One of the many benefits of staying at our condos in Gatlinburg is that you will be located just minutes away from some of the most exciting area attractions. From one of the nation’s most popular aquariums to some thrilling mountain-top theme parks, your family will have a blast exploring everything that Gatlinburg has to offer. Here are 4 downtown Gatlinburg attractions near our condos:
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Located in downtown Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is home to over 10,000 exotic species of marine life. Some of the animals you will see throughout the exhibits include jellyfish, penguins, sharks, and stingrays. In the Touch a Ray Bay, you can even hear a demonstration about stingrays and run your hand across their silky smooth skin. Be sure to also head to the Penguin Playhouse to watch one of the aquarium’s most fluffy creatures swim, play, sleep, and eat! Throughout the day, Ripley’s Aquarium also puts on a Penguin Parade, where you can watch the penguins waddle through the main level.
2. Gatlinburg SkyPark
One of the Gatlinburg attractions you don’t want to miss during your next trip to the Smokies is the Gatlinburg SkyPark. Your adventure begins on the Gatlinburg SkyLift, which will transport you to the top of Crockett Mountain. From there, you can explore all the other marvelous activities at the park, including the famous Gatlinburg SkyBridge. The bridge spans across 700 feet and offers an incredible view of downtown and the Smoky Mountains. The most exciting part of the journey is the 30 foot section of the bridge that has a glass bottom, which allows you to peek down to see how high up you are!
3. Hillbilly Golf
While you will find plenty of miniature golf courses throughout the Smokies, none of them are as unique as Hillbilly Golf. The thing that sets this course apart from the others is that you actually play along the side of the mountain. To reach the first hole, you will take a ride on an incline before deciding between two 18-hole courses. As you compete against your family and friends to get the lowest score possible, you can also take some time to appreciate the natural scenery of the Smokies. Your family will have such a great time that you will want to play the other course as well! Luckily, you can receive a great deal on your second game when you save your first scorecard.
4. Gatlinburg Space Needle
For another incredible view of the Smokies, take your family to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This attraction will not be hard to find, as the 407-foot tower stands high above downtown Gatlinburg. To reach the observation tower, you will ride a glass elevator that features interesting facts about the Smokies. Once you reach the platform, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the downtown area and several mountain ranges. There will be exhibits around the platform that will teach you about everything you can see from the Space Needle. For even more family fun, be sure to stop by Arcadia on your way out to take part in hundreds of arcade games and win excellent prizes!
Now that you know about some of the Gatlinburg attractions near our condos, be sure to learn more about the location of our condos in downtown Gatlinburg. We look forward to seeing you soon!
