If you are looking for a perfect getaway this winter, make plans to visit the Smokies! The winter season is not only a fantastic time to explore the trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park with low crowds, but there are tons of exciting activities to enjoy throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! Whether you love to hit the ski slopes, explore a fascinating museum, or play miniature golf inside, there is truly something for everyone! Here are 4 fun things to do this winter in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:

1. Snow Activities at Ober Gatlinburg

One of the most popular destinations during the winter months in the Smokies is Ober Gatlinburg, where you will find a variety of exciting snow activities! There is a whole slopeside of hills available for skiing and snowboarding, including a thrilling terrain park! If you are interested in trying one of these sports for the first time, Ober Gatlinburg offers ski and snowboard lessons and rents all the equipment that you need! There is also an awesome snow tubing park where you can race down the mountain while sliding in a tube!

2. Hiking in the National Park

A great activity to do in the winter is hiking. You’ll get to explore your favorite trails and see them in a new way, or you can explore new trails. You might even be in town when there’s snow in the mountains! A great trail to hike in the winter is Alum Cave Trail. This is a moderate trail with several cool geographic features. In the winter, you might sight large icicles along the bluff. An easy trail to hike in the winter is Laurel Falls. This trail is 2.6 miles roundtrip, and the path is paved. There are beautiful icicles around the waterfall at the end of the hike. No matter which trail you decide to hike, you’ll love hiking in the winter!

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Another one of the fun things to do this winter in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where you can discover a variety of amazing sea creatures in 10 themed galleries! The Penguin Playhouse is just one of the highlights and features tunnels where you can watch penguins swim through their unique indoor and outdoor habitat! You also won’t want to miss the Shark Lagoon, where you travel on a 340-foot-long glide path along the ocean floor while being surrounded by sharks, tarpons, sea turtles, giant stingrays, and sawfish!

4. Winter Time Shopping at The Island in Pigeon Forge

The winter months are a fabulous time to go shopping at The Island in Pigeon Forge, where you will find more than 40 specialty shops to explore! While this popular shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is outside, you can simply head indoors to any of the stores to warm up and browse the merchandise! This is also a great time to take advantage of winter sales and enjoy some of the best discounts of the year!

Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to stay close to these fun things to do this winter in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! We look forward to seeing you soon!