Summer Information For Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge In Tennessee






Jul 4, 08

Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge
Tennessee

The Place of Blue Smoke

Gatlinburg, located in eastern Tennessee about 40 miles from Knoxville, is right on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Called the "Place of Blue Smoke" by the Cherokee, the bluish mist still rises around these majestic mountains.

The area offers a wide range of natural and man-made recreational opportunities, including hundreds of miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, golfing, horseback riding, amusement parks, craft shops and museums.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses 800 square miles of terrain and has the largest variety of plants and animals in the world. Visitors can find 1,600 types of wildflowers, more than 800 species of moths and butterflies, 200 different songbirds, 140 species of trees, 60 species of mammals and 50 kinds of fish.

The park provides countless hiking opportunities. The 900 miles of trails vary in length and difficulty. Hike the Cataloochee Divide Trail along the park's southeastern boundary, or follow the path of Methodist preacher Bishop Francis Asbury, an 1810 circuit rider, on the Asbury Trail. Most trails also are open to horseback riders, and mountain bikers can ride on roads, both paved and unpaved.

Area Attractions

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement park offers a variety of activities, including scenic chairlift rides to the top of Mount Harrison at 3,500 feet, an alpine slide, a black bear habitat and an array of shops and crafts.

And Gatlinburg is known for its crafts. Craftsmen of outstanding skill in weaving, pottery, broom making, woodworking and furniture making can be seen in action. Three miles east of downtown, visitors will find the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. What started as a craft show in 1937, now contains more than 80 craft shops.

The Guinness World Records Museum offers visitors a look at hundreds of exhibits and 12 entertaining shows from the Guinness Book. Included is memorabilia of famous record holders, such as Elvis, the Beatles and Houdini.