Gatlinburg takes great pride in its mountain heritage and the arts, crafts and retail shops reflect that heritage. The Great Smokey Arts and Crafts Community is home to over one hundred craftspeople and artists along the eight-mile loop and is the largest gathering of its kind in North America. Inevitably, you'll find a one-of-a-kind craft or work of art being crafted while during your visit.

You're in one of the most picturesque places in the world - get outside and experience the outdoors. The Big Pigeon River ranges from mild to wild with 12 class III and three class IV rapids. Whitewater rafting is an exciting, family-friendly way to spend a day. Other outdoor activities include golfing at the award-winning Gatlinburg Golf Course, hiking on more than 600 miles of trails, fishing the hundreds of miles of fishing streams, horseback riding through the National Park or ziplining through the treetops.

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort offers breathtaking taking views of the Smoky Mountains and is Tennessee's only ski resort. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies has been voted the #1 Aquarium in America by TripAdvisor. It has more than 10,000 sea creatures comprised of 350 different species. The Shark Lagoon and the Penguin Playhouse are family pleasers.

Because of the ease of obtaining a marriage license in Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons, with over twenty wedding chapels in the town and surrounding areas.