Last weekend my parents paid us a visit and kidnapped me and the kids and took us to one of my favorite tourist traps - Gatlinburg. I love this little city and all it's shops and attractions. It is a tourist trap to say the least but it is so pretty. The Smoky Mountains are an oasis to the busy traffic, vendors and rides of this tiny city and usually we would spend our time there instead of down in the bustle of shops but not today.
Our first stop was at a little food vendor for a gyro and a slice of pizza for the kids. I couldn't recommend just one place they all are equally as good. There are food vendors, restaurants and every other type of candy, fudge, ice cream and whatever else you could imagine - fancy, down home, chain, foo foo you name it you can find it.
Our next stop was the sky lift and now my official favorite ride. You can see the whole world it seems from up there. It is a nice break from all the walking too and at the top there is a small gift shop, restroom and a food vendor. We hung out at the top for a while, I bought a nifty magnet for the fridge. The kids drank some water from the handy backpack I carry filled with cold (at the moment) water. We climbed back onto the lift and made our way back down.
The last stop we make before turning around and heading for the car is a local ice cream shop. I highly recommend NOT buying ice cream from the Ben and Jerry's but one of the local parlors there on the strip. They are all good and I can't beg enough to support the local ma and pa's there. There are several and I've been to three different parlors in my years and I can't choose which is better. Find one and choose your favorite - it's fun.
We say our final farewell to the strip by rubbing our hands all over the magically floating, turning ball of rock in front of one (of many, many) Ripley's Believe or Not Museum's or whatever you call em. LOVE IT! We spent the majority of the day walking in and out of shops tasting the food and for my kids and I we only spent about 15.00 - if Brandy had been there - 20.00. Self control is a must when walking down such streets lined with stores and goodies but it is possible to come out of tourist traps without being broke.
I love this one.
