The historic Old Mill District in Pigeon Forge is a relaxing change of pace that can take several hours to explore all the many things to see, do and browse. Keep your strength up by planning on breakfast, lunch or dinner at one (or both) of the two fine restaurants a few steps away from… Read more »
Pigeon Forge offers a new addition in 2022 with Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown, a huge, 300-seat restaurant with a large arcade and bowling alley. Great food and drinks are on the menu as well as fun for all the family. The atmosphere is vibrant and colorful – kids will love it – and the restaurant… Read more »
UPDATE: Note the new location – see below Delauder’s Smoky Mountain BBQ in Gatlinburg is hard to find but worth it – a hidden gem serving barbecue that was named among the Top 25 in the nation. If you crave an authentic taste of Tennessee barbecue, you have to give this place a try. Eastern… Read more »
We don’t have massive Mardi Gras parades in the Smokies, but you can still find tasty and authentic Louisiana cuisine in Gatlinburg thanks to New Orleans Sandwich company. Get an authentic taste of the Big Easy in the Smokies The rolling peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains may as well be a world away from… Read more »
Gaucho Urbano, located just off of Parkway in Pigeon Forge, is an iconic Brazilian steakhouse offering a unique dining experience. It’s popular, so book your table well ahead of time (walk-ins are welcome but it’s chancy). Service here is a churrasco-style dining experience, essentially grilled meats of many kinds, typically on a skewer, and brought… Read more »
The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops is an upscale shopping and entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge, growing all the time with new attractions. The complex is situated just across the river from The Island, and is reached from Teaster Lane – this runs parallel to Parkway, and is a less crowded way to go north-south… Read more »
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair has been running continuously since 1975. It opens twice a year, running for 10 days in July and 18 days in October. The fair has become one of the nation’s best craft fairs, consistently voted one of the Southeast’s “Most Popular Events”. What makes it so special?….Read more »
Miami may be known as the epicenter of Cuban food in the United States, but it’s possible to find authentic Cuban cooking without having to take a trip down to south Florida. That’s where Smokies Cuban Cafe comes in – it’s a hidden gem in Pigeon Forge that serves up delicious and traditional Cuban dishes… Read more »
Tennessee Jed’s is a sandwich-style breakfast and lunch restaurant hidden away on Parkway in Gatlinburg, with some of the best meats and sandwiches many people say they’ve ever tasted. Understated and laid back, the restaurant offers great service with very friendly staff and a kitchen that knows exactly what it’s doing. Sandwiches may sound easy,… Read more »
The Gatlinburg Convention Center is huge, modern and fully featured. And it’s in the middle of Gatlinburg, in walking distance of countless attractions, and surrounded by the gorgeous Smoky Mountains. Abundant parking and state-of-the-art electronics make every event run smoothly. The Center has 160,000 square feet of space, with 67,000 sq. ft. exhibit space to… Read more »
Huck Finn’s Catfish in Pigeon Forge is a family business serving locals and visitors alike since 1995. Fans of this freshwater fish will find a satisfying seafood and Southern-style food experience at this all-you-can-eat restaurant. The catfish is excellent, grain-fed and pond-raised in Mississippi (which means that the quality will be consistent, from the last… Read more »
Visitors to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge often spend a lot of time on their feet, whether strolling through the countless attractions or hiking in the national park. With long and active days, what could be better than treating yourself to a relaxing spa session? There are a number of options offering a variety of massage… Read more »
Although you visit Dollywood for the amusement park and water park attractions, you can stay plenty busy exploring all the many wonderful shops there too. So make sure to work enough time into your itinerary for shopping adventures among the following shops. Kaman’s Airbrush Shoppe Want a personalized hat, t-shirt, or even a license plate… Read more »
For over 45 years, Smoky Mountain Trout House has proudly served Gatlinburg seafood, steak, and pasta dishes. Their 10 different rainbow trout dishes are the star of the show for sure, although it’s also a popular place to grab a double cheeseburger. All the trout comes from local sources, taking advantage of the bounty of… Read more »
Just a few minutes up the road from Pigeon Forge, Applewood Farmhouse holds the title as the oldest restaurant in Sevierville, and you’ll feel the history as you drive up to the homey, farmhouse-style buildings. Once a working farm with Revolutionary War roots, Applewood now boasts two restaurants. The original Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant occupies the… Read more »
Looking for a hot, fresh breakfast? Stop by The Atrium in Gatlinburg before you spend the day exploring. The Atrium has been a Gatlinburg staple for upwards of 20 years, and it’s a favorite local breakfast spot. Serving up a good variety of breakfast favorites from a kitchen that still believes in home cooking, The… Read more »
Although the activities change with the seasons at Ober Gatlinburg, you can always count on enjoying year-round shopping adventures. You can start your journey through the shops in downtown before riding the tram up to the rest on the mountain. Between both locations, you’re sure to find amazing apparel, candy, and everything in between, making… Read more »
Reagan’s in Pigeon Forge is popular for its all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, which offers a wide range of options for a reasonable price. Additional menu options for breakfast and lunch ensure that everyone in your group is happy, and the restaurant offers a very large variety of sides to make a plate to suit any taste…. Read more »
The Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge offers thousands of the seasonal items you want for the Christmas celebrations, AND it’s open all year round, so you can plan your last-minute things long before the season hits. Many visitors to the area make a stop at the Christmas Place, even in the heat of summer,… Read more »
You can drive into Sevierville without realizing you’ve left Pigeon Forge – that’s how close together these two neighbors are – and if you’re on a shopping expedition, you have plenty of reason to drive there. Sevierville offers a huge range of shops – get ready for an adventure. One of the first places you… Read more »
The Peddler Steakhouse bills itself as a classic steakhouse built on tradition – and in the more than 30 years since its founding, it has become a Gatlinburg favorite. Well regarded by locals and tourists alike, The Peddler offers an intimate, cozy dining experience that checks all the boxes: great service, exceedingly high quality food,… Read more »
The Park Grill is a lunch and dinner restaurant situated right at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sister restaurant to The Peddler steakhouse, Park Grill offers meals ranging from upscale dining to down-home comfort food, and the excellent kitchen creates tasty dishes. A kids menu as well as vegetarian and vegan fare… Read more »
Would you like to uncover a side of Gatlinburg that many people wouldn’t expect? The Wild Plum Tea Room, located along the Arts & Crafts Community Trail on Buckhorn Road, is an eclectic and charming tea and lunch venue. You’ll find here creative and original dishes with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. Reservations… Read more »
Lumberjack Square is a conveniently located refuge from the bustle of adjacent Parkway in Pigeon Forge where visitors can enjoy top-notch dining, shopping, and adventure, and with plenty of free parking. The Square offers a pleasant ambience with the feel of a town square, like walking around a downtown area. There’s even a town hall… Read more »
As a good way to take a break from the bustle of Gatlinburg, the Fox and Parrot Tavern is a great option for a tasty and relaxing meal. Serving up traditional English pub fare, with every meal made to order – and be warned that this is slow food, not at all fast – the… Read more »
With one British pub under their belts (the Fox and Parrot Tavern) Brian Papworth and his wife Dana decided to go with a more Celtic flair, opening the Rampant Lion Celtic Pub in Gatlinburg. The list of liquors has grown immensely over the years, now numbering around 200 different spirits. Focusing on a range of… Read more »
Ole Smoky means only one thing in Gatlinburg, and that’s Tennessee moonshine. Ole Smoky Moonshine is one of the most recognized brands in the craft spirits industry. It was the first federally recognized moonshine distillery in East Tennessee – the revenuers finally bowed to the inevitable, you might say – and it operates several distilleries… Read more »
Elks Plaza is a small oasis right off Parkway in Gatlinburg, and in a little world of its own. It hosts benches under shade trees, a collection of unique shops, a few onsite parking slots for shoppers – and the best restaurant in town. Easy to miss, but worth looking for, this little area hosts… Read more »
When visiting Gatlinburg, enjoy something extra good for your body and soul with a visit to Whole Earth Grocery. This cafe and store offers vegetarian & vegan food & products, natural foods & items. The food is delicious, with great sandwiches, wraps and other lunches. This all-natural cafe and shop is your one-stop Smoky Mountains… Read more »
Winter in the Smoky Mountains presents a vibrant celebration filled with light, music, and holiday cheer. The adjacent towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville embrace the season with their own unique winter festivals, spanning from November into February. Pigeon Forge and Sevierville call this festive celebration Winterfest, while Gatlinburg calls it Winter Magic, and… Read more »
The Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Gatlinburg has been a favorite among locals and repeat visitors to the Smoky Mountains since it opened in 1976. Stop in for lunch or dinner at this hidden-gem restaurant to try Best Italian’s versions of Italian favorites done right, from pizza to classic dishes, with New York style…. Read more »
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a year-round paradise for fly fishing, with more than 600 miles of streams that support wild trout. You can fly fish any time of year, in this beautiful national park, with no admission fee, and there are even some spring-fed waters that stay mild through the winter. State regulations… Read more »
UPDATE 2023: The traditional Trout Tournaments have been canceled since 2022, and currently we don’t know if they’ll come back. The City of Gatlinburg now hosts a one-day event on the first Saturday in April, fishing the many Gatlinburg waters – see our guide to What’s Happening in April. Twice a year, in the spring… Read more »
The Smokies are known for their native brook and brown trout, and Gatlinburg and the National Park are crawling (or should we say swimming?) with over 900 miles of rivers and streams that are just waiting for you to cast your line. Fishing Permits Before you pack up your tackle box, however, there are local… Read more »
Smoky Mountain Brewery is a popular restaurant with a conveniently situated location in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It has a lodge atmosphere, with a sports bar functionality (lots of TVs) and a well rounded American menu. The Brewery serves (and brews) craft beers, as well as cocktails and wine, and it’s also open late… Read more »
Winery Square is a little area off of East Parkway in Gatlinburg, only slightly off the beaten track and packed with delights from several hidden gems in terms of food, drink and pure fascination. The square is anchored by Gatlinburg’s first winery, Smoky Mountain Winery, established in 1981 and still going strong, serving tastes of… Read more »
