It may not be a one-horse open sleigh, but Gatlinburg offers a charming and unique mode of transportation for people to discover the town’s holiday atmosphere.
Visitors can soak up the spirit of the Gatlinburg Winter Magic season from the comfort of a Gatlinburg Trolley by taking the relaxing Trolley Ride of Lights. The trolley ride begins and ends at the City of Gatlinburg’s mass transit center at Traffic Light #5 beside Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The specially designated trolleys carry their guests on a memorable journey through downtown and adjacent Hwy. 321, allowing everyone to experience the magical wonder of Gatlinburg Winter Magic.
Featuring one-of-a-kind LED lighting displays along Gatlinburg’s famous downtown Parkway, adjacent River Road, and the triangle juncture of the two, the latest $1.6 million-plus rollout of custom designed and fabricated lighting displays are marked by sections reminiscent of winter forests, evergreens and romance. The Hwy. 321 route features an injection of bright displays as well.
Gatlinburg has converted its entire winter lights program to quarter-watt LED bulbs, replacing the 5-watt incandescent bulbs and saving the City some 95 percent in energy cost and allowing the City to light the entire 120 days of the program for what it once cost for three days of electricity.
Displays featuring animals indigenous to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including deer, foxes, squirrels and rabbits, are part of the program. Many of the timeless displays visitors have grown accustomed to over the past 23 years have been converted to crisp LED as well. Most recently, fanciful snowmen, dancing fountains, a group of international children and a shiny rocking horse have joined the lineup.
To learn more about spending the holidays in Gatlinburg, or any of our more than 40+ festive destinations, drop us a line at [email protected].