GATLINBURG, Tenn. -- One of East Tennessee's gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains was named among the 31 most beautiful towns in America by Condé Nast Traveler.

Gatlinburg made it on the travel magazine's list of idyllic destinations in America, and was the only Tennessee destination to make the list.

Part quaint and part quirky, Gatlinburg stands out for its "Swiss Alps" style buildings amid the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. And while Gatlinburg may not boast a large population with less than 4,000 residents, you wouldn't know it based on how lively the city remains throughout the year as one of the Southeast's most popular tourist destinations.

Condé Nast Traveler said the city's natural setting and its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park made it an easy pick.

"And did we mention that Dollywood is just a 20-minute drive away? That's reason enough to plan a weeklong visit," Condé Nast Traveler said.