When you choose a vacation to the Gatlinburg area, you get the best of two worlds. Nestled in eastern Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains, this area offers outdoor activities to please every member of your family and amusement parks, shopping, restaurants, and museums to make the indoor lovers in your family happy. This area provides non-stop picturesque views around each corner, and Gatlinburg vacation rentals come in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few areas to start your search for the perfect vacation spot.
1. Gatlinburg
Situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg sits near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park front gates. While staying in the area, you and your family can spend your days hiking the many trails in the park to see cascading waterfalls or peek in caves. In the evening, go downtown for dinner at a five-star restaurant and an evening of live music and dancing.
2. Ober Gatlinburg Area
If you’re visiting the area in the fall and winter months, then choosing a vacation rental near Ober Gatlinburg puts you in the perfect spot to enjoy all the winter activities. Ski resorts offer trails for beginners and experts with many in between. Take ski lessons to brush up on your skills or spend an afternoon ice skating at the indoor rink. Enjoy stunning views when you ride the tram where you can see the countryside for miles.
3. Pigeon Forge
Head north on Highway 321 and take your time enjoying the greenery and soaring hills around you while you make your way to Pigeon Forge. This town offers everything a family on vacation wants to do from shopping and outlet malls to dinner theater and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. You and your family can stroll around town or use the trolley system to get from one attraction to the next. In the winter months, the trolleys offer a tour of the Christmas lights around town.
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4. Dollywood Area
The Dollywood amusement park and water park is the biggest draw in the area. Enjoy your vacation at this Appalachian-themed amusement park created by country singer Dolly Parton. From roller coasters to live shows, this park keeps your family entertained all day long and many days end with fireworks. In the summer months, cool off at the water park that features a dedicated children’s area and water slides for every daredevil in your family.
5. Sevierville
Just 30 minutes north of Gatlinburg, the town of Sevierville makes a great base for your mountain getaway with log cabins and luxury homes set among the breathtaking scenery. As the sister city to Pigeon Forge, this town bustles with activities to amuse every member of your family. Spend a day at the NASCAR themed go-kart tracks or challenge your family to a game of mini golf. In the evenings, you have the chance to dine at a farm-to-table restaurant with fresh, tasty dishes.
6. Williamsburg
To the northeast, the small town of Williamsburg beckons your family to one of the mountain cabins to retreat in the winter time with so many activities in the area. Make this area your home base and enjoy a slower pace of life, while only minutes by car to winter sports. At Ober Gatlinburg, spend the day bouncing down the mountain on tubes. This ski resort offers a separate area for you and your family to safely enjoy snow tubing.
7. Wears Valley
Enjoy southern charm around every corner when you select a rustic cabin or log cabin lodge for your stay in the small town of Wears Valley. You can get your heart racing at the Wears Valley Ziplines, where you can sail through the sky and enjoy stunning views. Afterwards, stop by the Wears Valley Farmers Market and pick up some fresh veggies to enjoy with dinner. In the evenings, enjoy soaking in the hot tub on the back deck or reading beside a fire.
8. Zion Grove
If you want to spend your days outdoors enjoying nature and exploring the mountains, then settle into the town of Zion Grove, where the locals are friendly. This town borders the Great Smoky Mountains Mountains National Park and you can spend your days hiking the various trails marveling at waterfalls, flora and fauna, and cliffs that fall off into oblivion. Charlies Bunion and Chimney Tops are two trails to start your exploration.
9. Cherokee Hills
Northeast of Gatlinburg, the town of Cherokee Hills welcomes you with a small town feel and locals that greet you with a smile. While vacationing here, spend your day’s hiking, biking, and fishing in nearby streams. Make sure you save time for a trail ride at one of the local stables, Douglas Lakeview Stables, and Five Oaks Riding Stables.
10. Oldham
Enjoy a scenic drive northeast as you make your way to the small community of Oldham. Close to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, this city is a great starting point for hiking and biking the trails inside the park or drive through the park to catch sight of the animals and possibly a black bear. For a unique experience, take your family to the Lancaster Park & Animal Farm for a day of petting and feeding the animals.
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