Gatlinburg is home to a mind-boggling array of tourist attractions, restaurants, and other oddities. The pioneers named the town Elkmont because of the elk that inhabited the area. I wonder if the Gorge is to trick drivers as the Dragon is to motorcyclist? Its bustling with incredible restaurants, shops, and an iconic courthouse on a hill. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. First sign for gas going East is at exit 20, and prices are rip offs. On the NC side, it's within Mitchell County lines, about 13 miles north of Bakersville. When you hear about Maggie Valley, you might only associate it with winter skiing at Cataloochee Ski Resort, but the town has a lot to offer year-round. Hot Springs is one of the most adorable North Carolina mountain communities, best known for its hot mineral springs. ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). Little Switzerland is a Blue Ridge Parkway NC mountain town that packs quite the punch! Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. Plan a visit to the Forbidden Caverns with a guided tour through the scenic underground landscape where so many people from the past have passed before. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Distance: 46 miles from Sevierville TN (1.25-hour drive). North Carolina's shortest border is shared with Georgia which is located in its southern part of the state. "agent": "woocommerce-7.6.1-3.0.19" Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. 12 of the Best Towns and Cities Near Smoky Mountains National Park .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} Its one of many falls along the famed Waterfall Byway. Since Tennessee is so close to the Deep South, it is known for a temperate climate. Distance: 74.3 miles from Gatlinburg TN (2-hour drive). Robbinsville is a rural mountain town in the Smoky Mountain foothills that takes you back to a time of solitude and natural beauty. Read More: 20 Awesome Wineries near Charlotte (Vineyards Within 2 Hours). It is also home to many cities, such as the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area and the Charlotte metro area; both serve as important economic centers for North Carolina. 16 Best Smoky Mountain Small Towns In Tennessee & North Carolina Of course, they can serve as the perfect base for some of the best hiking trails and the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. Have you ever seen Bigfoot? padding-left: 10px; jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { If you plan to stay in Gatlinburg, no matter what time of year you visit, there are things to do and see.