I think of Gatlinburg as a rite of passage for every American traveler. Snuggled up against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the bustling town offers a colorful juxtaposition to the ancient mountains beyond. Enter Gatlinburg and you’ll find yourself immersed in a dizzying swirl of pancake houses, souvenir shops, tourist attractions, and hordes of […]

I wondered whether Gatlinburg was ready for tourists after last year’s wildfires. I’m so glad we gave it a chance and scheduled a Gatlinburg vacation this summer — Tennessee’s most famous mountain town is back, and better than ever. Thanks to  Visit Gatlinburg for hosting our weekend getaway.  Like most Tennesseans, my ties to Gatlinburg are […]