Order a free Gatlinburg Vacation Guide – This vacation guide will help you plan your next vacation in Gatlinburg, TN. The guide is full of helpful information for planning a Gatlinburg vacation including lists for Gatlinburg cabin rentals, restaurants, attractions, directions, events, entertainment, art galleries, shops, and wedding chapels. You can request that the guide be mailed to you or you can download the guide from the Gatlinburg.com website.
Plan for lots of walking – Gatlinburg is a walking town which is not as much about preference as it is about necessity. During our peak seasons there is a lot of traffic. So, when planning a Gatlinburg vacation expect to park in a lot and walk to anything that is in downtown. This means you need to bring walking shoes. You may also want to consider bringing a backpack that can carry small snacks, maps, sunscreen, and whatever else you need.
Plan to see one of the big four – There are three very well known spots in Gatlinburg. While you may not be able to visit all four, we suggest you try to at least make room for one or two when planning a trip to Gatlinburg.
Smoky Mountains National Park – Our park is the most visited national park in the United States! There are many trails to hike. They range from easy to difficult so there’s sure to be a trail you’ll love. There is also a swimming hole near some of the trails and a welcome center that can give you all of the information you need to find your way around. This free Gatlinburg treasure is a must see so make sure you put it in your plans for Gatlinburg.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – This is the most visited aquarium in the United States. If you like aquariums then you’re sure to like ours. Ripley’s features a shark tank, a hands-on sting ray exhibit, and a penguin playhouse.
Dollywood – Okay this isn’t actually in Gatlinburg but it’s a great trip for the family. When planning a Gatlinburg vacation that includes Dollywood, consider going after 3pm. The park is less crowded and you get in the next day for free! That means you don’t have to rush to do everything. FYI, There’s a trolley pick up that will take you to the park so if you have less than 7 people you should consider using it when planning your Gatlinburg vacation. The trolley will cost $1 per person. Parking at Dollywood will cost around $7 per car.
Ober Gatlinburg – This is a fun family spot. During the winter Ober has skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and more. During the summer Ober has three water rides, a maze, alpine slides and more. It’s a fun attraction that stays popular year after year.
Get a map – There are lots of maps available for Gatlinburg. One of our favorites is the Trolley Map. It shows where the trolley stops throughout the city. This is very helpful when trying to plan your day out. The trolley can take you through the park, to Dollywood, to the aquarium, and more.
Find out what you’re going to do before you get to Gatlinburg – Do your research and find out what you want to do before you come to Gatlinburg. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you arrive. There’s so much to do here. It really is impossible to fit it all in. So, use your Gatlinburg vacation guide to help you decide what attractions and shops you want to visit and call in advance to get tickets. This will save you the hassle of running around town to buy tickets.
Stay in a cabin – There are lots of lodging choices in Gatlinburg but mountain cabins are definitely the way to go when planning a Gatlinburg vacation. Cabins offer full kitchens which means you won’t have to eat out for every meal. Cabins offer entertainment like cable tv, pool tables, hot tubs, and more. Cabins offer comfy beds and great atmospheres which help you relax after a long day in town. Cabins offer great pricing. Cabins offer so much! Have we convinced you yet?
