Gatlinburg Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Day 1: Downtown Icons and Sky High Views

• Morning: Start with a legendary breakfast at the Pancake Pantry, arriving by 7:30 AM to beat the line, and expect to spend around $35 for two. Walk off the syrup with a stroll through The Village Shops, a European-style retail village perfect for window shopping and grabbing coffee at The Donut Friar.
• Afternoon: Head to the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies ($40 per person) to walk through the shark tunnel and see the penguin playhouse. Afterward, ride the Chondola up to Anakeesta ($35 per person) to walk the Treetop Skywalk and enjoy a drink with a view of Mount LeConte.
• Evening: Take the yellow lift chairs up to the Gatlinburg SkyPark ($36 per person) at sunset to walk across the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. Finish the night with a riverfront dinner at The Peddler Steakhouse, where you should budget around $100 for a premium steak dinner.

Day 2: Nature and Moonshine

• Morning: Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a 5.5-mile one-way loop, stopping to hike the 2.6-mile roundtrip trail to Grotto Falls where you can walk behind the water. There is no entry fee for the park, but remember to display your $5 parking pass purchased at the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
• Afternoon: Return to town for a late lunch at Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que for some hickory-smoked ribs, costing about $45 for two. spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Hollywood Star Cars Museum or playing mini-golf at Hillbilly Golf, a unique course built into the side of a mountain.
• Evening: Experience the local culture with a moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky Moonshine ($5 per person, applied to purchase) and listen to the live bluegrass music in the ‘holler’. End your trip with a casual dinner at Cherokee Grill, enjoying their famous rotisserie chicken for approximately $60.

Day 1: Deep Dive into the Smokies

• Morning: Drive 45 minutes to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies, to walk the steep 0.5-mile paved path to the observation tower. Afterward, drive Newfound Gap Road, stopping at the Rockefeller Memorial where FDR dedicated the park.
• Afternoon: Head to the Chimney Tops picnic area for a packed lunch by the river, then tackle the Alum Cave Trail (4.4 miles roundtrip) to see the massive geological overhangs. This is a free activity, costing only the price of your packed lunch and the daily parking tag.
• Evening: Relax your sore muscles back in Gatlinburg with a hearty dinner at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp, which serves massive skillets suitable for dinner, costing around $40. Retire early to a cabin in Chalet Village to enjoy the peace of the mountains.

Day 2: Cades Cove and History

• Morning: Depart Gatlinburg by 6:30 AM to reach Cades Cove loop road as the gates open, maximizing your chances of seeing black bears and deer. Rent bicycles at the Cades Cove campground store ($10-$15 per hour) to cycle the 11-mile loop before the vehicle traffic gets heavy.
• Afternoon: Visit the historic grist mill and cabins within the cove to learn about the settlers who lived here before the park was formed. On the drive back, stop at The Sinks, a powerful waterfall and popular swimming hole located on Little River Road.
• Evening: Enjoy a casual dinner at the Smoky Mountain Brewery, ordering pizzas and local craft beers for about $50. If you have energy left, take a ghost tour ($25 per person) to learn about the darker history and folklore of the Appalachian settlers.

Day 3: Aerial Views and Waterfalls

• Morning: Hike the Laurel Falls trail, a paved 2.6-mile roundtrip path leading to an 80-foot waterfall, making sure to arrive by 8 AM to secure parking. Afterward, drive back toward Gatlinburg and stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center to view the natural history exhibits.
• Afternoon: Take the Aerial Tramway from downtown up to Ober Mountain ($29 roundtrip) for incredible views of the Smokies without the hiking effort. Spend the afternoon riding the mountain coaster or the alpine slide ($10-$15 per ride) at the summit.
• Evening: Conclude your adventure with a farewell dinner at The Park Grill, known for its massive salad bar and hickory-grilled meats, budgeting roughly $70. Take one last walk along the Parkway to buy souvenirs like local honey or airbrushed t-shirts.