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Something's Brewing
College students and others hang out at the Something's Brewing coffeehouse in Conway on Thursday night.
The Eastern Tennessee town of Gatlinburg sits as the entrance to the state’s 520,00-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Nature enthusiasts can enjoy hundreds of miles of trails, their pick of waterfalls and scenic views and camping spots along the way.
In downtown Gatlinburg, the town features year-round festivals, markets, stores with oodles of locally made crafts and the state’s only ski resort with year-round activities and an amusement park.
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RIBS, RIBS, RIBSBennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que boasts it has the best ribs in the county. From smoked beef brisket to pork ribs, Bennett’s offers a hickory smoked flavor that they say you are sure to love.>For more than 20 years, the BBQ joint has been slow smoking its signature dish of jumbo baby back ribs.>Open daily for a breakfast buffet and lunch and dinner, the restaurant is located at 714 River Road. Hours vary between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., depending on the time of year.Source: Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, bennetts-bbq.com
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Uber fun at Ober GatlinburgOber Gatlinburg is the state’s only ski resort.The resort and amusement park offers year-round activities, including a wildlife encounter featuring bears, river otters and bobcats, an aerial tramway and indoor ice skating.Located at 1001 Parkway #2, it also offers summer activities such as mini-golf, kiddie rides and an Alpine slide. Summer pricing is $19-$33 depending on age and activity access.In the winter, take a snowboard or skis down the gentle slopes or the advanced Grizzly trail. Sessions vary throughout the winter months, as do pricing and hours. Want a gentler option? Try snow tubing from late November through early Spring.In the Fall, experience a taste of Germany at Oktoberfest at Ober from Sept. 25 – Nov. 2, featuring traditional German wurst, sauerkraut, strudels, Bavarian folk dancing, yodels and sing-a-longs.Source: obergatlinburg.com
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FAMILY FUNFrom markets to festivals to fairs, Gatlinburg offers activities for the whole family.>For local produce, baked goods and local arts and crafts visit the Gatlinburg Farmers Market, 705 E. Parkway, open 8:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday, May 16-Oct. 17. Free.>The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival celebrates Tennessee’s Appalachian roots through musical performances and a songwriter’s contest around downtown Gatlinburg from Aug. 19-23.>Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair offers 200 booths with handmade arts and crafts vendors, food and live country and bluegrass music. It happens twice a year, in the summer and fall. Located at the Convention Center July 17-26 and Oct. 8-25, admission is $7; kids under 12 are free.>The Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff on Nov. 11 from 5-8 p.m. in the downtown Parkway features the lighting of more than 3 million lights for the Christmas season with an added popular chili cooking contest. Contestants get to vote for their favorite chili and get a chance to warm up with the hot-chili eating contest.Source: Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau
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TAKE A HIKE Gatlinburg offers 800 miles of nature trails and hikes in the Smoky Mountains. Want to backpack or take a short family-friendly hike that leads to a waterfall? The choices for hiking are endless.>Gatlinburg Trail is a popular 1.9-mile hike that starts at Sugarlands Visitor Center and travels along Little Pigeon River. This trail welcomes cyclists and dogs.>Laural Falls is an easy 2.6-mile hike along a paved trail that leads to this 80-foot cascade.>Chimney Tops Trail is a popular 3.8-mile trek in the Smoky Mountains located on Newfound Gap Road. This steep hike crosses several footbridges, follows a stream along one of the oldest trails in the Smokies and then leads up a narrow pathway ending at a 4,800-foot bare-rock summit.Source: Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, hikinginthesmokys.com
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LOCAL CRAFTSMANSHIPFrom rock oil candles to handmade fruitwood stools, birdhouses and Native American pottery, this town offers an array of crafts.>Arrowcraft Shop, 576 Parkway, has been recognized since 1930 for pottery, wood, glass and weaving craftsmanship.>Christmas Eve Gift, 170 Glades Road, Suite 25, sells Christmas goods year-round including hand-painted glass, special ornaments and Santa Clauses.>The Leather Works, 1400 E. Parkway, has been selling belts, buckles, holsters and hats since 1979.>Ely’s Mill Crafts & Antiques, 393 Roaring Fork Road, was built in the 1920s and is one of the few remaining buildings of Old Gatlinburg that still sells antiques and crafts.Source: Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau’s guide, elysmill.com
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GATLINBURG AT A GLANCEGatlinburg was originally called White Oak Flats.>Date founded: The area was settled in 1806, but wasn’t known as Gatlinburg until 1856.>History: The accepted version of how it got its name is that Radford C. Gatlin, a flamboyant preacher, established his own “Gatlinite” Baptist Church around the same time a new post office was established inside his general store, and the name was changed in 1956.>Population: 4,158>Geographic landmarks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mount Le Conte, Sugarland Mountain>Famous residents: Elijah Lawson Reagan established a woodworking business there in 1910 and made simple hand tools for many years. John Henniger Reagan was on Jefferson Davis’ cabinet.>Fun fact: Gatlinburg hosts more weddings than any other American city except Las Vegas.Source: Gatlinburg Department of Tourism & Convention Center, gatlinburgspaceneedle.com, auntbugs.com, smokymountainnavigator.com gatlinburg.com