(0)Patriotic and exciting events, cool waters of the Pigeon River and cabin pools, grilling out…the list goes on when you spend this year’s Memorial Day celebrating in a Smoky Mountain cabin! Kick off the summer with an incredible 3-day weekend in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg while enjoying all the perks and convenience of a Cabins for YOU lodging. Shop the awesome deals and take advantage of the discounts to numerous attractions while vacationing with your friends, family, or a large group! A cabin trip for Memorial Day weekend in the Smokies is a great way to bring family and friends together to celebrate freedom and unity and those who gave their lives in service to America. With so many different ways to celebrate, it will be the most memorable Memorial Day to date!
Smoky Mountain Memorial Day Events
Family Fest
Gatlinburg Convention Center
234 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Faith, family, and patriotism go hand-in-hand, and what better way to celebrate all 3 of these pillars than during Memorial Day weekend with one of the biggest gospel music extravaganzas in the country?! Be inspired, encouraged, and let your heart be warmed as your soul is serenaded by the country’s top gospel singers over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
You and fellow Family Fest goers will also be treated to enthusiastic guest speakers in between rousing, soulful performances. Hosted in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg for over 20 years, Family Fest continues to be a very popular summer event, selling out early each year! Surrounded by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, faith-centered families, and inspiring gospel music, this is a memorable way to spend your time with family over Memorial Day weekend.
Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride
Feel the rumble of the engines reverberate through the sidewalks beneath your feet as the thunderous sound of motorcycle engines grows nearer…It’s time for the Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride, again! Each year since its birth in 2001, the event has grown (starting with 75 bikes in the first year and growing to over 1,000) and caught nationwide attention for the purpose of reminding Americans why we celebrate Memorial Day.
You do not need a motorcycle to be a part of this inspiring event, however! The opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday in nearby Sevierville before the police-escorted roaring ride sets off at 11 a.m. During the hour, guests are treated to guest speakers, the National Anthem, an appearance of an American bald eagle, and a wreath ceremony at the Veteran’s Monument at the Sevierville City Courthouse.
Vendors selling patriotic apparel and souvenirs will be present in order to support this patriotic non-profit event. Come out and join the ride or simply come to salute those who gave their lives to protect our freedom!
Barbeque and Bluegrass
Kicking off on Memorial Day weekend, your visit to Dollywood is spiced up by sweet, savory barbeque and smooth, Southern bluegrass! Barbeque and Bluegrass is filled with FREE concert performances by talented, award-winning bluegrass artists from all over the country. Take advantage of this 2-week soulful time while riding roller coasters and water rides in Dollywood from late May to mid-June!
Memorial Day Shopping
With a 3-day weekend comes the holiday shopping deals! While visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, take advantage of the excellent shopping you are not afforded at home!
Tanger Outlets
1645 Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
With over 150 retail stores and all your favorite brands, the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville will not disappoint any deal-shark or fashionista! Shop Nike, Michel Kors, Old Navy, and so much more at the quality outlets located within a short drive from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!
The Island in Pigeon Forge
131 Island Drive
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Shopping and fun all in one! Let the less fervent shoppers in your group enjoy the musical show at the fountains or views from atop the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel while you peruse the numerous shops at The Island in Pigeon Forge. They even offer a convenient train ride back to the parking lot so you won’t have to struggle bringing all your awesome finds back to your car!
Outdoor Memorial Day Adventures
What would a summer kickoff be without enjoying outdoor fun in the sun! Luckily, when you stay in a Cabins for YOU cabin, you are close to a wide variety of ways to play outside in the Smoky Mountains.
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is a great group activity and especially fun as you paddle together through the thrilling Class III and IV rapids of the Pigeon River! With Smoky Mountain Outdoor Adventures, your experienced guide promises an entertaining day on the river with safety as the first priority. Splash through the cool white rapids under the warm summer sun while you enjoy gorgeous views of the Smokies. After working up quite an appetite, head back to your cabin for a Memorial Day cookout!
Ziplining
Take to the trees like Tarzan and fly through the treetops for incredible views and awesome thrills! Explore lush mountain forestry as you swing over rivers, valleys, and rock formations with Smoky Mountain Zipline Tours in Pigeon Forge. This is a great time to break out your GoPro if you have one! From each tree stand, take in all new views before taking your next exhilarating plunge down the ziplines!
Cycling
The kids have been routinely sitting on their phones, computers, or in front of TV screens during the school year. It’s time to get out and get some exercise to kick the summer off right! Cades Cove begins their cycling season in May and closes again in September. Memorial Day weekend is an opportune time to skip the usual crowds of vehicles on Loop Road and tour one of the Smoky Mountains’ most scenic areas by bicycle. Until 10 a.m. on Saturday, enjoy the 11-mile loop around the peaceful valley without any cars. With the mountains in the backdrop, catch glimpses of Smoky Mountain wildlife and tour preserved historical cabins.
(No need to pack your bikes if it is too much of a hassle, simply rent one from the Cades Cove Campground Store with helmets included!)
Memorial Day Cabin Perks
Hosting a Memorial Day party is more exciting and less stressful in a Smoky Mountain cabin! Surrounded by serene views, incredible attractions, and plenty of outdoor fun, you are in for an action-packed Memorial Day weekend in the Smokies!
Spacious Large Group Lodge
Host an extravagant Memorial Day cookout with multiple families or an entire church group in a large group lodge! Your cabin’s fully loaded kitchen provides all the tools for preparation and serving-up delicious hot dogs, hamburgers, and desserts. Hang out and play games with friends and family in spacious common rooms late into the evenings before heading to homey bedrooms. Never worry about sleeping accommodations, linens, or space when you host your annual get-together in a Cabins for YOU large group lodge!
Splashin’ Around
Watch the kids swim and play from the poolside without leaving your cabin! While you relax in the hot tub on the deck, your teenagers can hang out in the indoor pool, play in the game room, or return to the kitchen for snacks without ever needing to bother you. Soak up some sun with friends by your cabin’s community pool before heading back to the cabin for a nice nap on the cozy couches. Enjoy days on the river, fishing or floating, during your stay in a cabin by the water!
Exactly Where You Want to Be!
The pristine beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hundreds of attractions, exciting events, and thrilling outdoor adventures make a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg Memorial Day cabin the perfect place to kick off your summer this year! Let Options For YOU help you find the best cabin for your dream Smoky Mountain vacation!