I much prefer Bryson City to Gatlinburg, and you can technically go into the park right outside Bryson City at Deep Creek, and even hike to Clingmans dome.

Gatlinburg is a tourist madhouse while Bryson City is a great little town and you can drive over to Cherokee if you want more and get into the main part of the park and over to Gatlinburg should you so desire.

Road to nowhere is always fun to visit, kids always laugh at the graffiti and like the creepy tunnel while the hikes around are beautiful.