Travel GuideMarch 4, 2022 · 9 min read
Where are the Best Places to Stay in Gatlinburg?
Getting out of town and swapping daily stress for spectacular scenery and fun instead is always a good idea. When you could use some well-deserved time away and you’re looking for a place to put your vacation focus with ease, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and its charming surrounding communities promise to please. Travelers of all types and interests will find that this area is a welcoming place to visit and enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Situated within reach of the spectacular Smoky Mountains, a trip this way comes with just as much to do in the way of outdoor adventure as it does in-town entertainment. Gatlinburg is a gorgeous vacation destination that’s suitable for families, couples on a romantic retreat or small groups and large groups of friends and family alike. While the area is certainly brimming over with natural beauty to be admired, those who travel here any time of year will find that access to amusement park-inspired fun, musical entertainment, restaurants, and sensational shopping stops are well within reach as well. This makes Gatlinburg and its surrounding communities’ diverse destinations to enjoy when you’re excited to make the most of a variety of attractions and activities along the way. When a lush mountainous backdrop is just your style and the thought of hiking trails and tantalizing eateries excite your sense in equal measure, you’re sure to find this is a place that draws you back time and again.
Book Direct Here! Of course, knowing where to stay to make the most of your adventure often comes down to what type of itinerary you’re hoping to entertain. It’s important to take time to think about whether your trip will focus on outdoor fun or in-town options when selecting a place to book your next vacation rental. Keeping close to those places you want to explore and discover for yourself not only helps you focus your time on the activities you enjoy but makes for an exceptionally inviting stay too. When you know you’re booked into accommodations that are in a place that fits your vacation style seamlessly, it’s easy to focus on the fun and leave stress far behind.
If mountain town living with equal access to in-town fun and outdoor adventure is exactly what you’re looking for, booking a stay in the heart of Gatlinburg is likely to be an ideal choice. This charming eastern Tennessee destination has been designated as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also hosts an impressive lineup of restaurants, museums, shops, and attractions to check out during a stay as well! Downtown Gatlinburg is a bustling place to mix and mingle with fellow travelers and check out amusement-style stops that are sure to inspire if you’re traveling this way with little ones in tow.
For the outdoor adventurers who stay in central Gatlinburg, you never have to go far to reach the iconic national park that draws so many visitors this way year after year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park sprawls across both Tennessee and North Carolina and provides visitors with a stunning landscape to discover at every turn. From the mist covered mountain peaks to the forests and valleys filled with wildflowers, it’s an ideal place to make the most of hiking, biking, and fishing adventures. Those with a passion for photography will also find that Great Smoky Mountains National Park never fails to provide breathtaking views to capture on camera year-round. A segment of the Appalachian Trail runs through this national park, providing those who love to hike with an undeniably hard-to-resist challenge. Those who are looking to make the most of the views here will want to set their sights on the observation tower that sits at the peak of Clingmans Dome. From this vantage point, trekkers can take time to reap the reward of their efforts in the form of panoramic vistas. The park is open year-round to Gatlinburg travelers and encompasses an impressive 522,427 acres of land in total.
While booking a stay in Gatlinburg means seamless access to the great outdoors, this town is also an amazing place to embrace the best of entertainment, in-town activities, and attractions too. Be sure to check out Gatlinburg SkyLift Park when you’re looking to enjoy views of the Smokies without trekking into the park itself. This lift offers up a bird’s eye view from a yellow seat while you travel upwards on Crockett Mountain. The Gatlinburg SkyBridge is another iconic area attraction to check out when views are calling but you’re excited to stay close to city center. The SkyBridge enjoys the title of longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America and is not for the faint of heart! Crossing means traversing space 700 feet across the valley, but not to worry, the thrill is only rivaled by the view you’ll find here.
Those traveling to Gatlinburg with the entire family in tow will love the options for fun that await when you book a stay in this area. The Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a great place to enjoy an underwater adventure without getting wet and make the most of incredible encounters with marine life too! Ober Gatlinburg is a must if you and your traveling crew are looking for a place where you can enjoy everything from amusement park rides to skiing during a visit. Time at the Gatlinburg Space Needle is always a highlight for those looking to pair a great view with arcade time too. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is a quirky stop for families looking for unique and engaging displays to enjoy, while time at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum is a must for any who are traveling with a car enthusiast or Hollywood lover in their midst.
When flavor is what you’re after, staying in Gatlinburg promises to be a palate-pleasing option. This area is packed with a collection of savory wineries, breweries, and distilleries to enjoy for adults and family-friendly restaurants abound as well. Sugarlands Distilling Company is an area highlight to check out while Tennessee Homemade Wines is also a nice place to schedule a tasting and treat your tastebuds. When you’re in the mood for an upscale steakhouse experience, a meal at Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse checks every box on the list. When you have BBQ on the brain, make your way to Calhoun’s in Gatlinburg and let the mouthwatering dishes listed on the menu do all the talking.
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While a stay in Gatlinburg promises to delight, those who are looking to enjoy options to expand their horizons and enjoy shopping and entertainment in equal measure will often find that Pigeon Forge is a good fit. Often voted one of the South’s best shopping stops by the team over at Southern Living, Pigeon Forge provides visitors with easy access to in-town fun as well as the option to settle into one of our scenic Gatlinburg cabins away from the crowds. These options alone are appealing but it might just be Pigeon Forge’s proximity to places like Dollywood that keep visitors coming back for more! This Dolly Parton-owned theme park is a fun place to indulge your musical tastes, make the most of rides and spend quality time with the entire family.
Those who choose to book a stay in Pigeon Forge will find themselves in a place hosting no less than 200 factory outlets to explore. If specialty shopping is right up your ally, you’ll feel like you’re in paradise when you make Pigeon Forge your home away from home during your next Tennessee adventure. Whether you choose to spend your time at The Shops of Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill Square, or the Pigeon Force Factory Outlet Mall, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more to top off your stay.
A stay in our Pigeon Forge cabins is a fantastic choice for those who love to spend vacations museum hopping. An afternoon here can be well spent at the Titanic Museum when you’re looking to combine the best of history and intrigue. This museum hosts displays and exhibits that showcase artifacts collected from the wreckage back in 1986. Those staying in Pigeon Forge might also find it fascinating to head over to the Alcatraz Museum during their stay and explore American’s crime history in a new and unique way! For a mind-bending adventure, make sure to make some time for a stop at WonderWorks Pigeon Forge where even the slanted architecture of the building itself is cause for wonder! This stop also hosts laser tag when you’re up for a bit of friendly competition with your fellow travelers.
While Pigeon Forge is a fascinating place to shop, dine, and adventure, it also offers up opportunities for serenity when you know where to go. Parrot Mountain & Gardens is a great example of a local stop that makes for a restful place to spend a day during your visit. Meticulously maintained gardens adorn the grounds here and those who visit are privy to sightings of exotic birds as well. Bird feeding options are available upon request, but it’s just as easy to spend time sitting back and taking in the view while savoring the vacation tranquility you’ve been craving.
For many visitors who choose to book their stay in Pigeon Forge, half the fun lies in all of the themed dining opportunities that await! When fried chicken dishes and comedy sound like your style, a meal enjoyed at Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show is sure to please! This family-friendly theater and dinner experience is one-of-a-kind. Guest will find that the American traditional dishes are a delight while the comedy show they’re treated to is just a satisfying. When you’re looking to step back in time and make the most of a savory meal too, head over to The Old Mill Restaurant while you’re in town. The menu here leans heavily towards robust country-inspired dishes while your setting is in fact, an old mill complete with water views from the main dining room.
Many travelers can’t imagine a trip anywhere without having time on the greens to enjoy a trip this way is no exception to the rule. If you’re the type of traveler that can’t wait to have that tee time set up, staying in Pigeon Forge is a good idea. This area boasts beautiful courses to choose from that offer up a friendly ambiance, sensational scenery, and challenging terrain that’s great for those looking to elevate their short and long game. The Gatlinburg Golf Course in Pigeon Forge is a particularly appealing destination to enjoy where golfers can make the most of a round before hitting up the clubhouse and admire mountain scenery every step of the way.
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From the hiking trails to the mountain peaks, the amusement parks to the savory stops in between, a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is filled with options for fun that travelers won’t want to miss. It’s a place to stay connected with the world if you want to while enjoying options to disconnect and unwind in nature when that’s what is needed most too. At Smoky Mountain Realty Partners, we’re passionate about the people and places we serve and aim to help every traveler headed this way find just the right rental to meet the moment seamlessly. Whether you’re looking for a downtown abode or a mountainside escape, we can help you get settled into a home away from home that promises to be unforgettable. Reach out today to learn more about booking a stay through us the next time your travels bring you to scenic Tennessee!