The Smoky Mountains
Matt drove our wheelchair-accessible van all the way through the winding roads of the Smoky Mountains to reach Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
We found ourselves and our big rental van on the narrow mountain road following the GPS, but Google Maps clearly didn’t know that the road wasn’t designed for anything wider than an economy car. Every sharp curve had us holding our breath and laughing nervously, half expecting to end up tumbling down the mountain.
By the time we reached the end, our knuckles were white, our hearts were racing, and we couldn’t stop cracking up at how “adventurous” our shortcut had turned out to be.
Ober Gatlinburg
Our first stop was Ober Gatlinburg. The gondola ride to the top of the mountain was fun, and the mountains were beautiful.
The gondola ride up to the top started out calm, until the car swayed slightly as we crossed over each support tower. Everyone suddenly got very quiet except for a few nervous laughs. By the time we reached the top, the view was absolutely incredible.
At the top, we found a classic ski lodge, complete with a variety of summer activities just outside. There was a maze to explore, a thrilling mountain coaster, and slides that kept everyone entertained. Inside, there were gift shops, ice skating, ice bumper cars, and a carousel.
For an even better view, hop on to the scenic chairlift. (We didn’t get to experience this, since there were only two-seaters.)
Don’t forget to check out the wildlife habitat, where you can see the adorable river otters and black bears!
Mountain Cafe
There were several dining options throughout, but one fit our family the best. We enjoyed dinner at the Mountain Cafe, which featured a truly spectacular view. Tucked away on the upper level, it felt like a hidden gem, with only a few other diners around. Unlike the nearby snack bars, this spot offered a full sit-down menu with table service, making it a nice change of pace. The food was definitely better than the snack bars downstairs, but honestly, the view stole the show.
You must be logged in to post a comment.