Open daily March 31 through October 31. Sugarlands Visitor Center T-shirts, stickers, wall art, home decor, and more designed and sold by independent artists. The hike features a gentle climb that follows Fighting Creek and features two historic properties the Noah McCarter cabin and the John Ownby cabin. They have a nice park store on location in addition to a FREE museum of animals native to the region. There may be a line to enter because of COVID restrictions. The Sugarlands Visitor Center features free admission to a 20-minute film about the Great Smoky Mountains National . Anyone seen elk? After hiking up Rainbow Falls, we doubled back to Gatlinburg and re-entered the park at Sugarlands. Sugarlands Visitor Center is always a great place to stop to learn information about the park, visit the gift shop and museum, enjoy the beauty of God's Great Smoky Mountains and to relax a bit. This visitor canter gets five stars, for the wildlife. While many of those people enter from the North Carolina side of the park, as well as through other entrances on the Tennessee side, most access the park through the Gatlinburg entrance, which is only a couple of miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center - a great starting point for any adventure one might plan within GSMNP boundaries. The center also features a nature trail (that leads to Cataract falls), a 20-minute informative park video, and a gift shop packed with mountain-themed gifts and educational gear. 1.9 mi from Sugarlands Visitor Center Great Smoky. There are countless visitor centers scattered across the country, and they serve a wide variety of purposes. For example, get out of a storm or just find a resting spot while you wait for the rest of your party to finish their hike. 9822 Cty Rd 75. And whether you're just headed into the park or on your way out of it for the day, keep in mind that this visitor center has lots of free parking (although on busy days, it can still be challenging to find an empty spot), vending machines and restrooms. Stores Were Commercial and Social Centers in Great Smokies. At the time of this writing, the centers hours are as follows: *Sugarlands Visitor Center is closed on Christmas Day. Great Smoky Mountains Association members receive many benefits: discounts online and at bookstores Hours: 9:00-5:00. Copyright 20082023 RV LIFE. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Information about specific programs is available at each visitor center. $$ - $$$ American Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. RELATED: Clingmans Dome is the tallest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. My Mom and Grandma used to bring us here when we were kids. If you have kids I'd recommend the Jr Ranger books (buy the book for $2.50 in the shop) to fill out and get the wooden Jr Ranger Badge. Staff were restricting occupancy to 50 people due to COVID, but we didn't have to wait very long. a visitor center, museum and gift shop all under the same roof. There is also a gift shop here and restrooms. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Public restrooms and telephones.Townsend Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.Jan. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the most interesting monsters mentioned on Travel Channel's Mountain Monsters (media photo from Travel Channel, werewolf rendering from Adobe stock), Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com), Sugarlands Visitor Center is a must see on your visit to the Smokies. There is a few parking spaces. As you near hwy 441, you get on a sidewalk that passes in front of the park headquarters. Available Facilities Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Its also the perfect opportunity to pick up a park map if you havent already. Send Email. The ability to travel and explore new places is one of the best parts of the RV lifestyle. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Sugarlands is a wonderful place to start your adventure into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both are natural terrain, basically level and easy to complete (Both family & dog friendly). The Gatlinburg Trail is very easy and well maintained. For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. Check with the visitor center for times and exact locations. The next time you visit our Gatlinburg zipline attraction, we recommend that you also work in a trip to the national park and be sure to make Sugarlands Visitor Center a part of your outdoor experience. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. Soda and water machines. The SmokyMountains.com Local Experts Team, Newfound Gap Road: 31 Miles of Incredible Mountain Landscapes, Sugarland Riding Stables: A Relaxing Wilderness Experience, View The Amazing Synchronous Fireflies In The Smoky Mountains, Clingmans Dome: Highest Point in Tennessee, Little River Road: Overlooks, Trails and Waterfalls. To get to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, proceed through downtown Gatlinburg on the main Parkway. Are you over 21? You do not need to go inside for anything except the store or a National Parks Passport Stamp. Demonstrations of farm life are conducted seasonally.Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. The only downside of this experience is the price point. They also have several maps available for waterfall hikes, scenic hikes, auto drives, etc. If you just arrived at the park, this is the perfect ad-on to a stop at the visitor center. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect spot to begin your Smoky Mountain vacation! Find Sugarlands Visitor Center-inspired gifts and merchandise printed on quality products one at a time in socially responsible ways. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. Check out our list and consider adding one or two of these to your upcoming travel plans! This is your typical visitors center with a gift shop. It is a nice visitor center, with brochures, helpful staff, a gift shop, wall exhibits and a topographical map that helps with orientation to the park. We used this opportunity to get an official park map/newsletter, get our NPS passport cancellation stamps, and pick up a few postcards in the gift shop. But more importantly, the center is home to a park ranger. There are a number of scenic waterfalls with beautiful scenery, trailheads and great hikes in the surrounding area. They have maps and have lots of great info on trails and have great recommendations. Great Way to Start Your Trip in the Smoky Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Attractions, things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataract Falls For your convenience, weve also provided some information about nearby RV parks and resorts. If youre a fan of geology or just want to see something incredibly unique, its hard to top Carlsbad Caverns. Is the Gatlinburg Trail fairly easy? Check with the visitor center for times and exact locations. Good place to stop before heading on to Laurel Falls and Cades Cove. But before you worry about what you can do once you leave the center, it's important to know more about the center itself. A big parking lot and grassy area to picnic on before or after you begin your step back in time on the loop drive. We would have younger kids with us and have 3-4 hours to spend there. People have been living and working in the mountains for generations, and the history is all on display here. You can actually get to the visitor center on this trail but the last .4 miles require walking along a side road which you might not want to do with kids. In addition to the interior exhibits, there are three great hikes all located at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Prior to 2020, the Sugarlands Visitor Center was also something of a small museum with extensive natural history exhibits that even young children could enjoy, which included a free 21-minute movie about the park. There is also an extensive gift shop with T-shirts, CDs of mountain music, DVDs and books to remind you of your visit. The visitor center features knowledgable rangers, maps, restrooms, animal exhibits, informative museum, and a free movie. Where Can I Have Packages Delivered While On The Road. Are you hiking a nearby trail for the first time? Both trails are nice, but I prefer the Cataract Falls trail, especially for families with small kids since it is easier and mostly flat with wide, clear trails! , Inside the visitor center are exhibits detailing mountain life from the times of the Cherokee Indians through the establishment of the national park. The temporarily closed Sugarland's museum featured local flora, fauna and wildlife (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) Bathrooms and gift shop. There are actually several visitor centers for this park, including the South Rim (AKA Grand Canyon Village), Desert View, and the North Rim. Great gift shop and clean bathrooms. This post may contain affiliate links, This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy, 5 Visitor Centers That Are Worth Exploring, 1. Visitor centers are one of the best ways to learn about a new area. How do I book this shuttle from Sugar to Elkmont? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Can someone recommend a short easy trail/s around that area? In addition to the free movie, knowledgable rangers, and exhibits, you will find several easy hikes with a trailhead next to the visitor center. The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger. Overall, this place is definitely worth a visit though! Near Gatlinburg, TN, Sugarlands Visitor Center is an excellent starting point as you enter the park's North District. RELATED: Fighting Creek Nature Trail is very popular with visitors to Sugarlands Visitor Center. The building has a cool roof system, which allows heat to escape freely, generating lower cooling costs. Spotted near Meigs Falls. Visit the Clingmans Dome Visitor Center from April through November (2022). This was our second visit to Sugarland. Kids ALWAYS look forward to stopping here.This visitor center is a MUST for anyone and everyone visiting the Smokies, whether it is your first trip OR millionth trip to the area. We recommend booking Sugarlands Visitors Center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. (1,110 reviews) "Conveniently located in the heart of Gatlinburg. Bayard, NE 69334. If youre a fan of documentaries, youll love the 16-minute Hidden World video presentation that they play every 30 minutes. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. In the days before the park, Sugarlands was ripe with farming and, also one of the Smokies other chief crops; moonshine. Part of the walk goes to an old log structure, and the hike eventually goes uphill and then circles back to meet up with the shorter trail to the visitor's center. There are a variety of bookstores, gift shops, and restaurants to explore. Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitor Center - See 1,061 traveler reviews, 396 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. This easy hike is perfect for families with young children. Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public at this location. The facility includes a bookstore and a gift shop for all your souvenir needs. Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located on Newfound Gap Road (US 441) about a half mile past the entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway. Stop here to stretch your legs, get your bearings, and speak with experts about your itinerary. We are two seniors who would like to know what to see and do in Gatlinburg. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. BUSH'S BEANS VISITOR CENTER - 195 Photos & 76 Reviews - 3901 US Hwy 411, Dandridge, TN - Yelp Home Services Auto Services Bush's Beans Visitor Center 76 reviews Unclaimed Visitor Centers Edit Closed 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM See hours See all 196 photos Write a review Add photo 's work in the canned goods industry. We had a great conversation about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont, the park, how he became a ranger, and Tennessee and Alabama football. Sugarlands Visitors Center (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Book your tickets online for Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: See 3,088 reviews, articles, and 3,412 photos of Clingmans Dome, ranked No.12 on Tripadvisor among 104 attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sugarlands Visitors Center: Love the gift shop - See 1,061 traveler reviews, 396 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitor Center Visit - See 1,061 traveler reviews, 396 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. In addition, ranger-led programs are conducted seasonally that can add to your appreciation of the mountains. You don't have to wait in line to purchase. This trail begins at the visitor center and follows a beautiful river to the outskirts of Gatlinburg. TN Fighting Creek Nature Trail It is hard to say where it will end up but signs are posted to be careful if you spot one and stay 50 yards from it. more, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. Theres no better way to truly experience the country. Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Clingmans Dome Visitor Center is located at the Clingmans Dome Trailhead on Clingmans Dome Road. Educational and interesting at the same time. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Things to Do, things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger.They have a large parking lot. Learn all about visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park - when go go, what to do, what to expect, recommended tours and more! There are public restrooms, telephones and drink machines available for use as well. Collin Messer September 30, 2013. Lots of national and state parks have at least one visitor center, but some businesses, churches, museums, and other interesting locations have them as well. Guests have access to a variety of activities and learning experiences. This trip to the Smokies we caught a presentation from one of the park rangers out front of the visitor center. Themes include European American settlement, Civilian Conservation Corp work, and the development of the park. Gatlinburg Public Restrooms are located on the opposite side of the visitor center next to the parking area. Public restrooms and telephones. The GSMNP is vast. The roof also features recycled rubber, solar panels and solar tubs to provide additional lighting and energy without using electricity. , Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitor Center - See 1,047 traveler reviews, 358 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. They separated there and one went into Gatlinburg and the other was heading in the opposite direction. Let us know. We visited early evening to get maps for hiking. Just down the sidewalk is an open-air museum. Better yet, this center rests in a historic part of the Smokies that's filled . Smoky Mountain Cat House Do you have a feline friend or just love anything and everything that has to do with cats? Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public at this location. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. In 1887, Rebecca Cable and her brother Dan bought the house and continued to operate the store for about eight more years. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg. By Ross Bodhi OglePosted on January 3, 2023. Southern Mountain Life Open-Air Museum | Cades Cove | Photo: Marc Bowman. This section provides lots of information about the animals and their habitats as well as many of the types of wildflowers and vegetations that thrive within the park throughout the year. LeConte. A separate building houses modern bathrooms and several trails begin at the center. They are Sugarlands, Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, andOconaluftee. You can reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center by calling 865-436-1291. In fact, Newfound Gap Road runs essentially from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina. Join us to celebrate Christmas in the mountains with old-time music, harp singing, storytelling and reminiscing, craft demonstrations such as weaving, spinning, quilting . Dec. 8:30 am - 4:30 pmLocation1194 Newfound Gap RoadCherokee , NC 28719Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US-441Special ProgramsRanger-led programs conducted seasonally. Store prices were very reasonable. The trail is very easy and flat. All of the visitor centers provide a great experience, but the South Rim center is especially noteworthy. And of course, dont forget to stop by the gift shop and buy some fun souvenirs! You can pick up tons of helpful information about the area, speak to rangers, and watch videos about the significance of the Grand Canyon. All Rights Reserved. Only a few people allowed in Welcome Center at one time even if masked. Ways to Experience Sugarlands Visitors Center. Got right into the museum/store without a wait. Visitor Centers Closed now 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About GSMA Store Locations and HoursCades Cove Visitor Center HoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.January 9:00 am - 4:30 pmFebruary 9:00 am - 5:00 pmMarch 9:00 am - 6:00 pmApril - Aug. 9:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. The gift shop has a wide selection of souvenirs, as well as an extensive collection of books about the Smoky Mountains. After about 4.5 miles, you'll find Elkmont Road. Get there before 4 pm if you want to see the movie and/or museum! Heading that way Thursday. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They have maps and have Great recommendations Trail for the wildlife they have maps and have 3-4 hours to there! Nearby RV Parks and resorts have been living and working in the United States National Parks Stamp. Calling 865-436-1291 before heading on to Laurel Falls and Cades Cove heat escape... 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