It is delightful to take a quick winter getaway to the Smoky Mountains. Any season is beautiful, but we found the winter to be especially nice – especially with regard to light traffic.
The Sugarland Visitor Center is at the base of the mountain. 
The Visitor’s Center provides park rangers willing to help with advice and planning hikes; a video runs on the hour and half-hour documenting the history of the park; and the museum displays native wildlife, flora and fauna.
Of course, there is a nice gift shop.
One drawback to going in the winter is that several roads within the park can be closed for weather conditions or maintenance, but the road to the Newfound Gap lookout was open. At the time we visited, we had a beautiful, sunny, 45 degree day at the base of the mountain. As we drove up the mountain, the temp dropped and we started seeing snow.
I’ll not bore you with more commentary, but will close with a photo gallery. Enjoy!
