When choosing a home base for exploring the Smoky Mountains, visitors flock to Gatlinburg. Between the unusual attractions and Appalachian cuisine, the former logging town bursts with happy people thrilled to be on vacation. Within minutes are Sevierville, the birthplace of Dolly Parton, and Pigeon Forge, where the country music star built her entertainment complex. But Gatlinburg’s proximity to the mountains makes it Tennessee’s top destination for outdoor adventure.
This story is part of our Blue Ridge Mountain Getaways cover story. We’ve created itineraries for the best places to eat, shop, stay, and play at each stop along the 450-mile-plus expanse of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Getting there: From the terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee, North Carolina, take Newfound Gap Road for 33 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What to Do
Gatlinburg is nestled in the Little Pigeon River Valley and surrounded by massive mountains. The picturesque arts-and-crafts architecture was constructed from stone and timber with a “lodgy” feel inspired by the town’s Appalachian roots.
When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934, Gatlinburg was the closest village to the Sugarlands entrance, transforming it into a busy resort town. Visitors come for the fresh mountain air and assortment of lodging options. Artists and craft beverage makers have an enthusiastic audience here, and the locals embody a deep-rooted ethos of Southern hospitality.
There’s a lot to do, so consult the experts at Gatlinburg Welcome Center. Their tip: Park your car and ride the free Gatlinburg Trolley to tour downtown. Depending on your interests, they may recommend Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, shopping at The Village, or the pet- and bike-friendly Gatlinburg Trail.
Gatlinburg is all about stunning scenery mixed with high-energy thrills. Ride to the top of Ober Mountain on the Gatlinburg Tramway, the highest cable lift in Tennessee, where you can zipline over the treetops on The Cloud Catcher. Or if there’s snow, go snowboarding, skiing, and tubing.
Get your steps in at Gatlinburg SkyPark, home of the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. Take SkyLift to the top or hike the Towhee Trail, then climb Tulip Tower’s observation decks for different perspectives of the undulating Smokies.
After a busy day, it’s time to sample local beverages. The Gatlinburg Wine Trail features five makers of homemade wine, mead, and cider. Stop into Smokin’ Banjo or Old Mountain Wine Company to taste Tennessee-centric flavors like blackberry and apple.
With so much to do, it’s easy to see why Gatlinburg reigns as Tennessee’s most popular vacation town.
Where to Stay
There are accommodations in and around Gatlinburg for every price point and interest. Family-friendly Greystone Lodge on the River is close to downtown but feels like a peaceful retreat. The adults-only Historic Rocky Waters Inn offers luxurious rooms overlooking Little Pigeon River. Outside of Gatlinburg are three Dollywood resorts, along with cozy cabins at Hidden Mountain Resort and elegant condo-style rooms at River Stone Resort & Spa.
Where to Dine
Gatlinburg is called the “Pancake Capital of the South” thanks to the town’s abundance of breakfast restaurants. Try Crockett’s Breakfast Camp for a traditional country brunch or Log Cabin Pancake House for buttermilk, cornmeal, buckwheat, and whole wheat hotcakes. The Greenbrier Restaurant is beloved for its dry-aged beef and romantic mountain setting. Sevierville’s notable eateries include The Appalachian, serving modern takes on country classics. The Apple Barn & Cider Mill bakes divine apple fritters, and Five Oaks Farm Kitchen features regional comfort foods.
Day Trips from Gatlinburg
Anakeesta
Anakeesta is like a city on the hill with enough activities to stay busy all day. Begin your journey riding the Chondola or Ridge Rambler 600 feet above Gatlinburg, where you’ll discover this sprawling park with breathtaking vistas of the Smoky Mountains. In the heart of the park is Anavista Tower, and the longest tree-based hanging bridge in North America, TreeTop SkyWalk. The TreeVenture challenge ropes course is geared to families, while the two mountain coasters and Dueling Ziplines are designed for adrenaline junkies. Wind down your visit touring Vista Gardens Arboretum or try one of Anakeesta’s dining options, like The Cliff Top Restaurant or Tap House before Astra Lumina, an immersive year-round light show, begins.
Dollywood Parks and Resorts
This year, Dollywood celebrates 40 years of entertainment and hospitality developed by country music icon Dolly Parton, who founded her theme park to support residents in her birthplace, the Smoky Mountains. She designed two hotels: DreamMore Resort & Spa with a homey, welcoming atmosphere, and HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which immerses guests in Smokies-inspired décor and mountain views. For groups and families, there’s Bear Cove Cabins, luxury chalets that are perched on a mountainside. The Dollywood theme park features rides, artisan demonstrations, live performances, and seasonal events such as the fall Harvest Festival and Flower & Food Festival in spring. A highlight is The Dolly Parton Experience portraying Parton’s life through interactive exhibits that showcase her career and philanthropy.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There are multiple entrances into America’s most-visited National Park, but all require a parking tag available at a visitor center. The entrance closest to Gatlinburg is Sugarlands, which is often the busiest section but offers pedestrian trails for every skill level. Beginners can follow the 2.6-mile Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls. For advanced hikers, 4.6-mile Alum Cave Trail passes Arch Rock and Inspiration Point, culminating at the 80-foot-high Alum Cave Bluff. The misty hike to Rainbow Falls is another strenuous walk with an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet. You won’t have to break a sweat on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The drive through old growth forests, fast-moving streams, and historic log cabins leads to some incredible views. A parking tag is $5 daily and $15 weekly.
Feature image, Kevin Ruck/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
