Great Smoky Mountains Guidebook
Family Friendly Restaurants
This iconic breakfast spot has been serving up fluffy pancakes, waffles, and crepes for over 50 years. It's a popular spot for families and often has a line out the door.
270 locals recommend
Pancake Pantry
This iconic breakfast spot has been serving up fluffy pancakes, waffles, and crepes for over 50 years. It's a popular spot for families and often has a line out the door.
Located in Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill Restaurant offers Southern comfort food in a historic setting. They have a special menu for kids and offer free tours of the mill.
896 locals recommend
Old Mill Restaurant
Located in Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill Restaurant offers Southern comfort food in a historic setting. They have a special menu for kids and offer free tours of the mill.
This barbecue joint is a great spot for families who love meat. They offer a kids' menu and a variety of meats, sides, and sauces.
81 locals recommend
Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que
This barbecue joint is a great spot for families who love meat. They offer a kids' menu and a variety of meats, sides, and sauces.
his casual restaurant offers a family-friendly atmosphere and serves up classic American dishes, including burgers, ribs, and steaks. They also have a kids' menu and a selection of craft beers for adults.
102 locals recommend
Calhoun's in Gatlinburg
his casual restaurant offers a family-friendly atmosphere and serves up classic American dishes, including burgers, ribs, and steaks. They also have a kids' menu and a selection of craft beers for adults.
Local Goat is a New American restaurant with a scratch-made kitchen specializing in locally-sourced and sustainable menu items.
975 locals recommend
Local Goat - New American Restaurant Pigeon Forge
Local Goat is a New American restaurant with a scratch-made kitchen specializing in locally-sourced and sustainable menu items.
This pizza joint offers a wide selection of pizzas, from classic cheese and pepperoni to more unique options like BBQ chicken and shrimp scampi. They also have a full bar and a comfortable lounge area.
48 locals recommend
Big Daddy's Pizzeria
This pizza joint offers a wide selection of pizzas, from classic cheese and pepperoni to more unique options like BBQ chicken and shrimp scampi. They also have a full bar and a comfortable lounge area.
This family-owned restaurant serves up authentic Italian cuisine, including delicious pizza. They use fresh, high-quality ingredients and offer both traditional and gourmet pizzas.
97 locals recommend
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza
This family-owned restaurant serves up authentic Italian cuisine, including delicious pizza. They use fresh, high-quality ingredients and offer both traditional and gourmet pizzas.
While Howard's is primarily known for their breakfast dishes, they also offer a selection of pizzas for lunch and dinner. Their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven for a delicious, crispy crust.
93 locals recommend
Howard's Restaurant Gatlinburg's Oldest Restaurant
While Howard's is primarily known for their breakfast dishes, they also offer a selection of pizzas for lunch and dinner. Their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven for a delicious, crispy crust.
pizza restaurant located in Chalet Village, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The restaurant offers a wide selection of hand-tossed pizzas made with fresh ingredients and homemade dough. In addition to pizza, the restaurant also serves calzones, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
45 locals recommend
The All-New Ski Mountain Pizza
pizza restaurant located in Chalet Village, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The restaurant offers a wide selection of hand-tossed pizzas made with fresh ingredients and homemade dough. In addition to pizza, the restaurant also serves calzones, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Coffee Shops
This cozy cafe offers a selection of coffee drinks, teas, and pastries. They also have a small ice cream shop attached to the cafe.
Maddi Mae's Café & Creamery
This cozy cafe offers a selection of coffee drinks, teas, and pastries. They also have a small ice cream shop attached to the cafe.
Coffee is delicious and menu has fun seasonal offerings.
41 locals recommend
Black Rifle Coffee Company Pigeon Forge
Coffee is delicious and menu has fun seasonal offerings.
The aromas of freshly made donuts, cinnamon bread, and pastries drifting from this shop are impossible to resist! Cappuccino, latte and espresso made to your liking.
133 locals recommend
Donut Friar
The aromas of freshly made donuts, cinnamon bread, and pastries drifting from this shop are impossible to resist! Cappuccino, latte and espresso made to your liking.
Appalachian bistro - great if you're hitting up Cades Cove
23 locals recommend
Dancing Bear Lodge Townsend
Appalachian bistro - great if you're hitting up Cades Cove
Quaint coffee shop offering traditional beverages along with pastries & a variety of gifts for sale.
30 locals recommend
Coffee & Company
Quaint coffee shop offering traditional beverages along with pastries & a variety of gifts for sale.
Locally roasted coffee and treats served in an easygoing space with a fireplace, porch, and gift shop.
22 locals recommend
Painted Bear Coffee Co
Locally roasted coffee and treats served in an easygoing space with a fireplace, porch, and gift shop.
Breakfast Restaurants
This rustic-themed restaurant serves up a variety of hearty breakfast dishes, including biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and omelets. They also offer unique dishes like wild boar sausage and apple butter.
326 locals recommend
Crockett's Breakfast Camp
This rustic-themed restaurant serves up a variety of hearty breakfast dishes, including biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and omelets. They also offer unique dishes like wild boar sausage and apple butter.
A Gatlinburg institution, The Pancake Pantry has been serving up fluffy pancakes, waffles, and crepes for over 50 years. They have a wide variety of toppings and flavors, including the famous Caribbean pancakes.
270 locals recommend
Pancake Pantry
A Gatlinburg institution, The Pancake Pantry has been serving up fluffy pancakes, waffles, and crepes for over 50 years. They have a wide variety of toppings and flavors, including the famous Caribbean pancakes.
Attractions
This beautiful national park is the most visited in the country and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
1531 locals recommend
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This beautiful national park is the most visited in the country and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
This popular theme park offers a variety of rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. It's owned by country music star Dolly Parton and celebrates her Southern heritage.
1874 locals recommend
Dollywood
This popular theme park offers a variety of rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. It's owned by country music star Dolly Parton and celebrates her Southern heritage.
This impressive aquarium has a variety of marine life, including sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. They also have interactive exhibits and a glass tunnel where you can walk through an underwater world.
995 locals recommend
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
This impressive aquarium has a variety of marine life, including sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. They also have interactive exhibits and a glass tunnel where you can walk through an underwater world.
This ski resort offers a variety of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. They also have a wildlife exhibit, an alpine slide, and a scenic chairlift.
81 locals recommend
The Gatlinburg Tram
This ski resort offers a variety of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. They also have a wildlife exhibit, an alpine slide, and a scenic chairlift.
This unique museum is shaped like the Titanic and offers an immersive experience of what it was like to be on the ship. They have artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays.
597 locals recommend
Titanic Museum Attraction
This unique museum is shaped like the Titanic and offers an immersive experience of what it was like to be on the ship. They have artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays.
This mountaintop attraction offers a variety of activities, including a canopy walk, zip lines, and a mountain coaster. They also have a scenic chairlift and a treehouse playground.
1205 locals recommend
Anakeesta
This mountaintop attraction offers a variety of activities, including a canopy walk, zip lines, and a mountain coaster. They also have a scenic chairlift and a treehouse playground.
This entertainment complex has a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions, including a giant Ferris wheel, a ropes course, and an arcade.
399 locals recommend
The Island in Pigeon Forge
This entertainment complex has a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions, including a giant Ferris wheel, a ropes course, and an arcade.
This indoor amusement park has over 100 interactive exhibits, including a hurricane simulator, a bed of nails, and a virtual roller coaster.
315 locals recommend
WonderWorks
This indoor amusement park has over 100 interactive exhibits, including a hurricane simulator, a bed of nails, and a virtual roller coaster.
This natural wonder is a cave system that was used by Native Americans and later by moonshiners during Prohibition. They offer guided tours that take you through the underground world of stalactites and stalagmites.
269 locals recommend
Forbidden Caverns
This natural wonder is a cave system that was used by Native Americans and later by moonshiners during Prohibition. They offer guided tours that take you through the underground world of stalactites and stalagmites.
This outdoor adventure park offers ziplining, a ropes course, a swinging bridge, and ATV tours. They also have a waterfall hike and a zipline that goes over a 60-foot waterfall.
149 locals recommend
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
This outdoor adventure park offers ziplining, a ropes course, a swinging bridge, and ATV tours. They also have a waterfall hike and a zipline that goes over a 60-foot waterfall.
This observation tower offers incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The tower is located at the highest point in the park and is accessible via a steep half-mile hike.
32 locals recommend
Kuwohi
This observation tower offers incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The tower is located at the highest point in the park and is accessible via a steep half-mile hike.
A distillery located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, that produces a variety of craft spirits. This distillery offers guided tours of their distillery where visitors can learn about the history and process of distilling and sample some of their award-winning moonshine and whiskey products.
257 locals recommend
Sugarlands Distilling Co
A distillery located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, that produces a variety of craft spirits. This distillery offers guided tours of their distillery where visitors can learn about the history and process of distilling and sample some of their award-winning moonshine and whiskey products.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park features breathtaking panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains, which can be enjoyed through a relaxing chairlift ride. Additionally, the park features the SkyBridge, one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in North America, adding an element of excitement and adventure to the experience. Overall, it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and thrilling attractions, making it a must-visit destination in Gatlinburg.
864 locals recommend
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park features breathtaking panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains, which can be enjoyed through a relaxing chairlift ride. Additionally, the park features the SkyBridge, one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in North America, adding an element of excitement and adventure to the experience. Overall, it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and thrilling attractions, making it a must-visit destination in Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg Space Needle offers stunning 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the charming town of Gatlinburg. Situated in the heart of downtown, this iconic attraction offers an unforgettable perspective of the surrounding scenery. Visitors can enjoy a scenic elevator ride to the observation deck, where they can take in the breathtaking vistas and capture memorable photos. Additionally, the Space Needle features an arcade and a fun-filled experience for the whole family, making it a popular destination in Gatlinburg.
94 locals recommend
Gatlinburg Space Needle
Gatlinburg Space Needle offers stunning 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the charming town of Gatlinburg. Situated in the heart of downtown, this iconic attraction offers an unforgettable perspective of the surrounding scenery. Visitors can enjoy a scenic elevator ride to the observation deck, where they can take in the breathtaking vistas and capture memorable photos. Additionally, the Space Needle features an arcade and a fun-filled experience for the whole family, making it a popular destination in Gatlinburg.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers fascinating collection of oddities and curiosities from around the world. From bizarre artifacts to mind-boggling exhibits, the museum offers a unique and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. Additionally, interactive displays and hands-on activities enhance the fun and intrigue of exploring the unexpected. Overall, Ripley's Believe It or Not! promises an unforgettable journey into the weird and wonderful, making it a must-visit attraction in Gatlinburg.
71 locals recommend
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers fascinating collection of oddities and curiosities from around the world. From bizarre artifacts to mind-boggling exhibits, the museum offers a unique and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. Additionally, interactive displays and hands-on activities enhance the fun and intrigue of exploring the unexpected. Overall, Ripley's Believe It or Not! promises an unforgettable journey into the weird and wonderful, making it a must-visit attraction in Gatlinburg.
Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park offers a thrilling array of outdoor activities, including exhilarating rides like the Gravity Coaster and the Mountain Glider. Nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains, the park offers an adrenaline-pumping experience for adventure seekers of all ages. With options for both individual and group adventures, visitors can soar through the treetops or race down the mountainside, creating unforgettable memories in the heart of Gatlinburg.
69 locals recommend
Rowdy Bear's Smoky Mountain Snowpark
Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park offers a thrilling array of outdoor activities, including exhilarating rides like the Gravity Coaster and the Mountain Glider. Nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains, the park offers an adrenaline-pumping experience for adventure seekers of all ages. With options for both individual and group adventures, visitors can soar through the treetops or race down the mountainside, creating unforgettable memories in the heart of Gatlinburg.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains - Zipline Tour offers an exhilarating zipline experience combined with stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. The tour offers a thrilling adventure through the treetops, allowing participants to soar through the canopy and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. With expert guides ensuring safety and providing informative commentary along the way, this zipline tour promises an unforgettable and adrenaline-fueled journey for visitors to Gatlinburg.
185 locals recommend
CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains
CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains - Zipline Tour offers an exhilarating zipline experience combined with stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. The tour offers a thrilling adventure through the treetops, allowing participants to soar through the canopy and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. With expert guides ensuring safety and providing informative commentary along the way, this zipline tour promises an unforgettable and adrenaline-fueled journey for visitors to Gatlinburg.
The Village Shops
Tanger Outlets Sevierville offers a wide selection of brand-name stores with discounted prices. Whether you're looking for clothing, accessories, or home goods, the outlet mall provides a diverse range of options. Additionally, its convenient location and pleasant shopping atmosphere contribute to its popularity among shoppers.
731 locals recommend
Tanger Outlets
Tanger Outlets Sevierville offers a wide selection of brand-name stores with discounted prices. Whether you're looking for clothing, accessories, or home goods, the outlet mall provides a diverse range of options. Additionally, its convenient location and pleasant shopping atmosphere contribute to its popularity among shoppers.
Parrot Mountain and Gardens is nestled on four acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. Hundreds and hundreds of beautiful tropical birds and thousands and thousands of flowers and plants and trees. Even on rainy days, there’s so much to do under cover out of the rain!
218 locals recommend
Parrot Mountain and Gardens
Parrot Mountain and Gardens is nestled on four acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. Hundreds and hundreds of beautiful tropical birds and thousands and thousands of flowers and plants and trees. Even on rainy days, there’s so much to do under cover out of the rain!
Hiking Trails
This challenging hike is about 11 miles round trip and takes you to the summit of Mount LeConte, the third-highest peak in the park. Along the way, you'll see beautiful views, rock formations, and the Alum Cave Bluffs.
Alum Cave Trail
This challenging hike is about 11 miles round trip and takes you to the summit of Mount LeConte, the third-highest peak in the park. Along the way, you'll see beautiful views, rock formations, and the Alum Cave Bluffs.
This 4-mile round trip hike is challenging but rewarding. You'll climb to the summit of Chimney Tops, a unique rock formation with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Please note that the trail has been closed for repairs and is expected to reopen in late 2023.
79 locals recommend
Chimney Tops Trail Trailhead
This 4-mile round trip hike is challenging but rewarding. You'll climb to the summit of Chimney Tops, a unique rock formation with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Please note that the trail has been closed for repairs and is expected to reopen in late 2023.
This 2.6-mile round trip hike is one of the most popular in the park. The trail takes you to the beautiful Laurel Falls, a 80-foot waterfall. The hike is relatively easy, making it a great option for families with kids.
Laurel Falls Trailhead Parking Area
This 2.6-mile round trip hike is one of the most popular in the park. The trail takes you to the beautiful Laurel Falls, a 80-foot waterfall. The hike is relatively easy, making it a great option for families with kids.
This 3.8-mile round trip hike is a flat and easy walk that is perfect for families with kids. The trail follows along the Little Pigeon River and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
83 locals recommend
Gatlinburg Trail
This 3.8-mile round trip hike is a flat and easy walk that is perfect for families with kids. The trail follows along the Little Pigeon River and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
This 0.5-mile loop trail is a great option for families with young children or anyone looking for an easy walk. The trail has interpretive signs and offers information about the local flora and fauna.
11 locals recommend
Sugarland Valley Nature Trail Head
This 0.5-mile loop trail is a great option for families with young children or anyone looking for an easy walk. The trail has interpretive signs and offers information about the local flora and fauna.
This 0.5-mile loop trail is another easy option for families. The trail offers views of the historic buildings and structures in Cades Cove, including a grist mill and a log cabin. Wildlife sightings, such as deer and turkeys, are also common on this trail.
6 locals recommend
Cades Cove Nature Trail
This 0.5-mile loop trail is another easy option for families. The trail offers views of the historic buildings and structures in Cades Cove, including a grist mill and a log cabin. Wildlife sightings, such as deer and turkeys, are also common on this trail.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
The Sugarlands
Dinner Shows
This dinner show offers a family-friendly experience that includes a four-course meal and a live performance with horses, music, and comedy. The show has a patriotic theme and is great for all ages.
698 locals recommend
Dolly Parton's Stampede
This dinner show offers a family-friendly experience that includes a four-course meal and a live performance with horses, music, and comedy. The show has a patriotic theme and is great for all ages.
This dinner show tells the story of the famous Hatfield and McCoy feud with plenty of laughs and good food. The show includes a Southern-style dinner with fried chicken, pulled pork, and other classic dishes.
452 locals recommend
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
This dinner show tells the story of the famous Hatfield and McCoy feud with plenty of laughs and good food. The show includes a Southern-style dinner with fried chicken, pulled pork, and other classic dishes.
This dinner show features a pirate-themed performance with acrobatics, live animals, and special effects. The show includes a four-course meal with options like roasted chicken, pulled pork, and vegetable soup.
363 locals recommend
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
This dinner show features a pirate-themed performance with acrobatics, live animals, and special effects. The show includes a four-course meal with options like roasted chicken, pulled pork, and vegetable soup.
Recreation
Gatlinburg Community Center
Bent Creek Golf Course