If you’re an animal lover, you’ll have many fun opportunities to encounter your favorite animals while visiting the Smokies! You’ll not only find native wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but a variety of excellent zoos and other attractions that the whole family will love! Whether you want to see a bear in the wild, visit a petting zoo, or even cuddle with an adorable kitten, you can do it all just minutes away from our Pigeon Forge condos! Here are the top 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains for animal lovers:
1. Wildlife Viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the ultimate destination for animal lovers as it offers the exciting opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat! Altogether, there are 65 species of mammals, over 200 varieties of birds, 67 native fish species, and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians that are protected in the park! The most famous resident is the American black bear, and it is estimated that approximately 1,900 bears live in the park.
2. Wildlife Habitat at Ober Mountain
The Wildlife Habitat at Ober Mountain is a privately funded, municipally sponsored zoo where you can enjoy up close viewing of native wildlife in a safe environment! In addition to the habitat’s black bear family, you can see river otters playing in an underwater viewing area, view birds of prey in an enclosed aviary, and stroll through a Nocturnal House with raccoons, skunks, flying squirrels, turtles, and snakes!
3. Black Cat Lounge
If you’re missing your kitty while on vacation in the Smokies, head on over to the Black Cat Lounge in Sevierville, where good vibes and soft purrs await! This is a cozy space where cats can feel safe, loved, and free to show off their personalities, making it an entertaining and relaxing destination for cat lovers from all over! Whether you’re planning a stop on your own or a fun outing with friends, you'll find comfort, charm, and a little bit of magic in every visit!
4. Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo
Another one of the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains for animal lovers is the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo! This beloved attraction features a unique barnyard environment nestled within a 140-acre foothills setting, complete with beautiful deer that you can walk among, pet, and even feed! You can interact with plenty of other critters too, including camels, zebras, goats, reindeer, miniature horses, and much more!
5. Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood
When it comes to the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains for animal lovers, don’t miss the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood! This 30,000-square-foot aviary houses the country's largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles, providing a rare glimpse of these impressive birds of prey among a beautiful mountain setting! While enjoying the exhibit, you’ll also see members of the American Eagle Foundation interacting with these spectacular animals!
Check out all of our condos in Pigeon Forge TN today to plan your vacation near these fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains for animal lovers! We look forward to seeing you soon!
