Explore Gatlinburg, TN
THE CLIENT
Gatlinburg Tennessee is as an entry point to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Explore Gatlinburg serves as the destination marketing organization for the city, supporting residents, local businesses, and partners while welcoming millions of visitors each year. With a focus on hospitality, economic vitality, and the preservation of Appalachian heritage, Gatlinburg promotes outdoor recreation, family-friendly experiences, and a vibrant, walkable mountain destination.
DELIVERABLES
-
A responsive website for mobile & desktop (wireframes, homepage and interior page templates, collection library)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In collaboration with the Simpleview team (a tourism software provider), we reimagined Gatlinburg’s destination website with a strong emphasis on usability and visual storytelling. As the destination’s primary digital gateway, the website was designed to feel fresh, welcoming, and easy to navigate while appealing to a higher-value visitor seeking meaningful Smoky Mountain experiences.
The homepage opens with an immersive, video-driven hero that highlights Gatlinburg’s scenery and year-round offerings. Exposed navigation and clear content hierarchy improve discoverability and support key engagement goals, including trip planning, bookings, events, and partner exploration.
The visual design blends a vintage, rustic, and retro personality with modern UX best practices. Layered textures, custom iconography, intentional color use, and photo-rich layouts create warmth and a strong sense of place. Responsive and accessible design ensures a seamless experience across devices.
The result is a visually rich, functional platform that reflects Gatlinburg’s character, supports local partners, and encourages stronger visitor engagement.
