Escape to the Smokies: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville

Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg is the entryway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 522,419-acre park known for diverse wildlife (turkeys, raccoons, white-tailed deer, black bear, elk, and more), excellent hiking, and incredible mountain views.

See:

Ride the chondola (576 Parkway) (a mix of open-air chairlifts and closed gondolas) from Anakeesta to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain to look out over the smokies and check out Firefly Village.

People of all ages love visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (88 River Drive) to learn about incredible underwater creatures like sharks and penguins! You can even board a glass-bottom boat and glide over the shark tank to get up close and personal with 12-foot-long sharks!

Do:

Walk the nearly 700-foot Gatlinburg SkyBridge (765 Parkway), aka the Glass Bridge – the longest pedestrian cable bridge in the country! Meander the 30-foot-wide bridge at your own pace, marveling at Gatlinburg 500 feet below.

Ride the Gatlinburg Trolley (which starts its route at the Mass Transit Center at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies at 88 River Drive) to get into the heart of the city! The four routes will bring you anywhere you need to go and are an excellent alternative to navigating the streets and finding parking!

Eat/Drink:

Don’t leave Tennessee without stopping at Delauder’s BBQ (1875 East Parkway). The self-proclaimed “family-run dive” serves American eats like ribs, pulled pork, green beans, and mac and cheese!

Visit Sugarlands Distilling Company (805 Parkway) for a behind-the-scenes tour of the stillhouse, where they create moonshine, whiskey, and rum with local ingredients! The mason jar containers are unique, and flavors like Cole Swindell’s Pre-Show Punch make perfect souvenirs.

Stay:

Call this cute cabin home during your last minute stay in Gatlinburg. Enjoy evening soaks in the hot tub and take your coffee on the covered porch with rockers and a swing. Then spend the mornings reveling in the mountain breeze. Or book a spontaneous stay at Destiny’s Heavenly View, a spacious log home with epic vistas from two spacious decks and a game room with a pool table and multi-game arcade.

A serene scene at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge is a family vacation destination with entertainment for everyone, from a trampoline park and amusement park rides to mini golf. There are around 7,000 residents here, but the town grows significantly thanks to tourists visiting the incredible natural wonders and entertainment options.

See:

Dollywood (2700 Dollywood Parks Boulevard) is a theme park owned by country music icon Dolly Parton. Here, you can cool off on waterslides in Dollywood’s Splash country or watch a live show like the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. Dollywood is open from late March through early December.

Do:

Pigeon Forge is partially named after an iron forge used to shape metal in the 1800s. Get a hands-on experience creating your own knife at Circle Bar T Forge and BladeWorks (264 Old Mill Avenue). You can forge a knife out of a horseshoe, nail, or pony shoe and pound your name into it as the perfect trip memento! (Note: You can visit the Old Mill and even buy grains ground in it at Old Mill General Store.)

Eat/Drink:

Head to Blue Moose Burgers and Wings (2430 Teaster Lane), a family sports bar and grill loved by locals for its excellent service and tasty food. Order a burger and wing platter for the table with a side of Buc’s Poker Chips (fried, breaded dill pickles). You can’t beat Jassca’s Peanut Butter Fudge Pie, a vanilla bean ice cream and peanut butter pie with oreo crust, PB cups, fudge, and chocolate caramel sauce for dessert!

Stay:

Reserve a few nights at Lazy Bear’s Den. This well-appointed vacation rental condo is near town but secluded enough by the charming wooded property. This home offers access to the resort’s indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and grilling areas! Or book a stay at this elegant log home, which can comfortably accommodate up to 14 guests. This mountain dwelling’s many amenities will keep the whole gang amused without ever leaving the cabin!

Sunset views from above Pigeon Forge

Sevierville, TN

This lesser-known East Tennessee town is the perfect place to stay and play. Visit Dollywood or explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The city is named after John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee, and is known for being the birthplace of Dolly Parton.

See:

Visit Forbidden Caverns (455 Blowing Cave Road), an incredible cavern, just one of the state’s 8,350 caves! Open April through November, this underground formation includes beautiful sparkling rocks, a clear stream, and stalactites and stalagmites. Plus, it’s 58 degrees Fahrenheit year-round! Experienced guides share the cave history and point out interesting features, as well as answer questions from curious onlookers!

Do:

See the world from a new perspective with Legacy Mountain Ziplines (800 Legacy Vista Drive). Strap on a harness and helmet before flying through the trees on the 7-line zipline adventure! You’ll zoom up to 50 miles per hour as you soar 500 feet above the ground across the 4.5-mile course!

Eat/Drink:

Stop by Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin (1016 Parkway) when you’re ready for a hearty breakfast. Order a feast like the Smothered Chicken – eggs, fried chicken with gravy, hash browns, pancakes, and a biscuit.

Get a taste of the region at Hillside Winery (229 Collier Drive). This vineyard makes celebratory wines in East Tennessee. Enjoy a free tour and tasting to try their well-loved varieties like Black and Blue and Pink Muscato. Hillside Winery is the start of Rocky Top Wine Trail, which stops nearby at three wineries and a cider house!

Stay:

During your stay in Sevierville, call this luxurious log basecamp home for a few nights and enjoy expansive mountain living. Its vast stone fireplace, large farmhouse table, and spacious outdoor entertainment areas will entice you to return every year. Or escape to “Our Mountain Getaway, a tastefully decorated country cabin home where time seems to move more slowly.

Step back in time in Sevierville.

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