Located on the border of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a picturesque place to spend a fall holiday. The fall foliage reaches its peak in November here and downtown Gatlinburg gets decked out in lavish fall decorations for its Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. The beautiful surroundings combined with special events, great food, and fun things to do make for a memorable vacation this time of year.
Outdoor Activities
Hike to Laurel Falls in Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The 2.6-mile hike is paved and takes you to one of the most photographed spots in the Smokies.
Go horseback riding through the woods with Sugarland Riding Stables, located inside Great Smokey National Park. See the trails and breathtaking scenery from a whole new perspective.
Take the aerial tram to Ober Gatlinburg for ice skating, skiing, or snow tubing. Experience the thrills of their alpine slide and mountain coaster.
Anakeesta is an outdoor family fun park for all ages. Their brand-new Treetop Skywalk is the longest tree-based bridge in North America. Beginning November 19, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with their Enchanted Winter Celebration.
Indoor Activities
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a great place to spend a day if the weather is not cooperating. It has two floors with over a million gallons of water, home to 10,000 sea animals across 350 species.
History meets the fun of an arcade at the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum. They have over 100 pinball machines and retro arcade games. The admission fee covers all games, so no coins required!
Special Events
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival runs September 6 through November 21. Gatlinburg celebrates the season with festive decorations and scarecrows throughout town.
Celebrated Thanksgiving week, the Festival of Trees features a children’s craft and play area, entertainment throughout the week, photos with Santa Claus, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths. This year they will also hold a Gingerbread House Competition.
Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show, November 26- December 1. There will be dozens of booths featuring unique handcrafted gifts made by members of the Great Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community.
Dining
Ole Red Gatlinburg is a multi-level entertainment venue with a two-story bar and restaurant, performance space, and dance floor. The menu includes Nashville classics as well as BBQ, burgers, and southern favorites.
Gatlinburg Brewing Company has craft beer, artisan pizza, and a family atmosphere with live music throughout the week.
Cliff Top Bar and Grill is a mountaintop dining destination located in the Anakeesta park offers amazing views of downtown Gatlinburg. Their menu includes salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
