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Gatlinburg Tag

Corn, mash and moonshine have had roots in the Smoky Mountains for generations. Through Thunder Road stories, country music songs and living legends, the traditions of mountain moonshining have been an important part of the Appalachian culture.

Just married couple kissing with pink flower petalsWedding Destination Gatlinburg, Tennessee nestled in the Smoky Mountains, it is known as "the wedding capital of the South", and is also in the top 3 wedding destinations in the world. An astonishing 42,000 weddings are held per year in the picturesque and fairytale-like setting of Gatlinburg. With such an ideal setting drawing couples to want to say their vows in Gatlinburg you may be worried about the cost but you will be pleasantly surprised by the low fee for a marriage license in Sevier County, $39 for out of state couples.

News flash – guys love cars. Lots of women do, too. And when we become enamored with them, we remember all sorts of details about them and keep them in our memory. If you have a car that you loved from a movie or TV show, chances are you can find it in the Smoky Mountains.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are lots of things for the family to do in Sevier County, but one you probably haven’t thought of is art. That’s right, spending time with mom, dad, and the kids all while taking in the next Van Gogh, Matisse or O’Keefe is a relaxing way to spend a weekend.

It’s always fun to see the Smokies up close, whether it be by foot, car, horse, llama, etc. But what if you could see the mountains from a higher perspective? Not by plane, but a way that you could almost reach out and touch the treetops?

History is all around us. Fortunately, there are lots of opportunities in our Smoky Mountain Area for you to learn more about this place we call Home. There is one township just outside of Gatlinburg that offers a chance to relax and be educated about the mountain culture.

Museums can feature most anything – history, art, rock and roll, glass, cuckoo clocks. It turns out there is a museum in Gatlinburg that is unlike any other. In fact, you probably had no idea that there was a need to preserve and study that most common of table accessories – salt and pepper shakers.

One of the traditions of the Appalachian region is making of spirits, or as you know it, moonshine. Made from corn, moonshine (or hooch) provided a source of illegal income for a region that struggled to be prosperous. For generations, families had moonshine stills and handed down recipes of how to make the famous beverage that was the legend of songs and movies. Now, you can see how it’s made and even taste it without the worry of the law throwing you in jail.

Eating at a restaurant that knows how to prepare and serve food the correct way makes all the difference when dining out. And when you’re on vacation, having a memorable experience can make or break your trip, depending on if the experience is good or bad. For a great dining experience with excellent Italian food, check out Best Italian in Gatlinburg.

There’s a stretch of road in Gatlinburg that is home to the largest group of independent artisans in North America. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community encompasses an 8-mile loop that has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Since its foundation in 1937, this community has everything associated with arts and crafts – candles, quilts, brooms, pottery, jewelry, photography, art, ceramics, dolls, stained glass, leather, silver smithing, etc. And for a weekend in April, you can see what the members have to offer at one location.

Ahhhh, springtime. The season of rebirth and renewal. Spring means more daylight, warmer temperatures, spring training, even inspiration for Mel Brooks’ musicals. Even better for visitors in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg’s three-month celebration Springfest begins.

The last few entries have dealt with perhaps the most important part of your trip to the Smokies –eating. Now, once you have all that energy from a great meal, what are you going to do with it? You probably know there is a world of options in Sevier County. The hard part is narrowing down your choices to find activities that suit you best. So if you want to keep working on your New Year’s resolution, you’ll have to find a way to get those calories off. How about hiking, camping, biking, rafting, or paddling? They get you outdoors and get you moving. If this is your idea of fun, you better head to Nantahala Outdoor Center (or NOC) in Gatlinburg.