The Smoky Mountains- Now a Top Mountain Resort Vacation Destination:

The Gatlinburg of Yesterday and Today:

Locals who are old enough to remember will tell you that Gatlinburg, Tennessee used to be a sleepy little town at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and specifically the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It was at that time, home to a few out of the way locals and not much else. That is a far-cry from what Gatlinburg is today. This former little village has grown into a full-fledged resort center- catering to tourists from all around the country and the world- on a year-round basis.

The Gatlinburg of today has absolutely everything to offer to the vacationing customer. The first draw of course is the stunning beauty of the natural environment. The Smokies are undoubtedly the "star of the show". But while that may be where it all began- today the mountains themselves are certainly only the tip of the iceberg.

If skiing is your goal then Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort offers powdery slopes that overlook the city with amazing vistas to go with the recreational "snow-fun". Within the city itself are numerous tourist hotspots- such as the Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not Museum, Dollywood (named after one of the area's most famous citizens- Dolly Parton), the Gatlinburg Aquarium, the Guinness World of Records, and much more...

Gatlinburg has also become a mecca of sorts for professional artists and craftsmen who ply their trade within the city limits. Numerous local artist galleries are located throughout the city of Gatlinburg. Many of these local artists have grown to become world-renown for their unique ability and craftsmanship. If you want to take home a painting that will forever immortalize your trip to the Smokies, and the beauty of the natural area, Gatlinburg is the place to do it.

Smoky Mountain Cabins- A Haven in Wonderland:

As mentioned earlier, it was truly the majestic wonder of the Smoky Mountains that drew people to this area in the first place. Resorts and cities and infrastructure have built up over the years to accentuate what is already a spectacular natural scene. What remains a top, if not the top, vacation activity in the Smokies is a stay in one of the area's magnificent cabins; for there is no better way to fully enjoy the beauty of the Smokies.

Cabins in the area are designed both with beauty and functionality in mind. And these log cabins blend in seamlessly with the natural landscape of which they have become a vital part. These cabins offer spectacular mountain views of the Smokies. Whether it be a spectacle of gentle mist caressing the horizon, or of the fiery, vivid earthtones that light up the sky with fall foliage, these scenes are second to none. Not only are the Smokies an alpine wonder, but they are also unique. People come from literally everywhere, to see these "hills on fire". And there is no better way to do this than with a stay at a majestic, smoky mountain cabin.

No Wonder of a Wonder- The Future of the Smokies:

And it is for these reasons, and many others, that the Smoky Mountains have become one of the top mountain vacation destinations in North America. And there is no sign this trend will slow down anytime soon. After all, the area boasts a natural landscape that is unequaled anywhere on the continent- if not the world. And attractions like mountain cabins, and museums, and theme parks and such, only serve to compliment what is a remarkable vacation destination.