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Where to Stay
Gatlinburg doesn’t have any distinct neighborhoods but it can be separated into a few different areas. All have a different atmosphere and things to offer.
Ski Mountain area includes the west part of the city that runs off of Ski Mountain Rd. This is where I have stayed at for my previous vacation. This area is a residential area away from the city lights and is known to have bears sightings. The place we stayed at a Vrbo rental that had amazing views of the mountains and plenty of bear sightings.
If you are more of a city person, I would recommend Downtown Gatlinburg. By staying in downtown, you will be able to walk between the bars and restaurants. It can be touristy and you don’t get much of an escape to nature. Next time I visit I’m planning on staying at Courtyard Gatlinburg Downtown.
Another area that is in the east side is The Glades. This area is more off the beaten path and secluded. There are a lot of different arts and crafts shops that include pottery, glassblowing, and wood working places. These are mainly houses rented out through Airbnb or Vrbo.
Food and Drink
While on my vacation in Gatlinburg, I was with a big group and so mainly just ate at home. However, we did go out to breakfast at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. They are known for their thick griddlecakes and they are delicious.
Some popular places to eat at includes Delauder’s BBQ, which is known for friendly service and good-ole fashioned barbecue. If you are looking for some more popular barbecue places, there is Bennett’s Pit Bar-Be-Que.
My favorite dessert place was Mad Dog’s Creamery and Donuts. Not only do they have ice cream and donuts, they also have specialty items like cotton candy burritos filled with ice cream or nachos with ice cream and waffle cone chips.
There are multiple different bars and places to go out at night. Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar is a variety of different cocktails and beers. If you are looking to have some drinks outside try the Bear Can at Anakeesta. They also have live music in the summer.
Activities
One of the must do things in Gatlinburg is to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. The national park offers a wide variety of things to do. You can go for a hike, see the wildlife of the park, or search for waterfalls. We did the Gatlinburg Trail which took us to the park entrance sign, where we got a picture with the iconic sign.
If you are looking for a less strenuous way to see the views, I enjoyed the Pink Jeep tours. There are plenty of stops to get out and take in the sights. One of the stops being the Newfound Gap, which is where the North Caroline and Tennessee state line is.
My favorite thing I did in Gatlinburg was white water rafting. Depending on which rafting trip you decide on, you’ll be able to take an adventure down the river experiencing class III and IV rapids. There are also some more family-friendly options that have smaller rapids.
For those that aren’t afraid of heights, I recommend a trip up to the Gatlinburg SkyPark. You will take a lift up to the top of the mountain where there are some shops and places to sit and enjoy the view. Once at the top, take a walk across the SkyBridge which has a glass panel in the middle to see how far up you are.
Some other activities that I plan on doing during my next visit is going to the Ole Smoky Distillery to do a tour and tasting. I also want to take a like adventure down the Moonshine Mountain Coaster.
Travel Tips
The atmosphere of Gatlinburg can be a very touristy area if you just stay in downtown but there are also more cabin vibes if you get a place in the residential areas of the city.
The busiest months to visit Gatlinburg are the summer months and October (to see the fall foliage). I would recommend going in September for less crowds, more mild temps, and the start of fall.
To get into the Great Smoky Mountain you will need to get a pass. You can order a pass online ahead of time or go to the visitor center to get one.
The Great Smoky Mountains is bear country. Black bears are most active during the months of May-August in Gatlinburg. To keep it simple, stay at a distance and if it starts to approach start making loud noises.
Various places and hiking trails are dog-friendly. Just remember to keep a close eye for bears when hiking since dogs and bears do not always work week together.
The best way to remember your trip is with a souvenir. I try and get something that I can correlate the two together. To remember Gatlinburg, I would get a bear wooden craft.
When visiting Gatlinburg, some essential gear include bear spray to stay safe on hikes, rechargeable battery pack, comfortable shoes for walking around, and any other hiking gear.
Some events the city hosts include the GatlinBURGER week. A whole week of trying specialty delicious burgers from various restaurants and also win prizes.