While we were in town, all the power went out for hours and this meant you couldnt pay for anything with a credit card or app. Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. Private and charter planes can land at the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport near Sevierville, about 14 miles or so north of Gatlinburg. We went on a big trip around the South (for five weeks), so I read a lot of Southern USA travel guides to help me decide what we should see. There are also cabin rentals, which will give you some privacy if thats what youre looking for! You need some energy to get the day rolling, but you dont want a heavy breakfast slowing you down. In addition to the National Park, Gatlinburgs largest attractions includeRipleys Aquarium of the Smokies; the phenomenal 1.3 million gallon saltwater aquarium was recently voted #1 Aquarium in the U.S. by customers of TripAdvisor. You can basically accomplish it in five days not counting travel time. * When I look at vacations, I ask myself: How many days do we need to do this right? Maybe we should rethink that money versus time equation, afterall? If you are staying near downtown, you can reach most of the towns attractions by foot. The city of. An honest review. People from all across the countryand, indeed, the worldtravel here to the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to soak up the scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and huge array of in-town entertainment, dining, and shopping. Home SMOKY MOUNTAINS How To Get To Gatlinburg, TN. 2023 Visit My Smokies, The ONLY site you need to plan your Smoky Mountain vacation, is a website owned and operated by Sevier County, Tennessee. You cant beat cooking meals with family and friends or sitting on the balcony with a cup of coffee overlooking the Smoky Mountain views. Winter in Gatlinburg is focused around two things: holidays and winter sports at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. October, on the hand, heralds a return to the peak pricing of summer, as locals and out-of-state visitors flock to see the foliage at its peak. At the corner of East Parkway and Glades Road, youll findGreat Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. Smoky Mountain Fan Fest will host dozens of high-profile celebrities, hundreds of vendors and t Dont miss your chance to plan the perfect vacation in Gatlinburg and enjoy everything this mountain town has to offer. 13 Essential Gatlinburg Travel Tips: Everything You Need for Planning a Pin this Guide to Planning a Trip to Gatlinburg for Your Trip! The city of Gatlinburg is easily walkable and the inexpensive trolley that operates 365 days a year offers service to nearby attractions. Ten days is optimal if youre doing multiple countries. They're beautiful, amusing and full of wonders. Answer (1 of 21): The little hills that surround Nashville make you feel like your living in a bowl, and simply dont have the appeal or splendor of the East Tennessee mountains. Stroll the river walk along River Road as it echoes the wistful sounds of the Little Pigeon River, with gazebos and benches along the walkway. Keep in mind: that elevation is also responsible for rapid changes in the weather pattern, meaning you should pack layers no matter when you visit. $364 - $593. Make sure to enjoy some of the towns great eateries (like the Alamo Steakhouse), along with shopping in some of the city of Gatlinburgs more eclectic stores. If you choose Anakeesta, remember to check Tripster for discounts on admission. You can pick up aSightseeing Flex Passwhich will allow you to choose your own mountain adventures like visiting Ripleys Aquarium, the Aquarium of the Smokies, Anakeesta Theme Park, walking above Gatlinburg on the Ober Gatlinburg, and many more local attractions and amusement parks. Box 527 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 436-4178 info@gatlinburg.com I get asked this question a lot. 1. I budgeted quite a bit of money for parking for our trip, and I was still shocked at how much I spent on parking in Gatlinburg. Mini golf in the morning before it gets too hot or crowded. Between hotels, attractions, and meals, you can quickly blow your budget. 4 /10. Pigeon Forge: Helicopter Tour of Gatllinburg We didnt get to do this because we were traveling with a toddler, but this is my dream activity the next time we road trip through Tennessee. But, be careful. There are hiking trails, a crafts community, mini golf, rafting, a sky lift, and even a privatehelicopter tour. Continue reading and find out. Keep in mind that there are drives of up to an hour between the towns due to the increased traffic that tourism brings to the area. The best way to allocate vacation time is in days. Assuming the weather is nice, its a good time to try and get up in the air and see some views. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the InterContinental Boston. As a result, these brief periods of time can drive up hotel and transportation prices. Best Times to Visit Gatlinburg | U.S. News Travel Located just a few minutes away from downtown Gatlinburg, GSM Family Vacations offer a 5BR/5BA cabin rental that is close to everything yet feels a million miles away! Its not a bad night for the adults to get a drink, maybe at Ole Reds or Jimmy Buffets if you want to really lean into the tourist thing. GreatSchools rating. Gatlinburgs off-season tends to be in the spring, late fall, and late winter months. Some restaurants and attractions advertise that they have free parking (which is awesome), but they tend to be outside of the most congested part of the city center. Arguably the biggest attraction in Gatlinburg is the most natural one, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You might try this route if youre ever coming or going to Bristol, Johnson City, or Kingsport, TN or the Virginias. Amanda here. Crisp fall days in October when the foliage reaches its flaming peak draw huge crowds, and visitors can expect traffic delays, especially on holiday weekends. But you want a getaway in Gatlinburg proper and you want to be able to say you did the darn thing right? Music from Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales will fill the Gatlinburg streets. Gatlinburg Vacation Planning | Resources & Visitors Guide Some people believe that money is the most important resource while planning a family vacation. For the purposes of this exercise, day three is a full day. Proudly selling The beauty of planning a Gatlinburg vacation is the wealth of accommodation choices at your fingertips. Ways to tour Gatlinburg Book these experiences for a close-up look at Gatlinburg. Foxfire Mountain: Hiking & Swinging Bridge Family Adventure If youre looking to explore the outdoors, this tour will cross the Swinging Bridge to Prosperity, a 335-foot bridge to Prosperity Mountain! Family vacation idea: How to plan a trip to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. During the cold winter months, you need to pack sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets. To help guide your decision, check out these things to do in Gatlinburg and the greater Smoky Mountains. Instead of scouring the Internet for Gatlinburg discounts (most of which can be pretty shady) check out the assortment of deals from Tripster. If you can go Sunday to Thursday that would help a lot. Download Gatlinburg Travel Guide | Free Visitors Guide On top of planning your Gatlinburg vacation around seasonal trends and rates, search for rental car deals, too. So when planning a vacation, its important to budget your money, but its also important to budget your time. Then, follow Highway 321 South into Gatlinburg. The 4 Best Neighborhoods in Nashville + Hotel Guide for Where to Stay in Nashville, TN. 793 Chestnut Dr is in the 37738 neighborhood in Gatlinburg, TN. Carriers serving Asheville Regional Airport include: Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines, and United. These would be the main regional airports youd likely be considering flying into for a Gatlinburg visit. This will allow for maximum sight-seeing potential along the drive! You can use the Gatlinburg Trolley to save money and park on the outskirts of town. Expect afternoon high climbing to the 90s in July and August. The best way to experience Gatlinburg is to have your own car or ATV to get around especially if you plan to tour the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If your feet get tired, take the inexpensive trolley to explore locally. Gatlinburg is home to a variety of places to stay that can accommodate any type of vacationers, from couples, to families, to large groups. With summer comes the chance to ride the mountain coaster or take a trip down the alpine slide. Gatlinburg, Tennessee festivals and events are always a good time, so were always looking for a reason to celebrate. Here are my best tips for planning a trip to Gatlinburg! We recommend at least three (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com). Once youre here, youll also be hard-pressed to find a town thats easier to park and get around in, and since most of the attractions, restaurants and much of the shopping downtown are within walking distance, youll be able to explore at your own pace. Your email address will not be published. The closest airport to Gatlinburg and is located in Alcoa, TN. Since the Smoky Mountains experience all four seasons, youll be able to plan a trip around the season you like best. These luxurious cabins are also super affordable, especially if you divide up the cost between multiple people or families. Explore the Cool Caves of the Great Smoky Mountains. If you're looking for cheap family things to do in Gatlinburg, TN, you've come to the right place. Finally, Gatlinburg lights up each winter with Winterfest and other holiday festivals, events, parades, and fun. With the number of visitors increasing drastically year after year, planning a Gatlinburg vacation is becoming a bit complicatedbut it doesnt have to be! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. -For those driving to Gatlinburg from Lexington, Kentucky, take I-75 South and follow Highway 321 to I-40 East to Exit 435. This small mountain town is a destination in its own right, and one that's particularly popular with families thanks to kid-friendly diversions like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. Theres no need to pay full price for a rental car with all the discounts available! 73 East Parkway which will take you west into downtown Gatlinburg. Here are all of my Tennessee travel resources! Some of the major airports that are within a couple of hours drive from Gatlinburg are the following; These are a few of your options from the airport to Gatlinburg, but we recommend renting a car. Personally, I think the best Gatlinburg accommodations are the cabins tucked away on the mountainside. Have lunch somewhere downtown and then over to Ripleys Aquarium. Stull Cemetery: How to Visit the Gates of Hell in Stull, Kansas, How to Enjoy the Perfect Day Trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Get a Travel Insurance Quote for Your Trip, Gatlinburg Travel Tips: Things to Know Before Visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee. That night? The area is seeing a lot more crowds but still to early to know how next year will be. March 29, 2023 Planning a trip to Gatlinburg TN? If you plan to spend a lot of time at downtown Gatlinburg attractions such as Ripleys Aquarium and the national park, a hotel in this area is perfect for your trip. With miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as historical exhibits and cabins, and the opportunity to view black bears, elk, deer and other wildlife in their natural habitat, it's easy to see why the park is such a hot spot. Traveling south on Interstate 81, take Interstate 40 east to Asheville when it splits. There is a private airfield offering flights into Gatlinburgs near vicinity. From the East: Consider I-40 West to Foothills Parkway Exit 443, turn onto U.S. 321 and continue until you reach Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. Things To Do In Gatlinburg + Attractions - PigeonForge.com Start the day with a breakfast cookout in the mountains at the Chimney Rock Picnic grounds. The capital of Appalachian Disneyland, youll find a bit of mountain magic here for everyone! Explore festivities ideal for maximizing the sweater weather season. My current favorite is thePacsafe Citysafe,which is especially great for tourist destinations because it has many anti-theft features designed to deter pickpockets plus RFID technology to keep your credit card digits safe. There is a small airport in Gatlinburg (the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport), but this is really for rich people on private planes. Inside Gatlinburg TN Gatlinburg Coupons, Gatlinburg Lodging, Vacation Guides. Meanwhile, Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort draws aficionados during the winter months. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Then theres Tri-Cities Airport, located in northeastern Tennessee in Blountville, about 100 miles from Gatlinburg. Make sure to have cash available since storms can knock out the power.