If you’re looking for a getaway in the Great Smoky Mountains, a small branch of the Appalachian Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll want to be sure to consider Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Start your day off with a hearty breakfast at the Pancake Pantry, where they’ve been serving more than 20 different kinds of pancakes for more than 50 years. From sweet potato to apricot-lemon to orange-walnut, you’re sure to find at least one variety to tempt you. Plates of their famed fluffy stacks begin at $6.50.
While you may only think of paying a visit to a ski resort in the winter months, Ober Gatlinburg has an entire host of events to keep you entertained year-round. An aerial tramway will take you on a two-mile long ride over the Smoky Mountains filled with breathtaking views for only $12 per person. Other attractions include an alpine slide, natural wildlife center and plenty of activities for the kids, including playgrounds, mini golf and water slides.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee from Foothills Parkway © Jon Bilous | Dreamstime
The Wild Plum is a teahouse located within Gatlinburg’s historic arts district. With a lunch menu that changes daily, your options could range from Kobe burgers to lobster pie. For more than 30 years, they’ve been serving their signature Wild Plum tea and chicken salad sandwiches underneath the shade of ancient walnut trees. Lunch entrees are $16.
The Nantahala Outdoor Center will get your blood pumping with rafting adventures on the Pigeon River. For intermediate whitewater rafting, you can take a five-mile excursion on the Upper Pigeon Gorge for $30. If you have small children or just aren’t ready for the intensity of the Upper Pigeon Gorge excursion, they also offer the Lower Pigeon Gorge trip, which is similar in both length and time but takes place in tamer waters, for only $25.
For dinner and a drink, stop by Smoky Mountain Brewery for a Tennessee microbrew and an extensive menu. You can even order a keg of your favorite microbrew to take home with you. Options include salads, burgers, sandwiches and wings. Expect to spend around $10 on your meal, and around $6 for your beer.
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