Ober Gatlinburg - a Summer Amusement Park in Gatlinburg

If you are traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee this summer, don't miss a visit to Ober Gatlinburg. Ober Gatlinburg calls itself an amusement park and ski resort. Tourists during the summer months enjoy Ober Gatlinburg as an amusement park.

Visitors to Ober Gatlinburg should not expect an amusement park along the lines of Six Flags, Universal Studios or Walt Disney World. Traveling up into the Smoky Mountains is, in some ways, like traveling back in time and a trip to Ober Gatlinburg feels somewhat like a trip back in time as well.

Ober Gatlinburg's address is 1001 Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN. Tourists on the main street through town will find the Ober Gatlinburg Tramway located at Traffic Light #9.

Ober Gatlinburg is actually located up the mountain from the town of Gatlinburg. There are two ways to get to the entrance of Ober Gatlinburg The Ober Gatlinburg Tram has America's newest Aerial Tram cars. The view during the 10 minute Ober Gatlinburg Tram ride to the top of the tramway is beautiful and offers a great view of hillside homes and cabins. The Ober Gatlinburg tram ride is smooth although there is a bit of bumping while going over the towers and the tram car does swing a bit when a strong breeze hits it. The charge for the Ober Gatlinburg Tram ride is for a round-trip on the tram. It does not cover any other activities once at Ober Gatlinburg. Our entertaining tram operator did tell us that a tram ticket purchase allows visitors unlimited tram rides for two days.

The Ober Gatlinburg Tram ride is not for everyone. Tourists who are afraid of heights or who prefer to drive can drive up the mountain and park in a lot at Ober Gatlinburg.

Inside the main building of Ober Gatlinburg is a rather small and uninteresting miniature golf course and a small but fun year-round ice skating rink. The Ober Gatlinburg main building has a few shops selling tourists items like stuffed bears, puzzles and souvenir gifts as well as two snack bars and a small restaurant. Also inside the main building of Ober Gatlinburg is a bungee run and arcade.

Visitors to Ober Gatlinburg can walk around inside the main building and around most of the grounds without any charge but either tickets or a wristband must be purchased to enjoy the rides or amusement areas of Ober Gatlinburg.

Black bears are an important part of Smoky Mountain culture and visitors who want to make certain they get to see a black bear can see one at the Smoky Mountain Wildlife Encounter at Ober Gatlinburg. Smoky Mountain Wildlife Encounter is a small area featuring black bears, river otters, raccoons and other area wildlife in small cages. It is impressive to see a black bear up close but visitors cannot help but feel somewhat guilty for the conditions the animals at Ober Gatlinburg call home.

The highlight of Ober Gatlinburg during summer months is a trip up the ski lift to the top of the mountain. Topping 3,500 ft the mountain top visitor area allows visitors to take in a breathtaking view of the Smoky Mountains and is an excellent spot for photos. The ride up is relaxing. Don't be surprised by unexpected stops. The lift is stopped for guests requiring special assistance. Wheelchairs can be sent up in separate lifts so that all guests are able to enjoy the view. New the top of the lift a photo is taken of each chair and photos are available for viewing and purchase. Local musicians perform at the top. Restroom facilities, which were very clean during a recent visit, are also available on the mountain top.

Guests may also opt to exit the ski lift part way up and take the Alpine Slide back down the mountain. The Alpine Slide at Ober Gatlinburg is a dry track, simulated bob sled ride. The cars on The Alpine Slide are easy to operate although visitors who are tall or have long legs may be very uncomfortable. Many visitors with small children take them down on the sled with them. The thrill of speeding down 1,800' of track featuring curves and hairpin turns makes The Alpine Slide the top attraction at Ober Gatlinburg in the summer months. Many visitors choose to ride this attraction over and over.

Ober Gatlinburg features three water slides that are designed to be ridden while fully clothed. One water slide, the Blue Cyclone Rapids, is a spiraling, fully enclosed tunnel. The other two water slides at Ober Gatlinburg are straight, side by side slides. One is enclosed and the other is open. During a recent visit not one visitor was disappointed with the slides and most rode the slides multiple times. The only complaint heard was the work of climbing the stairs each time.

For younger guests, Ober Gatlinburg has a few kiddie rides, a small fun house and a nice wooden climbing area.

A scattering of picnic tables are available for visitors to relax and eat lunch or a quick snack.

Other than the rides listed above, Ober Gatlinburg has only a couple of carnival type rides.

Ober Gatlinburg is a great place for visitors to Gatlinburg, TN to spend the day or a few hours but it's advertisement as an amusement park is a bit of an overstatement. Ober Gatlinburg fits right into the Smoky Mountain culture and is relaxing in a way that large amusement and theme parks are not.