What makes the Smokies a year-round destination?

While the word is getting out that the Smoky Mountains are a year-round destination, I get a lot of questions as to “why” this is. Why are the Smokies more year-round than, say, Breckenridge Colorado?   

First, consider that vacation experiences are highly individual.  As an example, going to the beach is not a vacation experience for me.  It is more of an ordeal.  Something that I tolerate, because my kids enjoy it.  By contrast, I love visiting the Boston area.  That is a vacation experience to me.  To my kids?  They'd probably rather watch paint dry.

So what happens when a family of four is trying to choose a vacation destination, but there are several different ideas of a vacation experience in the family?  They go to the Smokies!

The reason so many tourists visit the Smokies, is that the destination can fulfill a wide array of vacation experiences, with everyone in the household likely to achieve a satisfactory vacation experience.

Let’s look at a few of those vacation experiences:

Amusement parks. Dollywood is the big one for sure, but there are many other amusement park attractions within 15 minutes’ drive. Go-kart tracks, traditional carnival rides, zip lining, and oh, about a hundred other, similar venues.

Shows. Think Las Vegas in miniature. Dramas, magic shows, variety shows, acrobatics, equestrian theatres. Pretty much any stage act one can imagine is right here.

Fly fishing. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 800 miles of spring-fed fly fishing. You can fly fish year-round in the Smokies streams and rivers – not just during the warm months.

Shopping. Yes, there’s a lot of it here.

Snow skiing. No one will ever confuse Ober Gatlinburg or Cataloochee for Telluride, but our family has enjoyed several days (and evenings) of skiing at both of these hills.

Dining. A lot of folks visit the area to eat. There are restaurants and menus to suit every taste, from comfort foods to exquisite dining.

And if you still aren’t convinced, how about hiking, antiquing, rock-climbing, spelunking, mountain biking, cycling, bird watching, car shows, tubing, museums, fireworks shows, aerial trams, ice skating, golf, and tennis?

In summary, the Smokies deliver a wider variety of vacation experiences than perhaps any place in the world.  

Happy investing!