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Winter Fun in the Smokies

If you’ve visited the Smoky Mountains National Park area in the summer, spring or fall, then you know it can get a little crowded here. That’s why you should consider a getaway during the wintertime. You’ll find fewer visitors and traffic, enjoy clearer views of the landscape, and even enjoy some sunny days in the crisp winter air.   You can also enjoy our Great Winter Escape at a great price. Take advantage of this great 25% discount package– two nights of lodging, breakfasts on two mornings, and dinners on two nights. All for $320 for a traditional room or $385 for a cottage or premier room. 

Great Winter Hiking on Amazing Trails  Alum Cave is the most popular winter hiking trail in the Smokies.  At the bluff you can see beautiful frozen icicles and breathtaking mountain views.  Other great winter hiking trails include Charlies Bunion, Andrews Bald and the Little River Trail.  And our own Porter’s Creek—just a stone’s throw from Buckhorn—offers easy walking along the river or a more challenging climb to Ramsey Cascades.

Take a Drive through the Mountains  In the winter, the mountaintops are covered in a beautiful white dusting of snow.  There’s nothing prettier than the view from Cades Cove Loop in the winter with its snowy landscapes across wide open fields.   If you are lucky, you might see a few white-tailed deer.  But you may also glimpse otter, bob-cat, red fox, mink, red squirrel.

Moonshine, Whiskey and Wine  Take a stroll down Gatlinburg’s main street and get a free taste of the locally made moonshine, whiskey and wine.  One of the best places to visit is Ole Smoky Moonshine because it offers great rocking chairs and live bluegrass music.

Go Skiing at Ober Gatlinburg  Gatlinburg is home to a favorite attraction – Ober Gatlinburg. Along with indoor ice skating, an alpine slide, restaurants, and an arcade, it also offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing! Kids can learn at the ski school, and there is even a terrain park for the more adventurous boarders!

Shop ‘Til You Drop  Avoid the crowds and shop the great Five Oaks Shopping Mall this winter with its more than 100 stores. Explore the beloved Christmas Place with its over-the-top supply of everything Christmas and enjoy its January sales.  Check out the Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Loop at our front door.

Explore History  Glenn Cardwell Heritage Museum celebrates the heritage and culture of the people of the small mountain town of Pittman Center.  Find out about the area’s first settler, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, who arrived in 1784, and the migration of people who were forced to leave their homes when the National Park was established in the 1930s.

Waddle with the Penguins  Take a stroll through Ripley’s Aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg where you can splash with rays, sleep with the sharks and take a ride in a glass-bottom boat.  The latest exciting exhibit focuses on Pearl Harbor.

Renew Your Spirit in the Serenity of Buckhorn Inn  For many of us life can be a rush.  Slow down with a quiet dinner for two in our dining room overlooking the Smokies, read a book in front of a fire, enjoy a massage, take a nap in the afternoon, or reflect on life with your partner.