Where to Find the Best Views in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, TN is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. Located on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is blessed with majestic mountain scenery that attracts millions of admirers each year. When you stay at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, you will be minutes away from all of the most photo-worthy spots in the Smokies. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we have put together a guide to all of the best views in Gatlinburg:

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Sidney James Mountain Lodge is just a two minute drive from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, one of the most scenic roads in the Smoky Mountains. This 5.5 mile one-way loop offers gorgeous wooded views, pull offs with breathtaking mountain vistas, and a variety of well maintained historic cabins. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for some of the area’s signature wildlife, as the Motor Nature Trail is frequented by black bears and turkeys.

For even more great scenery, be sure to check out the Rainbow Falls hike or the Grotto Falls hike, which both have trailheads located off of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Please note that the Motor Nature Trail is typically closed from November 27 – March 25.

Gatlinburg Space Needle

The city of Gatlinburg at night.

The Gatlinburg Space Needle also offers some of the very best views in Gatlinburg. This 407 ft. tall observation tower provides gorgeous panoramas of the downtown area and the Great Smoky Mountains. The Space Needle’s complimentary view finders let you get an even closer look at all of the sights and landmarks.

For a romantic date, we suggest visiting the Space Needle at night, so you can see all of the dazzling lights on The Strip. In addition to the wonderful views, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is also home to a fun arcade, a great pizza restaurant, and a wonderful theater that hosts magicians and other talented performers. The Space Needle is just a 9 minute walk from Sidney James Mountain Lodge.

Don’t miss these other things to do in Gatlinburg with incredible views!

Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

Beautiful view of Gatlinburg in the mountains.

The Aerial Tramway is a cable car ride that takes visitors from the Parkway up to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park. Not only is the Tramway the best way to reach the ski resort, it also offers some of the most spectacular views in the Smokies. From high in the air, passengers get an unparalleled bird’s-eye view of the Great Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg.

Once you arrive at Ober Gatlinburg, you can enjoy all of the great activities at the resort, which include skiing and snowboarding (in the winter), an indoor ice skating rink, a mini golf course, a mountain coaster, a wildlife encounter, and a scenic chairlift ride. The boarding area for the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is a 13 minute walk from Sidney James Mountain Lodge.

Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook

Located about 12 minutes away from our hotel on the Gatlinburg Bypass, the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is one of the most photographed spots in the Smokies. This view has become so popular because of the dramatic contrast in elevation between the city of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains. The Scenic Overlook is a wonderful place to take a family photo during your vacation, so don’t forget your camera!

Guests at Sidney James Mountain Lodge will love being near all of the best views in Gatlinburg. With indoor and outdoor pools, a trolley stop at our front door, an onsite cafe, and private balconies overlooking a stream, we have everything you need for an amazing getaway. To start planning your vacation, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!