Gatlinburg TN Blog

Lodging

8 Fun Things to Do in a Cabin in the Smoky Mountains on a Rainy Day

Posted: 14 Jun , 2018

Is the weather keeping you cooped up in your cabin during your Smoky Mountain vacation? Don’t worry — you can have hours of fun without having to leave! Sure, there are plenty of exciting things to do out on the town, but you can still have a great time inside your cabin. Here are 8 fun things to do in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains on a rainy day:

by Contributor

Things to Do

FUN Ice Bumper Cars at Ober Gatlinburg!

Posted: 05 Jun , 2018

Ober Gatlinburg has the coolest thing to do in the Smokies with brand new ice bumper cars! Think of it as bumper boats...

by Shane Eubanks

Lodging

New Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg Opens July 2nd

Posted: 05 Jun , 2018

The highly anticipated Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg is set to open July 2, 2018! This is perfect timing for the extremely popular 4th of July Midnight Parade downtown. The location of the new Margaritaville Resort hotel is fantastic as it is located within walking distance to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies as well as the best shops, restaurants, and attractions in downtown Gatlinburg. Next summer, Blake Shelton's new Ole Red bar & restaurant will open directly in front of the hotel as well providing even more dining and entertainment options within a very short walk. Gatlinburg Margaritaville Resort Amenities The Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg will feature a full-service spa, meeting spaces for groups, suites, in-room dining, and so much more. It will be among the nicest and well-accommodated hotels in Gatlinburg, TN. Below is a list of the amenities that Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg will offer. Downtown Riverfront Location Walking Distance to Attractions, Shopping and Dining Indoor Pool Hot Tub Expansive Outdoor Pool Area with Waterslide Covered Terrace with Fireplace St. Somewhere Spa (Full-Service Spa) Changes in Latitudes Lobby Bar, LandShark Bar & Grill, Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions, In-Room Dining Variety of Suites Including Family Suites and One and Two Bedroom Suites 24-Hour Fitness Center Guest Laundry On the...

by Shane Eubanks

Banana walnut pancakes at a Gatlinburg restaurant

Restaurants

5 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Gatlinburg You Have to Try

Posted: 29 May , 2018

Fluffy pancakes, warm biscuits and gravy, thick-cut french toast — are we making you hungry? You can find all these delicious breakfast foods and more when you visit Gatlinburg. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you’re going to want to pick the perfect restaurant to enjoy it! To help you out, we’ve come up with 5 of the best breakfast restaurants in Gatlinburg:

by Contributor

4th of july midnight parade gatlinburg tn

Events

Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade and Fireworks

Posted: 29 May , 2018

Gatlinburg, TN is known to have the “First July Fourth Parade in the Nation” with the annual Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade, which begins exactly at midnight on July 4th. It has been named by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as a "Top Ten Parade to see in the US". This year will be the 43rd anniversary of this popular Gatlinburg parade as it has grown to be a favorite of visitors as well as locals. Around 100,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Gatlinburg to celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg, TN. In other words, find a good spot early! Many people put folding chairs out along the sidewalks as early as 7am on July 3rd. If you choose to do this, just keep in mind that it is sort of the "honor" system and your chair could get moved or, even worse, stolen. This rarely ever happens, but just a heads up! The 4th of July parade route typically begins at traffic light #1a on East Parkway and turns south onto the Parkway at traffic light #3, then travels the length of the downtown street to traffic light #10 at Ski Mountain Road. The parade itself is...

by Shane Eubanks

Things to Do

Top 4 Reasons to Go on a Gatlinburg Zipline on Your Smoky Mountain Vacation

Posted: 28 May , 2018

If you’re looking for an amazing outdoor adventure on your Smoky Mountain vacation, go ziplining! Gatlinburg has a number of exciting zipline tours that will get your adrenaline pumping. Ziplining is great for everyone, from couples, to a group of friends, to family! Here are the top 4 reasons to go on a Gatlinburg zipline on your Smoky Mountain vacation:

by Contributor

Things to Do

25% Off Promo Code for Ripley’s Gatlinburg Aquarium and Attractions

Posted: 09 May , 2018

Ripley's attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge currently has a massive promo code available for 25% off each ticket for every attraction in town! This includes the #1 aquarium in the nation, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies as well as a couple of fantastic miniature golf courses, a haunted house, Guinness World Record Museum, mirror maze, and a 5D moving theater! This is your chance to save a lot of money on some great things to do during your visit to the Smoky Mountains. The best part is when you purchase your tickets through the link below, you can use the tickets anytime between now and next year! So even if your vacation is this fall or next spring, grab this deal because it's one of the best deals we will see all year! How to get 25% off each Ripley's attraction ticket All you have to do is click the link below which takes you directly to Ripley's website. These tickets are sold through them and not a 3rd party, which is fantastic! Select the attractions you want to purchase tickets for and then during checkout you will see a box to put a promo code in. Simply enter the promo...

by Shane Eubanks

synchronous fireflies elkmont smoky mountains

Events

Synchronous Fireflies 2018 Event at Elkmont

Posted: 24 Apr , 2018

If you want to witness one of the most amazing sights that the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer, then be sure to check out the incredible synchronous fireflies in Elkmont June 7-14. Many people refer to them as "lightning bugs" or "lighting bugs", but the Photinus carolinus is an amazing synchronous firefly that finds its way to a special spot in the Great Smoky Mountains each year near Gatlinburg in the first part of June. Elkmont is one of the only places in the United States to see the synchronous fireflies making it an incredibly special event that very few people get to witness! Below, we provide information on how to get to Elkmont during the event along with photos and synchronous fireflies videos! Synchronous Fireflies Event at Elkmont Dates 2018 The extremely popular synchronous firefly event in Elkmont for 2018 will take place June 7-14. During this time, the entrance road to Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrians (except campers who are staying at the campground) beginning around 5pm each of those nights. To get access, there will be a shuttle that will pick passengers up at the Sugarlands Visitor...

by Shane Eubanks

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Gatlinburg

Things to Do

4 Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss at Ripley’s Gatlinburg Aquarium

Posted: 23 Apr , 2018

Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg is so much more than your ordinary aquarium. When you visit, not only will you be able to see all kinds of sea life, but you’ll be able to participate in unique experiences that bring you closer to the animals. Ripley’s Aquarium has previously been voted the top aquarium in the country by USA Today, and it’s not hard to see why. To make the most of your time there, try some of the incredible experiences the aquarium offers! Here are 4 unique experiences you don’t want to miss at the Gatlinburg aquarium:

by Contributor

Things to Do

4 Unique Things to Do in Gatlinburg TN You Have to Try

Posted: 18 Apr , 2018

Everyone knows Gatlinburg is full of popular attractions, from Ober Gatlinburg to the Gatlinburg Space Needle, but it’s the places not everyone knows about that create some of the best memories. Next time you’re in the Smoky Mountains, try something off the beaten path! We’ve come up with 4 unique things to do in Gatlinburg TN that you won’t want to miss on your next vacation.

by Contributor