Every year, millions of people flock to the Great Smoky Mountains. They travel for family-friendly attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, cabins with an awesome Smoky Mountain setting, and the outdoor activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For years the area has been a huge tourist draw, and the long list of attractions, restaurants, and shops – along with the beautiful mountain scenery – explains why. In Pigeon Forge, step back in time at the Titanic Museum Attraction, “meet celebrities” at the Hollywood Wax Museum, ride roller coasters and play at Dollywood (and Dollywood’s Splash Country in summer), enjoy a hearty meal and some history at The Old Mill, tour a local winery, or take a scenic helicopter tour. In Gatlinburg, ski and snowboard at Ober Gatlinburg, check out 360-degree views atop the Gatlinburg Space Needle, take in scenic views along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, listen to live music in the Ole Smoky Moonshine holler, play miniature golf, play arcade games at Fannie Farkle’s, or do some shopping along the Parkway before grabbing some cheese, candy, or coffee in The Village shops. Of course, you can always head over to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the most visited in the U.S. – to go hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, fishing, and more outdoor fun. On top of all that, the community calendar is jam-packed with events year-round for everyone. The city hosts holiday celebrations, music and food festivals, races, parades, and beyond that both kids and adults will love.
Given all this, it’s no wonder that Gatlinburg is getting recognition from top travel sites as a must-visit destination in the U.S. and in the world. Most recently, Gatlinburg put itself on the map as part of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. CNN Travel placed the trail (and one of its Gatlinburg stops) on its list of 16 intriguing things to see and do in the U.S. in 2016. Made up of more than 30 distilleries across Tennessee, the trail features a Gatlinburg favorite – the Sugarlands Distilling Co. At this Smoky Mountain distillery with a rich history, you’ll find an impressive selection of moonshine, including flavors like Silver Cloud, Jim Tom Hedrick’s Unaged Rye, Mark & Digger’s Rye Apple, Mark Rogers American Peach, Tickle’s Dynamite Cinnamon, Appalachian Apple Pie, Butterscotch Gold, and Mint Condition Peppermint for starters. Sugarlands Distilling Co. is also working on The Whiskey Project, bringing experimental small batches and Tennessee Whiskey to the area soon. You can also pre-order Time Machine now. There are also several other distilleries and breweries that popped up recently in Gatlinburg, so be sure to stop by Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, Doc Collier Moonshine, Old Forge Distillery, and Smoky Mountain Brewery.
Need another reason to visit the area? Gatlinburg was also named #1 Destination on the Rise by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2015. But it didn’t just earn top honors in the United States. It was also placed at #4 in the world as a rising vacation spot! As the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor reaches 350 million monthly visitors and covers 5.3 million accommodations, meaning an award from their travelers is a big deal! It’s a small town, home to less than 4,000 residents, but it brings big fun for visitors to the area. Barbara Messing, Chief Marketing Officer for TripAdvisor said, “Our well-traveled community has helped us identify the destinations around the world that are gaining in interest and popularity. We hope these destinations inspire those planning their travel for 2016 to book trips to these locales that feature excellent hotels, restaurants and attractions, and also provide a great vacation value.”
If you’re interested in booking a trip to one of the rising destinations in the world, be sure to check out our Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge cabins. They offer a range of locations – near downtown, set high atop the mountains, overlooking the water, or secluded among the trees. Whether you want to stay near the fun of the attractions, have a quick drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or enjoy a quiet retreat away from it all, you’ll find it with our large selection of cabins in the Smokies. Looking for specific amenities? Our cabins are loaded with entertainment and conveniences. They have big screen TVs, private home theaters, private indoor pools, fully equipped kitchens, rec rooms with game tables, saunas, outdoor hot tubs, indoor jetted tubs, master suites with king-size beds, bunk beds, Blu-ray players, Wi-Fi, and so much more! We also have any size cabin you could need, from a cozy and romantic 1-bedroom retreat to a comfortable 3-bedroom family cabin to a spacious large group lodge. Need even more options? We have pet-friendly cabins, budget-friendly properties, and luxury rentals to fit any type of vacation you’re planning.
When you get to the Smokies, you’ll know exactly why it ranks among the top vacation spots in the world. You may love it for the great outdoor activities or the awesome mountain scenery. You may love it for the huge variety of restaurants and fun, family-friendly attractions. Or you may love it for the outlet shops and unique stores. Whatever your reasons, we know you’ll love the Great Smoky Mountains like we do!