If you love zoos, you will be excited to know there are several wonderful attractions near our cabins where you can see all types of fascinating animals! This is the perfect opportunity to view some of the famous black bears of the Smoky Mountains, as well as birds, reptiles, and other amazing wildlife! Here are 3 unique zoo attractions in the Smoky Mountains you need to see:
1. Wildlife Encounter at Ober Gatlinburg
One of the unique zoo attractions in the Smoky Mountains you need to see is the Wildlife Encounter at Ober Gatlinburg! This privately funded, municipally sponsored zoo offers guests the chance to view native wildlife in a safe environment, including a beautiful black bear family! While visiting the Wildlife Encounter, you can watch river otters playing from an underwater viewing area, experience Birds of Prey in an enclosed aviary and stroll through the Nocturnal House with raccoons, skunks, flying squirrels, turtles, and snakes! The zoo is open throughout the year, but keep in mind the bears may be in hibernation during the winter months!
2. Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
The Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo is home to some of the most breathtaking creatures from the rainforests of the world. While exploring this popular zoo in Sevierville, you will find more than 600 live animals that represent over 130 species. The majority of the animals at the Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo have been born or hatched in captivity, and many of the animals are on loan from zoos all across the USA primarily for the purpose of education. The family of zoo animals include mammals, reptiles, birds, bugs, and amphibians, so be sure to bring your camera to capture some of these incredible creatures in action!
3. Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo
Another one of the unique zoo attractions in the Smoky Mountains you need to see is the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo! This fun attraction is nestled among 140 acres of foothills and features a huge deer farm, as well as camels, kangaroos, zebras, goats, reindeer, miniature horses, donkeys, and much more. You can actually walk among the deer and hand feed these delicate animals for an experience you will remember for a lifetime! You can also interact with many of the other animals at the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo. If you ever wanted to hug a baby goat, pet a zebra, kiss a kangaroo, or scratch a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, this is your chance!
Other Places to See Animals in the Smokies
There are several other great places to see animals in the Smokies! If you are planning a hike through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you may spot a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and turkeys! If you have your heart set on seeing black bears, stop by the live bear habitat at the Three Bears General Store in Pigeon Forge! Finally, the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood is a 30,000-square-foot aviary that houses the country’s largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles!
Check out all of our cabins in Pigeon Forge TN today to stay close to these unique zoo attractions in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to welcoming you to the Smokies!
