The Smoky Mountains are beautiful all year long, but there is something special about the way they come alive during the fall. You don’t want to miss your chance to visit during this beautiful season, so start planning your fall vacation today! From festivals and events to breathtaking fall foliage, there are so many things to experience in the Smokies! To help guarantee you have the best vacation, we’ve put together 4 tips for visiting the Smoky Mountains in the fall:
1. Enjoy the Fall Weather
One of the best parts about visiting during this season is that you get to enjoy the beautiful fall weather! Throughout October and November, temperatures range from 60s to 70s during the day, and cool down during the evening, so it’s the perfect season to spend time outdoors! One of the best ways to enjoy the weather is to go for a hike. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 800 miles of hiking trails for you to explore when you visit. Some of the best trails to hike during the fall are the Alum Cave Trail, Porters Creek, and Laurel Falls.
2. Take in the Fall Foliage from Gatlinburg Attractions
One thing you want to make sure you don’t miss out on when you visit is admiring all of the stunning fall foliage. During fall, the leaves in the Smokies change from various shades of green to oranges, yellows, and reds. The best place to see the scenery is from higher elevations. Some of the most popular attractions to visit during the fall are the Gatlinburg Space Needle, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, and Anakeesta! At the Gatlinburg Space Needle , you can see panoramic views from more than 400 feet in the air, and on the Gatlinburg SkyLift , you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage! You can also enjoy the fall colors from the Gatlinburg SkyBridge and Gatlinburg SkyDeck. At Anakeesta , the gorgeous colors of fall will be all around you, whether you’re dining, shopping, or having fun. To learn more about how you can see the fall foliage, check out this guide to seeing fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains.
3. Try Fall Foods
You’re going to want to take time to try all of the delicious fall foods when you visit! Whether it’s sipping on a hot cup of apple cider or biting into a warm apple fritter, your tastebuds will thank you. The Smokies even have some unique treats for you to try that celebrate the flavors of fall, like pumpkin funnel cakes and candy corn cotton candy! If you’ve never been to Atrium Pancakes in Gatlinburg, you should definitely put that on your list and try their famous baked apple pancake! It’s oven baked with freshly sliced apples and brown sugar to create a tasty treat. For more fall foods you should try, read our blog: “Top 8 Foods You Have to Try in the Smoky Mountains in the Fall.”
4. Stay in a Cabin in the Smokies
The best place to stay when you visit the Smoky Mountains is in one of our cabins. Our cabins offer all the comforts of home along with all the benefits of being on vacation. You can relax on the deck while you sip a cup of coffee, soak in the bubbling hot tub while taking in the mountain views, or curl up in front of the fireplace and watch a movie. Some of our cabins even come with outdoor fire pits where you can roast marshmallows and make s’mores! You’ll have everything you need and more for a fantastic fall vacation. Not sure what you should bring with you? Check out our packing tips for fall trips to the Smoky Mountains for some ideas!
Start planning for your fall vacation in the Smoky Mountains by finding the perfect place to stay! Browse all of our cabins in the Smokies and book your stay today.
