Gatlinburg Offers Smoky Mountain Fun for Visitors

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

Hollywood Star Cars Museum has New Transformers Exhibit

Hot Off last year's Championship Auto Shows national car show tour, the Hollywood Star Cars Museum is showcasing a vehicle from one of 2007's top movies, TRANSFORMERS. "Bumblebee," the 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, has been added to the Hollywood Star Cars Museum collection and is now on display in the museum's lobby entrance.

TRANSFORMERS is the 2007 live-action film adaptation of the Transformers franchise. It stars Shia LeBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager involved in a war between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, two factions of alien robots who disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery. The Decepticons desire control of the All Spark, the object that created their robotic race, with the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth.

Bumblebee was one of the five Autobots featured in TRANSFORMERS. Sent to Earth as the protector of Sam Witwicky, Bumblebee chose the form of the 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, but later modified himself into a 2009 model of the same vehicle. His vocal processor was apparently damaged in battle, thus rendering him a mute throughout most of the movie. But, by the end of the movie, his voice had returned and he chose to stay on Earth with Sam.

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is open daily 9am till at least 10pm and is located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Information courtesy of Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce

Gatlinburg has Mountains of Appeal for Visitors

The quaint atmosphere of Gatlinburg, Tennessee draws visitors from near and far. Centered near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg combines outdoor adventure with indoor fun. There are many things to do in Gatlinburg, including activities for families and couples.

On my recent visit to Gatlinburg, I enjoyed all the sites, sounds and fun it had to offer. The parkway through Gatlinburg immediately garnered my attention, as it boasts shop upon shop, where the items are plentiful and prices are affordable. Gatlinburg shopping includes a little bit of everything, such as a store dedicated to hot sauce. Walking the sidewalks of Gatlinburg, guests get a glimpse of a small town, friendly environment where dining, attractions and delicious sweets are just a few steps away.

There are many attractions located along the parkway, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Ober Gatlinburg, Hollywood Star Cars Museum and Ripley’s Moving Theater. These attractions are fun for the young and old alike and are easily accessible from all things Gatlinburg.

Many Gatlinburg restaurants are located in the same vicinity as the attractions and shopping available. While I was visiting, I ate at the Smoky Mountain Brewery, which was a great discovery. The service was good, the food excellent and the company fantastic! It is a great place to try a Smoky Mountain brew, eat tasty ribs, calzones and other entrees and relax in a comfortable atmosphere. I would recommend any Gatlinburg visitor to give them a try.

One of the great things about Gatlinburg is their closeness to great hikes. As a lover of the outdoors, I eagerly ventured on a hike through Abrams Falls, which led to a beautiful waterfall. The five mile hike introduced me to the scenic wonder of the Smokies. It was a wonderful way to experience the other side of Gatlinburg.

The hotels and cabins in Gatlinburg also accommodate the needs of every visitor. Seclusion, convenience and luxury can be found in many Gatlinburg lodgings. I stayed at Diamond Mountain Rentals, and was more than please by their warm, comfortable cabin. It was like a home away from home!

Gatlinburg is truly the gateway to the Smoky Mountains. It encompasses all visitors could ask for in a getaway destination. Spring is a wonderful time to travel to Gatlinburg, as the city blooms to life during the spring and summer months.