Gatlinburg — The Moonshine Secret

Your adventure begins at the Convention Center Plaza Fountain, a central landmark in Gatlinburg since the 2000s, near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is where the legends of the Appalachians come alive. As Bertha, you must first get your bearings. The fountain, integrated into a modern public space, is a gathering point for visitors exploring downtown Gatlinburg. From here, you have a view of the downtown attractions, preparing you to follow the trail of distillers and their precious Moonshine Distillery.

A short walk away, the outdoor fountain at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, which opened in 2000, serves as a meeting point. This 100,000 sq ft aquarium houses over 10,000 marine animals and is a major family attraction in Gatlinburg. Your quest for moonshine secrets leads you through this tourist site, where even the most visible landmarks can hide clues about clandestine networks. Local guides often mention this spot as a must-see for any family visit to Gatlinburg.

The route then takes you to the Gatlinburg Trail, a 1.9-mile path along the Little Pigeon River, open to the public since the 1930s and managed by the National Park Service. This trail directly connects Gatlinburg to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was along these banks that smugglers once transported their precious Moonshine Distillery. You observe the local wildlife and flora, while searching for marks left by Paw and Maw, other figures in moonshine legend, to guide their discreet deliveries through Tennessee's heritage.

Your investigation leads you to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an artisan complex founded in 1954, located about 5 miles east of downtown Gatlinburg. With over 100 studios, this community promotes traditional Appalachian craftsmanship, from pottery to textiles. Even here, artisans might hold snippets of information about the old Moonshine Distillery routes. The cultural richness of this Artisanal Craft Community is a testament to local ingenuity, often linked to the resourcefulness needed for clandestine production.

Finally, your journey in Gatlinburg leads you to the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, opened in 2010, and Sugarlands Distilling Company, opened in 2012. These distilleries, among the first legal ones in the region, perpetuate traditional moonshine and whiskey recipes. By visiting these places, you understand how the secret of moonshine, once clandestine, became a central element of tourism in Gatlinburg and Tennessee's heritage. You have traced the history of this drink, from the Little Pigeon River to modern sites, and better understand why the Moonshine Distillery is so important to local culture.