Seven days of Appalachian adventure, music, and mountain cooking
Book a cabin off Ski Mountain Road or Glades Road — away from the strip traffic. First evening: walk Gatlinburg, eat at the Park Grill or Crockett's Breakfast Camp, go to bed early for Day 2.
Gatlinburg cabin rental sites have hundreds of options. Filter for decks with mountain views and private hot tubs — the price difference from a basic cabin is often only $20/night.
The best day hike in the East. 11 miles round trip to 6,593 feet. LeConte Lodge at the top is the only place to stay in the park. If you got a lodge reservation, you are among the lucky few.
One full day at Dollywood. Lightning Rod is the best launch coaster in the country. The craftspeople and live gospel music are what separate it from every other theme park.
Family-style Southern food in a working 1830 gristmill. Corn chowder, fried chicken, and stone-ground grits. Waits run 45 minutes on weekends — put your name in when you arrive.
Arrive at the loop before the gate opens for the least traffic. Bears, deer, wild turkey, and coyotes in the early morning. Pack breakfast and eat at the historic Abrams Creek picnic area.
The Pigeon River has Class III-IV rapids in the upper gorge — legitimate whitewater. Several outfitters in Hartford, TN run half-day trips. Best whitewater in the Southeast south of West Virginia.
Ober Mountain (formerly Ober Gatlinburg) has skiing December-March and a summer adventure park the rest of the year. The aerial tramway from downtown is part of the experience.
Final morning: the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community on Glades Road and Buckhorn Road. 8 miles of working studios. Better buying than any gift shop on the strip.
Create a free Wanderer account to save “Smokies Full Week” and access the full block library.
Join free — become a WandererNo credit card required
Flights, stays, and experiences — find the best options for your dates.
Compare hundreds of airlines. See the cheapest dates and book directly — no markup.
Search flightsPowered by Travel Payouts
Bundle your flight and hotel to unlock package savings — usually cheaper than booking separately.
Powered by Expedia
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels, resorts, and rentals — free cancellation on most.
Search hotelsPowered by Expedia
Museum tickets, guided tours, and day trips — skip-the-line access, most with free cancellation.
Browse experiencesPowered by Tiqets
Pre-book a private transfer — fixed price, meet-and-greet, no surge pricing.
Book a transferPowered by Welcome Pickups
Compare rental cars from top agencies — pickup at airports, hotels, and city centers.
Compare ratesPowered by Expedia
Whole homes, cabins, and condos — more space, full kitchens, and local neighborhoods.
Browse rentalsPowered by Expedia
Trip cancellation, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation — get a free quote in minutes.
Get a free quotePowered by Travelex