Written by MARGARET LITTMAN

SMOKY MOUNTAINS

The best towns in the

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hether you want family-friendly amusement parks, restaurants, and basic hikes or long for romantic, quiet getaways, there’s a Smoky Mountain town for you.

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se this guide to help you find the right fit for your perfect Smoky Mountains vacation.

Gatlinburg

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atlinburg is a classic mountain resort town. From here you can take a chair lift high from Anakeesta and look down on the lush, green winding roads, dotted with cabins and hotels

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t has a long tradition of artists who practice mountain crafts. You can take classes from them and buy their wares along the secluded 8-mile Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Loop.

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earn to ski at Ober Gatlinburg, the only ski hill in Tennessee. In summer, opt for a guided hike on the ski hill. Cap it off by eating and drinking along the Parkway, Gatlinburg’s main drag.

Pigeon Forge

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he streets of Pigeon Forge are lined with neon. Everywhere you look there’s something to see. It's home to Ferris wheels, go-kart tracks and a replica of the Titanic.

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ut Pigeon Forge’s best-loved attraction is Dollywood, the resort developed by Dolly Parton. Dollywood includes a water park, amusement park with live music, a resort hotel and spa.

Townsend

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ownsend likes to bill itself as “the peaceful side of the Smokies.” In summer, come here for white water rafting on the Little River.

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n spring, see wildflowers along the the Townsend Riverwalk Trail; a bike and dog-friendly route with five miles of walking and biking trails on each side of Highway 321.

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ear-round, visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center for tales of the communities that live in these mountains, including the Native Americans who helped preserve this wilderness.

Cosby

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nce known as the “moonshine capital of the world” and historically a Cherokee hunting ground, Cosby’s remote location surrounded by mountains and creeks makes it ideal for camping under the stars.

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osby Campground – one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s eight campgrounds - is located here. Outside the park, there are private glamping outfitters and a cozy Airstream village.

Find out more here
Find out more here