The hottest vacation spot in Tennessee is jammed packed full of activities for the whole family. No matter if you’re looking for a tranquil time with nature, or packing as many activities as you can into one vacation, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to be for all types of travelers.
Being one of the most popular places to visit also comes with some drawbacks, including the crowds it attracts. Summer months and of course fall are the busiest times, but if you come on weekdays while schools are in session you can beat the crowds and have a great time. If you find yourself there during the busy season, I recommend taking the trolley to get around. It runs from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge with multiple stops so you won’t have to drive and try to find parking. This is especially great for Gatlinburg which is very compact with limited paid parking.
Whether you rent a cabin in the mountains or stay in a hotel in the valley, you’re guaranteed great mountain views. Beware of wildlife however; bears are comfortable with coming into town and roaming around so brush up on bear safety tips before heading out. I’ve made a list of some favorite activities in both the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas so you can make the most of your time here.
Gatlinburg
Clingman’s Dome
Take a half mile walk up to the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains. With breathtaking 360 degree views, you can see over 100 miles on a clear day. This is a seasonal attraction due to harsh weather conditions and it closes in the winter months. There are multiple pull offs on your drive up to Clingman’s Dome with lots of incredible views.
Cades Cove
An 11-mile, one way loop that circles through the valley of the Great Smoky Mountains is steaming with wildlife and one of the main wildlife viewing attractions in the area. You will see white tail deer, turkey, and bear along with other animal species native to the area. In the spring, there’s a good chance to see a mother bear and her cubs emerging from their long winter nap looking for the season’s first berries. Just make sure to keep your distance and respect their space; you don’t want to mess with a mama bear and her cubs.
This land was a hunting ground for Cherokee Indians, and European settlers started settling the area in the early 1800s with some of those structures still standing for you to tour. So please be respectful of the native history here. There’s also hiking and camping opportunities available in Cades Cove. Certain days of the year the road is vehicle-free to make way for cyclists and those that wish to walk through the area without vehicle interruptions.
Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg might as well be called “Over” Gatlinburg since it is literally overlooking the city. You’ll find great views along with numerous activities here, especially if you take the scenic tram ride to the top. They have everything from shopping around an indoor ice rink, to sliding down a hill. If you don’t want to take the long drive over the Blue Ridge Mountains to get a “mountain view”, this is a short drive or tram ride for some great views and photo ops.
Unique Shopping in Gatlinburg
Local artists display their talents in the shops around the arts and crafts district of downtown Gatlinburg. Take a short walk or drive through the area and find some unique items to take home. These hand crafted one of a kind pieces make the perfect keepsake or gift to remember your trip by.
Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There’s an abundance of hiking opportunities in the Smoky Mountains, which butts right up to Gatlinburg. With a short drive or walk you can find many trails readily available. I encourage you to venture farther into the mountains for more vista views and various types of trails. If you’re not much of a hiker but still want the views, no problem, simply drive up the mountain and enjoy the many pull off views. Stop at the Tennessee/North Carolina state lines to get an incredible view of those Smoky Mountains.
No matter where you plan on hiking it’s always a good idea to stop in at the visitors center to get the latest trail news. You wouldn’t want to head out to a trail only to find that it’s closed. Remember to leave no trace and give wildlife their space.
Eats + Treats in Gatlinburg
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
Have a fantastic southern meal served up in good ole fashioned cast iron skillets. Get some fluffy pancakes, or a biscuit the size of a cat’s head. The whole menu boasts delicious treats that the entire family will enjoy. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is very popular but well worth the wait, anticipate wait times and join their waitlist before you arrive.
Log Cabin Pancake House
This cute cabin style restaurant is a great quick stop to fuel up before heading out on the trails. With it being a pancake house you must try their yummy buttermilk pancakes. They do not accept reservations but don’t let a line stop you from joining in. The service is fast and fresh so you won’t be waiting outside or inside for long. If you’re staying in downtown Gatlinburg you could even walk or take the trolley to the Log Cabin Pancake House.
Pigeon Forge
Dollywood Theme Park
Dolly Parton’s amusement park is top notch with its country theme and various rides – it’s guaranteed to be a hoot for all ages. The Eagle roller coaster is a favorite! The water rides are the best in the heat of those sweltering summer months. If you’re tired of riding rides, take a seat at one of the many shows, and enjoy some Smoky Mountain entertainment. Take a train ride through the park to rest your feet before jumping on more roller coasters.
Dolly herself visits Dollywood for opening day in the Spring to welcome her guests with southern hospitality and there are special events including a parade and other entertainment from special guests. Throughout the year, Dollywood transforms according to the season. Enjoy the flowers and sculptures in Spring, Halloween takes on a spooky chill, and feel the magic at Christmas as Dollywood lights up at night with Christmas lights all around. No matter when you visit, you’re guaranteed a good time!
To plan your visit read my Guide to Dollywood post in the travel tips section. That post will give you all the information you need to plan an amazing day at Dollywood.
Titanic Museum
Get your ticket to go aboard the Titanic. As you enter the museum you will receive a ticket that tells you about one of the passengers on the titanic. Throughout the museum look for stories about your passenger. The relics from the Titanic carry the stories of their owners, and leaves you with a new appreciation for their tragic ending. If you have any interest at all in the history of the Titanic this is a great place to enhance your knowledge.
Christmas Place
It’s Christmas everyday here with every room decorated to the max with all sorts of Christmas decor that you never knew you needed. Check out the custom ornament room where you can choose an ornament to mark a special occasion in your life. No matter how warm it is outside it always feels magically like Christmas is coming soon. Get inspired by new ideas on ways to decorate your tree or trees in my case. The Christmas Place is a wonderful stop for any Christmas lover.
Dolly’s Stampede
Dolly’s Stampede is a fun show for all ages. Horse riders show their skills and the skills of their horses as they ride through the arena. This dinner show is a true cowboy experience; you don’t get any utensils because the food is eaten with your hands just like a cowboy! No worries, everything is made to be easily eaten using the forks you were born with.
The Island
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a great place to walk around some unique shops, sit by the musical water fountain, or enjoy a ride or two. Here you’ll find an old country store with unique items from the past, the large water fountain that dances along to music as you rock in one of many rocking chairs, or ride on a few rides.
Shopping Outlets
If you like to shop there’s plenty of opportunities in the Tanger Outlet mall where top brands such as Nike, Columbia, NorthFace,and Levi have locations for you to explore. Shop the deals at each location and don’t worry about parking because the stores are all connected to make it easy to hop from one to another. You could spend hours browsing through each store, grabbing a bite of fudge, or a pretzel to get you through and finally stepping into one of the many restaurants along the way without ever getting in your car.
Go Karts and Mini Golf
There are tons of options for family fun in Pigeon Forge. Drive down the main drag and take your pick of any one of the mini golf or go cart tracks. You can play mini golf is any theme that interests you. Get the toy view at Toy Box Mini Golf. Go on a magical quest at MagiQuest with a black light mini golf course, play in the arcade, and even become a Master Magi by solving puzzles on an adventure. There are tons of go kart tracks to choose from, each offering other experiences as well. Take a look at the list of go kart options in Pigeon Forge from the tourism department.
Eats + Treats in Pigeon Forge
Mama’s Farmhouse
I’m always searching for the best southern buttermilk biscuits and I’m so excited that I finally found them. Mama’s Farmhouse is the epitome of southern hospitality and home cooking. This charming homestead family style restaurant invites you in with a warm fireplace and family pictures adorning the walls.
Make sure you come hungry enough to try every breakfast item you can think of. You will get a sampling of all their breakfast items in a family style meal where everything is served and you get as much as you want. No matter what you fancy you must have one of the mouth watering buttermilk biscuits they are famous for them.
The Old Mill Restaurant
The Old Mill is where you’ll find some fabulous southern cooking with great views of the river. Step into the country life as you eat delectable corn fritters, corn chowder, fried chicken, chicken n’ dumplings, or anything else on their vast menu. If you’re looking for some tried and true southern cooking, this is where you want to be.
Local Goat
This local favorite is great for those looking for a menu with variety. There’s no wrong choice but I highly recommend a burger. They have several burger options to choose from such as an Elvis burger with peanut butter, bacon, and bananas, a bison burger, or a pimento cheese and bacon burger. Local Goat is popular, so I definitely advise making a reservation so you can avoid any wait time.
Huck Finn’s Catfish
If you enjoy southern food you should try the catfish at this fishing themed restaurant. Enjoy cole slaw, pinto beans, and hushpuppies for the table as you wait for a huge plate of yummy southern home cooking. You won’t get bored at Huck Finn’s there are so many things to look at and lots of food to shovel in your mouth.
Apple Barn
The Apple Barn is a must stop every time we go to Pigeon Forge! I love everything about it from the apple pies, apple cider, apple dumplings, apple donuts – if it contains an apple you’ll find it here and wow it’s good! Enjoy the restaurant or candy store on the property. You can even get some of the ingredients to make these delectable treats yourself.
End of the Road
There are so many things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge that you could spend a month there and never get bored. As a creature of habit, I have my favorite stops whenever I take a trip to these beautiful locations. I love having a snack at the Apple Barn, there’s nothing like a fried apple pie, apple cinnamon donut, or an apple dumpling topped with vanilla ice cream. The Christmas store is always fun since I have multiple trees during the Christmas season; I like to see if there are fun ornaments to go with my collection. No matter what you enjoy doing on vacation, there is definitely something in the Great Smoky Mountain area for you.
I can’t wait to go back and add to my list of favorites so subscribe to stay up to date with my latest recommendations.
