This quaint little mountain town just happens to turn festive and welcoming throughout the four distinct seasons of the year and serves as the main Tennessee gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the single most visited national park in the country. Something astonishing happens in Gatlinburg, Tennessee each year as the locals make special preparations for the approximate ten million visitors who plan to come here every year. A leading southeastern publication--Southern Living magazine—whose readers have chosen Gatlinburg as their favorite “Mountain Vacation Getaway” (as well as voting Gatlinburg’s sister city, Pigeon Forge TN), as favorite shopping destination), includes many Smoky Mountains features each month because of the area’s great popularity.

Gatlinburg’s attractions will appeal to most everyone and are located near each other due to the town’s quaint size. You can stroll down the Parkway or even River Road (near the aquarium) and a world of fun is opened before you. Experience the eleven-foot sharks swimming above you in the fascinating underwater tunnel at Ripley’s aquarium; view the amazing mysteries at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and Guinness World of Records Museum; partake of the mountain bobsledding and skiing at Ober Gatlinburg via the tram; play miniature golf like a hillbilly on the side of a mountain; take in an evening of live entertainment at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre; feast at one of the independent or franchise restaurants along the Parkway, or explore the many delightful shops about the town.

Local handicrafts play a big part in the ongoing appeal of this little mountain village. In addition to dozens of shops in downtown Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, began in 1937, offers an 8-mile loop just outside downtown Gatlinburg, with over 70 artisans who demonstrate their skills and offer products for sale. Artisans include woodcarvers, candle makers, pottery makers, quilters, weavers, broom makers, and painters, among others. In downtown Gatlinburg--right across from the aquarium--the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts offers spring and summer classes on a range of skills and their craft galleries are open throughout the year.

If you are into shopping, Gatlinburg is the place to spend a few days! Over 400 galleries, specialty shops, and boutiques, will entice you back to Gatlinburg, Tennessee again and again—there’s simply too much to take in one visit.

Lodging options are plentiful in Gatlinburg. You’ll find the traditional hotels and motels accommodations offering a complete range of amenities such as pool, conference facilities and dining can be found throughout the downtown area and Parkway. You can be pampered at one the B&Bs in Gatlinburg TN, and of course luxury cabin and chalet rentals are scattered all around the mountains above the town. From the rustic to the luxurious, you can find a Gatlinburg cabin rental on a mountaintop, streamside or in a pleasant and private wooded setting. Those who don’t want the privacy or seclusion offered in cabin rentals can try one of the many condominiums around the town.

Gatlinburg TN is just a small place, but it prepares a big show for you and brings fun and pleasure to millions of travelers each year. Whether you have only a day, or a weekend or a week, Gatlinburg has a lot to offer. For more information, click on the Smoky Mountain links below.

Pigeon Forge TN • Gatlinburg, Tennessee • Great Smoky Mountains • Gatlinburg TN Cabins