When it comes to dream holiday resorts, no place comes close to Gatlinburg. This quaint little town is nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, making it popular among tourists. Gatlinburg attracts thousands of visitors every year. After all, who wants to miss an opportunity to bask in the southern hospitality, relish the breathtaking views, and have fun partaking in all the activities this glorious town offers? If you enjoy nature, love immersing yourself in culture, and are an adventure seeker, you’ll have a splendid time in Gatlinburg.
But before you do that, let us guide you on places and things you must try while you’re here. Gatlinburg may be a small town, but it is brimming with delightful experiences that will leave you with refreshing and happy memories of the place. Therefore, to ensure you’re able to make the most of your time in Gatlinburg, here’s what you need to do:
1. Head to the Village
Gatlinburg has many places that you should visit. Some of these locations are closer to the wilderness, while others are in the center of the town. Downtown Gatlinburg comprises different venues and attractions. One of the most interesting sites is The Village in Gatlinburg, located downtown. The village is a collection of stores and eateries where you can shop, rest and eat.
You can find more than 27 unique boutiques and galleries here that are spread along this European-themed destination. If you want a fun recommendation, stop by the Masters of Magic escape room, where you’ll have to think on your feet to make your way out of some challenging hurdles. This escape room also has a shop to buy puzzles and board games to bring the adventure home. If you want delicious treats like donuts, cinnamon bread, and fresh pastries, grab a bite at the donut friar and wash it down with a hot pot of coffee. The village also has candle shops, a vast array of exquisite trinkets, and souvenirs that constantly remind you that you are in Gatlinburg.
2. Explore Gatlinburg’s Spooky Side
If you have a knack for scary stories, enjoy ghost hunts, and like kicking up your adrenaline, then you’ll have a blast at the Ghost Walk. Gatlinburg has a history. It was home to one of the longest-standing settlements in Tennessee, and over the years, it has witnessed many events and incidents that have breathed life into its spooky side. There have been murders, mysterious disappearances, and strange appearances reported in this area. This is why if you’re intrigued by exploring Gatlinburg’s colorful past, encounter a Cherokee spirit or two, and want to capture phantom apparitions on film; you must try out the Ghost Walk.
The tour itself is a guided walk which is about an hour long. You will walk in a group led by a tour guide who will take you through the most dreaded parts of this town, like the 19th-century cemetery that is thought to be haunted. Since the entire concept of the ghost walk is to interact with these entities, you will be handed an EMF reader and told how to use it. As a result, while you walk through the town and your tour guide tells you about the local folklore, you can monitor the energy around you to pick up any disturbance which informs you about the presence of a ghost. What a great way to live out your Ghostbusters dream and decide whether ghost-hunting is legitimate.
3. Go Up to the Anakeesta
Anakeesta is a word from the Cherokee language which means the place of high ground. In Gatlinburg this is an award-winning mountain-top adventure park in downtown Gatlinburg. Beautiful views surround this park and offer a spectacular picturesque moment of the Smoky Mountains. Anakeesta is on a 70-acre mountain; given its ideal elevation, you can try activities like zip lining, riding the mountain coaster, or relaxing on the gondola.
There’s also an 880 feet tree top walk that transports you to the top of the Anakeesta, giving you a beautiful view of the plants around you, glimpses of the mountain, and surrounds you in the Serenity of nature. Anakeesta also has a botanical garden that has more than 3,000 species of plants for you to learn about. After you’ve had an adventurous day, you can wind down at one of the many restaurants located in the cafeteria and dig into a nice juicy burger.
4. Visit the Smokies
You can’t conclude your trip to Gatlinburg without stopping at Smoky Mountain. This national monument for Tennessee is responsible for attracting millions of tourists to this southern state. Why not find out what makes it popular? The Smoky Mountain is home to an abundance of wildlife and plants.
Animals like the black bear, deer, and elk freely roam the mountains and are protected by the state. This means if you encounter a bear or any animal, you are not free to interact with it. Tennessee requires you to follow rules that ensure you don’t startle or disturb these animals by going near them.
Moreover, the park has more than 800 trails to walk on. The most riveting of them all is the Rainbow Falls Trail which stands proud at an elevation of 1,500 feet, rewarding you with a stunning waterfall once you reach the ground. If you want access to more landscape, you should walk on the Alum Cave Trail and hike to Mount LeConte. The total trip is roughly six hours long, and while you may sweat by the time you finish, it will leave you with a deep sense of accomplishment. If you don’t feel like hiking, there are other ways you can enjoy the park too. Grab your car keys and drive around the park by cruising on the Newfound Gap roads, the roaring Fork Motor Trail, to Clingmans Dome Road.
Final Thoughts
If you’re playing tourist in Gatlinburg, explore all the enticing places that add charm to this cozy town of Tennessee. While Gatlinburg is known as the gateway to the Smokies, this is not all this tourist destination is for. There’s much to do here, from hitting the downtown marketplace to scaring yourself on the ghost walk. But if those aren’t enough, you can always stop by the Anakeesta and relive your childhood by riding the roller coaster and zip-lining through the trees. Don’t forget to pay homage to the magnificent smoky mountain park by allowing yourself to hike, drive or climb the various hills and elevations that add to this mountain’s beauty.