Gatlinburg as it appeared in the 1940s. This street scene conjures up memories of when the area was much quieter and unsuspecting of the millions of visitors who would eventually flock to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Though still a small mountain town, Gatlinburg is bustling with Smoky Mountain buffs, vacationers, hikers, fishermen, skiers and naturalist, photography buffs as well as tourists of all types. The mix of these people adds to the unique fun atmosphere that is Gatlinburg. Next to Gatlinburg's distinctive flavor, it is best known for being surrounded by the wooded peaks of the Smoky Mountains and it's northern entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP).