Greenville Magazine - August 2008 - (Page 61) if you adore the outdoors… The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, offers visitors more than 800 miles of trails for hiking and camping. Rich in wildlife, the park is also a popular destination for car camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring. For a memorable outdoor experience of the best kind, plan your trip by visiting the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/grsm/. And, for a different kind of outdoor experience, try Off Road Voyages, a touring company that invites visitors to see more of the Smokies than what’s visible by car. Off Road Voyages takes visitors into the mountains themselves by venturing off road with their Hummer tours and downstream in their whitewater rafts. Explore both options to see the most the Smokies have to offer. For more information, visit www. offroadvoyages.com. For other outdoor temptations, try: Gatlinburg Golf Course, Bent Creek Golf Course, Smoky Mountain Stables, Sugarlands Riding Stables, or visit the city’s Web site, www.gatlinburg. com, to find public spaces for outdoor adventures – like where to find the best trout streams. if you live for shopping… With more than 400 shops and five malls in downtown Gatlinburg, you're sure to find whatever you’re looking for – even if you’re trying to knock out all your Christmas shopping early! And, beyond traditional shopping, Gatlinburg is known for its specialty shops. While in the area, be sure to check out: Smoky Mountain Winery, Aunt Mahlia’s Candies, One Happy Place, Celtic Heritage, Ely’s Mill, Gabriel’s Horn, Pepper Place, Gazebo, The Hayloft, Jonathan’s, The Lollipop Guild, Magnet-O-World and Ranger Bob’s Trading Post. if you love the arts… Gatlinburg is your craft mecca. The Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail, an 8-mile loop of artisan studios, is home to the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Browse the area for original collectibles, handmade baskets, quilts, jewelry, stained glass and traditional artwork. And, the Trail also offers lodging and dining options for those who’d like to spend some extra time. Located just three miles from downtown Gatlinburg, turn at the third light downtown and drive three miles on Highway 321N. Visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com for more information. if you’re bringing the kids… The Ripley’s franchise seems to have overtaken the Gatlinburg area, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you’ve got kids in tow, take a day to explore the wonders of the Ripley Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Mirror Maze or play it old school and take them to the Ripley’s of your childhood – Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. Though these attractions cater to tourists, they still offer interesting shows for parents and kids. Other fun-filled distractions: Gatlinburg’s Space Needle, World of Illusions, Amazing Mirror Maze, Camp Thunder Fun Center, CJ’s Playhouse and the Gatlinburg Sky Lift, a 500-foot scenic overlook of the Smoky Mountains. auGust 2008 | Greenville MaGazine 61 http://www.nps.gov/grsm/ http://www.offroadvoyages.com http://www.offroadvoyages.com http://www.gatlinburg.com http://www.gatlinburg.com http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com
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