Ultimately, you know yourself and your family better than anyone. Be patient, stay attentive, and if you need to pull over due to weather or other circumstances, then pull over. Rates from $125, Smack in the center of town and an easy walk from shopping and attractions, the Historic Gatlinburg Inn offers reasonable prices that include breakfast. Winter:Both towns dress up to the shining nines for the holidays Gatlinburgs mountaintop SkyLift Park goes all out with Lights Over Gatlinburg from early November through Jan. 31 (including lit-up trees that dance!). The aquarium and museums are also worthwhile, and some visitors enjoy the saltwater taffy. Box 527 Take in the parks many shows, enjoy little-kid-friendly areas, go full thrill on the Lightning Rod wood/steel hybrid roller coaster (max speed: 73 mph! Area Attraction Coupons & Discounts Are you safe in Rome? Know before you go - Gatlinburg Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. The best way to get around Gatlinburg is on foot and by trolley. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? By continuing to use our site you agree to our privacy policy. (The restaurants bread is made from the spent grains from the distillery across the road, and everything is served on pottery handmade next door.) It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved . A note on navigation: In the national park and the surrounding areas outside of the two towns, cell service all but disappears, and navigation (and changes of plans) can be tricky! However, local John Gullion believes that Pigeon Forge is actually the least safe of the two destinations. Most of the shopping and activities downtown are overpriced. Governor Bill Lee has signed Executive Order 80, declaring the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency in the state of Tennessee. I like to think for myself. The two peak seasons in Gatlinburg are summer (June, July and August) and the month of October, when the fall foliage is at its zenith. Do you feel safe in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? Read more about. See below for information and press releases from the City of Gatlinburg as it relates to the pandemic.Visiting Gatlinburg soon? When youre in town, these tips will help you avoid tourist traps and focus on the best attractions. There is no bad season to visit both towns bustle with shops, shows, events and festivals year-round, and the national park and the areas natural areas are beautiful in every season as well. Gatlinburg TN 35.73N 83.49W (Elev. Unfortunately, the bears have learned to associate cars with food. Avoid low quality activities and take the downtown sky tram, with beautiful views, instead. Gatlinburg TN Travel Planning Guide - Gatlinburg Vacation Planning for Insider tip: Lots of folks aim for October; come in September or November instead, and youll still see loads of color but with fewer crowds. Rates from $109. AtDollywood, of course, where you can pay homage to an American treasure and her vision for family-style entertainment. I feel at home there but not to the point I will let my guard down. She is the travel editor at Coastal Living magazine, and her writing appears regularly in publications includingFood & Wine, Southern Living, Travel + LeisureandVeranda. Sometimes they go on vacation to indulge the parts of themselves that are repressed in their everyday interactions. Click to reveal The origins of Gatlinburgs arts and crafts community are as creative as its founders. Many visitors come to the Gatlinburg area to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its bigger and wider and more filled with drivers who arent necessarily watching for pedestrians. ), and make time for Craftsmans Valley to watch leathersmiths, blacksmiths and other regional artisans at work. For some Pigeon Forge-esque fun, check outRipleys Aquarium of the Smokiesand theHollywood Star Cars Museum, where you can ogle rides from hit movies and TV shows including Batman and Ghostbusters, see the Beach Boys 1955 Thunderbird, and lots more. Enjoy the efficiency of an organized tour led by experts who bring Rome's history to life. Off the beaten path, in Gatlinburgs marvelous Arts and Crafts Community, the Austrian teahouse-inspired Wild Plum Tea Room is set in a rustic cabin and offers family and seasonal favorites such as lobster pie, not to mention its renowned hot pimento cheese dip. However, its on par with the Tennessee average. Despite the figures, most people feel safe in Gatlinburg and visit the town without getting into trouble. While I grew up playin in the creek with my cousins or walking to a nearby store in Sevierville and on the outskirts of Knoxville, My grand/s will never be more than an arms length in any of the surrounding areas and will never be out of my sight. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park 7,007 Observation Decks & Towers, Amusement & Theme Parks Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg 897 from $30 per adult Top Rated Wine and Shine Walking Tour 393 from $48 per adult 2022 Moonshine Mountain Coaster 1,249 Amusement & Theme Parks 2022 Hillbilly Golf 2,247 Miniature Golf 2022 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail 1,767 For regional guidance, visit the local tourism offices listed at the bottom of this page. Bring a map. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The Gatlinburg Trolley also provides lifts to tourists wanting to get to the Resort. Not to mention the shops and such that are not locally ran. Welcome to Gatlinburg, TN For larger airports with more flights, Atlanta to the south is about four hours away by car, and Charlotte, North Carolina, is about four hours to the east. All the more reason to take the Gatlinburg Trolley. Road closures may occur due to severe weather events such as winter storms, floods, and tornados. Fish and Wildlife Service who leads birding hikes throughout the area and performs traditional Appalachian music with his wife, Ruth Barber. Sign up for our free newsletter. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly By and large, yes. Cover coughs or sneezes with tissues and throw them in the trash and wash your hands. Those guidelines are: Stay home when sick, except to get medical care, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. To access the national parks Elkmont section, where you can watch the fireflies in wonder, you have to sign up for a lottery. Vacationers often start in Gatlinburg and make their way to one of the parks famous paths where they can find Theres Shoppingand Then, Theres Shopping Bring your best walking shoes. RV camping and glamping:The Ridge Outdoor Resort in Sevierville is a popular spot for RV hookups (about $90). Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto. I have spent most of my life in East Tennessee and feel pretty safe visiting the Smokies. The rates drop a little as you venture into more rural areas. So theres a greater chance of getting lost or getting into a road accident. Webcams show current views at various park locations, updated every 15 minutes. Alum Cave Trail Safe Boating; Rip Currents; Thunderstorms; Space Weather; Sun (Ultraviolet Radiation) Safety Campaigns; Wind; Drought; Winter Weather; INFORMATION . The only gripe among diners: the eatery only accepts cash. When youre exploring the trails, you have a whole new set of things to worry about. Locals prefer the iconic Pancake Pantry with many saying that you can't leave the Smokies without stopping in for some pancakes. Make Gatlinburg your basecamp for adventure. 5 Budget-Friendly Gatlinburg Vacation Tips - Tripster Travel Guide July is the busiest month of the summer season, while weekends in October draw the largest crowds in the fall. The greatest danger in Gatlinburg, as with anywhere else you travel, is other people. Keep in mind, the road may close for safety in the case of black ice or excessive snow. The answer is no, so in Pigeon Forge give her Dollywoods DreamMore Resort & Spa a try for all the creature comforts of a larger-scale resort (299 guest rooms, plus pools, spa, on-site restaurants). If you asked me if Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are safe for my children, the answer would still be yes, but with caveats. Hotels and inns:The Buckhorn Inn, which has been welcoming travelers to Gatlinburg since 1938, is a gracious and romantic bed-and-breakfast with stunning views from its fireplace-graced great room and terrace. Read Also: Is it better to stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge? For a casual and inexpensive lunch, Smoky Mountain Shakes N Dawgs garners praise for its creamy milkshakes and creative selection of hot dogs, with choices including reuben and country-fried versions. Gatlinburgs downtown streets can get congested, so smart visitors leave their cars where theyre staying and hop on the bright-orange trolleys of the free Gatlinburg Trolley System, which links major spots with the mass transit center at Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies. Youll also want to do this to keep the bears out of your car. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Winter: What to Do + Tips Nine guest rooms, seven private cottages and three guesthouses make it an ideal choice for singles, couples or families. Today's and tonight's Gatlinburg, TN weather forecast, weather conditions and Doppler radar from The Weather Channel and Weather.com The 5.5-mile-long, one-way, loop road is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. Yes! To understand why everything Dolly Parton touches is pure magic, visit Chasing Rainbows, Dollywoods museum about her life and career, including a replica of the two-room home where she grew up. Why You Should Go It's easily one of America's largest tramways. Admission fees for adults are $28.99 and for children are $19.99. Secondary roads are subject to seasonal closures. Stay home when sick, except to get medical care, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. But that doesnt mean something cant happen. 13 Best Museums in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg With Coupons, Who Has the Best Fried Chicken in Pigeon Forge? And Dollywoods Smoky Mountain Christmas sparkles with millions of its own lights, special shows and holiday fireworks. Taxi, shuttle or limo service to and from the airport will be pricey because of the distance. 2023 Visit My Smokies, The ONLY site you need to plan your Smoky Mountain vacation, is a website owned and operated by Sevier County, Tennessee. Most incidents are either a burglary, robbery, theft or auto theft. I agree entirely. Breweries:Craft breweries, which have popped up in the Smokies like wildflowers in April, make for great places to relax after an active day or as lunch and dinner destinations. For example, tattoo shops will charge you $10 to apply a temporary tattoo you could buy and apply yourself for less than a dollar. It did not come open. Follow US-441S for approximately 15 miles. While there is not a state mandate in place, businesses in Sevier County can maintain Covid-19 restrictions and regulations at their discretion for the safety and well-being of their employees and guests.