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Gatlinburg, Tennessee is surrounded on three sides by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Talk about embracing nature.
Enjoying time in Gatlinburg
Suggested Itinerary for a Gatlinburg, TN Vacation
In Gatlinburg, Mother Nature’s gifts beckon travelers. The misting mountains draw you in, inviting you to explore every inch of this Smoky Mountain town. Poke through more than 450 charming shops and boutiques, indulge in the area’s history and lose yourself in a world of Southern Appalachian culture. Experience all that Gatlinburg offers, from old-fashioned Southern hospitality to the splendor of the most-visited National Park in the United States. Perfect for families, seniors, adventure enthusiasts and honeymooners, Gatlinburg is an ideal destination to get away from it all. Below are sample itineraries to begin planning the ideal getaway. To speak with a PR representative or request a Gatlinburg press visit, please contact Jim Davis at jimd@ci.gatlinburg.tn.us.
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DAY 1:
Ahh! The peace and quiet of your first day away from life’s routines could easily make you want to just sit on the deck of the cabin, chalet or condo and savor the peace and quiet. Vacation: time to reminisce, replenish, unwind and laugh into the night. There is so much to do in Gatlinburg that deciding what to do first might be the hardest part of your vacation. Start your Gatlinburg adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the largest protected land areas east of the Rockies. With over 500,000 forested acres, 800 miles of trails and 700 miles of streams, the promise of outdoor recreation and adventure — hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting — lures millions of visitors, many for the first time, to enjoy the majestic natural beauty of the Smokies.
Bring lunch and spend the entire day in the Park. Pick up a box lunch from an area restaurant; it tastes even better on the trail. Embark on an exhilarating hike or bike ride along miles of trails. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-class setting for bird-watching, so keep your eyes peeled. Within easy access of Gatlinburg are a range of topographies and elevations that provide diverse microclimates for more than 200 varieties of birds, including 60 year-round species.
A morning guided hike is the perfect introduction to the beauty that surrounds you. Choose easy, moderate or strenuous trails which lead to forests, cascading waterfalls and vistas that seem endless. You are visiting the home of abundant wildlife, from numerous songbirds to brook trout and a fawn sticking close to mom.
After a day of outdoor exploration, treat yourself to the luxury of an evening at one of Gatlinburg’s finest restaurants.
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DAY 2:
After a hearty breakfast at your mountain chalet, a fly fishing or trout fishing adventure is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors. You can purchase your license by stopping by the convenient Gatlinburg Spur Welcome Center. Since Gatlinburg stocks its streams with thousands of trout, the fishing is outstanding six days a week (Thursday is stocking day, so there’s no fishing within the city.) Gatlinburg has designated fishing areas along the streams in and around Gatlinburg. Some parks are designated “children only” to offer a place where young people can fish under the watchful eye of their parents.
Gatlinburg also sports a newly constructed handicap-accessible fishing pier and ramp, located at Herbert Holt Park, and it may be the only fast-water handicap fishing pier in the state. A concrete ramp, meeting all wheelchair slope requirements, allows wheelchair-bound people safe and convenient access to the river for fishing.
After a morning on the water, hit the showers and then spend the day discovering Gatlinburg’s arts and culture heritage. Located on the Gatlinburg Parkway in the middle of downtown is Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. You will find a delightful shop featuring a wide variety of arts and crafts featuring a variety of tastes and styles. Arrowmont is famous for hosting excellent artists in residence and offering real, hands-on classes for all ages. Each year, more than 2,000 students from the around the world come to the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts to study.
Then explore Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, the largest group of independent artisans in all of North America. Established in 1937, this is a historic eight-mile loop dotted with shops and is home to nearly 100 artists that have been designated a part of the Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Here you can see artists at work and purchase the perfect gift. These eight miles are like no other in the United States and deserve your whole attention and most, if not all, of the day!
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DAY 3:
Today begins with a leisurely breakfast at one of Gatlinburg’s great restaurants on the Parkway. Everybody loves pancakes.
Next, take a leisurely stroll down the Parkway - Gatlinburg’s “Main Street.” This completely walkable city has wide sidewalks, wide open views and benches along the way where you can stop and enjoy the sights and sounds. Or, ride the trolley. Gatlinburg showcases a fleet of more than 20 trolleys. Delight in all the attractions along the Parkway - The Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and the magical world of the Amazing Mirror Maze.
Now is the time to visit the undersea world. No trip to Gatlinburg would be complete without a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, rated as the top aquarium in the United States by TripAdvisor.com. Plan to spend a couple of hours marveling at the creatures of the deep, and the educators can answer all your questions. This aquarium features a grand underwater tunnel designed to give the feeling that you are in the tank with the marine life.
A visit to the Space Needle is a must. This 342-foot observation tower was built in 1970 and holds up to 250 people. From here, you can see the glory of the Great Smoky Mountains for miles.
Be sure to stop in to Gatlinburg’s candy shops. Here, the traditions of candy makers from years gone by are honored and maintained. Watch the taffy being pulled, the fudge being cut, the chocolates being dipped and decorated, and savor the scent of your childhood in the air.
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DAY 4:
If you love golf, today is the day to take a swing at it. Gatlinburg’s golf course, recently voted “best municipal course in Tennessee” by Golf Digest, offers a challenge in a unique and stunning setting. Take your best shot at the hole known as “Sky Hi.” This spectacular 12th hole challenges the golfer to take aim at a flag that’s 195 yards out and 200 feet down from the tee. The Gatlinburg golf course clubhouse recently underwent a $1.25 million renovation, improving a day on the links.
Then spend the rest of the day on top of Mt. Harrison after a ride on the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. Ride the two miles aboard a state-of-the-art 120-passenger gondola to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park. The 10-minute trip will take your breath away at times. When you reach the mountain station, enjoy top-of-the-world views of Gatlinburg. Ober Gatlinburg offers indoor ice skating and dining year-round, and snow skiing and snowboarding during the winter.
This winter wonderland is transformed into a summer vacation paradise. Warm weather opens new opportunities with the Alpine Slide, a black bear habitat, bungee-run, snow tubing, go-karts, miniature golf, water rides, a Velcro wall jump and arcade games galore. Regardless of the season, the adventure on the slopes of Mt. Harrison will “top off” your vacation.
Take the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway back down to the Parkway and walk to one of the many restaurants. Stop and shop along the way to find just the perfect memento of your Gatlinburg vacation.
Your last night of your mountain getaway should be an extra special one, so check out the live entertainment in the area and make it a night to remember.
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