TripAdvisor Names Gatlinburg Tennessee as the #1 Trending Destination in the US
As time goes on, Gatlinburg Tennessee becomes more and more popular. There’s so much to do in the area, and it’s right next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! TripAdvisor has put together a list of trending vacation destinations, and Gatlinburg was named number 1! Find out more about the ranking and Gatlinburg Tennessee below:
Gatlinburg Tennessee is #1 Destination in the US
TripAdvisor has named Gatlinburg a top weekend getaway before. But to make this list, the popularity of the destination had to be growing and gaining positive reviews. There have been more and more travelers coming to the beautiful mountain town and with good reason! Not only has Gatlinburg been named the #1 up-and-coming vacation spot in the United States, it claimed spot #5 in the entire world!
About Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has continued to be a popular tourist destination ever since the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened in 1934. It is estimated that about 40,000 people came through the city the first year the park was open. In 2020, about 12 million people visited the national park, and since the main entrance to the national park is through Gatlinburg, most of those people probably came through the city.
This area is also popular because most of the attractions in the area are located downtown, which is easily walkable. There are hundreds of restaurants, attractions, and places to shop in the area. Plus, you can easily get to several hiking trails in the park from downtown Gatlinburg.
What to Do in Gatlinburg
If you’ve never been to Gatlinburg Tennessee, you might be wondering what you can do in the area. There are several popular attractions, as well as a ton of restaurants you won’t want to miss out on. Keep reading to find out more about these things to do in Gatlinburg:
Anakeesta
Anakeesta is a great attraction in Gatlinburg. You can ride to the top of the mountain on a chairlift or in a Ridge Rambler. Once you’re in Firefly Village, you can browse through the shops, enjoy the scenery and mountain views, or play with your family. Plus, there are quite a few snack shops and restaurants to try!
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Another popular attraction is the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. You can’t miss the famous orange and yellow chairlift going up the side of the mountain. Now, you can enjoy walking around the SkyDeck and looking out at the beautiful Smoky Mountains. The SkyCenter has a bar and a gift shop, and you won’t want to miss out on walking across the SkyBridge that has three glass panels in the middle!
Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is a great place to go when you’re in Gatlinburg. In the winter months, you can ride down the slopes on skis or a snowboard. There’s also snow tubing and a small area where kids can play in the snow. Any time of the year, you can enjoy the alpine coaster, arcade, and many other fun activities.
Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community
If you want to learn more about Appalachian culture while you’re in Gatlinburg Tennessee, you should explore the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community. Many artists and craftsmen have shops set up in this 8-mile loop, and you can watch them at their craft. You’ll also have the ability to buy their items! You’ll find jewelry, pottery, paintings, and so much more.
Pancake Pantry
A famous place to eat in Gatlinburg is the Pancake Pantry. If you’re in town and you want to get breakfast out, you should eat here! They are known for their old fashioned buttermilk pancakes topped with butter and syrup, but anything from Pancake Pantry is delicious!
The Peddler
The Peddler is another popular restaurant in Gatlinburg. This steakhouse is right on the river, so you can enjoy your meal and look out at the water. They have steak, chicken, seafood, and so much more.
Want to learn even more about this trending destination? Find out more about Gatlinburg Tennessee before you come visit!
