Category Archives: Things to Do in Gatlinburg

The Smoky Mountains are renowned for their beauty, and there is no better way to view the majestic natural scenery than from above the trees! Gatlinburg is home to several scenic rides where you can glide above the forest floor to see the Smoky Mountains from a completely different perspective! Here are 4 fun Gatlinburg rides where you can experience a stunning aerial view of the Smokies: 

As one of the top destinations in the Smoky Mountains, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers a fascinating journey into the world of over 10,000 exotic sea creatures! This amazing facility features 10 themed galleries, interactive encounters and even a glass bottom boat adventure for a full day of family fun! Here are the top 3 tips for a great day at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: 

It’s natural to want to keep an eye on what weather in Gatlinburg will be like when you’re on vacation. No one wants rain to put a damper on all the fun you could be having. But did you know that you can still have an enjoyable vacation, despite the unpredictable nature of the weather in the Smoky Mountains? Here are 5 tips for helping you handle the rain on your trip. 

We think you’ve probably noticed the towering ​Gatlinburg Space Needle​ on the way to our hotel in downtown Gatlinburg. You may also be aware that it’s a popular tourist attraction in town as well, and there's a reason for that. The view from the top is like nothing you've ever seen before. We'll give you 5 reasons why it will be well worth it to brave the trip to the top. 

The moment you get close to the downtown area, it’s easy to pick up the sweet smells coming from the shops. This makes you want to just forget about your healthy eating habits that you want to maintain on your vacation. You’ll be happy to know there are many Gatlinburg restaurants that offer healthy items for your diet. It’s fine to do a little cheating on vacation, but we’re going to show you it’s possible to eat healthy here with 5 foods that are easily available. 

Whether you are a casual car fan or an automobile enthusiast, you will love exploring some of the nation’s top car museums that are located right here in the Smoky Mountains! From classic hot rods to famous automobiles from television and film, you can find it all in the Smokies! Here are 3 awesome car museums in Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains that you need to visit: 

A vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that’s right on the doorstep of the tourist town. While there are many hundreds of miles of hiking trails to be explored, some of them lead to beautiful Smoky Mountain waterfalls that are part of this great landscape. Let’s talk about the 4 that are not only stunning, but also are an easy drive away from the bustle of Gatlinburg. 

When you go on vacation, you deserve to be treated to a nice dinner, and in this case, we’re going to a few steak restaurants that are within a short walk of our hotel. There are many great steak restaurants in Gatlinburg, and we recommend you try some of these prime eateries when you stay with us. 

One of the awesome benefits of staying at the Black Bear Inn & Suites is that our hotel is just 200 yards from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If you are planning a summer vacation to Gatlinburg, this is the perfect time of year to visit all of the scenic hiking trails that the park has to offer! Here are the top 3 reasons to explore the Smoky Mountain hiking trails during the summer months: 

If you are planning a family vacation to Gatlinburg with kids, there is no better place to stay than at the Black Bear Inn & Suites! Our hotel is situated directly on the Gatlinburg Parkway and is within easy walking distance of many fun attractions that your kids will love! Here are 4 kid friendly attractions in Gatlinburg TN that are within walking distance of our hotel: