The beautiful town of Gatlinburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. It attracts millions of visitors every year looking for the perfect holiday getaway. If you enjoy great food, want to escape the daily hassles of life, and get a front-seat view of nature’s beauty, Gatlinburg is the perfect destination for a vacation.
However, like any tourist destination, Gatlinburg is brimming with activities. Therefore, if you’re planning to head to the south and visit Tennessee, take your time to research. What makes or breaks your trip is the amount of attention and detail you pour into making your holiday successful. Read below to pick up some valuable tips that can help you with your planning:
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Take Advantage of Technology
Technology has made the world around us accessible. Apart from communication and education, sectors like traveling have also immensely benefited from this advancement. While researching for your destination, you’re no longer limited to using static images or worn-out magazines to get an idea of your holiday location and what is happening there. Gatlinburg is usually crowded with tourists, and the flora and fauna never fail to impress.
Whether you want a tour of the town, watch how birds like eagles are cared for, or want to get a view of the stunning scenery, all you have to do is tune in to the live webcam in Gatlinburg TN and use the footage you see to build your understanding of this town.
For example, if you choose a webcam that features Ober Gatlinburg, you’ll see a unique ski resort and amusement park. The webcam will also cover ski slopes, trams, and the surrounding mountains. This is a great way to give you a preview of your trip. You get a sense of what’s to come, what the weather is like, and how big the crowds are, which is useful in planning a perfect trip.
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Pick a Suitable Place to Stay
Traveling can get extremely exhausting. Spending an entire day exploring Gatlinburg may leave you exhausted, and the only way you can combat this fatigue is by ensuring you get enough rest. Additionally, the amenities offered during your stay can make your trip exciting. This is why when searching for a comfortable place to stay, consider what your budget allows.
If you can splurge, you can look into luxury hotels with a fully functional spa, heated pools, and impeccable room service. But if you’re more intrigued by being close to nature and want perks like a home theater, jacuzzi, and a stocked kitchen, you’ll be happier staying in cabins. The latter also offers you more privacy than a hotel.
Make sure you ask your family where they want to stay. If you have younger children, who can get lost or may wander off on their own, you need someplace safe, like a hotel. On the other hand, if your kids are adventurous and want space to move around, they’ll be happier in a cabin. Think about how long you will be in Gatlinburg and plan accordingly.
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Enjoy the Local Cuisine
While you can play it safe and eat from places like McDonald’s or the nearest KFC, give the local cuisine a chance. Southern meals are delicious and packed with flavor. Furthermore, the large serving sizes will leave you craving more. Gatlinburg has many eateries for you to try; depending on your preferences and the kind of food you and your family enjoy, you can get almost anything here.
If you want high-quality steaks grilled over an open flame, the Peddler Steakhouse will treat you well. But if you’re all about having fluffy pancakes with a strong coffee, you should stop by the Pancake Pantry.
Likewise, if you want to try something unique, you should visit the Wild Plum tea room and enjoy a vast selection of soups, sandwiches, and desserts. If you visit during the fall, you may also try seasonal food like pumpkin pie.
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Read Up On Different Activities
As excited as you may be to try hiking and white water rafting, you must learn about them first. These high-endurance activities require a certain amount of agility and stamina before you can attempt them. While Gatlinburg ensures there are counselors and a safety management crew supervising you, there’s still a chance you may fumble.
For instance, if you want to take your children white water rafting, use the search engine to educate yourself on what this thrilling activity is and what potential risks you may encounter. If you are new to rafting in a fast-flowing River, you may struggle to maneuver through the current, crash into rocks, and get hurt by pebbles.
Hence, sites like TripAdvisor can inform you how to prepare for certain activities, give you safety guidelines, and advise you when to call for help. You can also find a first-aid guide for hikers. Furthermore, try to broaden your research and find out what safe activities you and your family can enjoy, like going up the space needle, riding in Gatlinburg cable cars, or visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
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Mind the Season
Since Gatlinburg hosts millions of tourists annually, you must prepare for the crowd and climate you’ll experience. Most visitors stop by around June and July. These are typical hot months and experience extremely high temperatures. If you happen to go when the weather is hot, you need to pack your summer gear, including sunblock, shorts, and short-sleeved T-shirts.
On the other hand, if you’re going to Gatlinburg around the fall, around October and November, the weather drops significantly, and you may need to bring your scarf and jacket along. You may also need to book beforehand and reserve a spot in certain restaurants since peak tourist season can make it hard to go around Gatlinburg without running into traffic and crowds.
Final Thoughts
Gatlinburg is the ideal vacation hotspot. If you’re a traveling enthusiast deeply interested in different cultures and cuisines, you’ll have a great time in this southern city. However, like any trip, you need to prepare for your journey. Traveling is fun but comes at a price. Therefore to get your money’s worth, extensively look into Gatlinburg, find out why it’s famous, and what areas are accessible to you as a visitor.
Ultimately, research is the key; the more you study, the better you can handle your trip. You’ll also know how to avoid crowds and get the most out of your visit without feeling worn down.