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  4. I visited the Great Smoky Mountains and the best part of my trip was an unexpected discovery I made while stuck in the rain with no way to get to my Airbnb

I visited the Great Smoky Mountains and the best part of my trip was an unexpected discovery I made while stuck in the rain with no way to get to my Airbnb

I visited the Great Smoky Mountains and the best part of my trip was an unexpected discovery I made while stuck in the rain with no way to get to my Airbnb
Insider's reporter didn't expect to find a tramway above the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently took an aerial tram up into the Great Smoky Mountains.
  • The ride was not part of my initial travel plan and before I arrived, I didn't know it even existed.

During a recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, I had an experience I never expected — taking an aerial tram ride high above them.

During a recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, I had an experience I never expected — taking an aerial tram ride high above them.
Inside a tram traveling above the national park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Before I arrived at Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I never knew this tramway existed. But it ended up being a major unexpected highlight of my trip.

Before I arrived at Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I never knew this tramway existed. But it ended up being a major unexpected highlight of my trip.
The Ober Gatlinburg Station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I only found the tram after spotting it from a restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a town near the national park. I was trying to figure out how to get to my Airbnb, but with no taxi available, I was facing a three-hour walk in heavy rain.

I only found the tram after spotting it from a restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a town near the national park. I was trying to figure out how to get to my Airbnb, but with no taxi available, I was facing a three-hour walk in heavy rain.
The author's booth at a restaurant in Gatlinburg Tennessee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The tram travels between downtown Gatlinburg, where I was, and Ober Mountain, a tourist attraction with a roller coaster and other rides that happened to be just a 30-minute walk from my Airbnb.

The tram travels between downtown Gatlinburg, where I was, and Ober Mountain, a tourist attraction with a roller coaster and other rides that happened to be just a 30-minute walk from my Airbnb.
The Ober Mountain Tramway in Gatlinburg.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Completed in 1973 to bring skiers safely up to the slopes, the tram ascends 300 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains, and has carried millions of people up to Ober Mountain.

Completed in 1973 to bring skiers safely up to the slopes, the tram ascends 300 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains, and has carried millions of people up to Ober Mountain.
A tram passes through the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I was relieved to avoid an hours-long rainy walk and went to the tram station, which was across the street from the restaurant.

I was relieved to avoid an hours-long rainy walk and went to the tram station, which was across the street from the restaurant.
The author gets her ticket to ride      Joey Hadden/Insider

I bought a ticket for the tram for $30, to take a two-mile ride above the mountains.

I bought a ticket for the tram for $30, to take a two-mile ride above the mountains.
The waiting room for the tram ride in Gatlinburg.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Ober Mountain

At the station, I learned that it's one of the largest aerial tramways in the US.

At the station, I learned that it
A tram arrives at Ober Mountain.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Each tram car can hold 120 people, according to Ober Mountain. I don't think my tram ride was completely full, and I was impressed by how much room I had to move around and see the park from different angles.

Each tram car can hold 120 people, according to Ober Mountain. I don
People take photos from the tram      Joey Hadden/Insider

The tram travels at 17 miles per hour, according to Gatlinburg Attractions Association, and the ride was about 10 minutes long. I thought it swayed quite a bit, but not too much for comfort.

The tram travels at 17 miles per hour, according to Gatlinburg Attractions Association, and the ride was about 10 minutes long. I thought it swayed quite a bit, but not too much for comfort.
A view of the mountains from the tram ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the aerial views of the park from the tram were epic and some of the best of my trip, even in the rain. I couldn't help but think if I hadn't struggled to find taxis, I never would have experienced the tram.

I thought the aerial views of the park from the tram were epic and some of the best of my trip, even in the rain. I couldn
Views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the tram.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When I made it safely to my Airbnb, I was grateful for the unexpected adventure. I can't wait to ride it again on a sunny day.

When I made it safely to my Airbnb, I was grateful for the unexpected adventure. I can
The author warms up from the rain in her Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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