Perhaps one of Tennessee’s most visited places is the mountain town of Gatlinburg. Located convenient to the Great Smokey National Park, Gatlinburg has accommodations for up to 40,000 guests, despite being a town with a population of around 3,500. And, with its quaint shops, quiet bed and breakfasts, great restaurants and ski lodges there are plenty of reasons that people come to Gatlinburg each year. Matter of fact, Gatlinburg has been called the “Honeymoon capital of the South” because so many choose to get married her than spend time her after the wedding.
Once in Gatlinburg, you can choose to spend your days in a variety of fashions. There is exploring the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, taking river walks along the Little Pigeon River or wandering around shops selling mountain art, pottery and other local favorites ranging from clothing to local food items or home décor to custom jewelry. If you want to see the Smoky Mountains as the birds do, then be sure to head to the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This glass enclosed elevator, rises 342 feet to an observation deck proving you with a panoramic view of the region. The Space Needle is an especially delightful activity during the fall when the splendor of the trees is enough to make one think that God poured out His paint box and shared the colors with us.
Gatlinburg is best known, however, for its skiing. You will find the Aerial Tramway-Ober Gatlinburg Ski to provide easy access to the top of Mount Harrison and the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort with its ski runs of as much as 5,000 feet and vertical drops of 600 feet. The ski resort also has a restaurant, a ski school, an alpine slide and an indoor ice skating rink. More sightseeing fun can be found on the double chair lift ride up Crockett Mountain via the Sky Lift.
Gatlinburg is a beautiful town that guests have enjoyed for years. Should you have the chance to spend some time there, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. It is sure to become a favorite.