Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort
A rustic mountain retreat nestled in the heart of the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa sits on 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park East of the Rockies and the most-visited national park in the United States. In addition, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa provides convenient access to both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Dollywood theme park, as well as specialty shops, arts and crafts, family-friendly restaurants, championship golf, whitewater rafting and world-class live entertainment venues such as Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, Black Bear Jamboree and Country Tonite Theatre.
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort Website
River Terrace Resort and Convention Center
The ideal location for a Great Smoky Mountains getaway, River Terrace Resort and Convention Center lies in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, adjacent to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and just 6 miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In addition, River Terrace Resort is only a short drive from Pigeon Forge, Dollywood theme park and other area attractions, live entertainment venues, family-friendly restaurants and shopping opportunities, as well as hiking trails, championship golf, whitewater rafting and more.
River Terrace Resort Website
About The Smoky Mountains Area
The Great Smoky Mountains, which lie within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the population of the United States, have evolved into one of the world’s most popular family vacation getaways. Nestled in East Tennessee and stretching into Western North Carolina, the Smoky Mountains are a lush, abundant mountain range full of history, diversity, wildlife and abundant recreational opportunities. The Cherokees referred to the Smokies as the “Land of the Blue Mist” and they are today often referred to as the “Crown Jewels of the Appalachian Mountains.”
More than 10 million people a year visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park East of the Rocky Mountains. The park, which has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve, boasts more than 850 miles of hiking trails, great fishing opportunities, horseback riding, camping, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, historic sites and more.
On the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the “Gateway to the Smokies,” with its multitude of family-friendly attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Gatlinburg Sky Lift, mountain crafts, fine dining and excellent shopping opportunities. Neighboring town, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is home to the ever-popular Dollywood theme park, a wide range of live entertainment venues such as Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and Black Bear Jamboree, as well as unique attractions such as the Smoky Mountain Car Museum and the Elvis Museum. A true shopper’s paradise, Pigeon Forge boasts some of the best outlet shopping in the South with more than 100 outlet stores. Sevierville, Tennessee, which is known as “Your Hometown in the Smokies,” offers its own share of music theaters, as well as attractions such as RainForest Adventures and outlet shopping centers, including Tanger Five Oaks. Enjoy excellent fishing and boating at nearby Douglas Lake, hike the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or play a round of golf at one of Sevierville’s scenic courses. Billed as “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” Townsend, Tennessee, serves as a low-key, quiet gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and lies just 7 miles from Cades Cove, the most visited area of the park. Townsend attractions include Little River Railroad Museum and Tuckaleechee Caverns.
On the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies Cherokee, North Carolina, and the 56,000-acre Qualla Boundary, which is home to more than 13,000 members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as well as museums, attractions, outdoor dramas, recreational activities and the 24-hour Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, which features approximately 3,500 video-based gaming machines. Explore the rich heritage of the Cherokee people at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills, an outdoor drama at the Mountainside Theatre that made its debut in 1950. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, which displays the works of more than 300 Cherokee craftspeople. Cherokee also offers many outdoor recreational activities such as trout fishing, river tubing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and camping.
Smoky Mountains Attractions
In addition to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Smokies boast a variety of family-friendly attractions, including theme parks such as Dollywood and Splash Country Water Adventure Park, zoos, museums, fun parks, gem mines, outdoor dramas, gardens, sky lifts, miniature golf courses, ski resorts, caverns and helicopter tours spread throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tennessee, as well as Cherokee, North Carolina.
