25 Comments
User's avatar
Angela Brewer's avatar

I completely agree. I don’t live there but visit often and the sidewalk things, actually, all the things you mentioned gets on my nerves lol. I would like to read more about hidden gems. We all know of the regular tourist places. I would like to visit mom and pop places that are not normally visited by tourists.

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

I'll have to write one about that, for sure. Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
Ashley Cortese's avatar

Agreed to all!! Tha k you for saying it !! We welcome visitors to Tennessee but please be respectful!! And responsible!! We all want to enjoy our time off .

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

Thank you for reading! I appreciate it!

Expand full comment
Frances Parido's avatar

My husband also repeatedly complains about the stopping and talking and crosswalks. A couple of times the stopping and talking have been a religious gruop.stopping having an impromptu prayer circle in the middle of the sidewalk

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

Yes, common courtesy can be lacking. Thank you for reading, Frances! I appreciate it!

Expand full comment
KATHY ADKINS's avatar

Great, just hope people listen

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

For sure! Thanks for reading, Kathy!😊

Expand full comment
Jammie's avatar

Just visited Chlingmans dome and I was surprised by the amount of people who was spitting. Didn't know that was a thing until I saw it on the trail. Was disappointed with how discussing people could be. As for the smoking I'm 100% with you! I'm allergic to smoke and it causes me to have asthma attacks so try to avoid at all cost. I can't tell you how many people I saw smoking in front of the entrance of a place thinking "I'm not inside so I'm good" not realizing how much pain and trouble it is for other people. Please be considerate of the people around you.

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

Yes, spitting is very common. I don't unless I'm sick AND have tissues to dispose of properly. You're right, though. The bottom line is conderation for others. Something that is lacking for many, unfortunately. Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
Mary's avatar

100% agree

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

Thanks for reading!🥰

Expand full comment
Deborah Campbell's avatar

I agree 100% my husband has to use a wheel chair and when groups take up the whole sidewalk it holds up pedestrian traffic. And a lot of people are not polite and don't care. Thank you for sharing

Expand full comment
Rick Headley's avatar

I totally agree with all your points. Common sense or decency isn’t common is it?

Expand full comment
Jamie Gladson's avatar

The most pathetic thing Gatlinburg did was profit off a "pandemic" by jacking the price of parking in some places from $5 to $20 from one year to the other. And no, it wasn't inflation that caused it then.

Expand full comment
Rick Headley's avatar

Free enterprise. It’s a good thing!

Expand full comment
Atusta's avatar

Ok the one about the smoking. I get it there r people that don’t smoke, but I do and I work in gatlinburg and when I get off of work it’s about a 15 minute hike to my car and unfortunately I’m not waiting to get back to my car to light up, just saying. I deal with rude people all day everyday and a cigarette is calming to me. Same goes with vaping we can’t do it indoors anymore so there for we are forced to only smoke “outside “. You want as you say “clean” air ha gatlinburg parkway is not for you then, I mean look at all the places that are putting toxins into the air there already that you’re breathing in. Cigarette smoke should be the lest of your worries.

Expand full comment
Gatlinburg NOW🌄's avatar

I'm not telling people not to smoke. You can still smoke, but it's the carelessness and disregard for others that's bothersome. I understand the air isn't clean overall. My point is that many of us who don't smoke have had people blow smoke directly in their face, and that's what I mean by "clean" air. Common courtesy is all I'm trying to point out with every one of these, and yes, all of these things will continue, but it's good to bring it to others' understanding once in a while.

Expand full comment
Shannon Bales's avatar

I used to be a smoker. I never walked and smoked. I never smoked around anyone that didn't smoke. I will find a spot away from people so it doesn't bother anyone. Just common curiosity. The one thing I hate about smokersnis throwing butts down on the ground and leaving them there. The world is not your ashtray! Common sense and common curiosity can go a long way nowadays.

Expand full comment
Mark McMillen's avatar

The wide walking is probably the most irritating one of all.😡

Expand full comment
Frances Parido's avatar

The careless movements is another gripe of my husband's more than once I've been hit in my head driving my scooter by people doing that.

Expand full comment
Frances Parido's avatar

My husband is always complaining about the wise walking i have to bring a rental scooter to get around and wide walkers who refuse to single walk have forced ne off the sidewalk and curb into.a street of on coming traffic and had no remorse.

Expand full comment
Jerald Balogh's avatar

We had a wonderful time in your beautiful

city. I hope the Hurricane did not do too much damage. As to the tips for enjoying your visit, "Common sense and common courtesy".

Expand full comment
Joyce's avatar

LEAVE THE BEARS ALONE! They are NOT tame and are NOT part of the ambience of the town. They are WILD ANIMALS and can and will ATTACK IF PROVOKED or SCARED. They sometimes wander into town looking for something to eat. DO NOT FEED A BEAR! DO NOT leave food in your vehicle.

Expand full comment
Stephanie's avatar

We was there in 2020, 2021 and 2023. The first 2 years i noticed there were benches and ashtrays all along the strip. I didn't pay much attention in 2023 as we just went to a couple of places then left. Im just curious if they still have the ashtrays along the strip? Yes i am a smoker and when there i would always smoke at the ashtrays. I would never consider smoking as i was walking around. Im just curious if they are still there so when we come back next year i can be prepaired.

Expand full comment