Whenever I travel, I love to eat, shop, and play local. I love finding the best cupcake, the most unique shop, or the burger joint that locals swear by. In Gatlinburg, TN, specialty shops, local restaurants, and one of a kind entertainment is not hard to find. If you're looking to really soak in all the great things that Gatlinburg has to offer, here are some restaurants, shops, and activities that top my list as the best of the best in town. The Best... Hand-dipped chocolates. At the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, you will find the most delicious taffy, candy

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Everyone is feeling the strain of the economy right now, so with much less expendable income in most people’s pockets, extras like hobbies, going out to eat, and going on vacations are often sacrificed. If you still want to get away without busting your budget, Gatlinburg is a great option. There are always free or low-cost events and activities for every age, and I have a few vacation ideas to save you even more money! Skip the hotel room; Stay in a cabin – Renting a private cabin, as opposed to a hotel room, might sound like it would be

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Visiting Gatlinburg has its many advantages, but one challenge that comes with a getaway in this popular city is traffic. Highway 441, or the Parkway, is the main road through the city. This is where most of the shops, entertainment, and restaurants are located, so there is no way to completely avoid it. The best way to beat the traffic here is to learn to work with it. Gatlinburg has several options for traveling around town, and during the peak seasons of summer and winter, taking advantage of these is a good idea. Here are some ways you can make

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While many people may think that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN are basically the same, each town actually has very different things to offer. Although they are in close proximity to each other, and they both have some similar activities, they are also both very unique. So, which is better? I'm going to put these two Smoky Mountain destinations head to head to see who packs a bigger punch in the categories of food, entertainment, and shopping. SHOPPING Gatlinburg: When it comes to specialty shops, Gatlinburg takes the cake. Home to Santa's Claus-et, you'll find everything is Christmas from music

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Although we spend the better part of our young lives (particularly our teen years) thinking that we know better than our parents, as we get older, we realize that our parents are so much smarter than we thought. And with Valentine's Day coming up, it's nice to be able to show our parents that we appreciate them for everything they've done. What better way to show your parents that you care than to send them away for a relaxing and romantic weekend in Gatlinburg, TN? Cabins For You has some great deals on 1 bedroom cabins, and Gatlinburg has enough

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If you're tired of taking your family pictures in front of a mall backdrop, or your last vacation photo features half of the kids looking the other way and the adults blinking, then your next trip to Gatlinburg is the perfect time to get that great family photo you've been wanting. Gatlinburg, set in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, offers some truly unique backdrops for beautiful photos. Here are 10 unique places to snap a few: The Space Needle. Here, you will have a 360 degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains atop a 400 foot observation tower. Whether it's

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Photographs are the best way to capture the memories you make in Gatlinburg. With the simple flip-through of a photo album, you can relive the hilarious moment at dinner, the serene stillness of the fog on the mountains and the cozy cabin in which you sat fireside every night. Take advantage of these great Gatlinburg photo-opportunities to begin capturing lifelong memories! Since we are currently running our 2012 photo contest, it seems fitting to blog about photo ops in Gatlinburg. Clearly our Facebook fans have already found some of their own, and we welcome you to check them out on

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When you hear the word swimming, the first few things that come to mind are probably hot July days, popsicles by the pool, and cooling off in the river after a long day of having the warm sun on your back. You probably don't think about swimming much during winter in Tennessee, except when you're dreaming of being on a tropical island instead of bundling up for the wintry streets. But if you're pining for a warm place to splash around, and flying to the Caribbean isn't quite in the budget, Gatlinburg has some great places you can go. A

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We’ve been eagerly scoring the area for valuable coupons for you to use while on vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. With money being tight, coupons make it possible to see more and do more without having to make your wallet suffer. Here are some coupons for the wonderful shops you see in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (without having to pick up EVERY available brochure). The Art of Glynda Turley Romancing the Home: located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at the Smoky Mountain Village On your way to purchase any of Glynda Turley’s beautiful prints, ceramics, quilts, or candles for your

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Halloween is just around the corner and Gatlinburg is the perfect place to get your spook on! Grandparents, moms and dads, couples, or kids can spend October nights getting scared silly at any of the numerous creepy spots in Gatlinburg. Here are a few to get you started: Ripley’s Haunted Adventure –This terrifying haunt is rated #1 in Gatlinburg! With dozens of live actors in Hollywood-level makeup and costumes, no one will make it out of here without a serious fright. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a multimillion dollar attraction that you won’t want to miss this Halloween. Visit the Ripley's

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