When the widow Martha Jane Huskey Ogle and her extended family arrived at the foot of east Tennessee's Smoky Mountains in the early days of the 19th century, things looked a little different. The majestic, verdant mountains, cut by numerous clearwater, boulder-strewn streams, and the host of wildlife living there were still the same, but the town of
Gatlinburg was nonexistent.
Life was harsh but they persevered, eking out a living by farming and hunting. Daylight hours were spent clearing land for farming and felling trees for their Cherokee Indian-inspired log cabins. Evenings were spent resting on front porches serenaded by tree frogs and whippoorwills.
These days, Gatlinburg has become a hustling, bustling town full of souvenir shops, Appalachian arts and crafts, hotels, restaurants, museums and a plethora of flashy amusements. Attractions suitable for any age group can be found in any direction you look. So many couples get married here — second only to Las Vegas — that it's often called the Wedding Capital of the South. It's worth the trip here just to watch the never-ending stream of wide-eyed tourists wandering the city's sidewalks. If you tire of the countrified glitz and glamour of downtown, Mother Nature's wonders are mere minutes away in the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most popular national park.
Here is a sampling of attractions:
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies: This 1.4 million-gallon aquarium of huge sharks, rays, moray eels, angelfish, snappers, jacks, giant sea turtles and thousands of other exotic sea creatures is a must-see for all ages. It boasts the world's longest underwater tunnel that allows you to experience the sensation of being underwater with these amazing creatures while staying dry (and without worrying about being eaten by one of the 12-foot sharks).
Aerial Tram: This 20-passenger tramway transports visitors from downtown Gatlinburg to
Ober Gatlinburg, an amusement park and ski resort 1,300 feet up the mountain. After a scenic 10-minute ride, visitors easily can spend a day enjoying Ober's indoor ice skating rink, game arcade, mini-golf, alpine water slide, and much more. If you haven't seen one of the area's ubiquitous bears yet, there are several here in the Black Bear Habitat Zoo. During winter months, there are eight ski slopes to choose from at the ski resort.
Arts and crafts community: Established in 1937 by a handful of local artisans, this 8-mile loop, 3 miles from downtown, is now home to the largest group of independent artists and craftsmen in the country. Its dozens of shops, studios, and galleries offer everything from oil paintings and wood carvings to pottery and dulcimers.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum: More than 30 cars featured in movies and TV shows are on display in re-created settings featuring sound and light systems. Found here are the General Lee, from "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The Beverly Hillbillies" jalopy and "The Munsters" Drag-u-la.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This immense, 800-square-mile park straddling the Tennessee/North Carolina border has more than 1,200 campsites, 800 miles of hiking trails, 700 miles of trout-filled streams and 11 picnic grounds. There are at least 1,600 black bears roaming the park and thousands of white-tailed deer, along with reintroduced beavers, elk, peregrine falcons and river otters.
If you're not into hiking, biking or horseback riding, you still can enjoy some of the park's most scenic views, historic buildings, and wildlife, by car. Newfound Gap Road is 26 miles of spectacular views. Stretching from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, N.C., it rises to more than 5,000 feet at Newfound Gap, and a 7-mile side road continues upward to 6,643-foot Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Smokies. Along the way are numerous places to park and look out over the Smokies, with many trailheads as well. The trails vary greatly in degree of difficulty, from very easy strolls through the woods to very difficult trails suitable only for the most fit hikers.
Perhaps the most beautiful drive of all is Roaring Fork Auto Trail, a 6-mile auto loop. The narrow, hilly road runs closely beside Roaring Fork Creek as it tumbles down from the mountains above. Moss-covered boulders decorate the stream, and its constant gurgling as it passes over numerous riffles and small falls blends with the birdsong falling from the trees. Chestnut oak, white oak, magnolia, maple, hemlock and tulip trees provide sun-dappled shade. Several 19th-century houses and tub mills have been preserved along the stream.
Also in the area,
Dollywood, a family oriented theme park in
Pigeon Forge, 5 miles north of Gatlinburg. If you're a fan of owner Dolly Parton, you'll love Dollywood, and even if you're not you'll find enough thrill rides to keep you and the kids happily occupied. Bluegrass and country music performers are scattered throughout the park, and you can thrill your taste buds with homemade candies, barbecue, beans, greens and ice cream.
If you go . . .
Gatlinburg is just outside the north entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 90 minutes from Knoxville, Tenn., or four hours from Atlanta. It is a year-round travel destination. In the early spring, wildflowers decorate the roadsides and trails with their vivid colors. Mountain laurel blooms in May, and red rhododendron blooms practically cover the hillsides in June and July. In summer, things shift into high gear as families converge on the area for their annual vacations. Autumn brings another rush of tourists who come for the spectacular colors of fall foliage, and the cooler weather makes hiking and other outdoor activities even more enjoyable. In winter, things slow down and hotel prices plummet, although there is still a lot to do. If you're lucky enough to be here during a big snowfall, you'll be amazed at the winter-wonderland transformation that takes place. Even if there is no snow, you'll find plenty of man-made snow on Ober Gatlinburg's ski slopes.
Information courtesy of The Austin American Statesman
Labels: Dollywood_in_Pigeon_Forge, Great_Smoky_Mountains_National_Park, Hollywood_Star_Cars_Museum, Ober_Gatlinburg_Aerial_Tramway, Ripley's_Aquarium
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