Great Smoky Mountains National Park

After eating at all the delicious restaurants in Gatlinburg and visiting all the local attractions, you might think you've done it all, and it’s time to go home. Nope, you've forgot the most important part: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s the most visited park in the United States with over 9 million people visiting every year.

You might ask, “What can I do in the park?” There are tons of different activities you can do. Cades Cove is a must to see. The eleven mile loop has some of the most astounding scenery in east Tennessee. You can ride your car through or even bike through for a memorable experience. You might think this is short, but you better allow at least two to four hours of your day to spend here.

One of my favorite activities is hiking. With over 800 miles of trails you can spend a few hours exploring or even spend a few days out in the park. Along these hikes you will find historic buildings, hidden waterfalls and if you’re lucky you might even spot a bear. While hiking I would recommend seeing waterfalls like Grotto, Laurel, Abrams and Rainbow, these are the most popular. In between these hikes, you can camp out and even have a picnic. This is probably the most fun for me when I go with my friends and family. We always like to go at least once or twice a year. I assure you will not be disappointed.

Abrams Falls Swimming Hole – Gatlinburg The Great Smoky Mountains

So before you head home be sure to go exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! 

After seeing all the fun you could have here , grab your friends,family and pack your bags and take a vacation to Gatlinburg,TN. Oh, and be sure to get a hold of me if your wanting a personal tour guide for your next visit!

Gatlinburg Eateries

 Gatlinburg is home to many delightful restaurants. From breakfast to dessert, Gatlinburg has all kinds of different cuisines you can pick from for each meal.  There is no better way to start your day than eating breakfast. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So do not skip it, even though I do sometimes. When I decide I want to go eat out for breakfast there is one place I always go, Mountain Lodge Restaurant. In fact I actually just went there last week. I try to eat here at least once a moth. The Mountain lodge is all home cooked meals which will surely fill your stomach up. They are open from 7:00 A.M. till 3:00 P.M. so you can grab lunch as well. The home made cinnamon buns are worth the trip for breakfast. The lunch has a different special each day. This is a good place to get home-cooked meat and vegetables. There is a different desert every day (cherry cobbler, peach cobbler, blackberry cobbler, banana pudding). They are all delicious. The staff are all friendly and helpful and it is close to downtown.  Hopefully I will see you at the Mountain Lodge the next time I visit

For dinner you have eat at Calhoun's Restaurant. This restaurant is extraordinary! Calhoun’s is a local chain here in Tennessee. This location has to be the best one around.  It’s located right in downtown within walking distance. As for the food, it will blow you away. They have a large selection of appetizers which is great for me because sometimes when I go with my friends we usually just order a bunch of appetizers and get filled up of them.  However, one of the items they are known for their Bar-B-Que. From smoky ribs to grilled chicken they will surely have something you will enjoy. Calhoun’s has some of the best Bar-B-Que in town. The smoky flavor will make you taste buds jump. If I order an on-tray, I always order from Bar-B-Que section.

I really hope you enjoy these two restaurants and come out with your stomach filled up! After eating , you can always go exploring right in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains!  Get ready to see all the wonderful times you can have in the outdoors of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gatlinburg's Finest Attractions!

Enough about the history of Gatlinburg now, I’m sure you’re anxious to get to know all the amazing things you can do in Gatlinburg. Well, here you go! Gatlinburg is home to Ripley’s Attractions. There are a total of EIGHT Ripley’s attractions. Yes, I said eight.  You can spend an entire day just visiting Ripley’s attractions. There are has Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-Golf, Ripley's Marvelous Mirror Maze, Ripley's Super Fun Zone, Ripley’s 3D Moving theater Ripley's Haunted Adventure, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium and the most famous one Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.  My personal favorite has to be the Aquarium. I've been there like a million times, because when I have family come visit that is always one place they want to go. Just walking through the aquarium and seeing the kids get excited brings a smile on my face. The Aquarium, which houses more than 10,000 sea creatures, includes an underwater tunnels, a shark lagoon and an exhibit of African penguins known as the Penguin Playhouse.

          Next up on your to-do list in Gatlinburg is to visit Ober Gatlinburg. Just because it’s not summer or warm outside doesn’t mean you can’t take a vacation. At Ober Gatlinburg in the winter it turns into a Ski Resort. Ober Gatlinburg offers 9 trails ranging from beginner to expert. Even if it’s not snowing, Ober has its own snowmaking machine. You might be asking what if I don’t know how to ski or snowboard? Ober Gatlinburg Offers Ski Lessons. I’ll be honest with you, Skiing is not easy but it is fun. I remember the first few times when I tried to ski, it wasn’t pretty. But once I took the lessons I felt like I could ski on anything. A state-of-the art Snow Tubing Park is also there for little ones if they don’t want to learn.

 One thing all tourist usually ask me is “where do I go see a bear?” Well, Ober Gatlinburg has a bear habitat. I remember the first time a saw a live bear, I was thrilled! Ober Gatlinburg should defiantly be on your to do list in Gatlinburg

 All of these exciting attractions are making me hungry now, and I’m sure you’ll be hungry after going down the slopes at Ober Gatlinburg and seeing all the fishes. So get your appetite ready to eat at some of Gatlinburg’s finest restaurants.

Are you tired of classes, work or just need a vacation?  Then why not make your next weekend 

getaway to Gatlinburg TN.  Less than an hour drive from Knoxville, this can be a great mini vacation for you and your friends or family.  Gatlinburg has lots to offer with amazing food and attractions for the whole family! Before I get to the good part of what to do and eat in the small town let me give you a brief history of Gatlinburg.

The history of Gatlinburg is just as unique as the town itself. This small little town sits in the perfect location in the mountains of east Tennessee. The family heritage dates back all the way back to 1807 when the first settlers came to this town. Martha Jane Huskey Ogle and her husband brought their seven children to the area and built their cabin. Long before the town was renamed Gatlinburg, the town was called “White Oaks Flat”. The Ogles were the first to settle in this town. As time went on the town grew. In 1855 a man by the name of Radford Gatlin came to the town and opened a post office. In honor of Radford Gatlin the town was renamed Gatlinburg a few years later. The town changed little in the first 100 years but after the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the mid 1900’s the town’s economy got a big boost. Since then, the town and park has become a national hot spot making it the most visited national park in the United States with over 9 million people visiting every year.

Historic Ogle Cabin

Now, you might be asking how I know so much about Gatlinburg. Well, I actually live in Gatlinburg! For the past 5 years I've lived here and have loved every bit of it. I know this town inside and out with everything it has to offer. So if you’re planning a trip to Gatlinburg just give me a call and I might even be your personal tour guide. Sit back, relax and get ready to learn about all the exciting adventures you can have when you visit Gatlinburg, TN!

  

                                                                     Downtown Gatlinburg