Ober Gatlinburg. A place Clay and I love to visit at least once per year. It is constantly adding new features and attractions. While it is always being updated, it still holds a feeling of the past. It has a very nostalgic, ski lodge, ice skating rink feel to it.
Thank you to Ober Gatlinburg for hosting us on our anniversary trip this year.
We teamed up with the folks at Ober and visited during Oktoberfest this year and, as usual, had a ball! I have a lot of images and some video of our visit. Instead of a photo slideshow, I will be adding them throughout the post individually and as small galleries to save you from scrolling through them all.
We did things a little different this year. Instead of taking the Tram up, we decided to drive. It costs $5 to enter the parking lot and you can stay all day. It is a very pretty drive up!
To kick off the day, we had lunch in their Seasons Of Ober restaurant. Clay had the chicken Wienerschnitzel and I had the Kohlroladen (cabbage rolls). We also shared a Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
Seasons of Ober, typically, serves menu items like burgers, steak, pasta, etc. But, during the Oktoberfest season, they have a special menu filled with German cuisine! We love trying the different foods.
After lunch, we browsed the Oktoberfest gift shop outside. I bought myself a tiny German hat to wear during our Ober trip. I got a lot of comments! It was fun and cute and kept everyone laughing. I love tiny little headband hats. They’re festive and get you in the mood to celebrate!
Then we rode the chairlift up to Mt. Harrison. If you’ve never rode up, we highly recommend it. You will find the most beautiful views there with a map that shows what each mountain the peaks in the distance belongs to. We sat awhile and enjoyed the views and the bluegrass band that plays there. There are benches to sit on so you can just relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the mountain.
Colorblind-Less Viewer Installed at Ober’s Scenic Chairlift
—————————————————————–Colorblind-Less Viewer At Ober
We are so honored and excited to be a part of the Tennessee Vacation Colorblind-less Scenic Viewer program. They have installed a scenic viewer with special lenses at the top of Mount Harrison. Those who have not previously been able to see the spectacular colors of fall, will be able to see the deciduous trees put on their annual show.
Next, we rode the chairlift back down and enjoyed a big, soft pretzel, some warm cashews and some beer from the Oktoberfest Bier Garten (beer garden). We relaxed a little more, enjoyed having some time together, and did some crowd watching and listened to the music they had playing near the Bier Garten. Clay works 60 or more hours a week so we really wanted to just not be in a rush during this trip. It was so nice and refreshing to enjoy the day, together, in a slow paced way.
After relaxing awhile, we decided to ride the Ski Mountain Coaster. We try to ride it each time we visit. This mountain coaster takes you on a 2750 ft ride of turns, dips, zig-zags, corkscrews and G-force adventures with speeds up to 25 mph. Don’t worry, you can use your brake to control your speed and go slow if you wish. Clay zips around the entire thing at full tilt. Me? I go a little slower into curves and then speed up coming out of them. I guess I ride it more like I’m driving a vehicle. Why? Because I’m a chicken, that’s why! 😂
We stopped to watch the snow-making process for this winter season’s snow tubing.
The coaster was a ton of fun. Clay usually takes a ride on the Alpine Slide but he didn’t this trip. Instead, when we finished our coaster ride, we headed over to the Wildlife Encounter area to see the animals. I love the river otters, bobcats and the black bears!
“No wild animals are ever captured for exhibition; all new acquisitions are from other U.S.D.A. licensed zoos or are rescue animals. “
After visiting the animals, we headed back down the mountain for supper.
Clay and I had so much fun relaxing at Ober Gatlinburg. We usually make a family trip in the summer months so the kids can take advantage of things like the water rides, alpine slide, mini golf, indoor ice skating and ice bumper cars, etc. In the fall, we like to go, just the two of us for an adult only getaway.
Visit this page for more info on activities and rates.
Our Ober Gatlinburg Video
See more coverage of Ober Gatlinburg and Oktoberfest!
Have you ever been to Ober Gatlinburg? What are some things you enjoy there?
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I am a stay-at-home- mom, living in KY with my husband and children. I’m a travel and lifestyle blogger encouraging folks to live their life one adventure at a time while also focusing on beauty, essential oils and health. From time to time I also like to showcase my adorable pets along with my family. Along with Cinnamon Hollow I can be found at The Martin Family Adventure … read more