The Ultimate Travel Guide to Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains

John and I (and Elvis!) took a road trip to Eastern Tennessee for a weeklong getaway with his family. They rented a cozy cabin in the mountains, so we loaded up the car and joined them for some much-needed relaxation and adventure. We spent our days enjoying cocktails and food at the cabin, wandering around downtown Gatlinburg, and hiking through the Smoky Mountains. While I didn’t spot any bears, there were still plenty of highlights throughout the trip—including spending the morning of my 29th birthday hiking the Appalachian Trail! Read on for more of my favorite experiences, including my pet-friendly (indicated with a 🐾 symbol) recommendations below!

Where to Stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

John’s parents rented a cabin for the week. We stayed at Sunset Lodge, located in Sevierville, just north of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The cabin was clean, quaint, and pet-friendly! It had a fully equipped kitchen, three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a hot tub. However, getting there was an adventure—the roads were steep and narrow, so I’d recommend four-wheel drive if you’re staying in the mountains.

If you prefer to be closer to the action, Gatlinburg has plenty of hotels and resorts, including tourist favorites like Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg and The Park Vista. For those wanting a blend of luxury and nature, check out The Lodge at Buckberry Creek or Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park.

Best Time to Visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee

In my opinion, the best times to visit Gatlinburg are in the fall and spring. Fall brings breathtaking foliage, while spring offers mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers. Summer can be quite crowded with tourists, while winter is ideal for skiing at Ober Mountain. We visited in May and found the weather to be perfect for hiking—warm but not too hot, with plenty of greenery in the mountains!

Weather by Season

Spring (March-May)

• Mild temps (50s-70s°F) with occasional rain
• Blooming wildflowers and lush greenery

Summer (June-August)

• Hot and humid (70s-90s°F) with afternoon storms
• Peak tourist season with busy attractions

Fall (September-November)

• Cool temps (40s-70s°F) with vibrant foliage (best in October)
• Fewer crowds than summer

Winter (December-February)

• Cold (20s-50s°F) with occasional snow in higher elevations
• Great for skiing at Ober Mountain

Top Things to Do in Gatlinburg

1. Walk Across the Gatlinburg SkyBridge 🐾

The Gatlinburg Skybridge was one of the top things on my “must-do” list while in Eastern Tennessee. At 680 feet long, it is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, offering panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains. To access it, take the SkyLift to the top of SkyLift Park. After buying tickets at the stand near the entrance, you then ride the open-air chairlift to the top of an 1,800-ft. overlook. The bridge wobbles a bit, but the breathtaking views make it worth it!

Pet Note: While technically pet-friendly, the open-air SkyLift may not be suitable for all dogs. We opted to leave Elvis behind for this one.

2. Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Some trails = 🐾)

My adventure-seeking and nature-loving side of me definitely could not let myself visit Eastern Tennessee without spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and is the most-visited National Park in the U.S., offering countless trails and scenic drives. Best of all? There’s no entrance fee! We drove in and out of the park multiple times over the course of the week, and we never had to purchase a permit or pay fees.

here are lots of trails to choose from in the park, including some that are for hiking and others that are drivable. If you are traveling with pets, be advised that National Parks are not as pet-friendly as you might assume. There are only two hiking paths where dogs are allowed, but one of them is located next to Downtown Gatlinburg, and Elvis loved it! Here are the two hikes we did during our time there:

Pet-Friendly Trail: Gatlinburg Trail 🐾

Gatlinburg Trail is one of the two pet-friendly trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (The Oconaluftee River Trail is the second which dogs are permitted on, but this trail was much farther away from our cabin so we did not hike it.) This 3.8-mile roundtrip trail runs along the river, offering beautiful views and an easy walk for both humans and pups. Trailheads can be found at the Sugarlands Visitor Center or on River Road near Downtown Gatlinburg. It is known as a “point-to-point trail,” meaning you can begin your hike at either end of the trail. It rained the day that we took Elvis on the trail with us, but we still enjoyed the beautiful views of the river and Elvis loved the smells!

Intermediate Hiking Trail: Appalachian Trail to Charlie’s Bunion

Before we left on this trip, I was very excited to see that we were going to be so close to the Appalachian Trail. My birthday happened to be during the week we were on this trip, so my one request for the day of was to get up relatively early and hike part of the Appalachian. For adventure seekers, hiking to Charlie’s Bunion, is a must. This 8-mile roundtrip trail gains 1,600 feet in elevation, leading to one of the best overlooks in the Smokies. We got to the trailhead by parking at the Newfound Gap parking lot. I recommend starting your hike early—it took us about 3.5 hours to complete, and since we set out just before 8 AM, we had the summit to ourselves for about 10 minutes. I would say this is a pretty strenuous hike, but the challenge made it extra exhilarating and the views at the top were absolutely breathtaking! This hike was probably my favorite experience from the trip!

3. Stroll Through The Village Shops 🐾

Nestled in downtown Gatlinburg, The Village Shops offer a charming, European-style shopping experience. This quaint little area is nestled right in the middle of the downtown strip and it a great place to do some shopping, try some yummy foods, or just sit and relax away from all of the “hustle and bustle” for a bit. While individual stores don’t allow pets, the outdoor seating areas are dog-friendly. Don’t leave without trying a donut from The Donut Friar—they’re lauded as the best in Tennessee!

4. Go Moonshine & Cider Tasting 🐾

You can’t visit Tennessee without trying moonshine! We visited two pet-friendly distilleries:

• Ole Smoky Moonshine – Offers $5 tastings of flavored moonshine and whiskey. My favorite was definitely the apple pie moonshine, while I could have done without the mint chocolate chip whiskey (bleh!).
• Sugarlands Distilling Company – Another great option with a rustic vibe and a wide selection of moonshine flavors.

For cider lovers, Tennessee Cider Co. offers delicious tastings and even homemade dog treats for your pup!

Other Must-Visit Attractions in Gatlinburg

If you have extra time, consider checking out:

• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – A highly rated aquarium in the heart of downtown.
• Anakeesta – A scenic mountaintop adventure park with a chairlift, zip lines, and sky bridges.
• Dollywood – A must-visit theme park in Pigeon Forge (book tickets far in advance!).
• Cades Cove – A scenic 11-mile loop drive through the park with historic sites and wildlife viewing.
• Clingman’s Dome – The highest point in the Smoky Mountains, offering a short but steep hike to an observation tower.

Tips & Must-Know Details for Visiting Gatlinburg

Traffic & Parking: Downtown Gatlinburg gets busy. Park at Gatlinburg Parking Garage or use the trolley system to avoid congestion.

Weather: Be prepared for sudden weather changes in the mountains—pack layers and rain gear.

Wildlife Safety: Black bears are common in the Smokies! Keep a safe distance and store food properly if hiking or staying in a cabin.

Book in Advance: Attractions like Dollywood and Anakeesta can sell out, especially in peak seasons.

Budget-Friendly Activities: Many of the best experiences, like hiking and scenic drives, are free!

Local Eats: Don’t miss trying Tennessee BBQ, pancake houses, and homemade fudge from one of the many candy shops downtown.

Final Thoughts

Gatlinburg, Tennessee was a great mix of relaxation and adventure. Whether you’re looking for scenic hikes, great food, pet-friendly activities, or unique attractions, this mountain town has something for everyone. Have questions about planning your trip? Drop them in the comments below!

Popular Tours in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Shop My Gatlinburg, Tennessee Essentials

Pin this for later!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!