3 Gatlinburg And Pigeon Forge Attractions Where You Can See Animals

If you love seeing the local wildlife and other animals in the Smokies, then you’ll definitely want to add these activities to your itinerary! From shows to an aquarium and areas of the national park, read on to learn more about the top Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions where you can see animals:

1. Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Dolly Parton’s Stampede is another one of the best Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions to see animals. It is “The Smokies’ Most Fun Place to Eat” and “The World’s Most Visited Dinner Attraction.” The stars of the show are a group of 32 horses. Watch as they prance around to great country music. During the holiday season, you’ll love their special Christmas show. While all the action unfolds, you will be served a royal four-course feast. The entrees include a whole rotisserie chicken and a pile of juicy hickory smoked pulled pork. This comes with equally delicious sides like a hot biscuit, an herb-basted baked potato, and a bowl of creamy vegetable soup. Satisfy your sweet tooth at the end with a hot apple turnover. Come early before the show and go on the Horse Walk; you can walk through the stables and see the four-legged stars of the show up close!

2. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

At Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, visitors can see all kinds of marine creatures, over 350 individual species to be exact! The aquarium’s Shark Lagoon area has a conveyor belt visitors can ride on to see floor-to-ceiling tanks of fish. You can get even closer to all the aquatic creatures when you crawl through the tunnels of the Penguin Playhouse exhibit. See them waddle and swim in the water. There is also Touch A Ray Bay where you can watch stingrays swim about and feel the smooth cartilage on their backs as they do so. Each exhibit has additional plaques of information to tell you more about the animals you are seeing. If your questions still don’t get answered, talk to the aquarium’s knowledgeable staff! Some staff participate in Live Dive shows throughout the day and educate visitors from inside the tank.

3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Another place to see animals during your vacation with us is at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The timeless beautiful natural scenery is teeming with wildlife. Go on a hike for the chance to see some of it. The national park has over 850 miles of trails at varying difficulties. You may see black bears, deer, and wild turkeys on the land. You can also peer into the water to spot fish and salamanders. When hiking, remember that you’ll need a parking pass for your vehicle if you stay in the park longer than 15 minutes. Another way to spot wildlife is by taking a scenic drive. A popular route is Cades Cove Loop Road. This area is known for having a large population of black bears.

Now you know of some Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions where you can see animals. There are also activities in the area that you can do with furry friends if you bring them on vacation. Explore this list of things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with your dog!