From Gatlinburg to Townsend, the Great Smoky Mountains area is considered one of Tennessee’s most naturally beautiful areas. As the name suggests, the area’s most defining feature is the Great Smoky Mountains, a majestic mountain range spanning from Tennessee to North Carolina. 

 

The Great Smoky Mountain communities just outside Knoxville are often considered the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the country’s most ruggedly beautiful national parks. For some of the most impressive mountain views in Tennessee, there’s no better place to be than the Great Smoky Mountains.     

 

 

 

 

While located less than an hour from downtown Knoxville, the Great Smoky Mountains feel like a completely different world from The Marble City. The Great Smoky Mountains area encompasses many other towns outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Townsend, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are the area’s most well-known towns. 

 

Each town has a unique identity. While some towns are bustling, others are peaceful and serene. For many, one of the most significant aspects of living in the Great Smoky Mountains area is its versatility and proximity to nature. As a result, there are a variety of stunning mountain vistas in the area, with jaw-dropping mountain views from nearly every angle.   

  

 

While the Great Smoky Mountains area is best known for the national park bearing its name, the Great Smoky Mountains is well known for having some of the area’s best shopping and fine dining options. For those looking for the finest outdoor gear, Bass Pro Shops is one of the area’s leading outdoor sporting goods stores. Bass Pro Shops is located in Kodak, a small town north of Sevierville. For the area’s best fishing gear, check out Little River Outfitters, a family-owned shop in charming Townsend. 

 

Over in Pigeon Forge is The Old Mill Square, a local shopping mall featuring restaurants and specialty stores. Its mountain ambiance is one of the many reasons why so many people are drawn to this lovely shopping center. One of the area’s most iconic shopping centers is Mountain Mall, a rustic, charming shopping center at the heart of the action. For some of the area’s best shopping, check out Tanger Outlets, featuring many high-end stores and boutiques. Tanger Outlets is located in Sevierville. 

 

After a long day of shopping and sightseeing, check out Peaceful Side Social Brewery & Craft Kitchen, one of the area’s most beloved restaurants and breweries. Located in Townsend, Peaceful Side Social Brewery & Craft Kitchen features a variety of craft beers and homestyle dishes.  

 

 

As its name would suggest, the crowning jewel of the Great Smoky Mountains area is the national park it is named for: Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an ancient mountain range set along the southern ridge of the Appalachian Mountain Range. World-renowned for its natural beauty, Great Smoky Mountain National Park hosts over 14 million visitors annually and is one of the most popular national parks east of the Mississippi River. 

 

As a result of Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s popularity, many small towns surrounding the mountains have grown in recent years, resulting in many things to do in the surrounding area. Beyond the national park, two of the area’s most popular tourist attractions are Dollywood and Ripley’s Aquarium. Named for one of the region’s most famous residents, Dollywood is an iconic amusement park that’s jointly owned by Herschend Family Entertainment and the legendary entertainer Dolly Parton. Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge. Located in nearby Gatlinburg is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, an awe-inspiring aquarium featuring over 10,000 exotic sea creatures and ten themed exhibits. 

 

For those who love local events and festivals, there is no better place to be than the Great Smoky Mountains. For a taste of some of the region’s best delicacies, check out Taste of Blount, which is held every September in charming Maryville. 

 

If you are in search of a high-energy performance, check out the Smoky Mountain Air Show, one of the area’s most highly anticipated annual events. Featuring numerous planes flying overhead, the Smoky Mountain Air Show is one of the area’s most impressive shows. For more peaceful sky events, check out the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival, a summertime spectacle where hot air balloons light up the Tennessee skies. Held every August, the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival is a truly miraculous sight.