Gatlinburg is a small, scenic town near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg is one of the most beautiful resort destinations in the country and attracts people from all over the world. The Appalachian community has dozens of restaurants, shops, and attractions that are all within the Great Smoky Mountain foothills. The resort has a wide array of accommodations.
A Scenic Town in the Great Smoky Mountains
One of the things that visitors love about Gatlinburg is that it's easy to walk around. The Downtown Parkway runs straight across town, with restaurants, shops, and attractions. For visitors who prefer a scenic walk, the River Walk winds around Little Pigeon River and has benches and gazebos along the river. The East Parkway also has quite a few shops and restaurants.
Fall Foliage in Gatlinburg
Although Gatlinburg is a beautiful destination for a vacation in the Smoky Mountains during any season, in the autumn the area is breathtaking. The Tennessee fall foliage season is a perfect time to see the autumn colors and enjoy the festivals and special events in Gatlinburg. Here are some of the fall events in Gatlinburg that you won't want to miss.
Autumn Color in the Smokies
The spectacular foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains usually begins in the higher elevations around the middle of September. As the days grow shorter during the fall, the colors change to crimson, gold, and orange on the trees in the lower elevations, and the brilliant colors last for about seven weeks. Planning drives across scenic roads and hiking the nature trails are the best ways to view the Smoky Mountain foliage.
Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg
Oktoberfest is the most popular festival in Bavaria, Germany, and all the fun begins in Gatlinburg during the last week of September and continues through November 2nd. The original Oktoberfest was to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig in 1810, and is held every year in Bavaria. The celebration in Gatlinburg features authentic Bavarian-style costumes, folk dancing and music, Oktoberfest beers, and traditional foods of Germany.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
In mid-September, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival begins and runs through Halloween. Gatlinburg decorates for autumn, there's live entertainment, and exhibits by local craftspeople.
Gatlinburg's Fine Arts Festival
The Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg is the location of the annual fine art festival which showcases the work of artists in 16 categories. Ceramics, wood crafted items, glasswork, and paintings are among the categories. The festival that Gatlinburg hosts on the grounds of the school is on October 1st through the 3rd.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair which has been a tradition in Gatlinburg for more than 39 years, is in October at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The fair is one of the most colorful events that Gatlinburg hosts. Local artisans sell their artwork and handcrafted items, talk to visitors about their work, and offer demonstrations. Many of the artisans are also local shop owners, and they decorate their storefronts with colorful autumn displays.
Annual Taste of Autumn
The Gatlinburg Convention Center hosts the Annual Taste of Autumn, featuring dancing and sampling some of the most delicious foods and drinks that Gatlinburg has to offer. The event is a great opportunity to socialize and to support a local charity.
Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show
The local artisans of Gatlinburg present the Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show each year. Some of the crafts available are beautiful items including quilts, pottery, brooms with carved handles, jewelry, handwoven fabric items, stuffed animals, painted landscapes of the mountains, and handmade dulcimers.
Winery Tours in Gatlinburg
Several wineries are in the Gatlinburg area. In addition to the festivals and special events, take the time to tour one or all of the local wineries. It's a great opportunity to learn about the winemaking process, tour the winery, and sample some of the best wines in Tennessee.
Halloween Events in Gatlinburg
Get into the spirit of Halloween and take the family to a spooky haunted mansion. The haunted house is open all year but is especially fun to visit just before Halloween. The Trick or Treat Kick Off Carnival at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza begins at noon on Halloween in downtown Gatlinburg, with plenty of candy for all.
Nearby Pigeon Forge hosts Halloween At the Island, a safe, family celebration which includes candy, costume contests, and entertainment. The Pigeon forge Safe Halloween celebration is another fun event for the entire family.
Appalachian Arts & Crafts
Arts, crafts, and culture are part of the heritage of the people who live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community has its roots in Gatlinburg. The community is in the northeastern part of Gatlinburg and features a wide array of craft shops. Local artisans create quilts, candles, pottery, and a variety of other forms of art.
When you visit Gatlinburg for the fall foliage season, you'll be able to experience all the events that the friendly town of Gatlinburg has to offer.
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