If you are lucky enough to be visiting the Smoky Mountains during the fall foliage season, there are many excellent viewing opportunities around Gatlinburg! One of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful fall colors is to rise above the trees so that you can get an aerial view of the mountains. Here are the top places where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Gatlinburg Space Needle
Ride a glass elevator more than 400 feet to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for stunning 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains! The observation deck provides the perfect location for witnessing the vibrant red, gold and orange colors of the fall season. While at the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle you can also view Mount LeConte, the tallest mountain in the eastern United States, as well as the buildings of downtown Gatlinburg. Be sure to bring your camera for some of the best photo opportunities in town!
2. Gatlinburg Sky Lift
Experience breathtaking views of the Smokies on the Gatlinburg Sky Lift, a ski lift style ride to the top of Crockett Mountain. The attraction was closed for several months following the wildfires in late 2016, but the installation of an entirely new chairlift has just been completed! This means that guests can once again enjoy a smooth glide to the peak of Crockett Mountain where they slowly turn around for the trip back down the mountain. Be ready for an incredible view of the majestic mountains as they showcase their finest in fall colors!
3. Ober Gatlinburg’s Aerial Tramway
Soar above the treetops to view fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains on Ober Gatlinburg’s Aerial Tramway! The attraction is one of the country’s largest aerial tramways and features two 120 passenger cars that provide a fascinating viewing experience for all ages. The Aerial Tramway departs regularly from downtown Gatlinburg and travels on a breathtaking 2.1 mile journey to the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area. As a bonus, if you purchase your tram tickets in October or November, your tram tickets are good for unlimited rides for two consecutive days!
4. CLIMBWorks Zipline Canopy Tour
For a totally different and thrilling way of viewing the fall foliage from above, take the CLIMBWorks Zipline Canopy Tour! This exciting canopy tour features 2.5 hours of adventure as you soar across the beautiful mountains on nine world class ziplines, cross three sky bridges and enjoy a surprise ending! The tour starts with an ATV ride to the top of the mountain where you will gain more than 400 vertical feet in just a half mile. Once you take your first step on the tour, your feet won’t touch the ground again for over 2 hours!
Check out all of our cabins in Gatlinburg TN today to stay near all of these great opportunities to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains! We hope to see you soon at Chalet Village!
