Spice up this Cinco de Mayo in the Great Smoky Mountains, with authentic Mexican cuisine and beer plus souvenir tees, exciting downtown entertainment, and a cabin party! This holiday deserves to be celebrated in style, and Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are excellent cities brimming with top Mexican restaurants and fun activities for all ages. Add a memorable cabin stay into the mix, and you’ll open a whole new playing field of celebration possibility, with traditional Mexican meals made in the fully equipped kitchen, catchy mariachi tunes on the back deck with mountain views, tequila shots in the rec room, and oh-so-much more! Make May 5, 2019, a day to remember — celebrating Cinco de Mayo with family and friends in the Smokies!
Mexican Food + Beer
Nothing pairs better with Cinco de Mayo than Mexican comida y cerveza — food and beer! Deep red, hunter green, and pearl white decorations showcase the country’s prestigious flag while the mariachi band sings with soul and brings smiles to every table. Specialty dishes — such as carne asada with cilantro lime sauce, huarache with avocado, or molcajete served on lava rock — give your taste buds a reason to dance. Not to mention, happy hour can be every hour with Mexican beer. Go for a classic, like Corona or Dos Equis (XX), or opt for something new this holiday! And don’t forget to order dessert, from flan and sopapilla to churros and chocolate chimichangas. Hungry yet? Yeah, we’re totally scarfing down some Mexican food after this blog, too…
Looking for a special way to commemorate this celebration without breaking the bank? Most restaurants will have souvenir t-shirts for purchase, meaning the whole gang can wear matching tees together. Take selfies with the mariachi band, gather for a group pic in front of the restaurant, and make everyone jealous of your Cinco celebration on social media! Worried about finding a table? There are tons of Mexican restaurants in the area, so you’ll be sure to find a seat for this special occasion. Check out our mini list for a glimpse at what’s available in and near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN.
- No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina (across from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies)
- El Soñador Mexican Restaurant
- Tequila Spice Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Viva 5 de Mayo Mexican Grill (great choice for this occasion based on name alone)
- El Paso Mexican Restaurant
- El Ranchero Loco
Excitement in Town
As if quality Mexican dishes weren’t enough, the Smokies has attractions galore and loads of shops, so you can keep everyone entertained this Cinco de Mayo. Ride adrenaline-pumping mountain coasters, gaze at majestic mountains for miles atop the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, venture into a haunted mansion for a spook, watch sharks and sea life swim overhead at the aquarium, putt-putt round the roof at Crave Golf Club, enjoy valley scenery at Cades Cove in the national park, visit multiple art galleries across the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, travers the Rocky Top Wine Trail…the list goes on an on! From family-friendly adventures to outdoor thrills to downtown sips, you’ll find nothing but good times, no matter your age!
Need more ideas? We’ve got you covered!
- The Escape Game at The Island
- Pigeon Forge Snow
- Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park
- Five Oaks Riding Stables
- Rowdy Bear Mountain
- Dollywood’s Splash Country
- The Village Shops
- Titanic Museum Attraction
- Alcatraz East Museum
- TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena
- The Comedy Barn
- Gatlinburg Sky Lift
Cabin Party!
Dining and playing in town is all fine and good, but there’s another way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a cabin twist! Book your cabin stay for almost any group size with Cabins for YOU, featuring 340+ cabin rentals ranging from 1-16 bedrooms in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. Decorate the cabin with Cinco bunting and balloons, blast Mexican pop music, whip up traditional Mexican recipes in the fully equipped kitchen, and host a cabin party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the Smokies! Plus, there are endless amenity options, from a private indoor pool, home theater, and a fully loaded rec room to an outdoor hot tub, king-size beds, and stunning mountain views. Better yet, go for it all — explore local attractions, dine at a Mexican restaurant, then return to your cabin and let the fun continue into the night!
Cinco de Mayo will be here before you know it — start planning to celebrate in the Smokies with tasty Mexican meals, classic beers, local attraction fun, and cabin memories today!