Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is less than four hours east of Nashville and is nestled near the base of the Great Smoky Mountains. Spend a day or two exploring what the town and the mountains have to offer. Better yet, take advantage of the many discounts available to visitors.
Spend a discounted night or two in a riverfront room at Rocky Waters Motor Inn in downtown Gatlinburg. Each room has a balcony overlooking the river, coffeemaker, microwave and refrigerator, and every day starts with a free continental breakfast. Choose a room with two queen or two double beds, a king bed and sleeper sofa, or a king bed and whirlpool. The inn is close to many downtown attractions, such as Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and is a stop on the Gatlinburg Trolley Line.
Rocky Waters offers many discounts to visitors such as weekday specials with a discounted rate per night, but there is a minimum stay of three nights. If you want to stay for only two nights, inquire about the discounted weekend rate. In addition, there are discounts for senior citizens and for people traveling on motorcycles.
Rocky Waters Motor Inn
333 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
800-824-1111
rockywatersmotorinn.com
Get a discount on your next visit to see the thousands of sea creatures at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. See giant octopuses, penguins, sea turtles and nurse sharks. Touch horseshoe crabs and rays or watch the fish such as angelfish and butterfly fish in the coral reef.
Visitors have their choice of discounts. You can opt for a vacation package, discounted tickets to the aquarium and other area attractions as well as discounts on area hotel accommodations. Or choose a "U-Pick Combo," which lets you buy discounted tickets for the aquarium and two or more area attractions.
The aquarium is open every day of the year, but hours of operation vary. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. At other times of the year it is open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Rd.
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
888-642-1319
gatlinburg.ripleyaquariums.com
Perhaps the best deal of all is a free one. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has half a million acres, is the only national park without an entrance fee. You can explore the park's waterfalls, look for elk and bear, or go for a hike. Bring your own horse or rent one from one of the park's four stables. Partake in a ranger-guided tour of the park or try fishing, bicycling and back-country camping, all of which are allowed within the park. Please note that the park charges small fees for overnight camping and renting a picnic pavilion.
The Gatlinburg Welcome Center is right off U.S. Route 441 between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
The park is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day, and its hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through October and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. November through March.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Rd.
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-1200
nps.gov/grsm
