Our hotel is located in the charming mountain town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Millions of visitors come to Gatlinburg each year to enjoy its fun and exciting attractions and its natural beauty. Once you’ve been to Gatlinburg, it’s not hard to understand why so many people return year after year. No matter how many times you’ve been, we bet there are some things you might not know about it! If you want to learn more about this amazing city, check out these 5 fun facts about Gatlinburg TN:
1. There are more fish in Ripley’s Aquarium than Gatlinburg residents.
We know it sounds crazy, but it’s true! There are more fish living in Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies than there are people living in Gatlinburg. Even though Gatlinburg sees more than 11 million visitors each year, there are only about 4,000 permanent residents. In comparison, there are more than 10,000 sea animals in Ripley’s Aquarium!
2. The first pancake house in Tennessee is in Gatlinburg.
Have you ever been to Pancake Pantry? This famous breakfast restaurant is within walking distance of our hotel and is actually the first pancake house in all of Tennessee! Pancake Pantry is considered a Gatlinburg tradition, and you will almost always see a line stretched outside of the door when you walk past. On the menu, you’ll find delicious pancakes, along with a variety of tasty crepes!
3. It’s the gateway to the most visited national park.
Gatlinburg is the gateway to the most visited national park! Our hotel is just 1 mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is home to hiking trails, waterfalls, gorgeous mountain views, wildlife, and more. Gatlinburg visitors love having easy access to all the best things the Smoky Mountains have to offer. You can start the day at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg before exploring some of the most beautiful sights in the park, like Laurel Falls and Cades Cove!
4. It was named after the most hated man in town.
Have you ever wondered how Gatlinburg got its name? Well, it certainly wasn’t from the most loved man in town! This is one of the most interesting facts about Gatlinburg. Radford Gatlin caused quite a stir throughout Gatlinburg because of his feud with the Ogles and his support for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Gatlin moved to town in 1854, when it was called White Oak Flats. When the first post office opened in his general store, people started calling the city “Gatlinburg.”
5. It’s home to the only ski resort in Tennessee.
Have you ever been to Ober Gatlinburg? It’s not only the only ski resort in Gatlinburg, but it’s also the only ski resort in Tennessee! It opened in 1962 and has been providing endless fun and entertainment for visitors ever since. During the winter months, visitors can go skiing, snowboarding, and even snow tubing! There are plenty of other activities to do on the mountain as well during the summer months, from a mountain coaster to mini golf. You can walk to the tram station for Ober Gatlinburg from our hotel!
Now that you know some fun facts about Gatlinburg TN, it’s time to start planning your vacation! Explore more things to do in Gatlinburg, then come visit us.
