Gatlinburg, TN: Discover wild beauty, quirky charm, and high-flying fun

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country's most visited national park - for its ancient mountains, diversity of animal and plant life, and remains of Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

Highlights include: Cades Cove, wildflowers, and hiking. Cades Cove is a valley encircled by mountains. A one-way loop road takes visitors through the cove for 11 miles.

On Wednesday and Saturday until 10 AM from early May to late September only bicycle and foot traffic are allowed on the loop road, otherwise, cars are permitted. White-tailed deer, black bear, and coyotes, among other animals, can be seen in the area.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts 1,500+ flowering plants, more than in any national park in North America. Flowers bloom all year long. Hiking can be enjoyed all year long, as well.

Some of the most popular hikes are Charlies Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs, Andrews Bald, Rainbow Falls, and Chimney Tops.

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN37738, Phone: 865-436-1200

The Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is a pull-over spot on the Gatlinburg Bypass with astonishingly beautiful views of Gatlinburg itself, and of the Great Smoky Mountains that surround it.

The majestic mountain and valley views that the overlook affords makes it a popular place for photographers and for locals and visitors who come to view the stunning sunsets.

Lucky visitors may see bears and wild turkeys in the nearby landscape or in the parking lot itself. The Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is a 15-30 minute drive from central Gatlinburg, depending on traffic, and is a free attraction.

The Gatlinburg Skylift has been transporting tourists up the side of Crockett Mountain since the 1950s.

Built to resemble a ski-lift, this ride takes five to six minutes to climb the 1,800 foot mountain, and offers a rest area, refreshments, and a small gift shop at the observation area up top.

Visitors get a chance to slow down and really enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains; its blue hills, cloud-topped peaks, blue-green forests, and cold-water rivers.

Evening visitors can enjoy the Skylift as well, and have a chance to see Gatlinburg illuminated in the valley below.

765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Phone: 865-436-4307

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

The Gatlinburg Space Needle is an observation tower overlooking Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Visitors are taken up to the observation deck in two glass elevators.

On the observation deck visitors can use viewfinders at no cost, and are treated to educational exhibits that provide valuable information about Gatlinburg and the Great Smokes.

At the base of the Space Needle, locals and visitors alike come to enjoy Arcadia, a two-story, 25,000 square foot arcade, to which new games are added regularly.

Arcadia contains The Slice Pizza Bakery, a delicious place to dine on pizza, calzones, salads, and appetizers. Also at the base of the Space Needle is the Iris Theater, which is a hotspot for the best and most entertaining live comedy shows.

Gatlinburg Space Needle is one of the top Gatlinburg attractions.

115 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-436-4629

See the sights in and around Gatlinburg from a unique position - aboard a trolley, which you can catch at more than 100 locations. The city's trolley car routes are color-coded.

Check out the signs on the sides and front of every trolley to confirm which route you want to take. The routes are as follows: Downtown River Rd., Red Route; Downtown Parkway, Green Route; Arts & Crafts Community, Yellow Route; National Park, Tan Route; Dollywood, Pink Route; East Parkway and City Hall, Blue Route; North Gatlinburg Parkway and Welcome Center, Purple Route.

The city runs 20 trolleys that service a 50 mile-area. Visitors may climb on the Gatlinburg Trolley and ride for unlimited rides for a small fee, excluding the tan and pink routes. You may buy a Trolley Pass at certain Gatlinburg lodging facilities, City Hall, and the two Welcome Centers.

Gatlinburg Trolley, 88 River Road, Suite 101, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-436-3897

Ripley's Believe it or Not houses an Odditorium full of artifacts both bizarre and unusual; many of the exhibits are interactive.

In addition to their traditional museum, the Gatlinburg Ripley's also has a labyrinth of mirrors, a 3D theater in which the seats move along with the action, two miniature golf courses, and a haunted house peopled with live actors to add to the creepiness and thrills.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is filled with a large display of sharks, a pool where visitors can pet bat rays, and a penguin exhibit with see-through glass tunnels allowing visitors to watch the activities of the penguins as if immersed in the water themselves.

800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-436-5096

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

The Gatlinburg Farmer's Market, currently in its seventh season, offers Tennessee-grown produce, foods, and local products. Customers will find a variety of seasonal products that may include nuts, fruits, berries, jellies and jams, honey, and vegetables.

Baked treats, plants, and natural health and wellness products are also available, but that's not all.

Every second Saturday, the market offers special events and music. Children can look forward to participating in activities every fourth Saturday, plus a scavenger hunt. The "Market Calendar" tab on the market's website provides information about upcoming events.

The market is all about enhancing the quality of people's lives and making everyone aware of the economic, nutritional, and environmental implications of purchasing local, seasonal products, so the market has created internship opportunities for young adults. The "Internship Opportunities" tab on the website has details.

Stop light #3 in Gatlinburg North, Hwy 321 Cosby, Glades Rd., Glades, Phone: 865-332-4769

Over the last 40 years Fannie Farkle’s Amusement has become a household name in Gatlinburg. This is place that locals (and visitors on their way to their annual Smoky Mountain vacation) flock to for good food and great family fun.

The establishment has a great variety of new, modern games as well as many of the old classics like PacMan and Skee Ball.

Family-friendly and great for all ages, Fannie Farkle’s is the kind of place you can take your grandchildren for a couple of hours of fun and a tasty meal.

Highlights of their food menu include their legendary foot-long Ogle Dog and their Cheese-Steaks.

Fannie Farkle’s Amusement, 656 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, 865 436 4057

CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains is a two and a half hour zip-line adventure that will be appreciated by all adventurers.

Created by zip-lining professionals with the highest of safety standards, this canopy tour allows its guests treetop views of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Zip-lining tours begin with an ATV ride to the top of the mountain, followed by nine world-class zip-lines and three sky bridges. Visitors can look down at trees, streams, ravines, and wildlife while traveling from one tree to the next.

Water is provided along the route, and novices are welcomed and taught the basics of the sport. Sunset tours are available in the summer months.

155 Branam Hollow Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-325-8116