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It’s decided. You and the family are in full agreement that this year’s trip will be to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This means you’ve begun dreaming of hiking and taking in the panoramic views at the iconic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You’ve been telling the kids about Smoky The Bear and all the attractions there, like the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies where they can pet a penguin, touch a stingray, or Ober Gatlinburg, where they can ice skate regardless of the season. You’ve even started to picture yourself meandering through downtown Gatlinburg where you’ll visit The Village Shops, stop by Gatlinburg Space Needle and ride the Gatlinburg Sky Lift.
But one massive detail still remains…..where are you going to stay? If you’re like us, researching the best place to stay in Gatlinburg could feel like a daunting task with the overwhelming amount of options available.
That’s where we come in.
We’ve narrowed down the best place to stay in Gatlinburg into three categories: Staying Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Downtown Gatlinburg and Budget-Friendly Places To Stay – for affordable family vacations and family reunions.
Let’s get started!
Stay Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sugarlands Entrance:
The most popular entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Sugarlands and is located on its north side. When you stay here, you will be caught up in a whirlwind of all things Smoky Mountains. It’s also only a short walk to the park with unobstructed mountain views for the duration of your stay. If you like crowds and the convenience of being steps away from all that Gatlinburg has to offer, then choosing to stay here will be your best bet.
Oconaluftee Entrance:
Alternatively, if you want to stay near the park but aren’t interested in being in a tourist town for your vacation, then choosing to stay by the Oconaluftee entrance located at the southern end of the park might be the perfect choice for you and your family. This entrance is located in North Carolina and is close to Waynesville and Bryson City.
Here, you’ll find the Museum of The Cherokee Indian along with tons of small-town diners, coffee shops, boutiques and southern charm. The hospitality in these parts is so delightful you might never want to go home.
Downtown Gatlinburg
When choosing to stay in Downtown Gatlinburg, you’re choosing to stay in the epicentre of all the fun and excitement that Gatlinburg has to offer. That’ll make it virtually impossible to get bored or not be able to find something to do. Not only will you be right at the gate of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but you’ll be able to walk to some of the best dining, attractions and shows in the area. Staying downtown does come with a higher price tag but greatly makes up for it with all its convenience.
Some of the top attractions found in downtown Gatlinburg are:
- Gatlinburg Space Needle offering fabulous 360 degrees views of The Smokies and downtown
- Ripley’s Aquarium of The Smokies with tons of marine life experiences for the whole family to enjoy
- Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini Golf with 2 – 18 hole state of the art mini golf courses
Budget-Friendly Places To Stay
The Great Smoky Mountains is a destination where even families working on a limited budget can find accommodations and things to do that are both entertaining and economical. If you’re looking to save some money on accommodations, here are three small towns close by to consider
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is a popular destination in its own right but does have slightly more economical prices due to it being only a short drive to Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The drive to Gatlinburg is beautiful and will take you along The Parkway, known as one of the most scenic routes in America.
This route will pass you through stunning mountainscapes as well as Little Pigeon River. Some of the things to do in Pigeon Forge are:
- Dollywood Theme park that includes a water park and authentic country fair
- Smoky Alpine Mountain Coaster, where you can ride the longest downhill mountain coaster with over 1 mile of track
- Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram that’ll carry you and your family up and over the Smoky Mountains offering a whole new perspective of the area
Sevierville
Whether you choose to stay here or not, you must visit. After all, it’s the birthplace of country legend Dolly Parton.
To commemorate the beloved Queen of country music, you’ll find a statue of Dolly right downtown by the courthouse. (That’s a photo op if we ever saw one.) Even more reasons to love Sevierville are:
- Anakeesta, where you can experience all the thrills of Tennessee’s very own award-winning theme park
- Legacy Mountain Ziplines where you can get your blood pumping and adrenaline flowing with a choice of 7 ziplines ranging in length from 450 ft to 3400 ft through the treetops and down the mountain.
- Christmas Place is a place where every Christmas fanatic can get their “festive on,” regardless of the time of year.
Townsend
Families love Townsend. It’s a small, quiet mountain town on the Cades Cove side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is affectionately called “the peaceful side of the mountain.”
Here, you’ll be out of all the touristy action that comes along with staying near the park and downtown Gatlinburg. There’s also lots to see and do in this sleepy little mountain town, such as:
- Little River Railroad Museum, where you can learn all about the local history
- Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing is an experience for family-friendly tubing adventures down the river
- Apple Valley Mountain Village for shopping, dining and guided adventures
Wears Valley
This little town is a hidden gem that most tourists coming to the area never find out about….so let’s keep this just between us, ok?
People come here because they love that it’s on the quiet side of the mountain and has its own secret entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Some of the sights to see in Wears Valley, aside from appreciating its breathtaking views and slow pace of life, are:
- Wears Valley Zipline Adventure, where you can see inspiring views of Mt. Leconte
- Goats On The Roof Theme Park with actual goats and a rollercoaster
- Friendly Falls Gem Mine where the whole family can learn about the mining process in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere
Final Thoughts
Rest assured, you’ve made a great decision in choosing to make Gatlinburg, Tennessee and The Great Smoky Mountains area your next family vacation.
There is so much here to see and do that you’ll undoubtedly leave with a treasure trove of lifelong memories. Whether you’re looking for a place near Dollywood, you’re hoping to be nestled away in the mountains in a luxury community, or you prefer downtown Gatlinburg near the shops and dining, we hope this guide has helped you find your perfect location. With that settled, you’ll finally be able to get on to planning what’s truly important….what to wear!
Happy Travels!
