Gatlinburg Guidebook
Local Food Favorites
The Rampant Lion is a local favorite! It's off the beaten path located in the Arts and Crafts Community which is a perfect area if you're trying avoid the crowds. This Celtic Pub is known for their great service, incredible food and offers a selection of over 150 whiskeys.
25 locals recommend
The Rampant Lion
734 Powdermill RdThe Rampant Lion is a local favorite! It's off the beaten path located in the Arts and Crafts Community which is a perfect area if you're trying avoid the crowds. This Celtic Pub is known for their great service, incredible food and offers a selection of over 150 whiskeys.
Gatlinburg Grind is one of our favorites in all of Sevier County! Daily handmade bakery items and pastries are to die and pair perfectly with their special brewed coffee. Make sure to go early for the best selection!
11 locals recommend
Gatlinburg Grind
680 Glades RdGatlinburg Grind is one of our favorites in all of Sevier County! Daily handmade bakery items and pastries are to die and pair perfectly with their special brewed coffee. Make sure to go early for the best selection!
Known for their lava bowls (which we highly, highly recommend!) El Soñador is incredibly affordable, family friendly and has some of the most amazing staff in all of Gatlinburg. You will not be disappointed!
8 locals recommend
El Soñador Mexican Restaurant
458 ParkwayKnown for their lava bowls (which we highly, highly recommend!) El Soñador is incredibly affordable, family friendly and has some of the most amazing staff in all of Gatlinburg. You will not be disappointed!
Naturally aged steaks are cut tableside to your specification and grilled over real Tennessee hickory charcoal. At times, the wait can be lengthy, but once you experience The Peddler, you'll know why!
161 locals recommend
The Peddler Steakhouse
820 River RdNaturally aged steaks are cut tableside to your specification and grilled over real Tennessee hickory charcoal. At times, the wait can be lengthy, but once you experience The Peddler, you'll know why!
When the Pancake Pantry opened in 1960, it was Tennessee’s first and only pancake house. Now, over fifty years later, there is not a shortage of pancake houses in East Tennessee. However, only one pancake house consistently has a line out the door more days than not – the Pancake Pantry in downtown Gatlinburg. This historic Smoky Mountain eatery is one of the more “famous” restaurants in the area and manages to draw tons of loyal customers every single day.
139 locals recommend
Pancake Pantry
628 ParkwayWhen the Pancake Pantry opened in 1960, it was Tennessee’s first and only pancake house. Now, over fifty years later, there is not a shortage of pancake houses in East Tennessee. However, only one pancake house consistently has a line out the door more days than not – the Pancake Pantry in downtown Gatlinburg. This historic Smoky Mountain eatery is one of the more “famous” restaurants in the area and manages to draw tons of loyal customers every single day.
A staple of the community, the Local Goat is known for their eclectic American menu and incredible wait staff. It's best to make a reservation in advance as this is a highly sought after (for good reason) dining spot!
498 locals recommend
Local Goat- New American Restaurant
2167 ParkwayA staple of the community, the Local Goat is known for their eclectic American menu and incredible wait staff. It's best to make a reservation in advance as this is a highly sought after (for good reason) dining spot!
Incredible pizza, fun atmosphere and amazing service always! Let them know that you are a guest of a Chalet Village owner for a discount!
21 locals recommend
Ski Mountain Pizza
631 Ski Mountain RdIncredible pizza, fun atmosphere and amazing service always! Let them know that you are a guest of a Chalet Village owner for a discount!
Crystelle Creek is a favorite among the locals. When you visit, you'll know why! The staff is amazing and has been around forever for a reason. This is a great stop for a full meal or just a quick cocktail. Tell them we said hello!
40 locals recommend
Crystelle Creek Restaurant
1654 East PkwyCrystelle Creek is a favorite among the locals. When you visit, you'll know why! The staff is amazing and has been around forever for a reason. This is a great stop for a full meal or just a quick cocktail. Tell them we said hello!
Beautiful setting, incredible tapas and locally owned. Red Oak Bistro is a must for a Gatlinburg date night. Reservations are highly recommended!
57 locals recommend
Red Oak Bistro
669 Glades RdBeautiful setting, incredible tapas and locally owned. Red Oak Bistro is a must for a Gatlinburg date night. Reservations are highly recommended!
Sightseeing
This a wonderful, drive-through trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. Great mountain views, historic houses and churches and wildlife are just a few things you will see. Great for the whole family and it's free!
761 locals recommend
Cades Cove
This a wonderful, drive-through trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. Great mountain views, historic houses and churches and wildlife are just a few things you will see. Great for the whole family and it's free!
Big outdoor adventure hub offering zip lining, gondola rides, a treetop play area & other fun. Buy your ticket online to save some time entering the park. Tickets purchased at the ticket booth one hour before close, gives you access to the park the following day for FREE!
453 locals recommend
Anakeesta
576 ParkwayBig outdoor adventure hub offering zip lining, gondola rides, a treetop play area & other fun. Buy your ticket online to save some time entering the park. Tickets purchased at the ticket booth one hour before close, gives you access to the park the following day for FREE!
"This park has something for everyone! If unable to do hikes, the scenic drives and overlooks are amazing. The hikes range in difficulty, with ones like Laurel Falls being relatively easy to Chimney Tops being fairly difficult. Great place for picnics, wildlife viewing (animals and butterflies), hiking, and just being out in nature!"
81 locals recommend
Smokey Mountain National Park
"This park has something for everyone! If unable to do hikes, the scenic drives and overlooks are amazing. The hikes range in difficulty, with ones like Laurel Falls being relatively easy to Chimney Tops being fairly difficult. Great place for picnics, wildlife viewing (animals and butterflies), hiking, and just being out in nature!"
Open year round, Ober Gatlinburg offers something for the whole family! Enjoy plenty of shopping, skiing, the skytram, ice skating, summer tubing, mini golf and so much more!
500 locals recommend
Ober Gatlinburg
1339 Ski Mountain RdOpen year round, Ober Gatlinburg offers something for the whole family! Enjoy plenty of shopping, skiing, the skytram, ice skating, summer tubing, mini golf and so much more!
The Arts and Crafts Community is the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States. As such it doesn’t disappoint in the diversity of crafts you can see when you visit.
159 locals recommend
Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community
668 Glades RoadThe Arts and Crafts Community is the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States. As such it doesn’t disappoint in the diversity of crafts you can see when you visit.
The Rocky Top Mountain Coaster features beautiful Smoky Mountains scenery, 360 degree turns, and several tunnels. Each single cart can go up to 30 MPH and the driver controls the speed on this over 9 minute long ride! We recommend riding during the day and saving your ticket to head back for a night ride at a discounted price.
39 locals recommend
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
2940 Veterans BlvdThe Rocky Top Mountain Coaster features beautiful Smoky Mountains scenery, 360 degree turns, and several tunnels. Each single cart can go up to 30 MPH and the driver controls the speed on this over 9 minute long ride! We recommend riding during the day and saving your ticket to head back for a night ride at a discounted price.
"The family had such a good time rafting. It was seriously the best part of our vacation to Gatlinburg!! Highly, highly recommend River Rat. Such a great time. Already making plans to come back."
19 locals recommend
Smoky Mountain River Rat Whitewater
3630 Hartford Rd"The family had such a good time rafting. It was seriously the best part of our vacation to Gatlinburg!! Highly, highly recommend River Rat. Such a great time. Already making plans to come back."
"Half mile steep hike up paved road. Trail begins in North Carolina, but the "dome" is actually partially in Tennessee, making this the highest point in TN. After the hike there is a majestic view over the smokies. Well worth the hike!"
319 locals recommend
Clingmans Dome
"Half mile steep hike up paved road. Trail begins in North Carolina, but the "dome" is actually partially in Tennessee, making this the highest point in TN. After the hike there is a majestic view over the smokies. Well worth the hike!"
Ripley's aquarium is AMAZING! The animals are all well cared for and the exhibits are very impressive. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful as well. Definitely recommend going here and doing the penguin interaction too! - Guest Review
535 locals recommend
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River RdRipley's aquarium is AMAZING! The animals are all well cared for and the exhibits are very impressive. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful as well. Definitely recommend going here and doing the penguin interaction too! - Guest Review
"We were hesitant at first but the experience was well worth the money! Great fun! The kids loved it also! Food was good! This was the best dinner show I've seen in ages!" We recommend checking show times and purchasing tickets in advance as they sell out quickly!
146 locals recommend
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
2713 Parkway"We were hesitant at first but the experience was well worth the money! Great fun! The kids loved it also! Food was good! This was the best dinner show I've seen in ages!" We recommend checking show times and purchasing tickets in advance as they sell out quickly!
"We had a great experience with our rental! The equipment is very well kept. My family chose to rent for four hours and get the fifth hour free. We were able to go up to Clingman’s Dome and over to Greenbrier. The staff is super friendly and helpful. This adventure was well worth the money for my family. We will be renting from this same place again."
8 locals recommend
Rocky Top Adventure UTV Rentals & Jeep Rentals
544 East Pkwy"We had a great experience with our rental! The equipment is very well kept. My family chose to rent for four hours and get the fifth hour free. We were able to go up to Clingman’s Dome and over to Greenbrier. The staff is super friendly and helpful. This adventure was well worth the money for my family. We will be renting from this same place again."
You will not be disappointed! The General Store is a perfect stop for souvenirs and you can usually score a BOGO coupon for the chair lift. Once at the top, they serve free bottled water and moon pies that you can enjoy in a rocking chair with a beautiful view, or playing checkers with the family. The horse back riding option is wonderful for kiddos! They have the best guides around.
Harper Bros. Mountain
You will not be disappointed! The General Store is a perfect stop for souvenirs and you can usually score a BOGO coupon for the chair lift. Once at the top, they serve free bottled water and moon pies that you can enjoy in a rocking chair with a beautiful view, or playing checkers with the family. The horse back riding option is wonderful for kiddos! They have the best guides around.
Dollywood is an excellent, family friendly option when visiting the Smokies. Unfortunately, there aren't many discounts available but you can bring a bottle of water and refill inside. if you're a large family, consider purchasing one Gold pass which will come with free parking, $10 off all other purchased tickets and 15% off merch and food once in the park.
797 locals recommend
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks BlvdDollywood is an excellent, family friendly option when visiting the Smokies. Unfortunately, there aren't many discounts available but you can bring a bottle of water and refill inside. if you're a large family, consider purchasing one Gold pass which will come with free parking, $10 off all other purchased tickets and 15% off merch and food once in the park.