Cades Cove, Tennessee, is a hidden gem in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This cove, or valley surrounded on all sides by mountains, was first settled by Cherokee in the late 1700s and later became home in the early 1800s to European settlers. The cove attracts millions of visitors each year, and is in fact the most popular section of the extensive national park. During three seasons of the year, visitors can enjoy the scenery and wildlife abundant in this preserved early Appalachian community by biking around the 11-mile one-way Cades Cove Loop road.
Top 15 Gatlinburg TN Restaurants
When deciding what to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, individuals are interested to check out the “latest and greatest” in dining amenities that this town has to offer so we have compiled the top 15 Gatlinburg TN Restaurants. Located in the heart of the majestic Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg presents with an array of fare from traditional American to Italian cuisines. Ranked as one of the most beautiful towns in America by Forbes Magazine, there is no doubt that individuals receive the most scenic and fulfilling dining experiences in this pristine location. Provided below is a descriptive overview of the top 15 restaurants that Gatlinburg, Tennessee has to offer.
The Best 15 Places to Eat in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
1. Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que: Established in 1991, this reputable smokehouse is well-known for its amazing smoked ribs, chicken, beef, and pork. This restaurant also possesses an excellent soup and salad bar, breakfast buffet, and plentiful children’s menu. Ranked as having the best ribs and the best barbecue by the Mountain Press, Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que is also a Gatlinburg Goes Green Bronze Member.
2. Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon: Since 1999, this restaurant has been known for providing its guests with the best steaks and seafood around. Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon also features a children’s menu and a full bar.
3. Pancake Pantry: For the best breakfast and lunch fare, individuals are encouraged to check out Pancake Pantry. Its doors are open every day of the year.
4. Flying Saucer Italian Bistro: From delicious pizzas to homemade custards, the Flying Saucer Italian Bistro offers the best.
5. Dolce UVA Wine Bar Cafe: Dolce UVA Wine Bar Cafe features wines from around the World. In addition, this restaurant is not only kid-friendly, it also features a variety of Italian and American dining options.
6. Crystelle Creek: Crystelle Creek Restaurant is surrounded by flowing creeks. Their menu includes chicken, trout, and steak dishes.
7. Crawdaddy’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar: This restaurant is known for its delicious seafood options and nightly karaoke. One of the highlights of Crawdaddy’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar is that kids eat for free every night.
8. Best Italian Parkway: Best Italian Parkway is well-known for its garlic rolls, pizzas, and other Italian favorites. This restaurant is a Gatlinburg Goes Green Member.
9. The Cherokee Grill: The Cherokee Grill is known to locals as “Gatlinburg’s Great Steakhouse,” and its specialties include steak, ribs, and rotisserie chicken.
10. The Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant: Started in 1969, this restaurant and deli features a large assortment of German foods to indulge in. Bratwursts, reubans, and domestic beers are some of its most popular items.
11. Calhoun’s Restaurant: Calhoun’s Restaurant possesses a diverse menu that satisfies individuals of all food preferences. Their specialities include baby back ribs, catfish, and specialty sandwiches.
12. The Cabin Cafe: As a Gatlinburg Goes Green Silver Member, this charming eatery features an open kitchen and an array of satisfying soups, salads, and sandwiches.
13. Best Italian Cafe and Pizzeria: For some of the best pizza and Italian dishes that Gatlinburg has to offer, individuals are encouraged to check out Best Italian Cafe and Pizzeria. This restaurant has been around since 1976, and its biggest attribute is its reputation for producing some of the best, homemade cheesecakes in town.
14. Atrium Pancakes: This breakfast “hotspot” has been featured in Taste of Home Magazine, and it features over 25 varieties of delicious pancakes and homemade syrups.
15. The Wild Plum: Guests of this restaurant are treated to outstanding views of the Smoky Mountains as they dine in an Austrian-style, log cabin setting. This restaurant is a Gatlinburg Goes Green Bronze Member.
With over 100 places to choose from, the rather small town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee possesses an array of quality dining options. Even better, most of them are locally owned, and they acquire the quality and diversity that are essential to their reputations both locally and nationally.
Family Vacation on a Budget in the Smoky Mountains
Family Vacation on a Budget in the Smoky Mountains
If you want to have a budget friendly family vacation, if you are looking for alternatives to the costly attractions that can quickly add up in breaking your budget guidelines you might want to think about a family getaway to the mountains. Visiting the Smoky Mountain area on a budget may mean passing up many of the flashy attractions and make it a point to focus on the natural elements of the mountains; check out these 5 tips for ideas. Yes it is still possible for kids and a family to take a break from the everyday electronics that are relied on for constant entertainment and social interactions. Sometimes a mountain getaway is just what is needed for true quality time with your family to bond and connect. It can be the simplicity of nature and quietness that is the perfect backdrop to let your family conversations take center stage without interruptions.Read More
The History of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The idea started in the late 1890s to create a national park in the mountains. There was a mission of the people with a goal for the creation of the Smoky Mountain National park and that was for the public land to be preserved in the southern Appalachians. An unsuccessful bill even entered the North Carolina Legislature. By the early 20th century, many more people in North and South were pressuring Washington a public preserve in the Eastern United States.Read More
The History of Dollywood
Dollywood theme park was opened in 1986 in Pigeon Forge, TN by Dolly Parton. Dolly famous as an entertainer in the music and film industry was originally from the Sevier County, TN area and her love of the area is represented through the history of Dollywood. The land that Dollywood is located on had already been long known and enjoyed as a theme park formerly known as Silver Dollar City.
As of 2011 Dollywood hosts over 3 million guests continually increasing from 2.5 million guests in a typical season, as of 2009, up from 1.3 million visitors in 1986. It is an amusement park that entertains guest of all ages from toddlers, teens to grandparents and is definitely a family friendly experience with a true Smoky Mountain Heritage experience. If you are looking for thrill rides there is a great selection of roller coasters that will impress those with a love for excitement and speed. And the smaller thrill seekers will be just as happy with all the park has to keep them busy with the Country Fair area having most rides with the minimum height requirement.
With Dolly’s talent in music it is a natural fit that she made music a large part of entertainment in Dollywood as well. With many styles of musical shows as entertainment in the park it is Southern Gospel that is the primary focus. Not only is Dollywood know for the great Southern Gospel shows that you will find it is also the site to the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Southern Gospel Music Association. With several theaters throughout the park ranging from intimate
The Smoky Mountains is also known for the art and crafts created and this is a prime spot to see it in action, and to shop for a piece of the art to take with you. In Craftsman Valley and you will find items often made on-site where you can catch a glimpse of the artist in action if your timing is good. With many of the crafts being made while on-site lets you not only watch some being made but also gives you an opportunity to have items customized or let you be hands on yourself. With a wide assortment from candles, jewelry, blown-glass, carved wood, leather and iron crafts the Smoky Mountain Heritage of arts and crafts is widely represented at Dollywood.
Dollywood is open from mid-March through January first annually. The hours and days of operation vary with the season. Each season at Dollywood has become known for each of the festivals held: The Festival of Nations in the Spring; Kids Fest in the Summer; Barbeque & Bluegrass and then National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration in the Fall; and Smoky Mountain Christmas in late November through January. When planning your Smoky Mountain vacation you can view hours of operation and special events by going to the Dollywood website.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you are considering Smoky Mountain ziplines for the first time we have covered some general questions you may have and made a quick comparison of facts for the top ziplines in Sevierville, TN, Gatlinburg, TN, and Pigeon Forge, TN. A zipline is a suspended steel cable rigged to allow a harnessed rider to travel the distance between the ends. Ziplining is a great way to see the amazing views of the Smoky Mountains from a different angle with speed, excitement, and a little daring fun. While soaring above nature you may be going over tree tops, rivers, streams, valleys, and right past other sightseers it gives you a bird’s eye view of what makes the Smoky Mountains so unique. The course that you select will vary but each will give you a great view of the Smoky Mountains with adventure in the outdoors.
You will be grouped with a guide that will be with you for your Smoky Mountain ziplines tour to help with any needs such as positioning your harness, helmet, and gloves that will be provided. Safety instructions will be covered at the beginning before you start with an explanation of using all equipment that you will be provided. All that you really need to bring with you is good comfortable and secure closed toe shoes. Also you will want to avoid wearing dangling jewelry and no skirts (you will be wearing a climbing harness). The temperature can drop when you’re going on a zip line during the winter months, so make sure that you dress appropriately. Thick socks, a warm jacket that can zip up, a warm winter hat, thermal underwear, and even a face mask can be helpful if you’re going to be on a zip lining adventure in the winter months.
While ziplining in the Smoky Mountains is a great activity for almost everyone there are some physical restrictions to keep in mind, these excursions are designed for persons in good physical condition. Participants must have full use of their limbs, and must be comfortable with heights. Pregnant women, guests with existing injuries and/or seizure disorders are not allowed. Guests with current or re-occurring medical conditions should not take this type of tour. You must be able to hike short distances, climb stairs, walk/stand for long periods of time for an average amount of 200. Extreme fear of heights or panic attacks is factors to consider.
Age / Weight requirements: | Cost: | Length : | Time to anticipate: | Number of zip-lines: | Hours of operation: | Reservations contact: | |
Foxfire Mountain | 8 + years old / Maximum275 lbs | $89.95 | 600 to 1500 feet | 2 hours | 7 lines | Call for times | 865-453-1998 |
Adventure Ziplines of Sevierville | Maximum 275 lbs /tandem for < 70 lbs | $69.99 to $94.99 | 450 to 2,500 feet | 45 min to 3 hours | 9 lines | 9am-Midnight | 865-453-8644 |
Climb Works Canopy | 8 + years old / Maximum270 lbs/ tandem for <80 lbs | $79 to $89 | 3 hours | Monday – Saturday | 865-325-8116 | ||
Smoky Mountain Ziplines | 8 years old + / between 60 lbs and 250 lbs | $24.95 to $124.95 | 1 to 3 hours | 24 lines | Call for times | 865-429-9004 | |
Adventure Zip Lines of Pigeon Forge | 3 years old + / between 100 and 275 pounds | $69.99 | 450 to 3,400 feet | 2 1/2 to 3 hours | 6 lines | Call for times | 865-774-3330 |
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair in Gatlinburg, TN
Walking down the tree-lined street at the Gatlinburg Craftmen’s Fair of Gatlinburg, TN a quaint town nestled in the mountains is a perfect place to see an artist painting a portrait you would love to hang in your home. Take time to watch a craftsman making a pottery bowl that you would enjoy having in your home to serve your guest from. Pick out a stained glass art masterpiece to transform your own space with the rainbow prism that you see the inspired artist has created piece by piece. Listen to the sounds of country and bluegrass music filling the air as you smell the sweetness of fresh fudge, candy apples and caramel corn being made nearby. This is the experience that you can have if you visit the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair.
Unique, handmade, personalized, and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts are set up throughout 200 booths in the Gatlinburg craft fair. With artisans and craftsmen from near and far coming from all over the United States to display, demonstrate, and sell their talented pieces. The biannual event in Gatlinburg held July 20 thru 29 and October 11 thru 28 not only features arts and crafts but also offers daily entertainment for things to do in Gatlinburg with Country and Bluegrass music shows alongside the Gatlinburg craft show.
The Great Smoky Mountains has always been known for the arts and crafts that you can find and this is the largest and widest offering in one small area bringing together the most arts and crafts to experience at once. It is more than just a Gatlinburg craft show it is an experience that you will remember. The greatest treasures that you can purchase to fill your home or share with loved ones is those with a special meaning or story behind them, and being able to watch the artisan or craftsman create it with their infinite skill and talented touch brings the pieces to life with memories. Searching for things to do in Gatlinburg is easy for those that enjoy arts, crafts, and the Gatlinburg area – this is an event to plan your trip around with a summer and fall option annually July 20 thru 29 and October 11 thru 28.
Pigeon Forge Dinner Shows
Pigeon Forge dinner shows are a great option for anyone who is looking for a fun and unique dining experience. Pigeon Forge attracts thousands of tourists a year because of all the unique activities it has to offer and being near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Lumberjack Feud is a song and dance dinner show. The show takes place in an arena and features timber athletes competing against one another in various events. Lumberjack Feud is meant to be funny, so you can count on having a good laugh. Lumberjack Feud is also big on audience interaction, so don’t be surprised if you get pulled from the audience to participate!
Another great dinner show in Pigeon Forge is The Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show. The show takes place in a small theater which is great for interaction among actors and guests. If you like to solve mysteries then this is the dinner show is a must see. The Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show will keep you on the edge of your seat while you enjoy a country-style meal. The shows at this location change daily, so call in advance for a weekly schedule.
The Smith Family Dinner and Show has been voted the best show in Tennessee multiple times. The show is about The Smith Family, three men who share their life experiences. The show is set to catchy country and bluegrass music which will be stuck in your head for days after you leave. The Smith Family Dinner and Show offers one of the biggest varieties of meal options in comparison to other dinner shows.
The Dixie Stampede is one of Pigeon Forge’s most well-known dinner shows. Created by Dolly Parton, The Dixie Stampede is located in the heart of Pigeon Forge and offers a show full of friendly competition. The show consists of horse riding stunts and a delicious four course meal. The Dixie Stampede also offers a preshow, free with the purchase of a ticket, which offers the upbeat sounds of bluegrass and country music. Different from many other shows, The Dixie Stampede offers vegetarian meals.
The shows listed above are great for any family that is looking for a unique way to spend an evening together while enjoying some down-home country cooking!
Taste of Autumn in Gatlinburg
With Autumn coming soon, one of the best and most delicious ways to prepare is to attend the Taste of Autumn festival in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Located near the Gatlinburg Convention Center, the Taste of Autumn offers, for a small donation, unlimited sampling from 17 participating vendors. There will be live entertainment from 5pm to 8pm, to help you digest all of that food.Read More
Grilling on Vacation
You rent cabins in Gatlinburg, TN to escape the hustle and bustle of your life and relax in nature. So, why would you want to leave such gorgeous scenery and a beautiful cabin to grab a burger from a fast food place? All cabins come with an outdoor grill and a fully functional kitchen stocked with pots and pans. So what are you waiting for? Get grilling on vacation!Read More
Fall in the Smoky Mountains
No paradise is sweeter than fall in the Smoky Mountains. In fact, fall is one of the best times to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Trails are lined with leaves from hardwood trees. The days are balmy and gorgeous among the many colorful hardwoods. The nights are cool and can be frosty in autumn. For lodging during their stay, many smart visitors book cozy cabins in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.Read More
Top 5 Attractions in Gatlinburg
Are you searching for something fun to do while visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Gatlinburg is located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. There are plenty of Gatlinburg Attractions and adventures for you and your family to discover. Here is a list of the top five must-do attractions in Gatlinburg.Read More