The Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts more than 800 miles of scenic hiking trails, perfect for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Additional park activities include fishing, wildlife viewing, auto touring and picnicking. Be sure to check out some of the nearly 80 historic structures preserved within the park, including log homes, barns, churches, schools and mills.

Family fun is a sure thing at Ober Gatlinburg, where you’ll encounter a ski area, an amusement park and an aerial tramway. The ski area features a variety of trails for skiers of all skill levels, equipment rental, lessons and a ski shop. The amusement park is home to an exciting alpine slide, an arcade, a Black Bear Habitat, go-karts, miniature golf and much more. The aerial tramway will conveniently take you from downtown Gatlinburg, TN directly to the ski area and amusement park.

Expect to see the unexpected at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, home to hundreds of unique and bizarre exhibits collected from the far corners of the world. Even the building housing the museum is out of the ordinary: it’s designed to look like it survived a major earthquake, with interior and exterior cracks throughout. The museum is open 365 days a year and children under age five are admitted free.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit attraction for everyone, offering an amazing 10,000 exotic sea creatures representing more than 350 species. Some of the aquarium’s fabulous exhibits include the Tropical Rainforest, Ocean Realm, Corral Reef and Shark Lagoon. Visiting one of the on-site cafés and the gift shop should complete your trip to this underwater wonderland.

If haunted houses are your thing, then you must make time to visit Gatlinburg’s scariest destination, Mysterious Mansion which provides visitors with a hair-raising experience. Explore the secret passageways and the damp, dark dungeon, while feeling like you are surrounded by an army of ghosts. This place is a scream, but don’t even think about going alone.

The Guinness World Records Museum is home to 12 galleries with more than 1,200 entertaining exhibits displaying an incredible line-up of feats, facts, articles and records. See memorabilia from celebrity record holders like Elvis Presley, compare your height to the world’s tallest man, and revel in the excitement of the original Batmobile.

If a trip to the mountains is in your future, Gatlinburg is the place for you. Plan a family vacation, bring your friends, or escape on a romantic getaway. It’s time to see for yourself what this charming little town has to offer. Make reservations with Choice Hotels in Gatlinburg, TN today.   << Hide