Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a popular mountain resort nestled next to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg provides the majority of lodging, food and additional recreation for over 10 million visitors each year, making it the most visited National Park in the US. Gatlinburg's popularity is also due to the fact that more than 70 million people live within 400 miles of the city, and its popularity carries over to people of all ages.

Gatlinburg has become an important handicraft center for the Southern US. In the over 400 gift and specialty shops, you will find hand-crafted leather goods, wood carvings, baskets, quilts, jams and jellies, homemade fudge and candies, jewelry, custom glassware and furniture, antiques, pottery, and other local crafts. The Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community, 3 miles east of downtown, (U.S. 321-N), began as a craft show in 1937 and now includes more than 80 craft shops. At a number of shops, visitors can watch as craftsmen display outstanding skills in weaving, pottery, broom-making, woodworking and furniture-making.

You'll find plenty to do in Gatlinburg! The world's largest aerial passenger tramway traverses the mountainside from downtown up to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Recreation Park. Play miniature golf at Old Gatlinburg Golf & Games, the most unusual course in the area. Set amid trees and flowers, each hole tells a story of the history of this area.

Ride the glass-enclosed elevator 342 feet above Gatlinburg at the Space Needle and Arcade, or explore the Gatlinburg Mysterious Mansion, which is filled with false panels, rotating walls, and sinking floors. You can enjoy a musical comedy at Sweet Fanny Adams Theater and Music Hall, or explore Ripley's Believe It or Not and Guinness World Record museums.

Visitors can also enjoy music festivals, numerous art galleries, and a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, golf, horseback riding, miniature golf,and white-water rafting. Ober Gatlinburg features year-round activities, including an alpine slide, an ice-skating arena, and downhill skiing.

Winterfest, a three-and-a-half-month countywide celebration, features hundreds of events including Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Lights. From mid-November through February, the town becomes a winter wonderland when chandeliers of more than two million lights drape across the parkway on the main street and a 28-foot bell tower is set in the center of town. The mountain heritage of Gatlinburg is celebrated with displayed log cabins and automated bears that wave to visitors as they enter town. The event has been named the number-one festival in the South and a Top 100 event in North America by the American Bus Association.

Gatlinburg celebrates love in February with Smoky Mountain Romance. Each year, more than 20,000 couples get married in Gatlinburg, the "Honeymoon Capital of the South". Gatlinburg, and the surrounding area, makes a perfect location for your special day. Your fairy-tale wedding and honeymoon, can become a reality in the Smokies.

The annual Mountains of Chocolate festival is a chocolate lover's dream come true and the proceeds benefit Friends of the Smokies. The Friends have helped preserve our most precious resource, and the native forests, wildlife and flowers and fauna. Learn how to become a member or a volunteer!

Incorporated in 1945, today Gatlinburg boasts a population of approximately 3,500 year round residents. According to the department of tourism, Gatlinburg covers a 10.35 mile radius (6,623 acres). Directions are given according to the ten red lights in the downtown area, which runs almost 3 miles in length.

Sevier County is a dry county, with the exception of the city of Gatlinburg, which was grand-fathered in long ago. Within the city limits of Gatlinburg, you will find award-winning wines at the Smoky Mountain Winery. Alcoholic drinks are available at most restaurants and the local grocery stores and convenience stores carry beer. Package stores are allowed to operate within the city limits.

Gatlinburg Churches

Fantasy Bridal - Local family owned and operated since 2001. Let our family be a part of your family?s special day. See the Smoky Mountains largest inventory of rental gowns and tuxedos on our "Store Tour". Over 60 styles of tuxedos available. You may reserve your gown in advance or come in on your wedding day.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - America's most visited aquarium in Gatlinburg featuring over 8,000 exotic sea creatures with exhibits, petting shows, lectures, hourly dive shows, gift shop and 2 restaurants. For additional information call 888-240-1358.

Ripley's Believe or Not Museum -The world's most unusual museum. Every year millions of people visit these museums to take part in an adventure, one in which they experience first hand the incredible world of Robert Ripley! For additional information call 865-436-5096.

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort - America's largest aerial tram up to Ober Gatlinburg featuring go-karts, alpine slide, indoor ice skating, black bear habitat, water rides, chair lift, mini-golf, arcades, restaurant and lounge. For additional information call 865-436-5423.

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community - more than 70 artists' studios, shops and homes on an 8.5-mile loop, located 3 1/2 miles east of downtown. For additional information call 865-436-9214 or 865-436-7921.

Arrowmont School and Shop - Outlet for the sale of the arts, crafts, displays and exhibits in Gatlinburg. Handmade items such as woven placemats, baskets and clothes. For additional information call 865-436-5860.

Hollywood Wax Museum - Open year round, the Hollywood Wax Museum lies in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and features the likenesses of such Hollywood celebrities as Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie and much more. For additional information call 865-430-1800.

Smoky Mountain Fun - Want to have all of your family fun at one low price? Gatlinburg's Camp Thunder Fun Center and Reagan Terrace Attractions combine to offer Mini Golf, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Go Carts and more! For additional information call 1-865-430-7223.

White Water Rafting - The Pigeon River, located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, offers breathtaking scenery and heart-stopping thrills! This magnificent river begins in North Carolina and continues through Tennessee. Class 3 to 4 rapids. For additional information call 1-865-430-3838.

Guinness World Record Museum - Features the greatest records of all time, mind numbing feats and activities. For additional information call 865-436-9100.

Rafting in the Smokies - No experience necessary! Whether you are looking for an exciting whitewater rafting trip or a lazy float trip, we have a Pigeon River rafting trip for anyone ages 3-93. Come out and play! During your trip you'll experience the beautiful scenery of the neighboring Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Martha Sundquist State Forest and Appalachian Trail! Rafting in the Smokies is dedicated to making your rafting trip the highlight of your vacation in the Smoky Mountain area. We have been headquartered in Gatlinburg for 30 years and pride ourselves on safety. We offer group rates, Boy and Girl Scout badges, and customer service that is second to none. If you are in the area often, check on our 2010 season passes. 1-800-PRO RAFT

A Walk in the Woods - Our tenth year offering spectacular trips into the Smokies. Our experienced guides will take you to incredible vistas, gentle cascades, waterfalls, majestic ancient forests, crystal clear mountain streams, old home sites, graveyards and hidden trails. For additional information call 1-865-436-8283.