48 Hours in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

When planning my birthday trip this year I was in search of a destination that would make for a short weekend getaway and offer great hiking and lots to see and do. After some research I landed on Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee. Known as the Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it would also allow us the opportunity to check another national park off our bucket list. While this is a great road trip destination from many major cities, since we were limited on time we decided to fly into Knoxville and make the short hour drive to Gatlinburg.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you! 

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Where to Stay

When you're planning your trip keep in mind the time of year you want to visit. We went in late March and it rained two of the days we were there and a few of the areas we wanted to visit in Smoky Mountain National Park were still closed due to seasonal roads. The town of Gatlinburg was way busier than I expected (although we didn't wait for any attractions or restaurants) the sidewalks were just always packed. If you're not into crowds, I would suggest staying outside the town or in a cabin closer to the mountains and avoid peak season in the summer months. 

We decided to stay in downtown Gatlinburg and booked the Air BnB below. It ended up being the perfect location as we were able to walk everywhere. Parking is not great in the city and while there are quite a few public lots, most were pretty pricey at $15-$20 per day. The condo we rented had free parking on site, was super spacious and since we never really spend much time in the room, it was perfect for what we needed. 

View On AirbnbDowntown Gem ? -102- Walk to Coffee ☕️ & Anakeesta

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What to Experience

Gatlinburg has no shortage of attractions for all ages. Honestly I wasn't really sure what to expect, but the best way I can describe downtown is like a giant theme park. It can be a bit overwhelming at first but strolling the streets and people watching is half the fun. I would suggest having two or three main activities in mind that are must sees for you. My top picks are below: 

Visit Anakeesta: Hands down my number one pick - don't miss this one! A magical little village nestled in the mountainside there is so much to see, do, and eat here. Ride the scenic chondala to the top. Walk along the treetop skywalk (this is where we finally had a bear sighting). Ride the mountain coaster. Challenge a friend on the dueling zip lines. Eat delicious BBQ from Smokehouse. Climb the observation tower for killer mountain views. Wander through the vista gardens. Sip a cocktail while you watch the sunset at Taphouse. Enjoy a sweet treat from Pearl’s Pie in the Sky. Shop for unique gifts at Firefly village. 

Definitely give yourself enough time here. We didn't go until closer to dinner time and I wish we would have had more time before the sun went down. I also recommend purchasing tickets online in advance so you can bypass the line. 

Cross the SkyBridge: This a newer attraction which opened in 2019 and now holds the claim to fame as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. You'll purchase tickets from the booth in the heart of downtown (no benefit to purchasing online but the line moves super quick) and ride an 8 minute chairlift to top. Your ticket is good for the entire day you purchase so you can ride up again later in the day and cross the bridge as many times as you'd like. The bridge does sway more than I expected and they recently doubled the number of glass-floor panels in the middle of the SkyBridge to make crossing even more thrilling so if you're scared of heights I definitely wouldn't recommend. You'll enjoy great views of the Smokies from the top and can also grab food or drinks and relax on their patio before heading back down. 

I will say this is one of the most popular attractions in the city and was packed the day we went so it wasn't as enjoyable as I would have hoped. I would suggest trying to go early in the morning to avoid crowds, or if you're short on time choose the Anakeesta treetop skywalk for a much more peaceful experience. 

Hike in Smoky Mountain National Park: This was one of the main reasons we planned this trip and couldn't leave without spending some time in the mountains. Thankfully our second day there we were blessed with perfect weather all day and took full advantage by completing two different hikes. Also if the weather isn't great, they'll likely close the main highway into the park due to high winds so make your plans flexible. When we were there in late March the roads to access Grotto Falls and Clingmans Dome were still closed as well. 

Our first hike of the day was to Laurel Falls which is a 2.4 mile out and back trail ending at a breathtaking waterfall. This is a great hike for all ages with moderate elevation gains and a paved path the whole way. At the end of the trail you'll be able to get up close to the falls. We also scrambled our way down to the lower falls to avoid the crowds at the top. This is a popular hike so expect the parking lot to be full but there was plenty of roadside parking available. 

Next, we drove to Alum Cave Trail. This hike is moderate to strenuous depending on your hiking experience and does gain steady elevation. You can hike to Alum Cave Bluffs which is 4.6 miles out and back or continue on to Mount LeConte for a total of 10.6 miles round trip. Along the way you'll cross a series of log bridges through an old-growth hardwood forest. At 1.3 miles you’ll pass through the narrow tunnel of Arch Rock and end at the Alum Cave Bluffs, the real star of the show. If you make in there in spring you'll likely see a mini waterfall falling off the top of the cliff. 

Play mini golf: If you love to play mini golf like my husband and I do you came to the right place! There are so many different courses to choose from. We decided on Hillbilly Golf which is located just off the main drag. This course is so unique because it's built into the mountainside. You have to take a cart to the top and then choose to play one of two different courses. The holes are so fun with lots of mountain-themed obstacles to play through as you work your way down. Perfect for a little friendly competition! 

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Where to Eat

Smith and Son Corner Kitchen: This was our first stop when we arrived in Gatlinburg. They offer pub style food with a little something for everyone from burgers and meatloaf to ribs and fajitas. The decor is also worth the visit with two fun hiking related quotes painted on the walls as you go up the stairs and the new Gatlinburg bear mural painted on the front of the restaurant.  

Pancake Pantry: If you couldn't guess, this place is famous for their pancakes and crepes. In fact, almost every meal you order comes with a side of pancakes. This is definitely a place you want to get to early. We arrived just after 8am and got a table with no wait but as we were leaving the line was down the sidewalk. This is definitely a place to go if you're in the mood for a sweeter breakfast as their savory options were limited. It's located next door to Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen which is another novelty the city is famous for. Be sure to stop in after breakfast and try their famous taffy logs. 

Donut Friar: When I found out this place had been voted the best donuts in Tennessee, I had to stop and give it a try myself. The storefront it located in the Village Shops which is a quaint little area home to nearly 30 shops and eateries designed to resemble European streets and plazas. They offer counter service only so it's a quick stop but again the lines can get pretty long if you go later in the morning. 

Crockett's Breakfast Camp: Hands down the best breakfast of the trip! This place has such fun mountain town vibes and serves as the legacy of David C. “Crockett” Maples, an original frontiersman. The biscuits are a must order and all egg dishes come with Cherokee Sweet Corn Pone on the side which you just have to taste to truly understand. They are also famous for their giant cinnamon rolls and dishes served in cast iron skillets. 

Byrd's Famous Cookies:​ This isn't considered a meal, but definitely worth a stop while strolling downtown. They are famous for this mini cookies and have their very own cookie bar where you are encouraged to sample as many flavors as you want. Don't miss trying their best seller - the key lime coolers!

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Where to Drink

Sugarlands Distillery Co.: A trip to Tennessee isn't complete without sipping some moonshine. We did a tasting at Sugarlands which includes 12 different samples for $5. The tasting consultants make the experience so much fun and they have unique flavors like PB&J and apple pie. Your tasting fee also gets you $5 off if you want to bring home a jar of your own. 

Smoky Mountain Brewery: Trying new local brews is one of our favorite activities when we travel. We ended up at SMB in an effort to beat the rain and spent a few hours here sampling beers and snacking on some apps - order the pretzels with beer cheese! You can also get a flight if you want to try all the beers on their menu.

Tennessee Cider Co.: ​Enjoy three free samples or purchase a VIP tasting and try all nine options for just $5. They have two slushies in additional to their fruit-inspired ciders. Our personal favorites were blueberry and pineapple! 

Little Bear Winery: This was another place we stumbled upon while wandering around downtown. They have a great selection of sweet wines here. Be sure to try the Muscadine wine which is made from a grape only grown in the south. You can enjoy two free tastings per person here. 

Daiquiri Shack: Located near the Margaritaville Hotel, they have a wall of frozen drinks on tap and a laid back, beachy vibe. We also got the buffalo chicken dip while we were here and it was the perfect mid-day snack.