A Mountain Getaway

Photography all via: Ashley R

Looking for an amazing escape without the hassle of planning? The Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN may be an exceptional option for you.  With various attractions available to you in a 15 minute drive from a cabin overlooking the mountains, you have the option of seclusion or vibrancy.

The Smoky Mountain American Mountain Rental agency has a variety of cabins and chalets to host 1-24 people.  These houses provide a grandiose view of the majestic Smoky Mountains from the balcony of each dwelling. The most captivating aspect is perhaps the excursion down the mountain. Here you can see just how small the world below can appear. However, this is not for the faint of heart.  If you are scared or wary of heights, there are numerous hotels and resorts down on the main strip that you can utilize that do not have this hypnotizing view.

Whether you take advantage of the Pigeon Forge attractions or venture down the road to the Gatlinburg variety stores, there is a wide array of fun to be experienced.

If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming with sharks, the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has the next best thing. Once inside this amazing, aquatic environment, you will be enthralled by the sharks swimming right above your head. There are also a plethora of other species to be explored including jellyfish, crabs, stingrays, eels, and other exotic creatures that are sure to boggle your mind.

After leaving this water excursion, you can step out onto the strip to view Ripley’s Moving Theater. This feature is carefully nestled into the various shops and malls that make up the strip. This attraction will take you on a bumpy ride, while you watch two movies chosen by the staff. The featured movies may range from an exciting car race to a snowy thrill ride. You may get a little wet as you are taken on the ride of your life, bumping along with the creatures on the screen in front of you. Make sure to buckle up and hold on tight for the leaps and bounds that await you with this attraction.

Next, you may be in the mood for a scary, good time if the moving theater didn’t thrill you enough.  Right next door to the moving theater, you can visit Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. This attraction shows a rusted shack, with no windows that allows you to climb up a path of doom.  Once you reach the top of the path, you are met by a zombie that leads you onto an elevator. The elevator glides vertically onto a platform where you are eventually met by an individual that threatens to seal your doom with a large, bloody sore protruding from his face. From there, you will be led down dark tunnels, with only the person on the trip with you to hold on to. There will be lots of screams and a ton of horror that will leave you feeling shaken, but excited as you step back out into the light of the strip.

Gatlinburg isn’t the only place to have a great time. With the town of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge only a 20 minute drive away, the memorable experiences don’t stop in this city. At the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, there are tons of shopping places for the person that wants to shop expensively, but pay on a budget.  Stores such as Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, and Nine West line the walls of this outlet. If these stores don’t turn you into a shopaholic, do not fret. They have many more stores that may turn your head and your wallet.

Pigeon Forge offers its own unique set of thing to do. Upon arriving into town, you can view a wax museum with King Kong dangling from the side, as well as other exciting shows. If you want a thrilling ride down one of the fastest rollercoasters in the south, you may want to check out Dollywood. This theme park was modeled by the legendary country singer, Dolly Parton, herself and has her likeness throughout the park. If you consider yourself eclectic when it comes to music, you will enjoy the live shows that are put on within the theme park. There are family rides as well, from spinning ships to water rafting. However, for the more daring individual, there are several rollercoasters in the park. The Mine Train seems to be a fan favorite, but the newest coaster is the Fire Chaser. This ride takes you for a loop, literally backwards and forward.  The fastest coaster in the park is the Tornado. This coaster is over in a flash, but you can feel the blood rush to the edge of every portion of your body as you travel the course. 

Dollywood also offers many eating establishments that are sure to make your mouth water. Whether you have a hankering for something sweet like Dip N Dots, a powdered sugar funnel cake, or for a voluptuous slice of pizza, the food will not disappoint.

If you can brave the traffic, and the steep hills to reach your chalet/cabin in this beautiful oasis of the Smoky Mountains, you will have a carefree time filled with the most memorable experiences of your life.  I highly recommend this vacation spot as a way to escape, mediate, and simply have fun.

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