Attractions

As the most-visited national park in the country, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has driven most of the tourism and growth in Gatlinburg. Visitors come to enjoy fishing, biking, camping, white-water rafting, hiking and skiing in the mountains or spend the day in town at shops, the aquarium, miniature golf courses, museums, arcades and theme parks. With so many activities to choose from, Gatlinburg is well-suited for families and a wide variety of ages.

Another fun attraction in the area is the Arts and Craft trail. This trail is an eight-mile loop that is lined with shops and artisans who make and sell all kinds of goods. Along the way you will find things like quilts, candles, furniture, blacksmith goods, baskets, hand-made pottery, art and food stuffs for sale. Even if you don't buy a souvenir during your walk, watching the craftsmen at work will be a rewarding experience.

Accommodations

Because of the vast amount of tourism that the city enjoys, there are all kinds of accommodation in Gatlinburg. The most economical option is camping. There are several RV parks and a few tent campgrounds as well. If you are an outdoor enthusiast and you don't mind roughing it, camping could be the best option.

Motels and small hotels are right behind camping for affordable options, but some of their best rooms are only about $30 cheaper than nicer rooms and suites at local inns and bed and breakfast establishments.

Because of the mountain setting, cabins are also a popular accommodation. Built in the mountains, many of these cabins are nestled in beautiful, wooded areas and command breathtaking views. If you want to be away from the city a little and enjoy privacy and peace, a cabin would provide the right atmosphere.

Surprisingly, a full one-bedroom cabin (complete with a furnished kitchen, bedroom, hot tub and living room) could cost as little as $125 a night. This is the same price as one normal hotel room.

The larger cabins may see expensive at first glance (as much as $1,200 a night) but when they can sleep 24-60 people, it's clear that they would be much more affordable than hotel rooms; especially when the kitchen facilitates meals at home.

Of course, the rates for both hotels and Gatlinburg cabins fluctuate with the high and low seasons. Holidays are the most expensive times to visit Gatlinburg but all of October is pretty busy too. If you can visit the city any time of the week, weekdays are sometimes more affordable than weekends. You'll probably have smaller crowds to deal with as well.