Vacation Rentals by Owner

Overview of Gatlinburg Vacation Rentals

Tucked close to the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, the cozy resort town of Gatlinburg is known for its quirky attractions, rustic mountain feel and proximity to excellent hiking adventures in the Smokies. Many guests prefer to stay in Gatlinburg cabin rentals that are as close to the mountains and other attractions as possible so they can easily visit their favorite sites and take a hike in the majestic mountains. Hiking in Gatlinburg is amazing, but if you want to see the magnificence of mountainous eastern Tennessee from a whole new, stunning angle, here’s a list of the top ways to experience Gatlinburg from above:

Gatlinburg Sky Lift

Built in 1953 from an old California ski resort lift, the Gatlinburg Sky Lift is an enduring attraction fit for the whole family. The base of the lift is located on the busy shop-lined Parkway Street. If you’re afraid you’ll miss the tiny and quaint building that serves as its starting point, just look up toward the mountains to locate the bright yellow chairs and orange support beams that cut a swath of bright color through the otherwise forest green canopies. If you’re afraid of heights, hold on tight - the lift ascends at an often steep angle up Crockett Mountain to a height of 1,800 feet.

The lift deposits you at a gift and snack shop - there isn’t much else up here, but the ride up is fun (the ride down, even better) and the views are excellent. For a real treat, take the Sky Lift up at night to see the shimmering lights of Gatlinburg below, as the lift is open from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. in the summer, 10 p.m. in the fall and 9 p.m. during the winter and spring seasons.

Gatlinburg Space Needle

The most thrilling thing about the Gatlinburg Space Needle is that you ride to the top in a glass elevator. Though the structure stands at a not-too-scary 350 feet, watching the people and structures below grow smaller and smaller as you rise can make your knees buckle. The lookout offers 360-degree views and built-in binoculars - see if you can spot your cabin from here! If you’re traveling with a large group, be sure to see if you qualify for a discounted price.

At the base of the structure, you’ll find an excellent arcade - suited for both kids and adults. If you plant to visit, save money by buying tokens ahead of time online. If you want to do the Space Needle and the Sky Lift, you can do both in one day - the Space Needle is located off of Reagan Drive, just on the other side of Parkway Street across the street from the Sky Lift.

Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

The Aerial Tramway is another awesome way to see Gatlinburg from new heights. It’s one of the largest air trams in the world - it fits 120 people! If you get claustrophobic easily, this might not be for you. But the views are excellent and you can take it to the top for skiing in the winter or alpine slides in the summer. The slow ascent spans 2.1 miles, making it a relaxing, scenic view for those who like to savor the sights. It’s located at Parkway and Leconte streets - very near to the other airborne options.

Ziplines

If you’d rather be active than sit and watch the beautiful scenes go by, an adventurous way to see Gatlinburg and the Great Smokies from above is to go into the mountains, rather than above them, via a canopy tour or zipline adventure.

One of the best is CLIMB Works Canopy, located at 155 Branam Hollow Road in Gatlinburg. CLIMB Works takes you on a two and a half hour tour up in the trees - you actually won’t touch the ground the entire time! Anyone 8 years or older can sign up for this treetop excursion, which involves riding a four-wheeler up a mountain before embarking on a breathtaking tour of a lifetime. You’ll fly over rivers, trees and wildlife via nine different zip lines and three wooden sky bridges with trained guides. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a strap for your glasses, sunglasses and camera so you don’t lose them as you fly above the treetops.

During your trip to Gatlinburg, visit any of these attractions to experience the Great Smoky Mountains and this charming little town from an angle that only birds get to experience otherwise.