The Cherokee Indians called this land Shaconage -- "the place of the blue smoke." We know it today as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it is one of America's great natural treasures. Millions of visitors come each year to drive along the crests of its mile-high peaks, hike through the ancient forests and fish for trout in the pure rushing streams.

Yet, just a short drive away, the sounds of music, rides and laughter mingle in the family resort towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Townsend. The region is also home to the bustling cities of Knoxville and Oak Ridge.

Surrounded on three sides by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is the gateway to America's most visited national park. This charming mountain resort is a year-round destination for couples and families who come again and again because Gatlinburg offers fun and excitement for everyone. Gatlinburg is filled with quaint shops, family attractions, outstanding restaurants and the largest arts and crafts community in the nation. A wide array of recreational opportunities are right at your doorstep, including the all new $42 million Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Pigeon Forge is a town built for family fun! Packed with music theaters and family attractions, it is also home to the state's top attraction - Dollywood. Dolly Parton's entertainment park shares the spotlight with other entertainment venues including Louise Mandrell Theater, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Black Bear Jamboree, Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, and Country Tonite Theater to name a few. Pigeon Forge - voted one of the South's favorite shopping spots by Southern Living readers - is equally famous for its more than 300 factory outlets and specialty stores.

Discover where the Smoky Mountain fun begins! Sevierville is the perfect vacation destination. Known worldwide as Dolly Parton's hometown, Sevierville entertains thousands with its spectacular music theaters, unbeatable shopping, exciting attractions, historic downtown and challenging golf courses. Sevierville has the area's newest and most affordable hotels, modern cabins, condos and campgrounds. Come discover Sevierville!

Townsend, known as "the peaceful side of the Smokies," is a recreational paradise where visitors can enjoy magnificent mountain views. The area offers hiking, golfing, horseback riding, shopping, and fishing and water activities in the Little River. Townsend is located at the western entrance of the Smoky Mountains park and is the closest community to Cades Cove.

Knoxville combines small-town hospitality with big-city amenities, attractions and entertainment. It’s the perfect place to start exploring East Tennessee fun and adventure! Discover Knoxville’s excellent art and culture museums, performing arts, world-renowned zoo, historical sites, shopping and festivals. Hoop it up at the nation’s only Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, take a paddleboat river cruise or hop aboard a vintage steam train. Entertain the family, fish in cool mountain streams or backpack in the Smoky Mountains and still have time for a night on the town. It’s all here, just for you!

Oak Ridge, the secret city built by the federal government during World War II, has evolved into a world-renowned center of scientific research and development. The cosmopolitan community is home to the American Museum of Science and Energy, Manhattan Project sites, the Children's Museum, the University of Tennessee Arboretum and the International Friendship Bell.

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