Hillbilly Golf

You know that cable car ride up to Hillbilly Golf? That's half the fun right there. We've done this with the kids probably six times, and they always get excited about the tram ride before we even start putting. The courses are built right into the mountainside, so you're literally playing mini golf on a steep incline with trees everywhere.

Fair warning though — those hills will mess with your game. Balls roll back constantly, especially on the upper Gold course. Our youngest got frustrated the first time because his ball kept rolling away from the hole, but that's kind of the whole point. The hillbilly theme is pretty cute with all the outhouses and farm equipment, though some of the obstacles are showing their age after 51 years.

Parking is a nightmare on weekends. We learned to get there right when they open at 9am or you'll be walking from way down the Parkway. The staff will let groups split between the two courses if you ask, which cuts down on waiting time significantly.

One thing that catches people off guard — they're open rain or shine, and those wet inclines get slippery fast. We made that mistake once during a summer shower and spent more time trying not to fall than actually playing golf. Most people do both courses back-to-back, so plan on about 90 minutes total if you're not rushing.

The tram waits can be brutal during peak season, sometimes 30-40 minutes just to get up the mountain. But honestly, once you're up there putting around moonshine stills and dodging tree roots, it feels pretty uniquely Gatlinburg.