comfortable hiking shoes.

Cades Cove

The most popular location within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is definitely Cades Cove. Year after year, millions of visitors make their way to Cades Cove to really experience the history of the national park. Cades Cove has old cabins, grist mills and churches that take you back in time to the pioneer days of the Smoky Mountains.

To learn more about Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, click here.

3. Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

This is one of those Gatlinburg attractions you really don’t want to miss out on! Leading up to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, you can take a ride on the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway which takes you across the mountaintops. This is a very popular ride in the fall season because it gives everyone a chance to see the fall colors from high above the trees. You’re practically riding along the tops of the trees, and it’s a great way to get beautiful pictures.

Go ahead and start planning your trip right away, so you don’t miss out on any of these fun things to do in the area. For more information and other great adventures in the area, be sure to check out all of our favorite Gatlinburg attractions.