Fall is a beautiful time to come to the Smoky Mountains. With the changing leaves and a variety of special events, it is no wonder that autumn draws millions of visitors to East Tennessee each year. At Timber Tops Luxury Cabins, you can choose among many Great Smoky Mountain vacation rentals that are ideal for a fall getaway. Whether you will be here for a weekend, a full week, or even longer, here are seven tips for enjoying the Smokies in autumn:
1. Experience the View From Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The peak’s observation deck provides visitors with some of the best views you will find anywhere. This vista is especially impressive during the fall, as you will be able to see a multitude of colors at different elevations in many directions. When it’s clear, you can see as far as 100 miles from the observation deck. Don’t forget to bring binoculars for an even more spectacular view!
2. Use Your Luxury Pass to Go Ziplining
When you stay at Timber Tops, you will receive a complimentary Luxury Pass that provides you with free tickets to some of the area’s most popular attractions. One of the best ways to use your Luxury Pass during the fall is redeeming it for free admission to Adventure Park Zip Lines or Legacy Mountain Zip Lines. Taking a canopy tour in the Smokies is an exhilarating and fun way to see the fall colors up close.
3. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Another spectacular vantage point for taking in the autumn foliage is a hot air balloon ride. Both Smoky Mountain Balloon Adventures and the Wonders of Flight exhibit at WonderWorks offer breathtaking views of the fall colors from high in the sky. The aspiring photographer in your family will love taking panoramic pictures of the Smokies during your flight!
4. Visit Dollywood
Only a short drive away from our Great Smoky Mountain vacation rentals, Dollywood is a favorite family destination throughout the year. You can easily spend a whole day enjoying the rides, food, crafts, and live entertainment that this unique theme park offers. If you visit in October, you can experience the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Festival, a month long event where you can hear some of the nation’s leading gospel singers. Best of all, the concerts are free with your admission to Dollywood!
5. Attend the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
The Smoky Mountains host several traditional fall festivals that you will want to check out during your visit. One of the best of these is the annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, which features more than 200 accomplished artisans showcasing their skills. In addition to selling their work, these craftsmen carry out live demonstrations of their trade and are available to answer any and all questions. This event, which runs from October 8-25, 2015 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, also features live country and bluegrass music.
6. Take an Invigorating Fall Hike
While you can certainly enjoy the season right at your cabin, you may also want to get outside and breath in the fresh autumn air. There are many places to hike in the Smoky Mountains, many of them in the national park. You can choose a trail that’s appropriate for your family in length and difficulty. For a short and easy hike, try the Gatlinburg Trail, which is a one way 1.9 mile trip. Alum Cave is a great moderate hike, at 4.4 miles round trip. If you’re looking for a longer, more difficult hike, you may enjoy Rocky Top, which is 13.9 miles round trip.
7. Get Into the Holiday Spirit
If you stay at one of our Great Smoky Mountain vacation rentals later in the fall, you can experience some of the region’s holiday magic. The Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights in Pigeon Forge, which begins on November 10, allows visitors to enjoy an old fashioned trolley ride and see the millions of Christmas lights on display in town. Late fall is also an excellent time to get your holiday shopping done at some of the unique stores in the area. Spending Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg is another great way to enjoy the season before winter comes.
To see how you can save money on your fall vacation, check out our Smoky Mountain cabin specials!
