The first time I went to Gatlinburg, it was 1982 and there wasn't much to do EXCEPT Gatlinburg. My sister and I checked out Ripley's Believe It or Not and jumped into a crystal clear Smoky Mountain stream fully clothed. But aside from that, well...

WHAT ISN'T THERE TO DO IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS?

Fast forward 40 years, and you may not have ENOUGH time to do all that intrigues you on a visit to east Tennessee. It's not exactly breaking news that the Smokies are not longer JUST Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are just as popular destinations in 2022.

So there's always room to grow, always room for more things to do--although arm-twisting is rarely required to get folks to travel to that part of the country.

Soon, Sevierville will add yet another must-see attraction to a long and growing list of places tourists will want to swarm. And what a perfect time of the year for something new in the Great Smoky Mountains. Seriously, if you can't figure out how to spend a week there, you're not trying.

SKYLAND RANCH OPENS SOON IN SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE

When SkyLand Ranch opens, I expect it to be packed to the gills on day one.

The chair lift that will carry visitors up to the park really takes me back. I'm not sure how many attractions around the country employ such devices--and a few do come to mind--but when I was a kid, it seemed like they ALL did.

CHECK OUT THE PROGRESS AT SKYLAND RANCH

Originally scheduled for completion in the spring of 2022, the SkyLand Ranch opening day has been pushed back to sometime this fall. But you can check out a detailed progress report here:

As you heard, guests who don't want to use the chairlift can ride any of three shuttles up the mountain. But these chairlifts aren't your ordinary chairlifts. According to the SkyLand Ranch website, they're HYBRIDS, meaning tourists will have the option of either chairs or open-air cabins. Very cool idea.

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WHAT TO EXPECT AT SKYLAND RANCH

However, that's not the only thing you'll be able to ride at SkyLand Ranch:

Other plans for the attraction include a mountain coaster that’s over a mile long, a suspended bridge with a wide walkway, canopy walks and more.

Additional unique opportunities will await visitors at the top of SkyLand Ranch:

SkyLand Ranch will also be home to a variety of miniature animals, including miniature cows and donkeys! After visiting with the animals, guests will love browsing both the food barns and the retail barns. There are currently plans for a candy shop and bakery with gourmet cupcakes, along with other seasonal food options, and a souvenir shop, a boutique, a Christmas shop, a toy store and more in the retail barn.

It's a park for all seasons, it seems, and I have no doubt that all seasons will see heavy traffic at one of the newest destination in the Smoky Mountains.

Smoky Mountain Cabin Has Swim In Movie Theater

Who doesn't love a getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains? This cabin has amazing views and its own private swim-in movie theater!

Forget a Cabin, You Can Stay in a Smoky Mountain Castle Near Gatlinburg

This Airbnb will definitely make you feel like Smoky Mountain royalty!

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