Reaching Higher Ground in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Reach Higher Ground in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Inspiration comes easy, if you know where to look. It’s rising from the misting mountains, rushing through the trickling streams and singing from exquisite wildlife that calls this mountain haven home. Surrounded on three sides by the natural beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee prides itself in its mountain heritage, and the arts, crafts, and retail shops of the area that reflect that heritage. Small town goodness is everywhere you look in Gatlinburg – from its quaint shops and unique art galleries to its walkable downtown area bustling with friendly faces, fun attractions and hometown restaurants. Gatlinburg, affectionately known as the gateway to the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, boasts 10 million visitors each year, and is truly a place to relax, reconnect, and reach higher ground.

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HISTORY AND CULTURE EVENTS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE WEDDINGS

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Wherever your adventurous spirit guides you, Gatlinburg delivers exciting attractions, quaint shopping, great dining and an extensive arts and crafts community that appeal to any traveler. For an up-closeand-personal glimpse of fascinating marine life, follow your curiosity through the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Rated as the “Number One Aquarium in the United States” by TripAdvisor.com, the facility boasts more than 100,000 animals thriving in 1.4 million gallons of aquariums, including 12-foot sharks and the world’s largest underwater tunnel.

Glide past the peaks and vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains on the Gatlinburg Sky Lift and Ober Gatlinburg’s Aerial Tramway and get a birds eye view of mountaintop splendor. Explore more than 450 shops along Gatlinburg’s famous downtown Parkway and find charming little treasures at every turn.

At the end of an exciting day of exploration, rest your head beneath the majesty of the mountains in more than 12,000 sleeping rooms throughout the city, including fullservice and limited-service hotels and motels, condominiums, chalets, cabins and campgrounds. Accommodations are available in a variety of locations: from downtown overlooking the Little Pigeon River to a mountaintop overlooking the Smoky Mountains in secluded, natural surroundings. In May 2009, the LEED-certified Hilton Garden Inn opened in downtown Gatlinburg, just a few hundred yards from the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nearly 120 spacious guest rooms await travelers, who can enjoy luxurious amenities in a rustic, yet modern setting.

F UN F ACTS

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In 2009, Gatlinburg celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and recreated the famous trip made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he officially dedicated the park.

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Gatlinburg’s Trolley System is the fifth largest mass transit system in the State of Tennessee.

It originated in 1980 with only six trolleys and has grown to 20-plus trolleys servicing approximately 50 miles of trolley routes and operating on B20 biodiesel. In 2008, nearly 800,000 patrons took advantage of riding rather than driving to their destination.

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Gatlinburg was incorporated as a city in 1945.

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Gatlinburg, Tennessee is surrounded on three sides by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Talk about embracing nature.

History and Culture Boasting an exciting history steeped in tradition, Gatlinburg was originally settled in the early 1800’s, first named White Oak Flats for the abundant native white oak trees covering the landscape. Visitors today can explore the historic sites of Gatlinburg, such as The Red Barn, constructed in 1923 which served as the “model barn” where young men were taught agriculture. Ogle’s Cabin is Gatlinburg’s first home, and was built in 1802 by William Ogle who told his family of the “Land of Paradise” in the mountains of East Tennessee. William died shortly thereafter, and later, his family came to Gatlinburg to start a new life.

With breathtaking natural surroundings that inspire creativity, Gatlinburg’s arts and crafts culture has long held a deep association with the Southern Appalachian mountains. Nowhere else in the South will you find a richer heritage of fine craftsmanship than in Gatlinburg. Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, established in 1937, is the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Located on an eightmile loop at the northeast edge of Gatlinburg, the community proudly preserves the craft heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains year-round. Explore the best in a wide range of craft shops, including pottery, woodcarving, candlemaking, quilting, weaving, broommaking, and painting, among other fine art forms. Gatlinburg also is home to the renowned Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.

Founded in 1945, Arrowmont hosts summer and spring workshops and an array of special conferences for all levels of students in craft-art media. The art galleries at Arrowmont are open for tours of select collections throughout the year.

Outdoor Adventure Blessed by the gifts that Mother Nature has bestowed upon the area, Gatlinburg is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise.

From tiny trickling streams to the more than 240 species of birds found in the National Park, Gatlinburg embraces nature at every turn. Encompassing 800 square miles in the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the showcase for some of the most inspiring natural and cultural treasures that the Southern Appalachians have to offer. The park’s abundant plant and animal life and historical significance makes it the most visited national park in the United States and lies within 550 miles of one-third of the American population. It’s the perfect place for an exhilarating hike, a scrumptious picnic or just a quiet moment to reflect on the beauty that surrounds you.

As stewards of significant historic resources, Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves and maintains a collection of some 77 historic structures, along with preserved scenes and landscapes in five historic districts. This collection, representing a century of human history in the Appalachia region, helps to tell the story of the people who lived and worked in the Park prior to its creation.

Casting your cares away comes as simply as suiting up in waders and searching for the perfect catch. Trout fishing is a popular outdoor activity in the area and Gatlinburg boasts several streams that are easily accessible inside the city limits or in the National Park. Embark on a Sunday drive at area golf courses, including the Gatlinburg Golf Course, recently named the best municipal golf course in the state of Tennessee.

G ETTING H ERE

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FROM VIRGINIA: Take I-81 South to I -40 East to Exit 435 (Newport) and follow Hwy 321 South all the way into Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes

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FROM LEXINGTON: Take I-75 South to I-640 East, then I-40 East to exit 435 (Newport) and follow Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. Approximate drivetime from interstate: 45 minutes

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FROM CHATTANOOGA: Take Exit 81 on I-75 North and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.

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FROM NASHVILLE: From I-40 take I-75 South to Exit 81 and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg.

Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.

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FROM ASHEVILLE: Take I-40 West to Exit 443 and follow Foothills Parkway to Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes.

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FROM ATLANTA: Take I-85 North to I-985 North to US 23. Take US 23 to Highway 23/441 to Highway 74/441 through Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from Atlanta: 4 hours 10 minutes.

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FROM KNOXVILLE: Besides Hwy 321 through Maryville and Townsend, another alternative to the Hwy 66 construction zone is Hwy 441 South (Chapman Hwy) from I-40 Exit 388 in Knoxville to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from Knoxville: 55 minutes.

Weddings Gatlinburg is a place where dreams are made and the promise of future days ahead is as strong as its Smoky Mountain heritage. When you imagine a place filled with as much romance as the misty valleys and sun-dappled peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, you realize why so many people come to the Smokies each year to get married or attend a wedding. Destination weddings have become wildly popular, second only to Las Vegas, and Gatlinburg provides the bridal couple everything they need for their perfect day. Lovebirds can say their vows in 13 unique wedding chapels including rustic log chapels, southern Colonial chapels, Victorian chapels, mountaintop chapels, and quaint Storefront chapels. And, Gatlinburg’s Hard Rock Cafe even has its own version with Rock ‘n Roll weddings.

Escape to a place where you can truly connect with higher ground. Lose yourself in quiet moments of simplicity and find inspiration along the way. From its rich heritage and traditional southern values to its exquisite nature and fun attractions, Gatlinburg is the perfect spot for an unforgettable mountain retreat.

For travel information, visit www.gatlinburg.com.