Attractions Nearby Gatlinburg, Day Trips and Excursions

(Gatlinburg, Tennessee - TN, USA)

When it come to attractions, day trippers will not be disappointed with that Tennessee has on offer. Gatlinburg is within reach of many quality outdoor attractions, such as those based around the Great Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge - home of the Dollywood theme park.

Formerly the territorial capital of Tennessee, Knoxville is where the University of Tennessee is situated and is approximately 38 miles / 61 km to the northwest of Gatlinburg, being around an hour away by road. Even closer to Gatlinburg are the attractions of Pittman Center, Sevierville and Seymour, while somewhat further afield are the possible excursions to both Nashville and Greensboro, North Carolina.

Greensboro

Address: North Carolina NC, USA
Just across the state border and in North Carolina, Greensboro is sited approximately 249 miles / 401 km to the east of Gatlinburg and has become a popular destination for excursions and weekend getaways. Greensboro is an interesting city with a diverse set of attractions. Start by exploring the plentiful old buildings within the Greensboro Historic District, before cooling off at the Wet N' Wild Emerald Pointe Theme Park. History buffs will be sure to find the Greensboro Historical Museum appealing.

Knoxville

Visitors will discover most places of interest within downtown Knoxville, the Old City District and also the World's Fair Park area. The Ijams Nature Center is a leading attraction in the city and lies on the banks of the Tennessee River. Also popular are the Knoxville Zoological Gardens, along with the observation decks at the Sunsphere Tower and football games at the Neyland Stadium.

Nashville

Regarded by many to be the world's country music capital, Nashville has been the birthplace of countless famous country and western music singers, including the legendary Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton. Many of the attractions within Nashville relate to its rich musical heritage, with the acclaimed Grand Ole Opry House and the Country Music Hall of Fame both being of note. Families will always enjoy spending an afternoon at the Nashville Zoo, or cruising down the Cumberland River on the paddle-steamer named the 'General Jackson Showboat'. Nashville is situated roughly 223 miles / 359 km to the west of Gatlinburg and is certainly one of the most alluring cities in Tennessee.

Pittman Center

Located in Sevier County, Tennessee, and some 9 miles / 14 km to the northeast, Pittman Center is a friendly, albeit tiny town. Pittman Center stands within Emert's Cove, next to the Little Pigeon River and alongside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The former Pittman Community Center was once a large school complex, although today simply operates as the town hall, being recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sevierville

Sevierville is an old town in Tennessee and can be found around 13 miles / 21 km to the north of Gatlinburg, close to the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, where it serves as the county seat for Sevier County. The Little Pigeon River flows through the eastern side of Sevierville, while around the town centre are a number of registered historic sites, such as the Buckingham House, the New Salem Baptist Church and the Sevier County Courthouse.

Seymour

The small town of Seymour is just 27 miles / 43 km to the northwest of Gatlinburg and so can be easily reached in under an hour by car. Those arriving in Seymour will find little in the way of tourist attractions as such, although there are some good restaurants based along the Chapman Highway. Particularly nearby, the Creekside Plantation Golf Course and Bays Mountain Golf Course both combine beautiful scenery with well-laid out holes.