Making The Most Of Smoky Mountain Visitor Centers
Posted by Leif Palmer in Sevierville
There are tons of resources a visitor can use to plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, even long before arriving. Internet research alone can go a long way toward helping you buy tickets to shows and attractions and, of course, book a few nights in one of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals.
But even after you arrive in the area, you may still have questions about what to do, where to go and what to see. Sometimes, it helps to get a recommendation or have your questions answered by a local person who is familiar with the area. That's where your friendly neighborhood visitor center can come in handy. The cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg all have them, as does Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
So this week, we'll give you an overview of where these visitor centers are and what they have to offer. This will help you distinguish legitimate city- and park-run visitor centers from some of the businesses that may call themselves visitor centers but are actually fronts for condominium sales offices.
Smoky Mountain Visitor Center
This is usually the first visitor center that folks encounter when arriving in the Smokies via Interstate 40. It's unique in that it is located in Smokies Stadium, which is just off Exit 407 at 3540 Line Dr. in Kodak, TN. You'll find an abundance of information about the national park as well as an array of books and brochures about area points of interest.
Sevierville Visitor Center
If you take Exit 407 and head toward Sevierville, you'll find this center at 3099 Winfield Dunn Pkwy. (Tenn. Hwy. 66), between Interstate 40 and downtown Sevierville. Operated by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, this center is open every day except Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You'll find a bookstore operated by the Great Smoky Mountains Association as well as the usual array of brochures and literature about regional attractions, shops and restaurants.
Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
This stop is at 1950 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, just before you reach the intersection of Wears Valley Rd. You'll find a ton of information about points of interest in Pigeon Forge and surrounding communities, and, like all the other area visitor centers, they have ample parking, restroom facilities and vending machines. Their hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gatlinburg Welcome Center
You'll find this welcome center located on the southbound side of The Spur, between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. It's open every day except Christmas Day, with hours that vary depending on the season. Resources include another Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore as well as information on the city of Gatlinburg and other communities.
Townsend Visitor Center
If you happen to venture to the nearby community of Townsend, TN, on the Blount County side of the Smokies, you'll find this visitor center on U.S. Hwy. 321. It's open at 9 a.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. You'll find a bookstore and tons of information about area activities, including those located in Blount County.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There are actually several visitor centers within the park alone, with the Sugarlands Visitor Center being the primary stopping point for those visiting the Tennessee side of the national park. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center serves guests on the North Carolina Side, and if you're headed to the Cades Cove community, be sure to stop at the visitor center there, which is located at the mid-point of the 11-mile one-way auto loop.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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Gatlinburg Hiking Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge Attractions Places To Eat Places To Eat Rental Cabins Seasons Smoky Mountains Sevierville Smoky Mountain Attractions Smoky Mountains Things to Do Wears Valley