The winter season in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a beautiful time to visit. The snow-covered mountains create a beautiful back drop to the area and add to the ambiance of the Smoky Mountains. Plus, Gatlinburg offers plenty of fun things to do inside so you can stay warm and cozy when it’s cold outside.

The Ripleys Aquarium is a great place to visit on winter days as it is swimming with interesting exhibits, including an all-new Penguin Playhouse exhibit. The shark lagoon is the attractions largest and most popular exhibit, as guests can travel on a moving 340-foot long glidepath and wind their way through the acrylic tunnel and come face to face with snappers, tarpons, grunts, squirrelfish, a green sea turtle, giant stingrays, sawfish and sharks. Other exciting exhibits include the coral reef and stingray bay.

Visitors to Gatlinburg will also want to hit the slopes at Ober Gatlinburg, which was recently named one of the “Top 10 Ski Destinations in the United States” by AOL Travel. The attraction features skiing, snowboarding, tubing, an alpine slide, scenic chair lift and ice skating. Shops and eateries are also located on-site, so you can make a day of fun out of your visit to Ober Gatlinburg.

A visit to the Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge is also a great way to spend your time in the Smokies. The museum attractions allows for self-guided tours, during which guests can browse through 20 galleries featuring over 400 personal and private artifacts. The Titanic Museum offers family passes too, so guests can save money on their visit as well.

A Gatlinburg vacation isn’t complete without a stay in a Smoky Mountain cabin. A few of the top places to stay include Bluff Mountain Rentals, Cramer’s Creekside Cabins, Dollywood Vacations, Hearthside Cabin Rentals and White Oak Lodge and Resort.