10 Free Things to do in Gatlinburg

Check out our list of these 10 free things to do in Gatlinburg (but there are many more!).

1) Walk on the Parkway where you'll find more than 200 unique shops, dozens of restaurants and attractions for all ages.

2) Stroll along River Road that runs along Little Pigeon River one block off the Parkway.

3) Jump in your car and explore a collection of historical sites on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

4) Drive to Greenbrier for tubing, swimming, hiking, sunbathing, wildlife watching, a nature hike or mountain biking.

5) Visit Sugarlands Visitor Center located at Great Smoky Mountain National Park's main northern entrance two miles south of Gatlinburg.

6) Enjoy Cades Cove, a western valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park where historical cabins, farmhouses and churches are maintained.

7) See Gatlinburg from a bird's eye view from the two overlooks in the National Park.

8) Indulge in a little culture as you browse the galleries of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.

9) Take a trolley (the brand new all-day Trolley Pass is only $2.00!) or your car and visit the eight-mile loop of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community.

10) Stroll the Parkway and take in the free and fun collection of personalities and performers at Gatlinburg's 3rd annual Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™.

Information courtesy of Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce

The Arts and Outdoor Fun Reign Supreme in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg was originally settled in the early 1800's by the Ogle family. Descendants of the Ogles are still very involved in the city. The following link provides a history of the town. It is interesting reading, especially when you see how Gatlinburg has evolved.

Gatlinburg is considered a mountain resort town, a tourist town. Compared to its sister city Pigeon Forge, which offers a steady diet of shows, restaurants, outlet malls, miniature golf, pancake houses and junk shops, Gatlinburg looks downright quaint. Walking up and down main street Gatlinburg can occupy hours of time. People watching is fascinating and countless trinket shops provide much entertainment. While walking, you will find a number of booths with people offering free tickets for shows or other sights. Personally, I would avoid stopping. These people are trying to sell timeshares and the freebies are in exchange for listening to a sales pitch. The hawkers, once allowed loose on the streets, have been restricted to booths and are reduced to yelling "Hey sir, Hey madam, free tickets" in effort to grab your attention. Below are a few quality places you may want to visit while in Gatlinburg.

1. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Arrowmont is located at near the beginning of the Gatlinburg Parkway. Fronting the Parkway is a shop filled with beautiful artisan work from an artist community deeply seated in the Tennessee-North Carolina mountains. Artist from all over the world come to this area (NC and TN) to hone their skills in the inspiring mountain environment. You will find beautiful works in wood, clay, metal and fiber, along with spectacular jewelry. The shop is only a small part of the complex. A marvelous school (not really visible from the street) is attached. You can check with the shop if you are interesting in wandering around
the school grounds.

2. Gatlinburg Artist Loop (8-miles) These days I usually head to the area for a hike or backpack and forget that hours spent visiting artist galleries can be fun and very interesting. The Artist Loop is an 8-mile drive showcasing galleries and studios for local artists. As with Arrowmont, you will find all types of art. If a gallery catches your eye, you can stop, browse and chat with the artist. This is a fascinating drive worth the time spent. Your hotel can provide directions and a map. The Loop is located a few miles outside the city.

3. Ripley's Gatlinburg Aquarium If you enjoy aquariums, this one is very nice. If you have limited time, visit the the sites above and spend time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Finally, Gatlinburg is a city filled with restaurants. Since we spend most of our time in the mountains and very little time in Gatlinburg, my recommendations are limited.

Front Porch Mexican Restaurant, Cosby, TN: The Front Porch is an old Mexican Restaurant in Cosby, TN, a few miles outside of Gatlinburg. The Front Porch is best known for bluegrass music. The food is cheap and only okay, the service might be slow but the music is great. If you want booze, "bring your own bottle." The restaurant is open from 5:00-10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night, 5:00-9:30 PM on Sunday night; closed all other days of the week. Music begins at 7:00 PM.

Pancake Pantry: Open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (4:00 PM June-October), lines form early outside for breakfast. This is an experience not to be missed.

The Brass Lantern: We often travel through Gatlinburg after a long day of hiking or a weekend backpack. Our destination is always The Brass Lantern for a very specific meal, a tureen of vegetable soup and a "skillet" of cornbread. Although we may add a salad to our order (depending on how hard we hiked), we rarely order anything else. The ambiance is average, the dress is very casual and the restaurant is located on the main strip.

Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen: While technically not a restaurant, I consider salt water taffy one of the major food groups, especially vanilla and chocolate. Gatlinburg has a number of candy kitchens, this one happens to be our favorite and a few steps away from The Brass Lantern. The Candy Kitchen offers a large selection of candies and salt water taffy. You can buy by the piece or full box. Once made by hand, salt water taffy is now pulled and packaged by machine. The taffy machine is located in front of a large window. Stop for a few moments and watch the process, it is fascinating. An equally fine candy store is located next to the Pancake Pantry.
Check with your hotel for other eating establishments. Gatlinburg hosts a number of fine restaurants including Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que, Calhouns and others.

Getting around Gatlinburg is easy. The city operates trolley cars with stops throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Maps are available at most establishments. Utilizing the trolley prevents parking headaches and reduces car emissions, which are destroying plants in the park.
Save at least one day to explore the most visited park in the national park system. It is a true treasure "tucked" away behind Gatlinburg.

Information courtesy of The Travelzine Group

Gatlinburg's Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

As winter fades and the colors of spring begin to sparkle throughout the Smokies, Gatlinburg blossoms into the center of all things botanical during the Great Smoky Mountain Association’s 58th annual Wildflower Pilgrimage and National Park Experience. From April 23 to 27, everyone from the serious botanist to the weekend gardener can experience unprecedented access to some of the nation’s leading botanical experts as well as Appalachian wildlife authorities.

Registration is now open to the public for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage by calling 865-436-7318, ext. 222, or on-line at http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/, where the full schedule of unique offerings is available.

“It is a rare opportunity for those with a personal love of flowers to have the same access to leaders in the field as researchers,” said Ken McFarland, a botanist and professor at the University of Tennessee. “Through seminars and intimate guided tours, each participant will expand his or her skills and knowledge of the unmatched flora and fauna of the Smokies.”

The Wildflower Pilgrimage offers over 150 programs including an array of instructional walks and guided hiking tours tailored to meet individual walking skill ability, along with demonstrations and guest lecturers. These tours showcase the abundant varieties of wildflowers, plants, ferns, mosses, trees and shrubs, as well as birds, reptiles and amphibians, all native to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Seminar classes include photography workshops and sessions by leading experts such as Carol Liguori Wolfe, a renowned ecologist, science writer and photographer, and Will Blozan, president of the Eastern Native Tree Society. Other classes include a study of herb lore of the Appalachian Mountains and an armchair tour of Cades Cove. While most classes take place in the Smokies, a number of educational classroom sessions take place in the W.L. Mills Conference Center in downtown Gatlinburg.

“The Wildflower Pilgrimage is always an exciting time in our town,” said Dave Perella, executive director of the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. “The Convention Center is transformed into a hub of learning and celebration of the Great Smoky Mountain’s natural botanical beauty. We look forward to the Pilgrimage each year,” he added.

In addition to art and craft exhibits, the 2008 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage juried art competition highlights the beauty of the botanicals of the Smokies and the talent of the artists who focus on the flowering plants of spring, mosses, lichens, trees or ferns from this region. The artists’ canvas can vary from watercolor, pastel, colored pencil, and oils.

Educational programs and entertainment in the evenings will round out the week’s events in Gatlinburg and the Smokies, which are sponsored by Great Smoky Mountains National Park and GSMA, the City of Gatlinburg, the University of Tennessee Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Friends of the Smokies, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society and the Gatlinburg Garden Club.

For additional information, or to download a registration brochure and complete program schedule, please visit http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/. Registration is required.
For more information on spring in Gatlinburg and other special events, please contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at (800) 56-VISIT or visit www.gatlinburg.com.

Spring into Gatlinburg for Family Fun

Teens and young families alike will find plenty to do in Gatlinburg during spring break. There's so much to see and do for every member of the family, including fun-filled attractions like an aquarium with the longest underwater tunnel in the world, a ski resort with year-round ice skating, interesting museums, go cart racing, miniature golf, and and much more. Discover great outdoor activities, family fun, and all of the activities of the GSMNP.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one gigantic playground just waiting for you and your family. Enjoy hiking trails, horseback riding, bicycling, camping, and many places to enjoy a picnic; programs for kids and adventurous things to do. Then waiting just down the mountain in Gatlinburg are great restaurants for family dining, great shopping and a litany of lodging options that will satisfy the whims of every member of the family. And if that's not enough, attendance at any of the great Springfest events and celebrations of spring can be a great family activity and fun experience that will bond families together.

Information courtesy of Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce

14 Things to do in the Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful vacation spot, whether you have a few days or an entire week to explore. The natural, refreshing outdoor activities combined with the great restaurants and shops create an exciting yet relaxing trip for those of all ages.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is wondrous outdoor mecca providing a myriad of activities for those who enjoy long hikes or short hikes, picturesque views, wildlife watching, waterfalls and the occasional bear sighting.

• On my recent trip to the Smokies, I ventured to The Sinks, a waterfall that can be spotted from Little River Road. This waterfall is easily accessible for viewing and allows for visitors to explore the waterworks up close and personally. The road The Sinks is located on is also a great connector road, leading to U.S. 441, which goes directly through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as to Cades Cove, a nature loop that’s very popular.
• Meigs Falls is located very close to The Sinks, and is also easily accessible. This waterfall is created by Meigs Creek joining the Little River. The dramatic combination creates a plunging water source perfect for those who enjoy waterfalls but are unable to hike for long amounts of time.
• US Highway 441 is a beautiful road to travel, as it goes directly through the Smoky Mountains. This is a perfect time to slow down, relax and enjoy the picturesque setting that surrounds you. There are plenty of scenic overlooks, nature trails and quiet walkways to explore. This highway also offers the occasional wildlife discovery. On my trip through, I spotted a black bear roaming through the connecting forest. Many cars were able to pull over and capture this unusual moment.
• Newfound Gap Overlook is also located on this stretch of highway. It offers the roads highest viewing point, with an elevation of 5,048 feet. A stop here allows visitors to peer into Tennessee as well as North Carolina’s Oconaluftee Valley.
• Clingman’s Dome is the parks highest point, with an elevation of 6,643 feet. The 7 mile stretch of road leading to the hike entrance gradually climbs the dome, with the resulting hike being a very steep but short half mile. The uphill hike offers amazing views along the way, as well as a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains. Whether in a hazy mist or on clear day, the sights are beautiful and well worth the hike.
• Traveling on US Highway 441 will lead visitors to the town of Cherokee, North Carolina. Approximately 2 miles outside of this Indian town, is Mingus Mill. It was originally built in 1886 and the turbine mill ground corn into meal and wheat into flour for over fifty years for the mountain community near Mingus Creek. The historical structure was restored when the National Park was created and is an interesting look back in time.
• Once you arrive in Cherokee, NC there are several areas to explore. There is an 18th Century replica of an Indian Village as well as unique shops. This area also has several outdoor activities to take advantage of, such as tubing, horseback riding and fishing.
• Located near the Cherokee area is Mingo Falls. This waterfall is approximately 120 feet high, making it one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. The hike to the waterfall is only a half-mile but is considered moderate in difficulty due to the steep set of stairs required and the earthy terrain that leads directly to the falls overlook. This breathtaking waterfall is a great picture opportunity and is also well worth the climb.
• From Cherokee, you can easily access the Three Falls loop. Comprised of Tom Branch Falls, Juneywhank Falls and Indian Creek Falls, this area provides three fabulous waterfalls. The hikes to Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls are combined and easy in difficulty. Juneywhank Falls is moderate in difficulty, but at a height of 90 feet, is about 60 feet taller than either of its nearby counterparts.
• Fontana Lake was a wonderful discovery that provided beautiful mountain scenery while also being home to the clearest emerald green waters I’ve frequented in recent years. This mountain lake was a water haven, especially with the easily rentable boats offered at Fontana Marina. The opportunity to cruise this lake as well as swim its fresh waters was a welcomed one!
• The Fontana Lake area also offers several spectacular scenic spots. The dam itself offers great picture taking opportunities and is the tallest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains. The road leading west from the dam takes visitors through Deals Gap. The stretch, which is largely in Tennessee, is roughly 11 miles in length and contains 318 curves, making it one of the curviest roads in the nation. Located on the southwestern corner of the Park, the area is largely forested with several scenic overlooks and pull-off points.
• There are plenty more scenic opportunities in and around the dam. The Foothills Parkway leads to Thunderhead Mountain, the highest point in this section of the park, and provides beautiful vistas. Look Rock Tower does as well, and it is a perfect place to view sunsets as well as panoramic views of the Smokies.
• Cades Cove, a popular nature touring area, is located near the Townsend area and is a great place to unwind and wrap-up your Smoky Mountain Experience. Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park. Scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and many other faithfully restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures. Cades Cove also offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the Park. White tailed deer and turkey are often seen, with the occasional black bear sighting also possible.

There are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains, it is impossible to cover all of the waterfalls, hikes, scenic drives and outdoor activities in one trip. The Smoky Mountain experience, however, can be accomplished in a matter of days. I was only able to explore for three days and still experienced all that is listed above. A trip to the Smoky Mountains, near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, is a must for all outdoor enthusiasts as well as those who have an explorer’s spirit. The breathtaking views, the enthralling scenery, the flowing waters…it’s all at your doorstep when you enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.