Gatlinburg Tennessee Tourism At a GlanceBest Time to Visit Gatlinburg Tennessee
Anytime! Gatlinburg is the resort for all seasons, whether its winter and you come to ski Ober Gatlinburg, summer and you stroll, shop, and check out the art offerings, spring and youre into heavy-duty hiking and nightlife or autumn when the leaves are gorgeous.
Gatlinburg is a gateway to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, where during the summer you can take a dip in a mountain spring. The area is justifiably lauded for trout fishing. A scenic drive is perfect all four seasons. If you love to browse original works by craftspeople who excel in a variety of arts, visit from July 19 thru 28 and October 10 thru 27, 2002. Youll find over 175 of the USA's finest artists & craftspeople gathered at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Daily music shows are part of the event. Click Here to find hotels in Gatlinburg. If you need additional visitor information for Gatlinburg, Click Here.
Average Gatlinburg Weather
Dont forget your rain gear if you are going to Gatlinburg. Even October, the driest month, gets over two inches of rainfall annually. March, May and July all have an average precipitation rate in excess of four inches. January and December are the coldest months, with average highs in the 40s and average lows in the 20s --- great times for a romantic mountain view room with cozy extras like a fireplace. In July and August, highs hit the 80s and lows drop to the 60s. This Tennessee treasure has four distinct seasons without subjecting tourists to any harsh extremes.
Transportation
If you fly into the area, youll land at Knox County Airport where youll find outlets of most of the major car rental chains. A number of side streets like River Road and U.S. Highway 321 (East Parkway) have some free parking. Restaurants and some shops have free parking for their customers. Several pay parking lots are located around the city. The smartest way to enjoy Gatlinburg is to simply leave your car at your hotel and use Gatlinburgs great trolley system. Several trolley routes take you to almost any downtown location for a $.25 fare. For an additional charge, you can transfer to outlying areas like Dollywood, the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, and National Park sites like Sugarlands Visitor Center and Elkmont Campground.
In-Season Costs
Whether you want to visit Ripleys Museum, ride the tramway, or simply shop, it's easy to go over-budget in Gatlinburg. Be certain you plan on spending a minimum of $20 a day to get into attractions and pick up incidentals. That twenty-five cent trolley can take you to a range of restaurants in all price categories. Its possible to eat on the cheap in Gatlinburg and possible to spend a lot on a special meal; prime rib at one of the areas leading restaurants will run around $20 and there is always MacDonalds. Lodging in Gatlinburg can be pricey, but in this resort town you get what you pay for; there are also budget options. You can choose from properties with hot tubs on private verandas or stay in a tourist standard room.
Tennessee Tourism - Gatlinburg Attractions, Activities and Day Trips
Nearby Pigeon Forge has a huge collection of outlet shops. Its also the location of Dollywood theme park, a family-oriented amusement and entertainment park created by country great Dolly Parton. White water rafting is one of the areas most popular days out. USA RAFT at 1-800-USA-RAFT can book a rafting trip for you on several surrounding rivers. Asheville is close enough for a day trip, and it is one of the most scenic drives in the South. Its easy to combine a visit to the New Age Center of the southeast, Biltmore House, or the Thomas Wolfe Museum in Asheville with a vacation in Gatlinburg.
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Gatlinburg tourism & sightseeing
