Shopping has long been a favorite activity in the Smokies. Why? Because the Smokies have shops you won’t find anywhere else in the USA! Below, we’ve listed our top 20 specialty shops, but these are nowhere close to all the fun and unique boutiques you will find during your stay in the Smoky Mountains. Auto Tags of Gatlinburg—For a fun addition to your car, check out the hand-painted auto tags in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! These unique tags are painted with durable automotive paint and make great accessories for cars, boats, trucks, and motorcycles. The Lollipop Guild—Buy personalized books, music, and cartoon

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A visit to Gatlinburg in the fall means great weather, gorgeous fall foliage, and loads of fun events and attractions. To take advantage of everything fall, we recommend driving or hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, riding the Aerial Tramway at Ober Gatlinburg, and paying a visit to the Apple Barn and Cider Mill for a delicious cup of apple cider. But there’s something else you can do this fall in Gatlinburg that’s right around the corner: walk the Parkway! For this fall tour that takes you right through the heart of Gatlinburg, all you need are some

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Finding the perfect cup of coffee in Gatlinburg Gatlinburg is filled with exciting events and attractions. You can view amazing art at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. You can dip your feet into the rolling LeConte Creek. You can learn about the early settlers of the community at William Ogle’s cabin, built in 1802. But to really appreciate all the adventures Gatlinburg has in store for your day, you need to start the morning right—with a perfectly brewed cup of coffee! In Gatlinburg, you’ll find all kinds of places to feed your caffeine craving. Of course, you can

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Candy shops along the Parkway One of my favorite things to do in Gatlinburg is to check out the best places for candy and desserts. I have a major sweet tooth, and the shops along the Parkway in Gatlinburg allow me to satisfy that craving. They boast the small-town, good ole days charm of the Smoky Mountains and offer a variety of fantastic flavors. After you enjoy a delicious homemade meal in the cabin or a great dinner downtown, take a walk, a drive, or a trolley ride to one (or all) of these favorite Gatlinburg candy stores and sweet

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Golfing in the Great Smoky Mountains It's the perfect time to head outside and enjoy the incredible scenery and gorgeous weather that the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer. Soaring mountaintops, dipping valleys, lush trees, vivid wildflowers, and bright blue skies create a beautiful backdrop as you take in the fresh mountain air and stretch your legs a bit. There are many opportunities for outdoor fun in the area, from fishing, horseback riding, and biking to hiking, picnicking, and rafting. But one of the best ways to enjoy summertime in the Smokies is by spending a day at one of

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Scenic drives in the Smokies With gas prices lower than we have seen in years, it’s the perfect time to pack the car and enjoy a beautiful scenic drive through the Smokies! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a wide variety of these drives—from long, leisurely trails to narrow, winding mountain passes—so every day of your vacation can be an exciting new adventure! Although you are welcome to get out and explore the park’s motorways for yourself, we especially invite you to make time for these three favorites: Cades Cove Loop Road With some of the best opportunities for

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10 Unexpected Finds in Gatlinburg Most people think of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, miniature golf courses, outlet shops, lots of restaurants, and even moonshine when they think of Gatlinburg. But Gatlinburg holds a lot of hidden gems – unique attractions and things you wouldn't expect to find in this charming mountain town. There are fun things for the whole family, and if you look hard enough, you'll find something new each time you visit. Although you probably can't fit all of these things into one trip, check these out the next few times you head to the Smokies!

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The most visited national park in the nation, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-see for your summertime vacation. The park is a perfect place to enjoy time with the family, a group of friends, or that special someone. With more than 800 miles of hiking, it’s easy to find plenty to do, but at the same time, it’s easy to get worn out from the hot Smoky Mountain sun. To keep your getaway full of fun, you’re going to need quick ways to cool down. Here are several ways we’ve found to cool down in the national

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There's exciting news in Gatlinburg this summer! For the fifth year, the City of Gatlinburg will be offering a free trolley service to visitors and locals in the area. During the trolley's peak season, enjoy free rides in designated trolleys that will be stopping at many places along the busy Parkway. Starting at traffic light #1 on the north end of town, the shuttle service will go all the way to traffic light #10 at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stopping at many popular attractions and convenient areas along the way. The trolleys will run from

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A Guide to the 2015 Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair Make your plans to attend one of the Southeast’s most popular events this summer—the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair! Gatlinburg hosts this exciting event every July, and when you come, you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to see 200 booths with unique and handmade products made by skilled craftsmen from all over the United States! Below we have answered your FAQs about the event. For more information, be sure to visit the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair website. What Is It? The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is celebrated twice each year—once in the summer and once in the

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