| Gatlinburg Tennessee is one of the most popular | | | | area, you can find everything from clothing, to |
| vacation destinations in the southeastern United | | | | jewelry, to home décor, to books, to |
| States with more than 12 million people visiting | | | | Christmas decorations, to cookware, to sweets |
| annually. With that kind of attendance in this area, | | | | and treats and much more. One of the nicer |
| you know there are plenty of activities to | | | | shopping areas downtown is known as The Village |
| partake in while on your vacation to Gatlinburg. | | | | Shops of Gatlinburg and features upscale |
| Since Gatlinburg is the host city to The Great | | | | merchandise and great coffee. I don't know of a |
| Smoky Mountains National Park, the park is the | | | | better way to relax on vacation than sipping |
| main attraction for visitors. More than 11 million | | | | coffee while strolling the shops of Gatlinburg. |
| visitors come to The Smokies every year to | | | | For the art lover there is the Great Smoky |
| enjoy its more than 500,000 acres of fishing, | | | | Mountains Arts & Crafts Community |
| hiking, whitewater rafting, camping, climbing, | | | | featuring more than 75 artist's studios, |
| cycling, sightseeing and much more. | | | | accommodations and café's on an 8 mile |
| By far the most popular destination in the National | | | | loop road just 3 miles outside of the downtown |
| Park is Cades Cove. Cades Cove is visited by | | | | area. Take Highway 321 east from Gatlinburg to |
| more than 2 million people every year as they | | | | Glades Road and you are there. |
| come to experience the unsurpassed beauty of | | | | Another big attraction in Gatlinburg is either the 1.3 |
| this 6,800 acre wilderness paradise. The highlight | | | | million gallon Ripley's Aquarium or the Ripley's |
| of a visit to Cades Cove is to take the 11 mile | | | | Museum featuring oddities from all over the world. |
| loop road around the valley. The loop can be | | | | Robert Ripley visited more than 200 countries in |
| enjoyed by car, bicycle or foot for the most | | | | his lifetime and collect strange souvenirs from all |
| physically fit. Make sure you take the loop road | | | | of his travels. Come see only a part of his vast |
| early in the morning or right at dusk to increase | | | | collection of the strange and truly unique wonders |
| you chances of seeing the abundant wildlife in the | | | | of our world. |
| Cove. | | | | And of course what makes a Gatlinburg vacation |
| Another favorite activity in the Smoky Mountain | | | | even more enjoyable is comfortable |
| National Park is hiking. With more than 850 miles | | | | accommodations. There are some 3,500 rooms in |
| of trails in the park you are sure to find several | | | | hotels, lodges, and condos within walking distance |
| hikes to fit your level of hiking expertise and | | | | of the downtown area. If you are looking for |
| physical ability. One of the more popular trails in | | | | more private accommodations then a log cabin is |
| the park is the 4 mile round trip to Chimney Tops. | | | | the way you want to go. There are thousands of |
| This mid level hike offers some incredible views | | | | cabins available in the Gatlinburg area that feature |
| for those that take the trail to the end of the | | | | everything from the basic necessities to pure |
| final rock outcropping. The last 50 yards of the | | | | luxury and the top of the line in comfort and |
| trail is quite steep, but the view at the top is well | | | | views. |
| worth it. | | | | With everything to do and lodging to fit every |
| One of the more enjoyable activities for those | | | | budget and lifestyle, you are sure to get the |
| who don't venture into the national Park is | | | | most from a Gatlinburg vacation. Enjoy your next |
| shopping in Downtown Gatlinburg. With more than | | | | vacation in the gateway to the Smokies. |
| 400 shops lining the streets of the downtown | | | | |
