Catch the tram
in downtown Gatlinburg for a 2.1-mile ride up the mountain to its peak at 11,088 feet. At the top, you’ll find shopping, dining, an amusement park, an ice skating rink and a small zoo (note that all of the Ober Gatlinburg attractions require additional fees not included in your tramway ticket).
How do I spend a day in Gatlinburg TN?
- Pancakes for Breakfast. …
- Enjoy Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. …
- Souvenir Shopping in the Arts & Crafts Community. …
- Visit Anakeesta. …
- Walk The Strip. …
- Dinner in Downtown Gatlinburg. …
- Dessert at a Candy Store. …
- Relax at Your Cabin.
What should you avoid in Gatlinburg?
- Do Not Eat Out Every Night. …
- Do Not go Taste Moonshine on an Empty Stomach. …
- Do Not Wear 5 Inch Heels. …
- Do Not Expect Your Cell Phone to Get Great Service. …
- Do Not Leave Trash Outside your Cabin.
Is there anything to do in Gatlinburg?
The Great Outdoors is Greater in Gatlinburg
Experience your own mountaintop adventure right from downtown
. Soar to the top of Anakeesta Mountain on a one-of-a-kind Chondola. Walk across the longest pedestrian Skybridge in North America. Ride the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram to a mountain of fun.
Where is the strip in Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg’s strip is the full Smoky Mountain experience condensed to within . 8 miles. It
starts where the Parkway (aka U.S. 441) intersects with Ski Mountain Road and ends at the Cherokee Orchard Road intersection
. In other words, from the Marathon Station at the top to Reagan Terrace Mall at the bottom.
What should you not miss in the Smoky Mountains?
- The Island. The Island is one of the top attractions in Pigeon Forge! …
- Dollywood. …
- Anakeesta. …
- Mountain Mile & Tower Shops. …
- Chicken Guy! …
- Double Decker Bus Tours. …
- Pigeon Forge Chairlift. …
- Ober Gatlinburg.
How do you spend 3 days in the Great Smoky Mountains?
- First up: Ramsey Cascades!
- The Best Little Hidden Gem Waterfall in the Smokies: Baskins Creek Falls.
- Hiking Up Mt. …
- Time to #Treatyourself With Some Local Brews and Dones.
- Hike Mount LeConte from Alum Cave Bluffs.
How do I spend one day in Pigeon Forge?
- Ride a roller coaster.
- Take a photo with the “Dollywood Express” on the Parkway.
- Take a free tour of The Old Mill at Old Mill Square.
- Watch a forging demonstration at Iron Mountain Metal Craft.
How can I spend a day in the Smoky Mountains?
- Wake up in Cades Cove. Sunrise at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. …
- Get Oriented. Sugarlands Visitor CenterGloria Wadzinski. …
- Take a Hike. …
- Head for the Hills. …
- Touch the Past.
What is the best month to visit Gatlinburg Tennessee?
The best time to visit Gatlinburg is
between September and October
. The two peak seasons in Gatlinburg are summer (June, July and August) and the month of October, when the fall foliage is at its zenith. July is the busiest month of the summer season, while weekends in October draw the largest crowds in the fall.
Which is better to stay Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?
Overall,
Gatlinburg is more compact than Pigeon Forge
, which creates a more pedestrian friendly area. There are some downsides to being in a smaller valley. Since there’s not much open space or alternative routes, this mountain town tends to get more crowded than Pigeon Forge.
Is Gatlinburg a tourist trap?
Tourist Traps Abound in Downtown Gatlinburg
There are lots of t-shirt and candy shops, carnival games, and “gem mines” of questionable quality. Visitors can get so caught up in the rides, games, and shops that they miss enjoying the mountains.
Is Gatlinburg TN worth visiting?
Gatlinburg is a popular tourist destination
, and it’s easy to figure out why. This town is the main point of entry to the most visited national park in the United States. Even with more than 12 million park visitors each year, the little town of Gatlinburg does everything possible to make you feel welcome.
How long does it take to get to Clingmans Dome from Gatlinburg?
From downtown Gatlinburg, the scenic 23-mile drive to Clingmans Dome will take approximately
one hour
.
What is Gatlinburg known for?
- Deep Indigenous Roots. …
- Euro-American Settlement. …
- Gatlinburg’s Controversial Namesake. …
- Gatlinburg in the Civil War. …
- Logging & the Creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. …
- The Phi Beta Phi Settlement School & the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.
Is anything open in Gatlinburg now?
What’s Open?
Everything in Gatlinburg is open with the exceptions of Christ in the Smokies and World of Illusions which are closed permanently
.
What’s the main strip in Gatlinburg?
The vacationers not spending the day exploring the national park can often be found strolling through downtown Gatlinburg.
U.S. Highway 441, also called the Parkway
, cuts through central downtown Gatlinburg. The walkable street is lined with all the attractions, shops, and food needed for a perfect vacation.
What is there to do on the strip in Gatlinburg?
- Visit the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. …
- Experience Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. …
- Go Wine Tasting at Sugarland Cellars. …
- Conquer Ripley’s Mirror Maze.
How many days do you need in the Smoky Mountains?
If you are a first time visitor to the park and want to experience the best of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we suggest
3 to 4 full days of sightseeing plus a day or two for doing some of the longer hikes, river tubing, or horseback riding
and still have time to explore Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
What is so special about Cades Cove?
Located about an hour away from downtown Gatlinburg, TN, Cades Cove is famous for its
well-preserved historic buildings, lovely mountain vistas, and unrivaled wildlife viewing
. All of the valley’s major landmarks are conveniently located along an 11-mile loop road, which makes the Cove ideal for auto touring.
How long will Cades Cove be closed?
In another recent announcement, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials said that the Cades Cove Loop Road will be fully closed for
three weeks
in September 2021 to resurface the popular roadway. This loop is used by more than 2 million visitors per year and was fully reconstructed and resurfaced in 2010.
How many days do you need in Gatlinburg?
If you’re going to Gatlinburg, plan for
at least three days
. You can do it in two, but you’ll feel a little rushed. Anything past three days and you’re going to want to reach out to Pigeon Forge and explore what’s happening over there.
How do you get around the Smoky Mountain National Park?
The best way to get around Great Smoky Mountains National Park is
by car
. The park does not offer any guided tours and there is no public transportation to the park from the major cities in the area, so plan to bring your own vehicle.
What airport is closest to Smoky Mountains?
The closest major airport to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is
McGee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Alcoa, TN
, just south of Knoxville. The airport is served by five major commercial airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier and United.
How many days should you stay in Pigeon Forge?
Instead of just spending a day or two in town, extend your stay and stick around for
three, five, or even seven days
this summer. It may be warm outside, but nothing is more refreshing than splashing down the water slides at Dolly’s waterpark and feeling the wind on your face as you fly down the alpine coaster!
How many days should you spend in Pigeon Forge?
I would say
at least 3-4 days
for sure. One day for a trip thru the Smoky Mts. NP, one day for theme parks in Pigeon Forge, and one day for Cades Cove loop road and possibly Roaring Fork area. That leaves you with a day to spend shopping, visiting other areas, etc.
Is Nashville near the Smoky Mountains?
The nearest big cities to the Smoky Mountains are Nashville, Tennessee
; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia, all of which are just two to three hours away by car.
