There are so many reasons to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From the Smoky Mountains to the towns and entertainment to the amazing local cuisine, you’ll have it all – and if you’ve never been before, you’ll wonder why that is. If you have visited Gatlinburg in the past, you’ll soon see just how much more it has to offer; you won’t have done it all before.
So what do you need to know when it comes to your ultimate guide to Gatlinburg vacationing? It’s all about three things: the food, the attractions, and the Gatlinburg hotels. Read on to find out more.
The Food
There isn’t just one type of food available in Gatlinburg, TN. There are many different cuisines from all around the world that come together in this amazing city to give visitors and locals alike some delicious fayre. It depends on what you’re in the mood for. Here are some of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg to start your search.
- The Peddler Steakhouse
There is something very comforting about the Peddler Steakhouse in Gatlinburg. People always seem to want to return to it, and it’s partly to do with the amazing atmosphere; it’s friendly and welcoming, and you’re sure to have a good time no matter when you go. It’s also to do with the food; the fresh salad bar is a good place to start, but it’s the custom-cut steaks that are the real star attraction. Enjoy your meal with great views over the Little Pigeon River.
- The Greenbrier Restaurant
The Greenbrier Restaurant is known to be one of the most well-renowned and iconic restaurants in Gatlinburg, and when you see the log cabin dining room – something you will instantly recognize even if you’ve never been there before – you’ll know you made a good choice. The menu is elegant and decadent, and eating here is a real treat. Food choices include short ribs of beef, duck confit egg rolls, and baked meatballs.
- Cliff Top – Anakeesta
Cliff Top is a restaurant that can be found, as the name suggests, at the top of a cliff. In fact, you can ride a chondola to it if you choose to. It’s part of the Anakeesta theme park, and it offers a variety of excellent food with a view that is out of this world, if you want to get a good look at the Great Smoky Mountains, there are few better places to do it than here.
The Attractions
If you’re heading to Gatlinburg on vacation, food is important, of course, but you’ll also want to know that you can have a lot of fun and keep yourself occupied for the entirety of your trip. The good news is, that there are many different attractions to enjoy in Gatlinburg, and here are some of them.
- The Gatlinburg Space Needle
There are many reasons to climb to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, a 407-foot observation tower. One of the main ones is that it offers unparalleled views out over the city and beyond, and if you want to get a birds-eye view of the Great Smoky Mountains, this is the place to do it. You can ride a glass elevator to the top of the tower and use the complimentary viewfinders at the top to make the most of your time there.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
It would be hard to visit Gatlinburg without at least one trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and once you’ve gone there, you’ll more than likely want to go back – it takes up over 500,000 acres, so one trip just isn’t going to do it justice. An interesting fact about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is that it is the most-visited national park in the US – so it surely has to be on your to-do list when you’re in the area. If you love hiking, you’ll be especially pleased to hear there are 150 different trails to choose from – including the Appalachian Trail – coming in at 800 miles altogether.
- Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is an entire day out by itself, so it’s worth making sure you can spare enough time to enjoy everything it has to offer. Up high in the mountains – you can get there the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway – you’ll find winter traditional sports as well as plenty of new ideas such as bumper cars on the ice. There are water slides, an arcade, and wildlife tours, plus you can ride a mountain roller coaster.
The Hotels
No matter what you plan to do and see when you’re in Gatlinburg, finding, the ideal place to stay is crucial. There are a plethora of Gatlinburg hotels to choose from, but of course, some are always going to be better than others. This is why research is so important. With that in mind, the following Gatlinburg hotels are always known to be excellent and can easily form the basis of your search.
Westgate Resorts
Westgate Resorts offers three unique hotel experiences in Gatlinburg.
It’s always good to know that when you’re searching for Gatlinburg hotels, you can find a name you know and trust, and that’s the case with Westgate Resorts. With three exceptional hotels to choose from in Gatlinburg, each with its own unique personality, you’re sure to have everything you need here. The hotels are the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Water Park, River Terrace Resort and Convention Center, and the Wild Bear Inn. Whether you want something traditional in the style of a log cabin, something modern and stylish, or perhaps the ideal getaway for the whole family where there is plenty of fun – on-site and off – to enjoy, Westgate Resorts can give it to you.
Zoders Inn & Suites
Zoders Inn & Suites has gorgeous gardens to explore. Zoders Inn & Suites is a great example of why Gatlinburg hotels are so popular. This particular hotel offers guests free wifi, an indoor pool, and, for good weather, an outdoor pool too (this time with a hot tub attached). You’re just a 10 minute walk away from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and only five minutes from Landshark Bar and Grill, among many other excellent attractions and eateries. Each room at Zoders offers cable TV and a dining and seating area. You don’t have to stay in your room, though; the gardens at this hotel are stunning, and it’s well worth taking a stroll through them or visiting the hotel’s fitness center. Plus, there is a picnic area with fire pits to make the most of that excellent mountain air.
Gatlinburg Inn
The Gatlinburg Inn is the oldest hotel in Gatlinburg.
This historic hotel is the oldest place to stay in Gatlinburg, and that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. The Gatlinburg Inn is located right in the center of the town, making it the perfect base to explore from. It’s also next to the SkyLift and only 100 yards from the Sugarlands Distilling Company. Within the hotel itself, you’ll find a tennis court and outdoor pool, a 24-hour reception desk, and free wifi. There is also a breakfast restaurant serving a traditional American breakfast.
Sidney James Mountain Lodge
Relax in the sauna or hot tub.
Spread across three buildings, the Sidney James Mountain Lodge has a lot for its guests, especially when compared to other Gatlinburg hotels. To begin with, there are three pools – one indoor and two outdoor – for fun and relaxation, as well as a guest sauna. On top of that, the rooms are traditional and comfortable, and all come with free wifi, a fridge, a flatscreen TV, and a coffee maker. Some also have hot tubs, balconies, and fireplaces, and many offer stunning views. If you want to explore, you only have to walk eight minutes, and you’ll be at the Gatlinburg Space Needle. In a car, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only 10 minutes away.
Bear Creek Inn
Bear Creek Inn is traditional yet modern.
No Gatlinburg hotel search would be complete without a look at the Bear Creek Inn, a truly unforgettable and traditional place to stay in Gatlinburg. You’re so close to so many fantastic attractions, including Cooter’s Place (11-minute walk), the Gatlinburg Sky Lift (0.7 miles), and Earthquake The Ride (0.6 miles). To make things even better, the hotel itself is well-appointed and offers guests air conditioning and flatscreen TVs in every room.
