One of the best things about staying in downtown Gatlinburg is how much you can do without getting in your car.
On a recent visit, I spent an afternoon and evening exploring Gatlinburg SkyPark. The SkyPark ticket office and SkyLift entrance are located on the Parkway, just an easy walk from Edgewater Hotel.
I had been planning to visit during the afternoon. When I purchased my ticket, I discovered that I could get an all-day pass for only $2 more. That meant I could ride up during the day, leave when I wanted and return later that evening.
That sounded like a pretty good deal to me.
Riding the SkyLift Up Crockett Mountain
The adventure begins with a ride on the famous yellow SkyLift.
The chairlift carries you from the middle of downtown Gatlinburg to the top of Crockett Mountain. As you climb, the busy Parkway slowly gets smaller below you. Buildings, roads and attractions begin to look like part of a miniature village.
The higher you go, the more the mountains fill your view.
The ride itself is part of the experience. It gives you time to look around, take photos and enjoy the change from the activity of downtown to the peaceful mountain setting above it.
Once I reached the top, I spent some time walking around and taking in the views.
Walking Across the SkyBridge
Of course, a trip to Gatlinburg SkyPark would not be complete without walking across the SkyBridge.
The bridge stretches across the valley with wide-open views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Near the middle, there are glass panels that allow you to look straight down.
Some visitors walk across without hesitation. Others move a little more carefully.
I was somewhere in between.
The bridge may get your heart beating a little faster, but the view is worth it. There are great photo opportunities in almost every direction, whether you are looking toward the mountains or back toward downtown Gatlinburg.
I took plenty of pictures as I explored the park. With the mountains, changing light and views of the city below, it is difficult to put the camera away.
A Burger With a View
My visit happened during GatlinBURGER Week, so lunch was also part of the plan.
Smoky Mountain Smash, the dining area inside Gatlinburg SkyPark, was serving a special competition entry called the Moonshiner Burger. It featured a beef patty, sausage patty, onion ring, arugula, cheddar cheese and house-made sauce.
You must have a SkyPark ticket to reach the restaurant, so this was not an ordinary lunch stop. I ate my burger high above Gatlinburg while enjoying a beautiful mountain view.
The location was the best part of the meal. There are not many places where you can eat a burger, look across the Smokies and watch the activity of Gatlinburg far below.
After lunch, I explored a little more, took more photos and then rode the SkyLift back downtown.
Normally, that would have been the end of the visit. Thanks to the all-day pass, however, I knew I could return later.
A Second Trip After Dark
That evening, I walked back to the SkyLift and headed up Crockett Mountain for the second time.
The experience felt completely different.
During the afternoon, I could see the green mountains stretching into the distance. In the evening, the lights of downtown Gatlinburg became the main attraction.
From above, the city glows between the dark mountain ridges. The Parkway is lined with lights, and familiar buildings take on a different look after sunset.
The cooler evening air also made it a great time to walk around, relax and take another round of photos.
Visiting twice allowed me to enjoy two different sides of Gatlinburg SkyPark. The afternoon offered mountain scenery and long-distance views. The evening brought cooler temperatures, city lights and a peaceful atmosphere above downtown.
For only $2 more, the all-day pass was an easy choice.
A Full Gatlinburg Experience Within Walking Distance
My day at Gatlinburg SkyPark included two SkyLift rides up the mountain, two rides back down, a walk across the SkyBridge, a GatlinBURGER Week lunch and more photos than I could count.
Best of all, I could do everything without moving my car.
The SkyPark entrance is an easy walk from Edgewater Hotel. Guests can leave the hotel, walk through downtown, spend time above the city and return whenever they are ready.
If you purchase an all-day pass, you can even take a break at the hotel before heading back for the evening views.
It is a simple way to turn one Gatlinburg attraction into an entire day of fun.
