Ober Gatlinburg, located at Parkway and LeConte Street in downtown Gatlinburg, was easy to find - it's just around the corner from the Hilton Garden Inn where we stayed during our recent trip. The Aerial Tramway has a regular schedule up to the Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area.
Yes, there’s a amusement park up at the top of the mountain. In fact, not only is there a maze, huge slide, a ice skating rink, and more rides, there’s also a Wildlife Encounter, where you'll find a black bear family along with some River Otters, and other animals native to the region. We always enjoy visiting animal parks, and the Wildlife Encounter is a must do if you’re visiting Ober Gatlinburg.
There's also something special about visiting in the winter when Gatlinburg is a glow in festive lights. Viewing the city below from the Aerial Tramway is spectacular at night. And, for those who love to snowboard or ski, Ober Gatlinburg is the place to head from December through March. The dates of opening season can change season to season so check their website for updates.
Then there is the fall season, and this is when Ober Gatlinburg comes to life with music, food, and lots of beer at OktOBERfest. Leroy’s Uncle and Sister are heading that way in Mid October to join the fun during the month-long celebration that has activities for all ages to enjoy. Do not miss the Bavarian Funmakers Oompah Band in the Seasons of Ober Restaurant. They’ll be playing throughout the festival.
For many people visiting the OktOBERfest it’s the food and beer they look forward to enjoying. They will not be disappointed, there's an Outdoor Bier Garten that will feature different featured breweries each weekend. And, there will also be plenty of German inspired cuisine to sample, including bratwurst, strudel, pretzels and sauerkraut.
Once you arrive at Ober Gatlinburg it feels like we've stepped into another world completely different than what we left below. You can drive up the mountain, although you'd miss the opportunity for such great views. For many folks we met, Ober Gatlinburg had everything they wanted to experience while on vacation, and the prices are budget friendly, which is a big plus when you have a family.Whether you up at Ober Gatlinburg for OktOBERfest, to dine at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant, or on a skiing trip, we hope you have as much fun as we did!Plan Your Trip To Ober GatlinburgTo explore current ticket prices, attractions, winter recreation, and learn more about the OktOBERfest celebrations visit the Ober Gatlinburg website.