5 of the Most Wonderful Aspects of Gatlinburg and The Smoky Mountains
Gatlinburg is a tourist town, make no mistake about it; however, that doesn’t have to mean there isn’t a broad range of activities for people that don’t like crowds and everything that goes along with being a tourist destination. It is fair to say there are much more than five things that make Gatlinburg a nice place to visit. But these are probably what most people take away from their experiences here.
The first thing most tourists--especially those that hail from the North--realize when they visit for the first time is the Southern hospitality they had only heard about previously. You will hear words and phrases that aren’t everyday things people hear in the North. Words like “honey”, “darlin”, “sweetheart”, and “baby” are commonplace in Tennessee and shouldn’t be taken as offensive, because that is just how many residents of the South have been raised to speak with friends and family. This can be heard in a large portion of restaurants, shops, and attractions, and the locals use it to customers in a way that should make them feel like they are part of their family. The people here are proud of where they come from, and that is apparent if you talk to any of them.
The second thing that makes Gatlinburg so wonderful is the food. Once again, Southern cooking is praised on cable shows as something coming straight from your Grandmother’s kitchen, and there is much truth to that claim. A vast majority of restaurants in Gatlinburg adhere to that same principle of Southern cooking in different varieties of cuisine. There are scores of restaurants in Gatlinburg, and each one is different in how they interpret the taste of the South.
Pizza is a favorite of many no matter where you call home, and Gatlinburg is where you can find great pies too. Smoky Mountain Brewery serves a great thin crust pizza that tickles the taste buds, and Best Italian lives up to its name by serving an outstanding New York style pizza that does not skimp out on toppings. Don’t forget to order their garlic rolls for a nice appetizer. Big Daddy’s Pizza is another fantastic eatery with fresh made ingredients, and be sure to try the Dough Daddies before the pizza arrives.
Of course good barbeque is an important staple of Southern cuisine, and this can be found at Bennett’s Pit BBQ in Gatlinburg. They recently added pulled chicken to their menu, and their signature BBQ sauce is a sweet delight. There is also a Bones BBQ in Gatlinburg and Calhoun’s is another place where their BBQ and ribs are a hit with locals and tourists alike.
Breakfast is plentiful in Gatlinburg, and pancakes are the first thing many think of. Pancake Pantry is the first business that comes to mind with an array of pancakes from which to choose. Log Cabin Pancake House features a good variety of breakfast options, in addition to the standard pancakes. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is the relative new breakfast staple in town and serves huge portions on their menu for a fair price. All of these offer up a taste of home cooking that’s difficult to top.
The third reason for Gatlinburg’s greatness is its unique and bustling downtown. There are many different shops that sell T-shirts for whatever price range and style imaginable. Some of them are cheap and some are the more standard pricing of between $20-$30. Many shops also offer souvenirs of the same types of wild varieties. These can be found in shops that sell anything from socks to home decor.
Some people may bemoan the commercialization of Gatlinburg, but Ripley’s--which is a favorite of many, especially the kids--has a place in Gatlinburg for almost everyone’s interests: mini-golf, museums, scares, and thrills. Rising even beyond these attractions is Ripley's Aquarium. Voted one of the best aquariums in all of the U.S., it now features a glass bottom boat ride that kids and adults--along with the rest of the Aquarium--raves about on the various review sites online.
Downtown is also a place where arcades and candy shops reel in even the casual observer. The smells alone will lead a person in to try shops that offer free samples. Many shops offer samples in the open, or venture into any of the candy shops--like Chocolate Monkey, Kilwin’s, or even the ice cream shops. Ask to try a free sample before ultimately purchasing something. Because it’s hard to resist this kind of decadence.
The fourth thing consists of the dozens of waterfalls and cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg is right on the doorstep of the National Park, and one should not miss the natural beauty that is sometimes shamefully neglected in favor of the bustle of downtown.
Laurel Falls may just be the most popular waterfall in the Park. It is a fairly easy 1.3 mile hike on the first part of the Laurel Falls trail. The payoff is seeing the Falls after it rains, which can pour out a tremendous amount of water. It also has a lower falls that can be a bit challenging to reach, but it also offers great photo opportunities.
Cataract Falls, with the exception of the roadside cascades, is probably the easiest falls in the Park to reach. The trailhead is located at The Sugarlands Visitor Center and is a nice beginner hike for people of all ages with little to no elevation gain on the way to and from the Falls.
Grotto Falls is on the Trillium Gap Trail and is considered moderate in difficulty, due to the elevation gain to the Falls. Its uniqueness is displayed in the ability of hikers young and old to walk behind the Falls--the only such one in the Park with this natural feature. It is also a popular Trail for people heading up to Mt. Leconte. Sometimes it is used to transport llamas up where LeConte Lodge is located.
The fifth and final reason is simply The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The famous quote from John Muir is seen and heard often here: The mountains are calling, and I must go. This is plain and simple motivation for tourists to come experience everything there is to offer in this beautiful area of the country. And if you’ve been here, you know this feeling, wholeheartedly.
With Gatlinburg being so close to the Smokies, one should venture through the Park via Newfound Gap Road. It is around 30 miles of sheer wonder and beauty, featuring many spots in which to pull over and just breath in the mountain air. Be sure to take an abundance of photographs that will serve as a reminder of how majestic the scenery can be.
The highest point in Tennessee is Clingmans Dome. This is a can’t miss location where on a clear day, the views are spectacular, and the air is thin. Surprising is how out of breath a person can be after just a half mile walk from the parking lot up the steep, paved walkway to the structure at the top more than a mile above sea level. Don’t worry, there are benches along the path where you can take a break.
These are the five more popular activities for the beginner or experienced visitor. A trip to Gatlinburg any time of the year should prove these things to be true. The best thing a traveler can do here is respect others, respect nature, and relax. Because, after all, it is a vacation.