Tennessee / Time together
A little fresh air.
A day that feels like yours.
The Great Smoky Mountains invite you to spend time together in all sorts of ways: following a forest road, stepping into a mountain community’s history, or pausing for a view that makes you put the camera down.
Start with Great Smoky Mountains National Park for scenery, history, and time outdoors. Then leave room for the food and entertainment of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and the studios and dinner tables of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Choose a few experiences that speak to you, with space between them to enjoy the stay.
Start with a feeling
Pick one outing to look forward to. The rest can stay open.
History among the trees
Wander among Daisy Town’s preserved vacation cabins for a glimpse of early Smokies getaways. History and woodland share the afternoon, without making a long hike the main event.
Discover historic Elkmont
A mountain-view day
Make room for cooler mountain air and far-reaching views when the weather clears. Pause at Newfound Gap, or add the climb to Kuwohi’s observation tower if you feel like stretching your legs.
Plan a day in the high mountains
A scenic drive
Follow the valley loop past open fields and historic buildings, stopping where something catches your eye. Give this outing room in your plans so the drive never feels like a race.
Explore the Cades Cove loop
A Pigeon Forge afternoon
Start around The Old Mill, browse something handmade, then make time beside the Little Pigeon River. Keep it simple, or add an evening out.
Spend time in Pigeon Forge
A Gatlinburg outing
Explore the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community for pottery, woodwork, and pieces with a maker behind them. Choose a few stops rather than trying to see it all.
Discover the creative side
A special evening
The Greenbrier in Gatlinburg is a tucked-away setting for a dinner worth planning around. Leave the hiking clothes behind and make an evening of it.
Plan a Greenbrier dinnerOut among the trees
Historic vacation cabins, high mountain views, an open valley, and a forest drive: each offers a different way into the park. Choose your outing, then check conditions before setting off.
Leave time between stops. Winding roads, changing weather, and full parking areas can reshape a mountain day.
Daisy Town preserves vacation homes built between 1910 and 1935, tucked into Elkmont’s woodland setting. Explore cabins inside and out at your own pace. Reach the historic area off Little River Road and use designated parking; check current access notices, especially during firefly viewing season.
Plan a visit to Daisy Town at ElkmontPause at Newfound Gap’s overlook along US 441, or continue toward Kuwohi for the tower walk: one mile round trip on a steep paved path. Bring layers and let the forecast guide you; clouds can hide the views, and Kuwohi Road closes in winter.
The 11-mile, one-way loop threads through an open valley with churches, cabins, and a working gristmill. Stop to explore the historic sites and take in the mountain backdrop. Allow for slow traffic, and check vehicle-free days before planning a drive.
Plan a Cades Cove outingNear Gatlinburg, this narrow, winding, one-way motor nature trail combines forest, streams, and historic buildings. Choose it for a slow drive with designated stops. It closes seasonally, and parking can fill.
Plan the Roaring Fork driveA change of pace
Decide whether you want a leisurely few stops or a day built around one attraction. Both leave room for a good dinner.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
For an unhurried afternoon, pair The Old Mill’s shops and dining with a walk along the Pigeon Forge Riverwalk. It’s a way to enjoy town without filling every hour.
Choose Dollywood when rides and live entertainment are the main event. For dinner with a livelier backdrop, The Island brings the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and show fountain into the evening. Pick the mood that suits you rather than squeezing everything into one day.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Spend an afternoon browsing the studios and shops of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. Check individual shop schedules and choose a handful of makers whose work interests you.
For a special dinner, this tucked-away Gatlinburg restaurant pairs steaks with craft cocktails. Make it a planned outing from either cabin, with time for the drive and an unhurried meal. Explore The Greenbrier and reservations.
FROM KRISTIN’S GUEST GUIDEBOOK
Looking for somewhere to start? These are the restaurants, outings, and tasting stops we share with our guests. Pick a few that fit your kind of day, and check current hours and reservation requirements before heading out.
Blackberry Farm in Walland is another of our favorites. Contact the property directly about dining or wine experiences and visitor access before planning an outing.
Leave room for the weather
Plan for changeable weather and layers. A mild day in town can still mean cold conditions higher up. Keep a flexible alternative to a mountain outing.
Heat, humidity, and afternoon storms can shape the day. Take water, check the forecast, and give yourselves a break from the busiest part of the afternoon.
Pack for warm afternoons and cool evenings. Let fall color be a possibility rather than a promise for a particular date, and leave room in the day for traffic and stops.
Snow and ice are more likely at higher elevations, and some roads close for the season. Choose outings around current conditions; a town afternoon can be a welcome alternative.
A little planning goes a long way
The park generally requires a parking tag for stops longer than 15 minutes. Display a physical tag; it doesn’t reserve a space. Check NPS parking-tag requirements and purchase options before your visit.
Look at current park conditions and the seasonal road schedule. Allow time for winding mountain roads, and adjust plans if weather changes.
Cell coverage is limited across much of the park. Download maps and directions before leaving your connection, and carry a paper map. The NPS visitor questions cover offline planning and other useful basics.
Attractions, restaurants, and individual studios set their own operating schedules. Use their official sites to check your dates and make any reservations before building a day around them.
Somewhere to come back to
Two settings. Room to make the stay your own.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
A couples’ retreat with a soaking tub and private loft theater, for days around Pigeon Forge and evenings spent together at the cabin.
Explore Let’s HideawayCosby, Tennessee
A wooded creekside setting with a detached theater, for slower mornings and outings on the Cosby side of the Smokies.
Explore Hideaway Haven