The Best Autumn Views in the Great Smoky Mountains

Wonder-seekers come from all over the world to witness the spectacular show of autumn colors in the Great Smoky MountainsFor only a few weeks out of the year, the layered slopesgraceful valleys adorn themselves in red, gold,yellow, beautifully contrasting the stark blue skies abovecrisp mountain streams belowThe resulting scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, as expected of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.

As if that weren’t enough reason to set Eastern Tennessee apart, resting at the foot of the beautiful Smokies are several fanciful small towns whose unique attractions make a vacation there all the more worthwhilePigeon ForgeGatlinburg entertainment comes in all shapesformsYet, these attractions, in particular, stand apart for the unique ways they add excitementperspective to your autumn leaf-peeping endeavors.

Gatlinburg’s Best Spots for Leaf Peeping

When in Gatlinburg during leaf season, there are three places you must go to enjoy some incredible viewsFirst, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park consists of five unique ways to take in a romantic sunset over the mountainsThe Skylift is a chairlift that travels from the Gatlinburg Parkway up 500 vertical feet to the peak of Mount Crockett, one of the tallest mountains in the SmokiesAfterward, take a stroll along the 700-foot SkyBridge, dangling at 500 feet above the valley floor, for panoramic views even through the glass flooring at the bridge midpointOr, walk hand-in-hand with your sweetheart along the SkyTrail, an elevated wooden boardwalk extending into the hillsideGrab a bite to eata drink at the SkyCenter,bring it outside to sit among the SkyCenter’s fire pitsscenic patio space.

Second, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is the prime location in Gatlinburg for unbeatable views of downtownthe surrounding mountainsClocking in at 407 feet tall, the accessible glass elevator ride to the top of the observation tower includes an educational program about the history of Gatlinburgthe SmokiesEnjoy the viewfinders at the top, or bring your own binocularsJust don’t forget your camera! After your ride back to ground level, treat yourselfyour family to a fun afternoon in the arcade or a magical performance at the Iris Theater.

Last but not least, Ober Gatlinburg hooks you up with more glorious mountain views on the Aerial Tramway, soaring for over two milesup nearly 1,500 feet! Plus, this aerial car is a convenient way to access the dozens of attractions at Ober, including snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, wildlife encounters, shopping, amusement rides,diningAdditionally, make sure to hop on Ober’s Scenic Chairlift, the longest chairlift of its kind in the U.Sat 3,019 feet longFrom a stunning height of 3,455 feet above sea level, you’ll be able to see Douglas Lake, Mount LeConte,all of downtown Gatlinburg.

Sky-High Views of the Smokies

Imagine if you could fly like an eaglegaze in awe at the ripples of mountains unfurling far below youWell, you can! Hop on a helicopter with Scenic Helicopter Tours,wave goodbye to the ground as you climb higherhigher into the skyChoose between five different types of tours to see bodies of water like the French Broad RiverDouglas Lake, mountainsvalleys like BluffSugarloaf, downtown Pigeon ForgeGatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,moreYou’ll be in good hands with Scenic Helicopter Tours, which boasts 45 years of piloting experience plus FAA-National Park Service-certified tours.

With Sky High Air Tours, the exhilarating sound of blades whirring in front of you means one thing: the views are only getting betterbetter with each foot of altitude! Sky High Air Tours specializes in romantic skyward escapes of 8, 15 or 30 minutesUnique to these tours is the rare opportunity to witness the Smokies from the bird’s eye view of a vintage open cockpit biplaneThe first tour takes you for a sweeping ride over downtown SeviervilleThe second soars over Pigeon Forge, where you’ll encounter Dollywoodthe foothills of the SmokiesFinally, the half-hour flight follows the same route as the 15-minute tourincludes a stint over the Pigeon Forge ParkwayDouglas Lake as well.

Add A Little Thrill To The Season

A humble walk or sky-high flight to see the autumn colors is certainly enjoyable for anyoneBut for some thrill-seeking adventurers, the views could certainly use a bit more adrenaline! If you can relate, then Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park should be your go-to for outdoor activities where panoramic encounters also aboundThe park is known for its two 2-hour-long ziplining tours: the Waterfall Canopy Tour of 7 linesthe Goliath Tour of 5 linesYou’ll zoom from one mountaintop to the next, clear valleys like it’s no big deal,come across secret riversstreams trickling onward on their journey belowAdrenaline junkies will especially love the Goliath Tour, known to be the highest, longestfastest zip in the Smokies at 55 mph speeds475 feet in the air!

At Jayell Ranch, you can experience the dashing sensation of cutting through the wind on their 2-mile long canopy zipline tourThroughout this 6-line tour, you’ll catch glimpses of wildlife in their natural highland habitat, views of mountains like LeConteHilgard,sweeping scenes of the ranch itselfIf you’ve had enough of the airborne perspectiveyour feet are itching for solid ground again, the fun among the leaves doesn’t have to stop! For an equally enthrallingactive way to experience the Smokies, try out the 12-mile ATV tour or the 1-hour-long horseback riding tour at Jayell Ranch, too.

In Conclusion

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to a unique Appalachian culture, as told through their dinner theater productions, moonshine distilleries, and, of course, the Dolly Parton-themed amusement park, DollywoodThe region undoubtedly deserves a place high up on every serious traveler’s bucket list — even if not for the attractions, then for the natural beauty of these ancient mountainsThankfully, in Pigeon ForgeGatlinburg, you can experience a wide variety of fun activities that simultaneously grant you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the fall colors in full force.