Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, TN is a resort town nestled in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Gatlinburg has everything you might want in a vacation, from great places to stay and eat to enough entertainment to fill a full week. Gatlinburg and its sister cities Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are the gateways to the Smokies, providing countless hours of enjoyment for the whole family.

History
Sometime around 1800 the first settlers came to what is today Gatlinburg. These settlers lived an agrarian lifestyle. As more people came over the mountain the small settlement turned into a small town. Gatlinburg became an 'official' town in 1856 with the addition of a post office. The town was named for Radford Gatlin. Gatlin, though he leant his name, was not well liked and was run out of town prior to the Civil War. Logging kept the town alive after the turn of the century but the real stroke of luck was in 1934. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park was established and breathed a new life into this area of the country. For Gatlinburg the park would change everything. The Smokies brought visitors to the area and Gatlinburg's new industry: tourism was born. The national Park plays host to millions of people each year and a lot of those people come and go through the city of Gatlinburg.

Attractions
Gatlinburg has tons of attractions and entertainment options to offer everyone in the family. From musical theater to miniature golf, museums to aquariums, everyone that comes to Gatlinburg will be able to find plenty to do. Gatlinburg is home to Ripley's Aquarium - one of the most visited aquariums in the country, Sweet Fanny Adams Theater - the oldest continually running theater in the county, the Hollywood Wax Museum - a brand new wax museum attraction, shopping on every corner and so much more!

Restaurants
Fast food to fine dining! There are dozens of restaurants in Gatlinburg and you will be able to find the right food and atmosphere to fit any occasion. There are specialty shops like the Cheese Cupboard, Gatlinburg traditions like the Pancake Pantry and of course romantic fine dining like the Park Grill. Gatlinburg offers some great culinary choices including some, like Best Italian that have become a part of many trips to Gatlinburg year after year.

Lodging
Gatlinburg offers the same lodging experiences as any tourist area. Hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, inns and cabins cover the landscape. Competition in this industry means that the visitor can find the amenities and the location that they want without having to break the bank. There are family owned and chain hotels and motels on both sides of the Parkway through Gatlinburg so you can stay with the chain you are used to or you can try a family owned inn that offers something completely different. One of the best ways to spend time in the Smokies is to stay in a cabin. There are cabins overlooking Gatlinburg proper or you can choose a cabin on the outskirts of town for a more secluded stay.