Holiday Vacation Locataion

Gatlinburg, Tennesseee is a popular vacation spot in the state, and is quite popular during the winter because of their Christmas lights and shops. Gatlinburg probably exists because it is right next to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, and is also attached to pigeon forge, which has arcades, laser tag, and Dolly Wood. I have been to Gatlinburg on 3 occasions, once passing through, twice to see it. In the summer months, the town is rather busy. There are a lot of pedestrians, and everything is pretty close together, all along one main road, so if you go, you'll want to park somewhere and walk yourself. There's lots to do here.

I love Ripley's Believe It or Not museum. It's full of all sorts of incredible, and rediculous items. There are a few similar museums, including one from the Giuness book of world records. Ripley's Aquarium is also highly entertaining, though not as good as Atlanta's aquarium. It has a long tunnel that goes under their tank, with lots of nurse and saw tooth sharks. Later you will be above the tank, and be able to look out over the water. There is also a nice touch tank with ways and sharks. There is also a space needle here, which is really not worth the cost, as well as a multitude of arcades, and small shops.

I prefer to visit in winter. I hate cold weather, and there are not many places I like to walk around in the cold, but this is one of them. I have never been before Christmas, but I would guess the place is very busy then, but I have found that the months of January and February are relaxed and still Christmasy. There are several advantages and disadvantages to visits at this time.

One the advantages is that there are many fountains in the area, and in the cold winter temperatures, many are frozen or partially frozen into interesting ice sculptures. There aren't a lot of people out, and walking by the creek next to the main drag is actually peaceful. You will easily find a parking spot in one of the lots, and you may be able to park free.

Of course, because it is the slow time of the year, some shops are closed for vacations and such, and all of them close early. There is a large granite ball in front of Ripley's museum, that spins with a thin layer of water: you will have to spin the ball, you will feel compelled to do so, but the water's just as cold as the water in the fountains, and touching it may require a hand transplant...

As a final note, the only restaurant we've actually sat down and eaten at here, was a miserable disappointment, and I'd like to take a moment to caution others. Calhoun's Restaurant claims to have great ribs, which means everyone orders the ribs, which means they cook them in advance, way in advance, and, in my experience, the ribs were semi cold and hard from sitting under a heat lamp. "But I don't want ribs" you say. Well, boycott them anyway, because they are evil and shouldn't be aloud to continue in their wicked wicked trixie ways. There are lots of other places to eat, and large amounts of carnival type foods are available from places that have counters that open right onto the street.

Overall, Gatlinburg is a great place if you live within easy driving range, but probably shouldn't be somewhere you feel like you have to go. The Smokey Mountains are more worth your while, but While you are visiting them, you might find Gatlinburg to be a good break from the great outdoors. I'll give Gatlinburg a B