This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Tennessee Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination
By Chris Dodge|Published February 07, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Gatlinburg is arguably one of the prettiest towns in Tennessee. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but the town is filled with friendly people and interesting places to visit. Between all the attractions, shops, and restaurants, you could spend weeks and weeks exploring this little town and still find new things! So make your way down to Gatlinburg, park your car for the day, and get ready to walk all through this incredible Tennessee town.
The Great Smoky Mountain region is known for its world-class attractions. Of course, the number one destination is still the national park itself, but everything surrounding it is also a blast.
Everything you could want is within walking distance in Gatlinburg. If you are coming in from out of town you can even stay the night in one of several places right along the river. The Edgewater Hotel is a great place to stay and you can step out of the building and be right in the heart of downtown.
Since Gatlinburg is known for its attractions you should start your day with one of the best ones in town, the Skypark.
Ride a chairlift up the mountain for a stunning view of the town and the surrounding Smoky Mountains. Then take a walk on one of the country's longest pedestrian suspension bridges with a glass bottom in the middle. This is a great introduction to the town and you can even buy a wristband so you can ride the lift and walk the bridge as many times as you want throughout the day. You will want to return at night because the whole place is lit up and is a beautiful sight to behold.
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Even if the weather is disagreeable, the fun doesn't need to stop. Take advantage of some other great attractions inside.
There are tons of places to have fun like playing a game of laser tag at Ripley's Super Fun Zone, visit Ripley’s Believe it or Not, or the every popular Gatlin’s Escape Games. These immersive escape rooms put you in the middle of a thrilling story as you race against the clock to accomplish your mission. Guests can choose any of the five rooms to play and you can visit everything from a creepy haunted house or engage in some humorous moonshiner rivalry.
All this excitement is sure to work up an appetite and thankfully the food options are plentiful in Gatlinburg. Grab a foot-long corn dog at Fanny Farckles or dine with a view at Smith & Son.
Smith & Son takes the flavors of the Smoky Mountains and puts them on your plate. With a diverse menu, everyone is sure to find something they will love. We recommend getting the Nochyo Nachos which takes their fried house potato chips and tops them with smoked pulled pork, beef brisket, and all of the fixings.
You can shop till you drop in Gatlinburg. Every nook and cranny is filled with some amazing store just waiting to be explored.
There are a few places that will be your standard fare for any vacation town, but if you search around you will quickly find some great options. Like The Soft Shirt Place, which specializes in beautifully designed shirts to commemorate your time in the Smokies. Make no mistake these shirts are not your typical airbrush vacation tees, no this is a place for stylistic shirts that are, you guessed it, super soft.
When you want to indulge your sweet tooth then there is no better place than the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen.
This old-timey candy shop has been around since 1952 and has lots of options for something sweet. They are famous for their taffy logs and you can even watch them make it right from the window which is fascinating and satisfying all at the same time.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, not only is filled with attractions, restaurants, and shops but is one of the best walkable towns in the state. Not to mention you can do all of this with the most stunning views of the Smoky Mountains all around you. This is a destination all in itself and if you haven’t gone we encourage you to visit because it is well worth it. We will let you in on a little local secret too. There is a woodchuck that lives by the river behind the Skypark and loves to greet guests, in fact, you can even feed her right from your hand. Now that is an experience you dont get every day! Check out this adorable creature with this video from Adventuring in the Moment:
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