4 Unique Ways to Experience Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains

The fall colors in the Smoky Mountains are truly spectacular, so there is no wonder why so many folks love visiting the Smokies at this magical time of year! While you can see the colorful leaf displays virtually anywhere throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, there are several awesome ways to take your “leaf peeping” to the next level! Here are 4 unique ways to experience fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains:

1. Take a Chairlift Ride

One of the most unique ways to experience fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains is aboard one of the chairlift rides in Gatlinburg! At Anakeesta, you can take the Chondola to the top of the mountain for some fabulous bird’s eye views! This is the only fixed grip transportation system in the country where you can choose from an enclosed gondola cabin or a traditional ski lift style seat! The Gatlinburg SkyLift also offers a great way to see the fall foliage as you slowly climb to the top of Crockett Mountain. If you are planning to visit Ober Gatlinburg, don’t miss the Scenic Chairlift ride to the peak of Mount Harrison!

2. Go Ziplining

Enjoy an incredible bird’s eye view of the fall foliage while soaring through the air on a zipline! When you go ziplining in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll have 360 degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains blanketed in oranges, reds and yellows. There are quite a few awesome zipline companies in the Smokies, including Legacy Mountain Ziplines and Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Some of the zipline adventures also include rope bridges and other exciting features. For more fun, do the Dueling Zipline Adventure at Anakeesta and take advantage of all the other activities the popular Gatlinburg attraction has to offer.

3. Ride a Mountain Coaster

Another unique way to experience fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains is by riding a mountain coaster! These exciting attractions are similar to a rollercoaster because each sled is securely attached to tubular rails, but in this case you get to control the speed of your ride down the mountain! As you slowly climb to the peak via a cable lift system, take this moment to relax and view the gorgeous fall colors. Once you reach the top, it is full throttle ahead as you race through lots of dips, turns and corkscrews back down! Some of the mountain coasters you will find in the Smokies include the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, the Rail Runner at Anakeesta, Rowdy Bear Coaster and the Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg.

4. Head to the Top of the Space Needle

There is probably no better way to view fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains than from the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle! This 407 foot tall tower overlooks downtown Gatlinburg and the Smokies so that you can see for miles! Your adventure begins with a glass elevator ride to the top, where you step out onto the observation deck for an incredible panoramic view! Be sure to take advantage of the free viewfinders to enjoy a closer look at the fall colors and browse the Higher Learning exhibits that tell you some fascinating history about the area!

Check out all of our cabins in Gatlinburg TN today to plan your vacation so that you can experience the stunning fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you this autumn at Stony Brook Cabins!