The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in several different cities, one of which is Gatlinburg. Sugarland Visitors Center is located in Gatlinburg. Here you can get lots of information about the Smokies including maps and trail locations. There are many sites to see on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail including waterfalls and historic cabins. While most known for Smoky Mountains National Park, there’s also a lot to explore around Gatlinburg.
Festivals
Several times a year Gatlinburg will host different festivals including:
- Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival – annual festival featuring over 130 acts of songwriters and musicians held in August.
- Taste of Autumn – annual event held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in September.
- Oktoberfest at Ober – festival featuring Bavarian-style food, drink and music, starting at the end of September and running through October.
- Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair – annual event in October with almost 200 booths featuring local arts and crafts. There is also live country and bluegrass entertainment.
- Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff – annual event held in November with mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild to wild.
- Winter Smoky Mountains Tunes & Tales – through the holiday season, there will be characters and storytellers andcaroling along the Parkway on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Gatlinburg Winter Magic – Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with millions of spectacular lights and lighted displays from November through February.
Museums
Gatlinburg has several museums including: Guinness World Records Museum, Paul Murray Art Museum, and Ripley’s Believe-it-or-not Odditorium.
Other Attractions
Ober Gatlinburg offers many attractions including an aerial tramway, mountain coaster, alpine slide, ice skating, wildlife encounter, water rides, mini golf, and carnival style rides. Ripley’s has their own assortment of attractions at various locations including: Aquarium of the Smokies, Believe-it-or-not, Mirror Maze, Davy Crockett Mini Golf, Moving Theater and Haunted Adventure. Be sure to check out Ripley’s multi-attraction tickets to save money. There’s also the Gatlinburg Space Needle where you ride the glass elevators over 400 feet to a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Smokies.
Rosemarie says
I love the section where you give more information about the nearby cities and tell about what the cities themselves have to offer. Most of the time I just drive through them to get to the waterfall. I have been to Gatlinburg before, however most of the festivals I’ve never heard of. Some sound really fun. I think I’ll have to come back and try some again. Hopefully you’ll add more cities in the future. I look forward to reading about them.
Tracy says
Thank you for letting us know. We strive to give our readers as much information as we can. We are definitely planning on expanding the section on the nearby cities in the future. Keep checking back for more information!
Desiree says
Gatlinburg is one of my favorite cities. I just love all the things there is to do there. This is a wonderful place to visit!
Pat says
I was so sad when I learned of all the fires in Gatlinburg. It is such a beautiful area with so much to do. Hopefully they will be able to rebuild. This is such a great family vacation destination.
Tracy Wimberly says
This is one of our favorite areas. We hope to visit Gatlinburg soon and show them our support!