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Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg serves as the bustling gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the USA. The town itself is a bustling tourist hub, offering a mix of rustic mountain charm and modern attractions. Visitors can take the Ober Gatlinburg aerial tramway to a ski resort and amusement park or cross the SkyBridge, North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The downtown area is lined with unique shops, pancake houses, and moonshine distilleries offering guided tastings. For families, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies gives world-class underwater exhibits. Despite the bustle, pristine nature is just steps away, with hundreds of miles of trails, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, including the area's famous black bears. Gatlinburg is best reached by car via scenic mountain highways. The best times to visit are summer for family activities and fall for the spectacular foliage. Winter also draws crowds with festive lights and skiing. The atmosphere is welcoming, reflecting the warm hospitality of the Appalachian region.
- Location: United States
- Top sights: Piney Butt · Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-Golf · Briar Knob
- Nearby: Pigeon Forge (5 km)
- Population: ~4.184 (2017)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 2 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 114 | 123 | 117 | 119 | 114 | 117 | 142 | 106 | 109 | 91 | 108 | 137 |
Geography
Facts
- The main gateway to the USA's most visited national park.
- Home to SkyBridge, North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge.
- Known for having an unusually high number of pancake houses.
- Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee's only ski and snow tubing resort.
- A historic hub for traditional Appalachian moonshine production.
- Ripley's Aquarium is frequently ranked among the best in the nation.
- Home to the largest independent organization of artisans in the US.
- One of the best places in the country to spot wild black bears.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Gatlinburg (12)
Hollywood Star Cars Museum🏛 museum
A museum displaying cars used in Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Frequently asked questions
Gatlinburg: where is it located?
Gatlinburg: what is there to see?
Gatlinburg: when is the best time to visit?
Gatlinburg: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
