I visited Gatlinburg for the first time since college – turns out I missed all the best parts

Back when I was a student at Vanderbilt, my fellow Commodores (and our neighbors at Belmont) used to call Gatlinburg “Fratlinburg.” As fall approached, we would send fraternity and sorority members there by the literal busload packing cowboy hats, daisy dukes and just enough pocket change to subsist on funnel cakes and Bud Light for three days. 

We were observing Gatlinburg through an extremely narrow lens. 

Sure, there’s still plenty of tourist-y stuff in this charming Smoky Mountains town for those who seek it. As you cruise along Parkway (yes, Gatlinburg’s main strip is literally just called “Parkway”), you’ll see no shortage of Bigfoot cutouts, mini golf and happenin’ honky-tonks like Blake Shelton’s Ole Red. 

But visiting Gatlinburg for the tourist-y stuff is like visiting Costco for the cheap beer. Those attractions are loads of fun, but there’s so much more to experience.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

If you look at Gatlinburg on a map, you’ll notice how it’s quite literally a stone’s throw from the majestic and expansive Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That means you’ll have unlimited access to untapped natural beauty and calming river trails – in other words, it’s the perfect place to work off that cinnamon roll you had at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp that morning. 

For my part, I gave fly fishing a try. Wes and Clayton with Smoky Mountain Guides exuded the two best qualities of any local tour guides – patient and hilarious. The fish weren’t nibbling, but the group had a blast nonetheless. 

Wes also provided a key insider tip: don’t hike the trails in those “top 10” lists online since they’re bound to be busy with tourists. After all, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited National Park in the country, so you’re sure to hit some traffic. Instead, hike Boulevard Trail and Ramses Waterfall – both are quiet and highly underrated, says Wes. 

Anakeesta and Cliff Top Restaurant

To find Gatlinburg’s next unmissable attraction, all you have to do is look up. 

Built in 2017 (after those awful wildfires), Anakeesta is a mountaintop amusement park accessible via chairlift from downtown. Adult tickets are ~$42, but it’s worth it for the lengthy and scenic chairlift ride, self-guided treehouse tour, and of course – stunning views in every direction. 

I’d strongly recommend visiting Anakeesta at dusk so you can enjoy both the sunset and the splendor of Anakeesta’s built-in light show. 

We ate at Cliff Top Restaurant, which I can heartily recommend for its upscale atmosphere, varied menu and low prices (they seem to have factored in the park’s admission fee when determining prices).  Get the mild hot wings – best I’ve ever had. I don’t have a photo because, well, my hands were covered in sauce. 

Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community

The final drink-and-you’ll-miss-it activity I’d recommend to future Gatlinburg travelers is the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, or GSACC for short. 

Just a 10-minute drive from downtown, GSACC features several shopping areas bursting with all sorts of handmade Appalachian goodies, from wood-carved statues to moonshine cupcakes. 

If you’re in more of a DIY mood, you are bound to have a memorable time with Nancy Huff of Firefly Glass Studio. A firecracker with a heart of gold, Nancy will help each of you design a custom jewelry dish by placing dozens of colored beads onto a small plate of glass. Then, she’ll work her glass blowing magic and ship it to you. 

I can’t share a photo of my specific creation since it’s a surprise gift for a loved one (hi, Holly!), but here’s an example from Nancy’s gallery.

Final thoughts – and a few planning tips

While I had a blast visiting “Fratlinburg” back in 2011, I certainly missed out on 90% of what this charming Smoky Mountain town had to offer. Granted, some of that is new (namely Anakeesta and Ole Red), but I’m still kicking myself for going straight to the Costco beer aisle, figuratively speaking. 

Because in truth, Gatlinburg offers a surprisingly varied, memorable and – perhaps most importantly – highly affordable Smoky Mountain getaway. From serene hikes to stunning chair lift rides, cliffside dining to handmade arts, it checks all of the boxes you could possibly have for an Appalachian adventure. 

Before we wrap, here are just a few scattered tips I have for doing Gatlinburg “right”: 

• We stayed at the brand new Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort on the edge of town and I’d highly recommend it. It features free made-to-order breakfast, four pools (indoor, outdoor, hot tub and lazy river), massive suites and balconies overlooking downtown. It’s close enough to walk, but far enough that you can’t hear the ruckus on Parkway. Plus, it has a “Guide Room” staffed by outdoor specialists who can help you plan a perfect day in nature.
  
• While the holidays in Gatlinburg are lovely, they’re also busy. Late September, early October and late November are the best times to visit, since you’ll enjoy the fall colors without the crowds.
  
• If you’re a history buff, make time to visit Elkmont – a well-preserved ghost town that used to host wealthy vacationers in the 1930s. 

– Chris Butsch, Contributor