Gatlinburg, TN Review

The first time I visited Gatlinburg, TN I was 16 years old and vacationing with a friend's family. We had so much fun going to Ober Gatlinburg on the ski lift, visiting Dixie Stampede and taking a helicopter tour I was thrilled when we bought a vacation home 1 1/2 hours north in Limestone, TN. Our first visit to the house we rounded up our friends that live near there and took a day trip.

Needless to say the place had changed in 12 years but my favorites where still there. We hit Ober Gatlinburg again and walked the main strip visiting all the shops and looking at all of the old time picture galleries. All throughout the city you will see great tourist attractions like the Ripley's Aquarium and Ripley's Believe It or Not, Hollywood Star Car Museum, Cooter's Place (from the Duke's of Hazzard), play a game of Hillbilly Golf, take a helicopter ride or go whitewater rafting. There is something for everyone in the family.

There are hotels and cabins everywhere and most are even right in the middle of it all so you can park the car and walk if you wanted to. Restaurants and snack shops are aplenty and vary to every taste. Outdoor activities like camping (three local campgrounds to pick from), fishing, whitewater rafting (FUN!) and skiing are also very close by and a great alternative to the more touristy main strip.

Since we are so close to Gatlinburg that we make sure and drive down almost every time we are at our house and always find something new to stop and see. This is a great place to spend your vacation any time of the year.