Vacation Guide to Gatlinburg TN

If you’re thinking of vacationing in Gatlinburg, we don’t blame you; you’ve made a great choice for your holiday destination! This gorgeous little Appalachian town boasts a long list of exciting attractions, as well as a number of great resorts and an excellent variety of hearty restaurants and bars. It really is the perfect vacation destination! 

Now, no matter how exceptional your destination, planning a vacation can be a trying ordeal. With that fact in mind, we’ve put together this handy vacation guide to the city of Gatlinburg. We’ll be covering everything from where to stay to what to see, and everything in between. Let’s get into it! 

Where to stay in Gatlinburg 

When it comes to accommodations, the city of Gatlinburg has all the offerings you’d expect from a much larger city. From small hotels to large, luxurious resorts and individual cabin rentals there’s something to satisfy every taste and partiality. Whatever your price range or preference, you’re sure to find something suitable for you! 

The most popular lodging option when it comes to finding lodging in Gatlinburg is the large selection of preeminent hotels and resorts. While these can run a bit expensive when it comes to the per-night cost, they’re undoubtedly the most luxurious way to spend your vacation in Gatlinburg. Most are themed around the rugged mountain setting, with rough-hewn log construction and tasteful interior decor. 

If you’re traveling in a larger group with friends or family, you might find that Airbnb is the best option for you. When split between a larger group, the cost of renting a large house can be comparable to single rooms in one of the resorts and hotels in Gatlinburg. With a little bit of searching, you can find these rental homes for tantalizingly low prices! 

If you want an experience that’s a bit closer to nature, why not consider renting a rustic log cabin? These are great for families, as the cozy accommodation makes for a truly memorable experience that you and your loved ones can treasure for years to come! With the help of services like Booking.com, you can find these cabins for surprisingly low prices, or you can opt to stay at one of the log cabin resorts in Gatlinburg instead. It’s up to you! 

What to do in Gatlinburg

Once you’ve worked out where you’re going to stay, you’re going to need to come up with a plan for what you’re going to see and do while you’re there! In the city of Gatlinburg, finding things to do won’t be a problem; finding the time to do everything, however, might be! With so many things to see and do, a plan will greatly help you get as much done as possible while you’re in Gatlinburg! 

The thing Gatlinburg is undoubtedly best known for is its location adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. For good reason, too; this setting offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region, with lush green forests, towering mountain peaks, bubbling rivulets, and serene trails. Those with a love of nature will surely want to set aside some time to explore this wondrous place! 

Then of course, there is downtown Gatlinburg. These charming streets are lined with warm, friendly storefronts, offering goods ranging from one-of-a-kind antiques to clothing and everything in between. If you’re in Gatlinburg, be sure to check out the downtown area!   


During the winter, Gatlinburg is home to another attraction of a different type. In stark contrast to the quiet beauty of the Smoky Mountain National Park, the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort offers pulse-pounding thrills accompanied by the rush of a pure adrenaline high. In addition to a variety of different slopes of varying difficulty, the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort also offers lodging and dining as well! 

Eating and Drinking in Gatlinburg 

Whether you’re trekking through the hills and speeding down the slopes, you’re going to work a mighty strong appetite, and maybe a thirst for something stronger as well!. Luckily, Gatlinburg has a wide variety of bars and restaurants where you can quench your thirst and sate your hunger. These establishments vary in theme and price, but they all share two attributes in common; great food and drink, and warm, friendly service! 

If you’ve got a hankerin’ for some hearty Appalachian vittles, you’re in luck; there are a lot of places to choose from when it comes to food in Gatlinburg! For some hearty all-American barbeque, you’ll find that Calhoun's Restaurant has exactly what you’re looking for. If you want something tinged with a hint of sea salt instead, try out Chesapeake's Seafood for some of the best seafood in town! 

When it comes to places where you can grab a drink, there’s no shortage of variety; from backwoods moonshine distilleries to lowkey Irish pubs your only dilemma will be choosing where to drink! If the former sounds appealing, you can head on down to the Sugarlands Distilling Company. For a taste of the latter, The Rampant Lion is the place for you! 

Conclusion

Vacation planning can be a difficult thing; however, Gatlinburg is well worth the trouble! Hopefully, with this guide, we’ve made things a bit easier for you and helped you formulate your vacation plans. With this out of the way, you can finally move on to exploring and experiencing all that Gatlinburg TN has to offer! 

But Gatlinburg is a remarkably charming city, in a splendidly beautiful setting; once it’s time to leave, you might not want to! If you want to enjoy this city 365 days a year, you can explore the housing market a bit further by contacting one of the top real estate agents in Gatlinburg TN. These experienced real estate professionals will be delighted to help you learn more about purchasing a home in Gatlinburg. Before you know it, you might just be calling the city of Gatlinburg home! 

Did you enjoy this article? Want to leave some feedback, or ask a question? Feel free to leave us a comment in the comments section below! Our readers are our number one priority, and we’d love to hear from you. We hope you enjoy the beautiful city of Gatlinburg!