Smoky Mountains

Are you in the process of planning your first trip to the Smoky Mountains? It can become very difficult to decide where to spend your time. There are many places to visit and if you don’t have a long vacation ahead of you then you won’t be able to do everything. Here is a list of the some of the top places to visit while vacationing the Smoky Mountains.

One of the first things you should most definitely do will be eating a dinner at the Dixie Stampede. At the Dixie Stampede you are served a full dinner and entertained by many performers competing in a “North vs. South” competition. Watch and laugh along as each team competes in a series of relay races along with their animals. They will sing songs, perform, dance, compete and tell you jokes. There won’t be a dull minute. Many people visit the Dixie Stampede each time they visit the Smoky Mountain area. The show varies each time it is performed so the outcome can change each time you visit.

The Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the most visited amusements in the area. This aquarium has many different areas for you to visit and see all the animals of that species. You can visit the tropical rainforest, ocean realm, coral reef, shark lagoon, discovery center, stingray bay, touch a ray bay, gallery of the seas, etc. There are so many animals here you could possibly lose track of time. They are open 365 days so don’t worry about the Ripley’s Aquarium being closed during your visit. They have a gift shop on site for you to buy a souvenir to remember this visit by as well as a restaurant.

Dollywood is another favorite for many tourists. Here you have a variety of choices for things to do. They have rides and attractions, festivals and events, shows, craft areas, themed shops for your enjoyment, restaurants, etc. You might want to dedicate a whole day to this attraction. It covers a massive amount of land and you can’t do everything you will want to do in just one day. Be sure you visit Splash Country on your visit to Dollywood. It’s a big water park that everyone will enjoy. There are many roller coasters for you to try out and there’s even a kiddy ride area. They add new rides frequently to ensure you enjoy your trip each time you give them a visit.

Ober Gatlinburg is a popular place to visit as well. Take the tram up to the top and get ready for some fun. Ober Gatlinburg has it’s own indoor ice skating rink. For those of you who aren’t so interested in ice skating be sure you try out the ski slopes. If you don’t know how to ski then they have instructors who will take the time to teach who how to safely ski. Of course skiing isn’t the only thing the offer. Snowboarding is also a popular sport Ober Gatlinburg sees. They also recently added a tubing portion to their slopes. Sit in your tube and coast down the mountain while listening to the squeals of excitement from those around you. You won’t feel like leaving Ober Gatlinburg once you make it to the top.

Of course a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains isn’t complete unless you actually pay a visit to the Smoky Mountain National Park. There are many trails you can take a hike on and enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the Smoky Mountains. You can take a bike ride, motorcycle ride, nature walk, or even ride through vehicle trails. It’s a beautiful park to visit and that is why it is the most visited national park in the US.

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