![]() If you head up, keep in mind that you need to have a timed ticket to snow tube, and weekends can sell out quickly. The ski slopes weren’t open yet, but visitors were lining up for their chance to zoom down the slopes on their tubes. Ober Gatlinburg had been making snow for a few weeks, and it seemed to be sticking around despite the unseasonably warm temperatures hitting the East Coast. Ober Gatlinburg, a local fun and shopping center in the mountains, had shut down their water slides for the season, but we arrived just in time for the start of snow tubing season. We road up during the day and then again at night since our tickets worked for a 24-hour period. Taking the tram from downtown up to Ober Gatlinburg was the highlight of the trip for my son. We saw plenty of greenery on the hills in winter, but I could only image how gorgeous the drive would be in the spring when the mountains were in full bloom.Īlthough hiking is always my idea of a good time, it’s not the only thing to do in Gatlinburg with kids. Like evergreen trees in the Pacific Northwest, the Smoky Mountains are covered in mountain laurels and rhododendrons. I was hoping the drive to Cades Cove would force him into a nap, but the scenery was just too gorgeous for him to miss. Tears and tantrums ensued as I dragged my son away and back down to the car. The waterfall was worth the climb, and all of the grandparents who had seen us slowly making our way up the winding path clapped as we crossed a little bridge to join the rest of the hikers gazing up at Laurel Falls. ![]() I had to carry him a little bit on the way back, but for the most part, he did the whole thing himself. With lots of donut sugar running through his veins, my toddler son was able to complete the 2.6 mile hike up to Laurel Falls and back. No snow meant we had sure footing on the paved path. The weather was a sunny 63 degrees, quite warm for early December, but the best kind of weather for hiking. Easy winter morning hikesįueled up for a day of exploration, my son and I headed into Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see a few waterfalls and maybe a deer or two. If you are looking for more hearty fare, as we did on alternate mornings, breakfast, and even lunch, at the Pancake Pantry is a local institution, but the cinnamon rolls and omelets at Davy Crockett’s Breakfast Camp should not be missed either. I’m still not sure how he manages to eat food this way. My toddler annihilated his rainbow sprinkle donut, licking off all of the cream and leaving the bottom half of the donut just for me. I’m actually not a huge donut fan, but the Friar’s Favorite (a chocolate frosted cream-filled beauty) and the éclair brought me back to my childhood when donuts were under a dollar, and meant to get all over your face. Just around the corner, The Donut Friar was baking up some of the best donuts I’ve ever had, and I’m not just saying that. The Donut Friar and Coffee & Co make every morning better in Gatlinburg, TN
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