By Nicholas Katers
Gatlinburg Vacation Ideas
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is known among experienced travelers for its close proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The city's tourism industry has expanded from this popular destination into crafts, festivals and theatrical productions that draw visitors throughout the year. Your Gatlinburg vacation can start with an exploration of the Smoky Mountains and continue with visits to shops and entertainment venues to keep the whole family happy.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains 800 miles of trails and 700 miles of streams running from eastern Tennessee to western North Carolina. The park rents out horses and provides horse camps to guests interested in riding horseback along nearby trails. Visitors interested in the history of the region can look at 18th- and 19th-century churches, schools and mills throughout the park. The park's wildflower patches bloom in spring and summer, creating great photo opportunities for nature lovers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-1200
www.nps.gov/grsm/
Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre
Gatlinburg's Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre offers an alternative to visitors interested in comedy rather than country music. The theater produces musical comedies and holiday shows each year from April to January. Visitors see touring companies of Broadway musicals, regional productions and world debuts at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. The city of Gatlinburg recognized the theater as a National Historic Treasure due to its self-proclaimed status as the biggest theater venue in the Smoky Mountains.
Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre
461 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-4039
www.sweetfannyadams.com/
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community of Gatlinburg
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community houses artisans, craft shops and artists over an eight-mile stretch of Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg's arts and crafts lovers come out in force for Easter and Christmas craft shows in this community. Guests see the fruits of Gatlinburg's creative minds as they walk past the Ye Old Lamp Shoppe, Glades Homemade Candies and Earthspeak Studio. The community is intersected by the Gatlinburg Trolley, offering an easy transportation option for out-of-towners.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community of Gatlinburg
530 Buckhorn Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-3472
www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/
Tennessee Smokies Baseball
The Tennessee Smokies play minor league baseball minutes north of Gatlinburg in the 6,412-seat Smokes Park. The Smokies are part of the Chicago Cubs farm system and play games from April through September. The team runs promotions like dollar hot dogs on Mondays, county discount nights and Fireworks Fridays to attract new fans. The Smokies also offer an all-you-can-eat buffet before the first pitch of each home game at the Double Play Cafe.
Tennessee Smokies Baseball
3540 Line Drive
Kodak, Tennessee 37764
(865) 286-2300
Indianapolis.indians.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t553
Resources
About the Author:
Nicholas Katers has been a freelance writer since 2006. He teaches American history at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. His past works include articles for "CCN Magazine," "The History Teacher" and "The Internationalist" magazine. Katers holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in American history from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, respectively.
Photo Credits:
Photo by grovesa16 (Flickr)
