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Gatlinburg is a small town yet among the most important tourist destinations in Tennessee. On the border of Great Smoky Mountains National park, and with a direct gondola connection to Ober Gatlinburg, a single ski resort in the state, Gatlinburg attracts tourists throughout the year.
Visitors flock for outdoor activities, skiing, and other attractions like the longest footbridge in the U.S., Gatlinburg Space Needle, or an incredible collection of bars and clubs in the small, picturesque town.
Foreign guests who plan the visit to this Southern state will need travel authorization. However, people from countries in Visa Waiver Program can quickly get ESTA Visa. So, if you wonder when to apply for ESTA, the answer is as soon as possible. Although it takes around three days for the American administration to grant ESTA Visa, don’t wait too much because you won’t be able to board a plane without travel authorization. ESTA lasts for two years, and you can visit the U.S.an unlimited number of times.
Clubs and attractions on the Strip in Gatlinburg TN
The main street in Gatlinburg is U.S. Highway 441. The Parkway or the Strip is the epicenter of activities and attractions in the town.
Puckers Bar and Grill has attractive happy hour offers, numerous games like the pool table and dartboards, and this grill and sports bar has a nightly music program on the strip. Hard Rock Café has a great selection of rock memorabilia, quality food and drinks, and contest for local bands.
Blaine’s Grill and Bar is in a three-story building reminiscent of New Orleans style. You can enjoy drinks on the Parkway balcony and enjoy a view ofthe Great Smoky Mountains.
Hogs and Honey’s Saloon is a popular sports bar, so if you come in football season, you’re in for a treat, especially for Titans fans. At night the place becomes a wild west type saloon with a diverse program for every evening.
Smoky Mountain Brewery is a destination for craft beer fans. Built-in Bavarian type buildings, micro-brewery, and restaurants serve numerous beers like Applaahian Pale Ale, Cherokee Red Ale, Mountain Light, and others.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has the second-best rating in the whole U.S. The aquarium hosts over 10,000 sea animals, including stingrays, sharks, and penguins.
Visitors that like group activities can explore Ripley’s Mirror Maze, where you can navigate through the labyrinth of mirrors. Search parties go through the maze every half an hour.
Museums in Gatlinburg TN
Hollywood Stars Car Museum is the perfect spot for movie memorabilia lovers. You can find numerous iconic cars like DeLorean from Back to the Future, and Batmobile Michel Keaton drove in Tim Burton’s Batman. You can also find Ecto-1 from the 80s blockbuster Ghostbusters.
Find out about the stories behind Guinness records in Guinness World Records Adventure. The museum has interactive exhibits and challenges, stories from record-setting events, and visitors can even attempt to break some Guinness World Records.
Places similar to Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is not the only popular tourist destination in the Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge is on the northern side of the mountains, and you can find Dolly Parton’s amusement park Dollywood, and attractions like the Old Mill.
Further north to the Tennessee Valley, you can find Sevierville. There are several great attractions in a small town like the Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Rainforest Adventure Zoo.
The tiny town of Townsend can be an excellent hub for hiking trips to the Smoky Mountains. However, if you want to enjoy incredible views on the Appalachian Trail, visit the small town of Cosby, once known as the Moonshine Capital of the World.
Hiking in Gatlinburg in December
Counting you will read advice for winter hiking, Gatlingburg and the Great Smoky Mountains offer numerous attractive trails. For example, Laurel Falls Trail is paved with a wooden walkway to the incredible natural attraction. Winter has much fewer visitors and crowds, and if you come when temperatures are below freezing, you might catch frozen cascades.
Trillium Gap Trail is an 8.9-mile hike with shortcuts to the gorgeous Grotto falls, and in December, you might get to the falls and be the only visitor there. Alum Cave trail will lead you to Alum Cave Bluffs. It’s not for inexperienced hikers, but it is pretty rewarding. Other notable hiking trails include Clingmans Dome and Rainbow Falls.
Don’t forget to fill your esta application formon time, so you can continue planning the trip and book a flight and accommodation. Finding a place in Gatlinburg in the high season is overwhelming, so it is better to make preparations on time.
Bottom line
Gatlinburg is a small town but big on attractions from bustling nightlife and restaurant scenes to museums and other fun things to do. You can find the only ski resort in the wider region with a short gondola ride from the city. Gatlinburg is as fun in the peak summer holiday season as it is in other seasons for outdoor tourism and plenty of Great Smoky Mountains things to see and do.
