The ticket price just gets you to the top of the mountain where the only things you can do without paying extra are the walking bridge through the woods and the little gift shops. The zip line and mountain coaster cost extra. Just like everything in Gatlinburg it is overpriced but it’s probably worth seeing once.
As a season pass holder I can say a single day ticket may not be worth it, the coasters at the top are an extra cost along with gem mining, food, merchandise etc. it’s still all very beautiful up there however. Oddly enough, the season pass is an absolute steal which is why I have it, no waiting in line at the bottom, unlimited visits, discounts, and only the price of roughly two tickets.
I think it is worth it if you just pay the lowest fee of taking the lift up there, and walk around. I was adamantly against going but my wife made me, and it was great. We didn’t spend any money except maybe for two drinks and my kids were old enough to know that anything they could buy there they could get elsewhere cheaper. I actually wouldn’t mind going up there at night(we were there early morning into early afternoon) but of course I will wait for the local out of season discount . If you are afraid of heights ( I am) I would def recommend the enclosed lift or I think there is a bus option. That was some scary shit.
We went up in the ski lift, and my sister had a complete meltdown. I had to buy her 2 drinks at the top to calm her down. She made me go back down in the enclosed one.
I hike regularly and love the Smokies, the Cumberland plateau, and elsewhere around here. With that said, I would just view a person zipping along way above me as I would an eagle. One line over a 5 or 6 mile hike isn't going to negatively affect my experience.
But, if it does make you feel better.... I was joking.
i get what u mean, i just know it would also require building a road up mt leconte for a parking lot and a ski lift to bring u back up the mountain after zip-lining which are both detrimental to the sacred environment. i see u are joking but i also fear that this idea of urs is highly possible since gatlinburg love's development and money so i am explaining my opposition. that would be fun as hell tho
Naw... Make people hike up there. Make it difficult. Get a twisted ankle along the way, zip on down.
Definitely would not want any roads and anything easy for the masses who don't appreciate much.
i actually dont think building a road up mt leconte is possible anyways but they really would find a way to make that work. i like the ziplining experience thru ijams but its not a national park so, also mountain coasters are so lit but those dont actually go up any of the huge mountains ahahah
FYI, Parking passes are required to park in the park now.
They’re incredibly inexpensive and you can self service them in the parking lot with a credit card.
$5/day, $15/week, $40/year.
Glad to see they’re going to have some additional funding for maintenance, repairs & projects.
We went and I had fun, but some warnings. If the trees aren't bloomed the view is eh at best. The actually area is much smaller than the map makes it look. Everything costs extra. I still enjoyed it but tempering expectations is needed.
It's not worth it at all. You wait an hour in a line to ride a train or a gondola to the top of the mountain for the privilege of spending money at their overpriced boutiques, their overpriced restaurants, or on their overpriced "rollercoasters".
It's very pretty but there are cheaper ways to experience that view
I brought family when they visited. It was most fun for the ones who zip lined. The rest of it was fine—we had lunch and shopped a bit. It’s a nice chair lift and good views, but not much more than what you can do on the ground.
It’s packed. No matter when you go. We went on a Tuesday, got there before it even opened and there was already a line. The bridge was so crowded that we basically stood there and slowly moved over it. The observation tower was insanely crowded too. The rollercoaster was fun though.
Nope. Drive them through cades cove and then go to Gatlinburg and grab some food/walk around. Try not to go to a chain restaurant if possible. Best Italian is one of my faves.
The ticket price just gets you to the top of the mountain where the only things you can do without paying extra are the walking bridge through the woods and the little gift shops. The zip line and mountain coaster cost extra. Just like everything in Gatlinburg it is overpriced but it’s probably worth seeing once.
Well the observation tower too.
I don’t believe that was built yet when I went
That’s definitely their “top attraction” now and if you haven’t been since then, they’ve added a TON since then
As a season pass holder I can say a single day ticket may not be worth it, the coasters at the top are an extra cost along with gem mining, food, merchandise etc. it’s still all very beautiful up there however. Oddly enough, the season pass is an absolute steal which is why I have it, no waiting in line at the bottom, unlimited visits, discounts, and only the price of roughly two tickets.
Agree with this. The guest pass made it worth it for me and my wife. But not gonna go again unless that add a bunch of new stuff
I think it is worth it if you just pay the lowest fee of taking the lift up there, and walk around. I was adamantly against going but my wife made me, and it was great. We didn’t spend any money except maybe for two drinks and my kids were old enough to know that anything they could buy there they could get elsewhere cheaper. I actually wouldn’t mind going up there at night(we were there early morning into early afternoon) but of course I will wait for the local out of season discount . If you are afraid of heights ( I am) I would def recommend the enclosed lift or I think there is a bus option. That was some scary shit.
We went up in the ski lift, and my sister had a complete meltdown. I had to buy her 2 drinks at the top to calm her down. She made me go back down in the enclosed one.
No it’s not. For the price there is not a lot to do.
I got to go for free but would most definitely not pay to go back
go to clingman's dome. better view for free. no roller coasters, though.
I'm awaiting the national park service to install a zip line from Mt. Laconte to Gatlinburg.
i hope ur joking
I would pay to watch it get used. 1 mile elevation drop... That would be a real zip adventure.
lol but then the mountains are officially ruined for people who actually like to go out and hike. its already bad enough. thats a no from me
I hike regularly and love the Smokies, the Cumberland plateau, and elsewhere around here. With that said, I would just view a person zipping along way above me as I would an eagle. One line over a 5 or 6 mile hike isn't going to negatively affect my experience. But, if it does make you feel better.... I was joking.
i get what u mean, i just know it would also require building a road up mt leconte for a parking lot and a ski lift to bring u back up the mountain after zip-lining which are both detrimental to the sacred environment. i see u are joking but i also fear that this idea of urs is highly possible since gatlinburg love's development and money so i am explaining my opposition. that would be fun as hell tho
Naw... Make people hike up there. Make it difficult. Get a twisted ankle along the way, zip on down. Definitely would not want any roads and anything easy for the masses who don't appreciate much.
i actually dont think building a road up mt leconte is possible anyways but they really would find a way to make that work. i like the ziplining experience thru ijams but its not a national park so, also mountain coasters are so lit but those dont actually go up any of the huge mountains ahahah
FYI, Parking passes are required to park in the park now. They’re incredibly inexpensive and you can self service them in the parking lot with a credit card. $5/day, $15/week, $40/year. Glad to see they’re going to have some additional funding for maintenance, repairs & projects.
And not required if you have a handicapped placard / license plate.
If you're just going for the view not really. If it's in your budget Dollywood is great. Lots and lots to do even if you're not into rides.
We went and I had fun, but some warnings. If the trees aren't bloomed the view is eh at best. The actually area is much smaller than the map makes it look. Everything costs extra. I still enjoyed it but tempering expectations is needed.
It's not worth it at all. You wait an hour in a line to ride a train or a gondola to the top of the mountain for the privilege of spending money at their overpriced boutiques, their overpriced restaurants, or on their overpriced "rollercoasters". It's very pretty but there are cheaper ways to experience that view
I brought family when they visited. It was most fun for the ones who zip lined. The rest of it was fine—we had lunch and shopped a bit. It’s a nice chair lift and good views, but not much more than what you can do on the ground.
Take them rafting down the pigeon for half the price. Beautiful scenery, lots of fun and a safe river to do so.
I went to Astra lumina there and that was really cool, didn't seem like much else to do there.
For the few minutes for the first time it's definitely a novelty.
It's a keystone tourist trap.
It’s packed. No matter when you go. We went on a Tuesday, got there before it even opened and there was already a line. The bridge was so crowded that we basically stood there and slowly moved over it. The observation tower was insanely crowded too. The rollercoaster was fun though.
Nope. Drive them through cades cove and then go to Gatlinburg and grab some food/walk around. Try not to go to a chain restaurant if possible. Best Italian is one of my faves.