Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
TENNESSEE
From The Team
Gatlinburg is the mountain escape you’ve been dreaming of. Even though it is one of the smallest towns in Tennessee, it is one of the state’s busiest tourist destinations! Why, you may ask? The Great Smoky Mountains cross through this area of Tennessee and provide great views, a lot of wildlife, and unique mountainesque activities!
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are approximately 8 miles & 20 minutes from each other!
Important Info Transportation
What Is The Nearest Airport?
The most easily accessible airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) 12 miles south of Knoxville, Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to downtown Gatlinburg.
How Do I Get To The Resort / Airport?
Rideshare services are plentiful throughout Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge! Not only will they take you from the airport to your resort, but you can also use these services throughout your vacation (it tends to be cheaper than renting a car)!
Do I Need a COVID Test?
Which Airlines Fly To Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge?
No COVID test is required! The resorts are taking all necessary COVID-reduction precautions to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of all of our guests!
What If I Want To Procure My Own Transportation?
Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz are rental car services available at the airport for an additional cost.
#VacationTip
We recommend using Uber or Lyft! You can also schedule your rides in advance to save some time and some money!
#VacationTip
Play it safe, book ahead! If you plan on renting a car, we recommend planning in advance. If you rent upon arrival, there may not be adequate availability.
Know
#VacationTip
To snag the cheapest flights possible, use these websites and book as soon as you receive your confirmation email from us!
The sooner you book, the less expensive they will be!
QUICK FACTS
Gatlinburg is home to Tennessee’s only Ski Resort!
McGhee Tyson Airport: 2055 Alcoa Hwy Alcoa, TN 37701
The Great Smoky Mountains was known as the “Land of the Blue Mist” by Cherokees.
There are more fish in Ripley’s Aquarium than people who live in Gatlinburg!
Radford Gatlin
Gatlinburg was named after the most hated man in town — Radford Gatlin!
TRAVEL CHANNEL
POPULATION
5 Fun Food Facts
The Pancake Pantry is one of Tennessee’s oldest pancake houses.
Moonshine was legalized in Gatlinburg in 2009.
One of the largest distilleries in Tennessee is Ole Smoky Mountain Distillery, and it opened in Gatlinburg in 2010.
There are more than 50 restaurants and eateries in Gatlinburg!
Howard’s Steakhouse is the longeststanding restaurant in Gatlinburg, opening in 1946!
Can You Guess This Food?
Try the famous Ogle Dogs foot-long dog! It is known for its secret flavor and you can watch the cooks dip and cook the dog right in front of you!
Donut Friar
As you walk past Donut Friar, you can smell the sweet scent of donuts! They have more than 30 varieties from cinnamon to chocolate and even coconut!
Pancakes
Fluffy buttermilk pancakes served with fruit and whipped cream wait for you at the Pancake Pantry! This local tradition has been open since 1960, so you will want to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Howard’s Steakhouse
About Us
Howard’s Steakhouse is home to the most mouth-watering steaks in the Gatlinburg area! Not only do they serve steaks but the biggest and best burgers, mozzarella sticks, and even a nacho supreme that is layered with beef, chicken, or pork!
1946
Howard’s Steakhouse opened in 1946 and has been serving the best steak in the Smokies ever since! They have a diverse menu, a scenic setting, and an in-house saloon! Join them for a bite and experience the true meaning of Howard’s hospitality!
LocalsLoveHowardsSteakhouse
Howard’s is one of THE few original, family-owned, non-chain restaurants in Gatlinburg. We LOVE eating outside on the back patio — it is right next to a stream.
@moorma1
Very good meal, we tried different items, all very good. The server was very nice but busy. The steak was an A+. We will visit on our next trip.
@williamt We all ordered steak (which didn’t disappoint). However, the appetizer sampler is HUGE! A meal in and of itself.
@aprilw404
The beef vegetable soup was terrific. Server was great. @alternativeavenue I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and my husband ordered the pork ribs. We also ordered potato skins as an appetizer. Dinner was delicious! We’ll definitely add this place to our favorites.
@zetaspeechlady
About Us
A mountain of good eats awaits you at Calhoun’s Gatlinburg! This unique mountain lodge restaurant is located in the heart of Gatlinburg and has all the best sauces in the area! Try a pulled pork sandwich or dip some wings and try a few different sauces they have to offer!
1983
In the fall of 1983, the original Calhoun’s opened for business! They worked around the clock to perfect their ribs and signature sauce. Now people travel all over the world to try a taste of Calhoun’s famous signature sauce! You can even take a bottle or 6 home with you!
Wings were amazing, as were chicken sandwiches and kids meals.
@lovecharleston612
We ate at Calhoun’s both nights of our stay in Gatlinburg. The food was amazing but our server, Aaron, was the highlight of our visit both nights. By far the best service we’ve had in years.
@Dutchill
I recommend the brisket and ribs especially! The cocktails are great too-I loved the white Sangria!
@katiecA8351DA
Ordered the smoked brisket and Worchestire sirloin steak, both were very good, generous portions of brisket as well as side salad.
@RobertM
Our food was excellent and we didn’t have to wait long for our food or our appetizers. All of our meals were prepared how we ordered them and the food was great!
@jondU8798WC
About Us
Cherokee Grill was designed with comfort and class in mind! The stone exterior and granite-accented interior provide a highend ambiance for guests during their meal. The oversized bar, great views, and even free private parking are perfect for any dining occasion!
Appalachian Mountains
Once upon a time, the Appalachian Mountains were home to the Cherokee Tribe. Here at Cherokee Grill, they pay special homage to the tribes who came before us! Honor their presence by eating off the regionally-inspired menu!
View Menu Here
#LocalsLoveCherokeeGrill heart
She recommended the “prime rib” and it was fantastic! She also recommended the Brownie with ice-cream and it was sooo good! @Lisasss351
Wonderdog My pork chop was arguably one of the best ever! @Cherry
We visit this restaurant every time we go to Gatlinburg. Food is always amazing, good wine list, great location. Don’t miss this one!
@Redhead050775
Jessie made our dinner at the Cherokee Grill very special. The food was amazing too!
@ArleneC436
Our group had the rib eye steak, the grilled seafood platter and the Boursin stuffed filet; every single dish was to die for.
@A4145GAmariam
Us
Serving the best pancakes in Gatlinburg since 1960, Pancake Pantry is every tourist’s favorite breakfast joint to try! Eat a stack of pancakes or try one of the egg omelets! They have everything a regular breakfast place has plus more!
Tennessee’s first pancake house
Jim and June Gerding vacationed in Gatlinburg and a year later decided to open their own Pancake House! They left Indiana to open Tennessee’s first-ever pancake specialty restaurant! Back in 1960, they never would have thought that in 2021 it would still be open and operating better than ever! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to step back in time and eat fluffy buttermilk pancakes!
Their selection of pancakes is superior to anyone else and since they were the 1st pancake house in Tennessee in 1960, the competition has had a hard time keeping up with the very exceptional standards of excellence in both food and service as that found at Pancake Pantry.
@paulsykes2020
The best pancakes ever. Our waitress was so sweet. The line moves quickly.
@tinas02442LB
Wow... just wow!! Super cute place, the staff is lovely, the service was very fast and the food is just amazing!! We did not ask about portion sizes and there was way more food than the two of us could eat.
@JulieKuenzel
Food is very good. We go here anytime we are in Gatlinburg. If you go at opening time the line moves fast. The service is always excellent!
@JanetKaemmerer
Efficient, prompt and courteous service at The Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg! Large variety of breakfast items available! Also a must when we are in Gatlinburg! It’s a tradition!
@DarrenJohnson
About Us
J.O.E and Pop’s sub shop will take you back to your childhood waiting at the local deli with your family for Saturday subs!
Besides subs, they also have wings, cheesesteaks and delicious sides!
J.O.E vs Pops
J.O.E and Pop’s Sub Shoppe brings hometown deli sub shops to the Gatlinburg area! Here you can order a J.O.E size (Regular) or a Pops (Large) sub size with a variety of toppings and meats to fulfill your sub craving!
Easy to order, quick service and delicious, filling subs. So good, in fact, that we stopped back on our return from the park to have dinner there, too!
@lisagY800MG
Food selection was great. @221jamien
We enjoyed this restaurant so much that our family of 5 dined here twice during our vacation.
@MamaMoose72
My husband ate his entire hoagie in one shot. We would definitely order hoagies from J.O.E. and Pop’s again!
@Curiouspb
This was such a treat for us being gluten free, I have never had a gluten free wrap that tasted so “normal”! There are a lot of options, customization opportunities, and you can’t go wrong with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. Great stop for lunch, and you’ll likely be bringing back leftovers.
@HonaNaho
5 Fun Adventure Facts
The Smokies include part of the Appalachian Trail — a 70-mile stretch of the 2,178-mile Appalachian Trail winds through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of only two locations in the world where you can witness the synchronous fireflies phenomenon.
You Can still see the first-ever cabin that was built in Gatlinburg — “The Land of Paradise.”
There are over 800 square miles of hiking trails and along the trails, are more than 19,000 species of foliage, plants, animals, fungi and insects.
Geologists believe that the Appalachian Mountains are 200-300 million years old.
Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster Ride
About Us
The Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster is a unique coaster experience where family-friendly thrill is dependent strictly on the driver!
Itinerary
Starting at $16.00 per person 15-30 minutes
#VacationTip
The least busiest time to ride this attraction is during the hours of 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM while everyone else is at lunch!
map-marker
map-marker
Stop 1
Take a taxi to 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN (Traffic Light #2) 37738
map-marker
Race through the mountains on a tubular rail that guarantees a smooth and comfortable (but exhilarating) ride! Book Now
Stop 2
Enjoy a 15-minute coaster ride through the Smoky Mountains!
Stop 3
Arrive back to your starting point and head back to your resort!
About Us
Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed moonshine distillery in Tennessee! Smell the grains cooking and fermenting, and see the working moonshine stills!
Experience the process from beginning to end, and even taste
Itinerary
Try the banana pudding moonshine! It is a local favorite.
map-marker
map-marker
Stop 1
Take a taxi to 903 Parkway Unit 128 Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3181
map-marker
Stop 2
Here you will spend your time learning and experiencing all things moonshine!
Stop 3
Take a taxi back to your resort, or adventure onto another distillery!
About Us
With over 10,000 exotic sea creatures, there are more fish in the aquarium than people themselves!
See all 350 different individual species!
Itinerary
Stop 1
Take a taxi to 88 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3261
Stop 2
Enjoy a 2-3 hour exploration of the 10,000 exotic sea creatures!
Stop 3
After your experience, head back to your resort! Book Now
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
About Us
If you have ever watched all the Fast and Furious movies, or are into cars of famous shows/movies then this is the place for you!
Itinerary
Stop 1
Take a taxi to 914 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3104 Stop
Once you have completed your bar crawl, head back to your resort.
About Us
Enjoy a full day of activities at Anakeesta! This is Gatlinburg’s #1 outdoor theme park for all ages!
Adventure through the mountain tops, shop for souvenirs, and even dine after your day of fun!
Itinerary
Stop 1
Take a taxi to 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Stop 2
Check in with your general admissions pass and enjoy a full day of outdoor activities! (Duration varies)
Stop 3
After your day of fun, head back to your resort!
FREE Things To Do In The Area!
The Village Shops
Step back in time at The Village Shops! Wander through a variety of businesses and stores that are based in early times! Here you can find unique gifts native to the Tennessee area or try a donut from Donut Friar!
#VacationTip
Try a famous donut from Donut Friar!
Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park!
Whether you want to bike Cades Cove or hike to Laurel Falls — there is plenty to do for the adventurer at heart!
#VacationTip
Wear comfy shoes so you can be prepared for all adventure types — biking, or hiking!
A scenic 11-mile loop filled with remnants of old American Pioneers! See if you can find the hidden waterfall on your drive around!
#VacationTip
The driving loop can take close to an hour to drive so make sure you leave plenty of time for exploring!
Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
See what Gatlinburg has to offer from the Scenic Overlook! There are four parking areas to reach the overlook! From here, you will see the entire town of Gatlinburg plus the majestic mountain backdrop!
#VacationTip
Bring a camera so you can capture the views of the overlook!
Alum Cave Trail
Visit one of the most popular hikes at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Here you get the biggest bank for your buck in terms of archeological, vegetational, and scenic beauty of any other trail!
#VacationTip
We suggest arriving by 8 AM to be able to get a parking spot near the entrance!
