Who knew the Tennessee mountain town of Gatlinburg had so many things to see and do?
For starters, take a hike on one of the beautiful trails found at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Go on a guided tour or create your own adventure exploring the park's beautiful forests, waterfalls and wildlife. Just watch out for one of the nearly 1,600 black bears living in the park.
After you've become one with nature, enjoy a scenic ride on one of the nation's largest aerial tramways to the mountaintop Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park. Once there, show off your moves on the enormous indoor ice rink and then sled down the 1,800-foot-long Alpine Slide. There are even two "dry-ride" water slides that don't require swimwear. Channel your inner spider on the Velcro wall jump, which is guaranteed for laughs, even if you're only watching.
Although you're in the mountains, you can explore life under the sea at the Ripley's Aquarium. You can view fish and other marine animals from all over the world in the huge glass tunnel and get close to creatures such as stingrays and crabs.
Ready to shop? Stroll through Gatlinburg's downtown parkway and pop in and out of the 400 shops along the strip and side streets. Candy shops and eateries are plentiful along the way.
For more fun, visit Hillbilly Golf, the self-proclaimed "most unusual miniature golf course" in the country. Then stop by the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum that has more than 17,000 different shakers and pepper mills from all over the world.
Feeling romantic? Love is in the mountain air of Gatlinburg. More than 600,000 people visit the town to get married or attend a wedding each year, earning it the title "The Wedding Capital of the South." Ready to take the plunge? Gatlinburg offers elegant wedding chapels. Or for an unforgettable rite, opt for a hillbilly-themed ceremony.
Not quite ready to tie the knot? Spend time with that special person at a picnic or one of the day spas in the city.
While there's no shortage of hotels in Gatlinburg, we recommend staying in a mountain cabin or chalet. The intimate setting and picturesque views of the Smokies create lasting memories. Most cabins and chalets come furnished and include grills, hot tubs and pool tables.
Gatlinburg is small, covering an area only two miles long by five miles wide. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in entertainment.