Mountain views, cabins, scenic drives, hiking and plenty to do when you're ready to come back down the mountain.
Gatlinburg is one of those destinations that can be a completely different vacation depending on how you plan it. You can spend most of your time hiking and exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stay in a cabin and barely leave the mountain, or stay close to downtown and fill your days with attractions, restaurants and entertainment.
Then there is Pigeon Forge right down the road, with even more attractions, shows, restaurants and Dollywood. Put everything together and there is easily enough here for a long weekend, a full family vacation or a couples getaway.
The trick is not trying to do everything. Pick the parts of the Smokies that sound good to you and leave yourself some time to actually enjoy being in the mountains.
You could make a list of 50 things to do around Gatlinburg pretty quickly. I wouldn't. For a first trip, these are the places I would start looking at.
This is the reason I would leave room in the schedule. Scenic drives, overlooks, waterfalls, trails, wildlife and mountain views can easily take up a full day or more.
An 11-mile scenic loop through a mountain valley with historic buildings, hiking access and opportunities to see wildlife. Don't treat it like a quick drive. Give it time.
A scenic drive close to Gatlinburg with forest, streams, historic buildings and access to hiking trails. It is a good way to see another side of the park without making the whole day about a long hike.
Formerly known as Clingmans Dome, this is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The observation tower has huge views, but the half-mile paved walk from the parking area is steep.
A mountaintop attraction above Gatlinburg with mountain views, walking areas, food and activities. This is a good choice when you want the scenery without making the entire day about hiking.
Walk the Parkway, stop in the shops, find something to eat and check out the attractions. It is touristy, and that is part of Gatlinburg. You don't have to choose between the mountains and the tourist stuff. Do some of both.
Even if you're staying in Gatlinburg for the restaurants, attractions or a cabin weekend, I would still make time for the national park. You don't have to be a serious hiker to enjoy it.
Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove and Roaring Fork are different ways to experience the mountains. Check current road conditions before heading out because weather and seasonal closures can change plans.
There are everything from shorter walks to much more serious hikes. Don't pick a trail because somebody on social media said it was a must-do. Pick one that fits your group, the weather and the amount of time you actually have.
Some of the best parts of a Smoky Mountains day are the overlooks, streams and places you weren't planning to stop. Leave some room in the schedule instead of racing from one attraction to the next.
One thing people miss: Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but a parking tag is required when you park for more than 15 minutes. Park roads and facilities can also close because of weather or seasonal conditions, so check current National Park Service information before heading into the park.
They are close enough that you can enjoy both, but they don't feel the same. Where you stay can change the whole trip.
You want to be closer to the national park, like the idea of walking around downtown, and want restaurants, shops and attractions close together.
A downtown stay can also make it easier to leave the car parked for part of the day. Gatlinburg has a free trolley system serving stops around town.
Your trip is more about Dollywood, shows, go-karts, family attractions, restaurants and having a huge selection of things to do along the Parkway.
Pigeon Forge tends to feel more spread out and attraction-heavy. For families who want something going on all day, that can be exactly what they're looking for.
I wouldn't start by looking for the nicest place to stay. I would start by deciding what kind of trip you want.
Best when the cabin itself is part of the vacation. Great for families, several couples traveling together or anyone who wants a kitchen, more room and mountain time. Pay attention to the drive, road access and how far you really are from Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Best when you want to walk to restaurants, shops and attractions and don't want every outing to start by getting in the car. You give up some of the secluded cabin feeling, but the convenience can be worth it.
A nice middle ground for travelers who want more room and some of the conveniences of a vacation rental without necessarily needing a large cabin.
Worth considering when Dollywood and the Pigeon Forge attractions are a bigger part of your plans than walking downtown Gatlinburg or being right at the national park entrance.
There are restaurants everywhere around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Rather than give you a giant list, here are a few different kinds of places worth looking at.
A Gatlinburg breakfast institution in the heart of downtown. If pancakes and a big vacation breakfast sound like a good start to the day, put this one on the list.
A casual barbecue option in Gatlinburg for ribs, pulled pork, brisket and the kind of meal that makes sense after a day in the mountains.
One to look at when you want a nicer dinner. Steaks, cocktails and a different atmosphere from the busy Parkway restaurants.
That's one of the things I like about Gatlinburg as a vacation option. The same destination can work for completely different trips.
Mix the national park with some pure vacation fun. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Anakeesta, mountain coasters, mini golf, go-karts and the attractions in Pigeon Forge give you plenty of options when the kids have had enough scenic overlooks.
For a longer family trip, Dollywood can easily become its own full day.
A cabin with a view, a scenic drive, an easy hike, dinner in Gatlinburg and an evening with nowhere you have to be can make a really good long weekend.
You can make this trip as busy or as quiet as you want. I think that's one of the biggest reasons the area works for so many different people.
You're not going to see everything, so don't try. Here's the kind of schedule I would start with for a first short trip.
Get settled, walk around downtown Gatlinburg, grab dinner and don't worry about checking five attractions off a list on your first night.
Start early and make Great Smoky Mountains National Park the priority. Choose a scenic drive, a hike or a combination of the two. Cades Cove can take several hours by itself, so if that's your choice, let it be the main event instead of squeezing it between other plans.
Pick something completely different. Anakeesta, Ripley's Aquarium, Pigeon Forge, a mountain coaster or just breakfast and more time exploring Gatlinburg before heading home.
Popular park areas get busy. An early start can make a big difference, especially during fall and other high-traffic times.
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the popular national park roads can get congested. A place that looks close on a map may take longer than expected.
Mountain weather can be very different from what you left at your cabin or hotel. Check conditions before heading into higher elevations.
The trolley is free and can be useful when you don't want to keep moving the car around downtown Gatlinburg.
Seeing a bear would be a great part of the trip. Getting close to one would not be. Keep your distance and follow National Park Service wildlife rules.
There is too much here to do everything in one trip. I'd rather have a great three-day weekend than spend three days racing through a checklist.
I would decide on the place to stay first because that changes everything else. A cabin vacation in the mountains is different from staying downtown and walking to restaurants and attractions.
After that, I would choose the two or three things that matter most, build around those and leave some open time. The Smoky Mountains aren't a place where I would want every hour of every day scheduled.
If Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains sound like your kind of trip, tell me what you're thinking. I can help you sort through where to stay and how the pieces of the vacation fit together.
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