![]() Did you know that this is America’s most-visited national park? I would have guessed Yellowstone. Even if Gatlinburg offers nothing to interest you, you will love a visit to the park. There’s an entrance into the Smoky Mountain National Park right outside of Gatlinburg. There’s one marvelous thing that the Gatlinburg area has to offer that you can’t find closer to home and that’s the Smoky Mountains. And while it’s a popular place, I think there are better theme parks closer to home.Īnother geezer finds adventure in TennesseeĪ few reasons the Smoky Mountains are called “Great” And, for the most part, the region is loaded with good family fun.ĭollywood is just down the road in Pigeon Forge. There’s still plenty for the whole family to do and to enjoy. ![]() Obviously, the go-karts no longer thrill me, although my grandkids are as mesmerized by them as my daughter was 25 years ago. While I still enjoyed my few days lounging around Gatlinburg, I must admit that age has dampened the enthusiasm I had walking the streets on the strip when I was 10 or 25 or even 45. Maybe I’m getting too old because I wasn’t tempted one bit to stand in line and wait sip a cotton candy regardless of its frisky little bouquet. There are plenty of gift shops, fudge shops, ice cream parlors and plenty of places to sample some moonshine, beer, cider, or, what seemed to be hot this year, cotton candy-flavored wine. You can go in one of those old-timey photo places and get your picture taken holding a rifle and a jug of moonshine. There are still the wonderful aromas of sizzling peppers and onions at a walk-up sandwich shop, as well as the sounds of bells and whistles emanating from one of the arcades. Walking down the main strip, even at my advanced age, still holds a certain fascination. The Downtown Gatlinburg strip today is kind of what you might expect to find if a carnival came to town and never left. Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge have continued to explode with rental cabins, restaurants, roadside attractions, go-kart tracks, and much more. You’re driving through the mountains, with miles and miles of beautiful desolation, when, all of a sudden, this cool little spot jumps out at you and yells, “Surprise.” I remember thinking then what a cool town it is. The first time I visited Gatlinburg Tennessee, I was about 11 years old. Richmond-based food and travel writer Steve Cook takes us along on his trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Great Smoky Mountains, sharing a geezer’s overview of the resort town and a guide to two restaurants worth grabbing your Gatlinburg grub – besides the moonshine and cotton candy-flavored wine.
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