Choose the right cabin. The first and most important thing for your Gatlinburg vacation is to pick the right cabin. At Cabins for YOU, we have cabin rentals with every kind of amenity you can think of, including game tables, outdoor fire pits, private indoor pools , and so much more. Some cabins offer mountain views, some offer wooded views. We have cabins within minutes of Gatlinburg and cabins that are off the beaten trail. We even have pet-friendly and budget-friendly cabins. So get your list of must-haves together, and call one of our reservation specialists to book your perfect Gatlinburg cabin today.
Bring your walking shoes. Maybe it’s hiking books, sneakers, or a durable pair of outdoor sandals—whatever you prefer, you’ll need your walking shoes in Gatlinburg. Not only do the Smoky Mountains offer 800+ miles of hiking trails, but the City of Gatlinburg itself caters to pedestrians. In fact, you can’t navigate places like The Village Shops or the shops of the Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community any other way.
Spend time on the Parkway. When you’ve found your walking shoes, you’re ready for a day on the Parkway in Gatlinburg. This one location alone has more than 100 restaurants and eateries, close to 50 attractions, and over 500 shops to keep you busy all day long! For dining, we recommend Parkway restaurants like Calhoun’s, Crockett’s Breakfast Camp, Hungry Bear BBQ, No Way Jose’s Cantina, and Smoky Mountain Brewery & Pizza. For fun Parkway attractions, check out Fort Fun, all the Ripley’s attractions, Smoky Mountain Gem Mine, and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre.
Bring a cooler for the car. When you’ve been out and about on the Parkway all day and you’re stuck in traffic as you make your way back to the cabin, you’ll wish you had remembered a cooler full of cold drinks and yummy snacks for the car! We recommend keeping a bottle of water for each guest and non-perishable snacks like trail mix, peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, and dried fruit. You might also keep some juice boxes and pre-sliced fresh fruit for the kids.
Visit during the off-season. You might be wondering whether getting around Gatlinburg always means getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and the answer is, it depends on when you visit. The most popular times to visit the Smoky Mountains are in the summer and fall. So if you want to avoid high traffic volume and ultra-crowded streets, it’s best to plan your Gatlinburg vacation during the off-season. January through early May is probably the most low-key time to plan your Smoky Mountain stay. These months fall after the holidays and before the summer crowds flock for their annual family vacations.
Ride the Gatlinburg Trolley. Although walking the Parkway is an easy way to see downtown Gatlinburg, you’ll have to walk for hours if you try to see everything on foot. But don’t worry, driving the crowded streets of Gatlinburg isn’t your only alternative. You can also ride the Gatlinburg Trolley, which will not only save you gas and the headache of navigating downtown traffic yourself, but in the summer months, you’ll also save money because the trolley system runs for FREE! With routes to the Convention Center, the Arts & Crafts Community, the national park, and more, the Gatlinburg Trolley is an easy way to see the city for all Smoky Mountain guests.
Ride the tramway to Ober Gatlinburg. When you’ve seen the Parkway and the national park and you’re ready for something new, simply ride the Aerial Tramway (located at 1001 Parkway) to the world of activities that awaits you at Ober! If you thought Ober Gatlinburg was only a ski resort, think again. This all-inclusive Gatlinburg attraction features an assortment of shops and restaurants as well as activities to entertain the entire family. Try their Alpine Slide, ice skating, the Wildlife Encounter, the Ski Mountain Coaster, and more when you visit Ober Gatlinburg.
Keep up with local events on our blog. We try to make planning for your Gatlinburg vacation as easy as possible; that’s why we do the research for you and post about upcoming events and activities on our Cabins for YOU blog. Be sure to stay in touch by reading our latest posts, and we’ll keep in the know when it comes to local celebrations, holiday events, and special activities taking place throughout the year.
Stop by our Gatlinburg office for coupons. Our local Cabins for YOU office is located at 349 East Parkway in Gatlinburg. When you arrive to the Smokies, be sure to stop by our building before heading to your cabin. We’ll provide you with local brochures, informational booklets, and coupons for restaurants and attractions in the area, and we’ll answer any questions you may have about your Smoky Mountain rental and the Gatlinburg area in general.
Book your cabin as soon as you can. Last but not least, when you know what cabin you want and when you want to visit, be sure to book your cabin as soon as you can! The Smoky Mountains continue to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., and our cabins fill up fast. Be sure to start an online chat with one of our reservations specialists today. They’re available 24/7 to assist you.
