As summer ends, you can’t help but wish you had done more in the short-lived summer. But the end of summer doesn’t exclude you from traveling and making plans for a fun trip with family and friends. Autumn is a great time to visit because it offers eye-catching, stunning views of the changing foliage and just the right temperature for a trip loaded with fun and amusement.

One of the best areas to visit during the fall season is the Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re planning a long-weekend trip or packing up your bags for a whole week of fun, the Smoky Mountains has a lot to keep you and your family busy and entertained. Here are 8 ways to enjoy the fall season in the Smoky Mountains:

1. Take pleasure in Staying in the Iconic Smoky Mountain Cabins

A trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is incomplete without a stay in the Smoky Mountains cabins. With a traditional quaint look, modern facilities, and the serenity and charm of the Smoky Mountains area, a cabin is a perfect place to stay and surround yourself with the beauty of nature.

Sevierville is one of the best areas in the Great Smoky Mountains to enjoy the majestic view of the mountains covered with a thick layer of trees while sipping a hot coffee on a comfy couch. Some of the well-known Sevierville cabin rentals offer a variety of cabins, from 1-5 rooms to as many as 18 rooms to accommodate bigger groups. With an attached kitchen and spacious decks, you can cook and barbecue while enjoying a getaway trip to the Smoky Mountains with your partner.

2. Revel in the Mesmerizing Views of Smoky Mountains Foliage

In the autumn season, the foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains surpasses anything you’ve ever seen. You can forget the busy city life for a few days and delight your eyes with the spellbinding views of the fall foliage and the spectacular display of colors during October and November.

3. Try Ziplining

Is ziplining your thing? The height of the Smoky Mountains and the fabulous view of tree tops make the ziplining experience unique. As you slide across the zipline, you can see the ravishing colors of fall and feel the treetops right under your feet. Don’t miss out on this adventurous opportunity, and remember to keep this on top of your list when visiting the Smoky Mountains this fall!

4. Attend Smoky Mountain Fall Events and Festivals

Fall is about tantalizing your taste buds with hot soups, pretzels, vitalizing coffee, and great local food in the Smokys. Get the most out of your fall trip and enjoy the events and festivals that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge host yearly in the Great Smoky Mountain area. Here is the list of festivals and events you can attend on your visit during the peak of the fall season:

Wears Valley Fall Fest

Have a trip of a lifetime and enjoy interactive games, activities, entertainment, crafts, and much more at the Wears Valley Fall Fest in mid-October. This unique family festival also offers some great local food and super fun activities for kids.

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival

Gatlinburg is all decorated and garlanded as the Harvest Festival comes closer. Besides stunning fall foliage and cool yet pleasant weather, you can treat your eyes with those enticing fall decorations filled with eye-catching colors.

When you plan a visit to the Harvest Festival, don’t miss out on the Chili Cookoff, particularly if you are a maestro with flavors. The Chili Cookoff takes place on the first Wednesday of November every year.

Enjoy the Halloween week by visiting the two haunted houses in Gatlinburg, and don’t forget the ghost tour at night.

Octoberfest at Ober

Ober Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg celebrates Oktoberfest with a bit of Bavarian flair every year! Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg is a fall festival that starts in September and lasts until the end of October. If you haven’t been to Oktoberfest yet, it should be on top of your list for your next visit. Here’s what you get at Oktoberfest:

• Sip frothy beverages in steins in the beer garden
• Play some outdoor games
• Listen to some authentic lederhosen played live by Smoky Mountain Oompah Band with an all-Bavarian-style music
• Watch some entertaining and delightful shows every day
• Relish delicious menus with German influences, including bratwurst, strudel, schnitzel, and sauerkraut
• Enjoy Ober’s fun attractions, like ice skating, the alpine slide, and the mountain coaster, along with this authentic German-style fall festival!

5. Practice Some Shots at the Golf Course

Many golfers like to play as many different courses as possible. If you’re here this fall, practice some shots at the Laurel Valley Golf Course, Gatlinburg Golf Course, and Bent Creek Golf Course while enjoying the lush green fields and enchanting beauty of the Smokies.

6. Enjoy Scenic Landscapes on a Fun Railroad Trip

Fall is a great time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The 53-mile railway track offers some stunning views of the mountains and valleys. Enjoy the ride as you pass the bridges and go under the tunnel. Make your childhood fantasies come true with this incredible railroad trip with your friends and family.

7. Take a Bike Ride in Cades Cove

Cades Cove is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Smoky Mountains. If you have never been there, Cades Cove is an entirely new category of scenic Smoky Mountain views. While you surround yourself with mountains and open fields, there’s nothing more exciting than riding a bike on the mountain tracks. If you’re here with your partner, a romantic bike ride is a perfect fall getaway for you.

8. Go Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountain area is jam-packed with long trails, and it’s easy to find one near you. There’s a trail for everyone in the park, with close to 900 miles! The trails have plenty of spots to explore during the fall months, including some beautiful landscapes, ruins of an old homestead, benches, and more. Also, look for bear prints on the pavement if you’re on Middle Prong or Little River Trail! Autumn is the perfect time of the year to go hiking and witness the spectacular display of colors by Mother Nature.

Final Thoughts

With mesmerizing autumn foliage, calm and serene evenings, and festive decor around every corner of the Smokies, you don’t want to miss out on a fall getaway to the Smoky Mountains! We hope this list helps you map out all the places where you can see the spectacular Smoky Mountain fall foliage. Check out all these fun activities and have a memorable fall trip to the Great Smoky Mountain area with friends and family.

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