Gatlinburg, Tennessee: A Great Vacation for Couples Young and Old
Depending on where you live, travel costs will vary. Driving is the easiest and will allow you to enjoy beautiful views on your way, especially the closer you get to the Smoky Mountains. However, if you do choose to fly, Gatlinburg offers trolleys to all its main attractions. If you are staying in Gatlinburg, most attractions are within walking distance; the only trolley-riding necessary would be to Pigeon Forge (home of Dollywood) or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most trolley rides only cost .25-.50 cents, so make sure to bring some quarters!
As for lodging, Gatlinburg has a wide variety of places to stay varying in price, location, view and amenities. You can’t go wrong with most hotels in downtown Gatlinburg. They’re up-to-date and kept well, though the older ones may not be as clean or new as some may like. A great resource in choosing your hotel is www.tripadvisor.com, which offers user reviews on hotels and attractions for almost any vacation spot you can think of! Since the site is based on user reviews, the reviews are generally honest and on-the-mark, since they hotels aren’t paying to advertise on the site. Based on a wide variety of user reviews, you can find the best hotel for your particular needs. But, don’t just keep your eye on Gatlinburg. There are some beautiful places off the beaten path. Such as Deer Ridge Mountain Resort in the small town of Cobbly Nob just about ten miles outside of Gatlinburg. Deer Ridge is a lovely place to stay at a reasonable price. The views are outstanding no matter what time of year. The only drawback is the steep, curvy drive up a mountain, which can be tricky at night. Still, it’s well worth it, but since it is not directly in Gatlinburg, driving would be the best choice for this particular choice.
Gatlinburg offers so many different things to do that you won’t get it all done in a week! For the person who prefers shopping, restaurants and museums, Gatlinburg has it all. Gatlinburg offers a wide variety of shops from country crafts, tourist traps, to old-fashioned candy and novelty shops. Shops are located up and down the main drag within walking distance of everything. There’s plenty of ice cream and candy and even some familiar chain restaurants, however, Gatlinburg has some outstanding restaurants of its own. Check out local guides or ask cashiers at the shops which restaurants they suggest for the finest dining.
Gatlinburg is home to numerous museums/attractions owned by Ripley’s. Both the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum were great surprises. Even if you don’t normally enjoy aquariums, Ripley’s Aquarium is truly unique and offers beautiful creatures and interesting information. Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum will surprise you with the amount of artifacts and information. The hands-on fun is for people of all ages and worth the price of admission. Neither visit will be a disappointment.
Gatlinburg also offers a lot of miniature golf. This is perfect for an after-dinner activity. Though there are quite a few to choose from, one of the most highly recommended is Hillbilly Golf where you take a tram up part of a mountain, and then the course comes down part of the mountain. Though all miniature golf places are generally the same in price and course, Hillbilly Golf has a touch of uniqueness to it with its hillside location.
Gatlinburg is also nestles right next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A beautiful and expansive treat for any nature lover. Stop by the visitor’s center for a look through the museum and some expert help on the best areas to go. There are so many miles of hiking you won’t be able to pick on your own! Also, the rangers at the park can offer the best hike for your walking ability, the weather, and the sites you’ll see. Some favorites inside the park are Clingman’s Dome, a short but straight-up hike to the highest point in the park. The view is beautiful and well worth the climb. If hiking is not your speed, try the driving loop through historical Cade’s Cove. Cade’s Cove offers beautiful views as well as historic structures that can be toured if you pull off into the parking area. There’s no way you’ll do the Smokies in one day there’s so much to do!
These are just a few of the many things you can do while visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Have fun in town, or rough it outdoors, either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself while spending time with your significant other. No matter what time of year or where you go, you’ll be guaranteed breathtaking views of the gorgeous Smoky Mountains.
