Our extended family is big on tradition, and our annual trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is something I'm proud we've kept up for so many years.
There are plenty of mountains in this country, but none so incredibly magical as the Smokies. It's hard to put it into words, but these old mountains give you the feeling of going home and that you've known them all your life.
What's Ahead:
- How to pick your cabin in the Smokies.
- How to prepare for your trip through the Smoky Mountain National Park.
- Where to eat and what attractions to visit.
- How to completely immerse yourself in East Tennessee history.
- Stay tuned for my sample Gatlinburg Travel Itinerary at the end!
#1: Stay In A Log Cabin
Renting a log cabin is half the Smoky Mountain experience, and I can assure you that a hotel room downtown will not have the same ambiance as the feeling you get sipping your morning coffee while sitting on your deck overlooking Mount LeConte.
You can stay in a cabin just large enough for the two of you or you and your kids OR you can get a huge group together and rent your very own chateau. It's very manageable to rent out a mansion if everyone chips in, but even the one and two bedrooms are usually pretty spacious for what you pay via the wrap around decks and extra rooms for amenities. The small ones are still typically two or three stories due to being on the side of a mountain.
I do need to make two points here though -
A) First of all, when I say Gatlinburg, I'm referring to a large area made up of a few "suburbs" that each have their own flavor. We've stayed in each of these areas, and each cabin had its own special charm:
- Gatlinburg is quaint and adorable. This is where the town shops and the ski resort are, and this is probably the best area to rent one of those cabins on the side of the mountain with the dramatic views of those gorgeous smoky peaks and that beautiful fall foliage.
- Pigeon Forge is far more lively. I refer to it as the Vegas of the Smokies, and there are things to do around literally every corner. If you are planning to rent in a cabin community, this is probably the best area for it. Cabin communities are set up similar to beach condo communities, but each cabin is its own. They typically have amenities such as pools, spas, outside dining and grilling areas, etc. And being close to town makes it easy to order takeout.
- Sevierville is where the farmers live. It's more hilly, more laid back, and has that small town feel. If you want to experience what it's like to be a local in East Tennessee, this is the place.
- Cades Cove, Wears Valley, and Townsend are where all the animals live, so don't be surprised if you see an elk walk across the road or baby bears hanging in the tree overhead as you drive past. This is the valley, so you'll be looking up at the sides of the mountains instead of out at them, but many cabins sit on acreage here, so it can also be very private.
There are many cabin rental companies you can lease from here, and you can also take a look at VRBO or Airbnb, but we have rented from
Cabins for You many times in the past, and they have always been an absolute dream to work with.
B) Secondly, be prepared to drive on windy mountain roads. Depending on where you're going, most trips take at least thirty minutes (especially if you have to drive through the National Park), so make sure to plan your departing and arrival times accordingly. This being said, the drive is truly part of the experience and an easy excuse to soak in the sights of the river that runs along the road and all those red, orange, and yellow leaves.
Gatlinburg Tip #1 - Your GPS has the potential to lose signal in the National Park, so make sure to keep a good ol'-fashioned map in the car whilst driving through the Smokies. This is true for the Blue Ridge Parkway and if you drive through the National Park on the way up.
#2: Explore Smoky Mountain National Park
From hiking and waterfall-hunting to fishing and camping, there is an endless amount of memories to be made in Smoky Mountain National Park. You don't even have to track down a trail because there are so many places to just pull off and enjoy an overlook, waterfall, or a quick hike. You'll know where the popular places are because there will always be cars parked on the side of the road. One of the favorites of the area is the gorgeous
Laurel Falls.
Gatlinburg Tip #2 - Before heading up to the Smokies, I would suggest you make sure you have LED headlights (or at least clean ones) because there is absolutely no light in the National Park at night. No development is allowed in this 522,427-acre National Park, so this means no street lights, no house lights, and additionally, there is no moonlight or starlight because of the tree cover. This being said, keep your wits about you because there are cliffs and rock walls that are extremely close to the road and can pop up out of seemingly nowhere.
#3: Get Over Your Fear of Bears
Now, I'm not referring to the Grizzly that Leo DiCaprio was fighting in The Revenant, I'm talking about black bears. These little guys have a personality all their own when it comes to bear breeds. They are the mascots of Gatlinburg, and they are everywhere. You may see traffic backed up for two miles because there's a bear just hanging out, and you'll see black teddy bears (and any kind of black bear home décor you could ever want) in any local shop you visit. You might even find one hanging out on your front porch from time to time.
Rules of Thumb with Black Bears:
- Always lock your car because they CAN open car doors.
- Most cabins have metal bins that hold your trash cans, so just make sure to keep those locked, and NEVER feed them (you can be prosecuted).
- Don't pet the babies because mom is close and will eat you.
- Always keep your distance from them because even though they are cute, they are wild animals, smart, and inherently dangerous.
- If they are getting too close to you, make yourself as big and loud as you can because they're scaredy cats.
#4: Go Ice-Skating at Ober Gatlinburg
You don't have to be a skier or snowboarder to appreciate
Ober Gatlinburg (though definitely check it out if you are)! They also have snowtubing, ice-skating, ice bumper cars, restaurants, shopping, a mountain coaster, and so much more! They even have a wildlife sanctuary where you can see those cute black bears up close and personal.
#5: Walk the Skybridge
Gatlinburg is known for
Anakeesta and the SkyLift, but
SkyLift Park has a recent addition to their family of attractions, the SkyBridge. The SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America at almost 1,700 feet. At 500 feet above Gatlinburg, it makes those panoramic views of the Smokies so easily-attainable, especially when you walk across the 30 feet of see-through glass flooring.
#6: Visit a Hallmark Christmas Town and Drink Hot Chocolate
Have you ever wanted to live in a Hallmark Christmas movie? Well, then Gatlinburg is your dream come true! Between November and December, the town comes alive with twinkling lights. It's the perfect place to grab a hot chocolate from a street stand and enjoy the brisk weather while arm-in-arm with your honey (or your honey, sister, Mother-In-Law, and daughter in my case) down the sidewalks of a Christmas wonderland!
#7: Go Horseback Riding in the Mountains
There is nothing quite like horseback riding through windy trails, up hills, and along cliffs with those foggy blue mountains as your backdrop and the sweet smell of the forest surrounding you.
Hands down the best horseback riding establishment I've ever done business with,
Deer Mountain Riding Stables makes you feel like family every time you visit. They also have a petting zoo with zebras, camels, kangaroos, and all the goats you could ever hope to snuggle.
#8: Tour A Cavern
Whether driving through the mountains, looking out at the mountains, or exploring UNDERNEATH the mountains, there is so much to see in the Smokies. There are some awesome cave systems throughout the National Park full of waterfalls, salamanders, and so much East Tennessee history. Two of my favorites are the
Tuckaleechee Caverns and the
Forbidden Caverns. The Forbidden Caverns even have the old moonshine equipment originally found in the cave on display. Apparently, the untouched melted snow that ran through the cave and the seclusion of the caverns made a perfect combination for distilling alcohol for all those who sought it during Prohibition.
Gatlinburg Tip #3 - If you're planning to tour one of these caverns, plan your trip dates to coincide with their tour calendar because they usually close down for the winter around the middle to end of November.
#9: Have A Family Night In
With the cabin being so quintessential to the essence of the trip, don't forget to enjoy it while its yours. Most cabins have a grill, a decent-sized kitchen, and a firepit, so take the opportunity to stay in, cook a family dinner (or get it catered), and don't forget the s'mores!
Some of these cabins also have other crazy amenities like pool tables, foosball tables, air hockey tables, arcade systems, game systems, theaters, heated indoor pools, and hot tubs, so make sure you take advantage of them while you're there! Play a round of pool, a board game, or a good ol' game of poker or Rumi, and just enjoy some family time together. The mountains have this miraculous ability to make us stop, breathe, and get back to basics, and that's one of the best parts of being surrounded by log walls and so much beautiful nature!
#10: Have A Family Day Out
With so much to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, it's completely acceptable to go out and be a tourist:
I couldn't name all the attractions here even if I tried, so make sure to do some research of where you would like to hit up because it could easily get overwhelming!
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| Dave's little head on the body of the largest man to ever live |
#11: Eat Local
We have a tradition of eating at the Little House of Pancakes the last morning of each trip before we head home. It's a local diner at the end of the Parkway heading out of Gatlinburg and into the National Forest, and they make some of the best breakfast grub you'll ever eat! 807 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.
If you're looking for some more local flavor in Gatlinburg, head over to the
Smoky Mountain Trout House, or you can go to
Mama's Farmhouse in Pigeon Forge. Mama's is a family-style restaurant that serves in large portions that everyone spoons from. It's like Thanksgiving!
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| The kids always have to ride this dinosaur when we go to the Little House of Pancakes |
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| Anna and my dad (dressed in his Tennessee colors) at the Trout House |
#12: Try Some Moonshine
Gatlinburg is famous for their legal moonshine at
Ole Smoky Moonshine. Even if your pallet doesn't crave straight corn liquor, they have so many different flavors to choose from. Also, one of our traditions when staying at the cabin is drinking mimosas while soaking in the hot tub, and moonshine tastes great with orange juice!
There are also quite a few great wineries in downtown Gatlinburg (such as
Sugarland Cellars), if that's more your style.
SAMPLE ITENERARY:
Thursday -
- Begin your trek through Smoky Mountain National Park (even if you fly in to Knoxville, it's about an hour's drive to the area)
- Check in to your cabin
- Eat dinner at the Smoky Mountain Trout House
Friday -
- Spend the day at Ober Gatlinburg or Anakeesta
- Spend some time in Gatlinburg, eat dinner on the Parkway, try some moonshine at Ole Smoky's, and walk the streets at night to enjoy the Christmas lights
- Spend some time enjoying the mountains from your hot tub
Saturday -
- Go horseback riding at Deer Farm Riding Stables
- Tour one of the caverns
- Make dinner at home and have a family night
Sunday -
- Spend the day in Smoky Mountain National Park and go hiking or fishing
- Or spend the day in SkyLift Park and walk the SkyBridge
- Make dinner at home and have a family night
Monday -
- Enjoy excursions in Pigeon Forge (maybe a day at Dollywood)
- Eat dinner at Mama's Farmhouse
Tuesday -
- Check out of your cabin
- Eat breakfast at the Little House of Pancakes on the way out
- Begin your trek back home through Smoky Mountain National Park
Please let me know if you complete this trip and/or your thoughts of the sample itinerary!
Have you ever been to the Smokies? Are there any must-dos you would add to the itinerary? Please feel free to leave any Smoky Mountain suggestions or tips in the comments below!
