Looking for a last-minute getaway for the holiday season? The Smoky Mountains are all aglow with millions of lights this time of year, from Sevierville to Pigeon Forge and beyond. So load up the kids, pack up the car, and head to the mountains this Christmas for the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest.
Get in the Holiday Spirit at SkyLand Ranch
Saddle up for some festive adventures at SkyLand Ranch, a western-themed amusement park located in the heart of Sevierville, TN. While you’re bound to see millions of lights while traveling through the Smokies during WinterFest, SkyLand has half a million of their own shining brightly from the top to the bottom of their 300’ mountain.
More than 100 jolly displays including a 25-foot-tall LED Christmas tree in the courtyard help brighten up the Smoky Mountain night. SkyLand’s Festival of Lights features cowboy and western scenes, several nativities, Santa and his reindeer, and a tunnel of twinkling lights.
There are two ways to get up to the mountaintop: by shuttle or by chair lift. Before heading to the top of the mountain though, a ride (or two) on the mountain coaster is a must!
The kiddos will have plenty to keep them busy at the ranch, with a variety of shows taking place throughout the day and evening up top. From learning how to throw a lasso to watching whip-cracking tricks, there’s plenty of excitement on the entertainment stage.
There’s also a fun playground area, plenty of miniature animals to meet and greet, and some baby (and mama) goats to pet. If that’s not enough, there’s also gem mining, food trucks, and a food barn that has the yummiest ice cream, milkshakes, and cinnamon bread. The pizza is pretty good, too!
You’re in for a real holiday treat at the top of the mountain no matter what time of day you arrive. During daytime hours, visitors can take a walk onto the Legacy Lookout and enjoy some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains from way up high. At night, that same view is transformed by millions of festive Christmas lights.
Feed the Animals at RainForest Adventures
From monkeys and mice to birds, bullfrogs, and a binturong, the RainForest Adventures zoo is home to over 600 critters, big and small. If the family needs a break from the cold or rain, a trip inside this building is well worth the time. With more than 130 different species of animals, the zoo features unique creatures from the rainforests of the world.
While some people might enjoy the enormous python, turtles, and tortoises the zoo keeps, others might be more enamored with the adorable lemurs, tamarins, and cockatoos.
When purchasing tickets, go ahead and spend the extra $3 to buy some food to feed the animals. It’s a fun experience for the kids (and their parents) to suddenly be the center of attention in a barnyard full of baby goats and mama sheep.
RainForest Adventures is open every day except Christmas, so add it to the to-do list. If the exterior design and interior displays look familiar, it’s probably because the zoo was themed by the same zoological contractor who worked on projects across the country, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Lights, Lights, and More Lights
Explore the Parkway and play a fun game of “I Spy” with your family. Our family had a fun time counting reindeer, wreaths, and snowmen as we coasted down the famous Parkway.
Each town in the Smokies – Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg – puts out millions of lights during their joint Smoky Mountain Winterfest event. There’s no better time to see the lights and no better way to fill up with holiday cheer than by visiting the Smokies at Christmas.
For more information on SkyLand Ranch, RainForest Adventures, or other exciting things to see and do in the Smoky Mountains, log on to VisitSevierville.com.
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Nicky Reynolds is a freelance writer who lives in East Tennessee but loves making memories by traveling. Her dreams are to explore Italy, move to Hawaii, and keep adding new stamps to her passport.