Your Local Guide to Gatlinburg
Hand-picked tips to help you explore, eat, and enjoy every minute.
Gatlinburg is your gateway to over 900 miles of Smoky Mountain trails—like Grotto Falls, Ramsey Cascades, and Chimney Tops. The seasonal glow of fall foliage (mid‑October to mid‑November) makes autumn magical, while winter brings holiday lights and skiing at Ober Gatlinburg. Spring wildflowers and summer festivals (like the Fourth of July River Raft Regatta and Space Needle fireworks) offer year-round charm.
Eat Like a Local
The Greenbrier Restaurant - Upscale, cozy mountain steakhouse known for hand-cut prime steaks, craft cocktails, and a woodsy atmosphere
The Peddler Steakhouse - Historic mountain lodge steakhouse featuring custom-cut Certified Angus Beef, river views, and a famous salad bar
Howard's Restaurant – Gatlinburg’s oldest restaurant, celebrated for steaks and mountain trout in a rustic streamside setting
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria – Italian favorites in Elks Plaza
The Park Grill – Rustic steakhouse and local favorite
Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse – Classic American/Steakhouse fare
Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina – Casual Mexican dining
Crockett's Breakfast Camp – Hearty Southern breakfast in a lodge-style setting
Log Cabin Pancake House – Pancakes and brunch in a cozy log cabin atmosphere
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud – Interactive dinner show with Southern-style meals
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show – Themed pirate dinner experience
Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar – Modern Southern restaurant and rooftop bar
The Old Mill Restaurant – Classic Southern cooking in a historic water-powered mill
Donut Friar – Local donut shop
New Orleans Sandwich Company – Po’ boys & sandwiches
Tennessee Jed’s – Southern comfort foods
See the Sights
Kuwohi Visitor Center (formerly Clingmans Dome) – Trailhead visitor center with bookstore, restrooms, and sweeping summit views atop Tennessee’s highest peak, via a steep paved half-mile hike
Cades Cove Scenic Loop – Historic valley setting with panoramic views, wildlife, visitor center, and old-time Appalachian buildings
Forbidden Caverns – Guided cave tours with dramatic rock formations, crystal-clear streams, and local history
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – Scenic one-way loop with waterfalls, wildlife, and historic log cabins
Anakeesta – Elevated mountaintop theme park with gardens, zip lines, scenic overlooks
The Gatlinburg Tram – Scenic aerial tram with panoramic views
Ober Mountain – Ski resort and amusement park offering year-round alpine fun
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park – Iconic chairlift and sky bridge destination with stunning overlooks
Gatlinburg Space Needle – Observation tower with 360° views, arcade, and local attractions
Dollywood – Premier theme park in Pigeon Forge with rides, shows, and seasonal events
Dollywood’s Splash Country – Water park adjacent to Dollywood for thrills and splashy fun
The Island in Pigeon Forge – Entertainment complex with rides, shops, dining, and live music
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – Immersive aquarium featuring marine life encounters
Sugarlands Distilling Company – Downtown Gatlinburg distillery offering moonshine tastings, tours, and live music
