Gatlinburg Pet Friendly Cabins

A guide of the best pet friendly cabin rentals in Gatlinburg, TN. If you’re looking for Gatlinburg pet friendly cabins or chalets to bring your dog, cat, or other pet to then this is your guide to the best pet friendly cabins in Gatlinburg, TN!

If you have a puppy, dog, cat, kitten, or other pet then you most likely treat them like a regular part of the family. If you’re looking to bring your pet(s) with you on your next Tennessee vacation to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge then I highly suggest looking into Gatlinburg pet friendly cabins. Whether you have a kitten or a 150lb Old English Mastiff, there is bound to be a Smoky Mountain cabin rental in Gatlinburg that will accommodate your pet.

The list below contains only the highest rated pet friendly cabin rentals in Gatlinburg, TN. The first set are the cabin and chalet rentals that consistently get good reviews and remain highly recommended. The others that follow are also recommended, but aren’t discussed as widely…it’s not that their bad…they just don’t get as much word-of-mouth as the first few. If you have comments on any of the following cabins (or if you know of other pet-friendly cabins around Gatlinburg, TN) please share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page!

The Best Pet Friendly Cabins in Gatlinburg, TN:

Sugar Maple Cabin Rentals
844-362-4311
Sugar Maple offers pet friendly cabins.

Gatlinburg Cabins Online
866-637-1969
Accepts large pets in some cabins.

Majestic Mountain Vacations
844-366-8937

Other Pet Friendly Cabin Rentals in the area:

Sherwood Forest Resort
888-496-8523

If you have stayed at any of the Gatlinburg, TN cabin rentals listed above during your Gatlinburg Tennessee vacation, please share your experience with others in the comment section below! Also, if we have missed a great cabin rental in Gatlinburg that is pet-friendly, please mention them below and we’ll get them added to the list. Be sure to check out information on Pigeon Forge cabins as well.

New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg

New Years in Gatlinburg, TN is one of the biggest events of the year in the Great Smoky Mountains. Get all of the details here when the New Year’s Eve festivities begin in Gatlinburg, TN!

If you’re planning on being in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, TN during New Year’s Eve, then you have to experience the New Years festivities in Gatlinburg! Most of the action takes place close to the space needle in the middle of downtown around 11 p.m. on December 31 as many vendors hand out free party favors such as hats, streamers, whistles, funny glasses, etc. All of the action escalates up until midnight when the ball drops at the top of the space needle and fireworks fly into the night as everyone in the streets celebrate New Years in Gatlinburg, TN.

Insider tip: Most of the best vantage points are on the balconies of hotels on the opposite side of the street from the space needle. There are also some parking garages in that area that are good spots if you can get up top. Just make sure you can clearly see the top pf the space needle and you’ll be fine. If you are planning driving out of Gatlinburg that night, then park along River Road or on either end of town…just stay away from downtown…the closer you get to the space needle, the more likely you’ll stay all night…besides…that might be more fun anyway!!!

More Gatlinburg info:
Local Phone: (865) 430-4148

Have a blast and HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us in Gatlinburg, TN!

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

Information about the Great Smokey Mountains National Park or better known as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or just the Smokies. Get the history, hiking information, and other details here.

Is it Smokey or Smoky Mountains?

If you didn’t already notice, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is actually spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Do you see the difference? Many people misspell Smoky as Smokey with an “e,” some simply call them the Smokies while others spell it Smokeys. If you’re one of the people who spells it incorrectly, don’t worry…more people spell it as Smokey Mountains rather than the correct way! Does that make it wrong? Who knows…the Smoky Mountains are still just as breathtakingly beautiful!

With that out of the way, let’s dig into one of the most amazing places on Earth, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains is in the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains and creates a natural border between Tennessee and North Carolina. If you have ever been to Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC then you have been in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many people don’t realize that the Smokey Mountains…I mean Smoky Mountains…is the most visited national park in the United States! This is a testament to the beauty of the park, but it has also become increasingly harmful to the environmental makeup of the Smokies. The increased pollution in the air from vehicle exhaust along with the growing population, increased tourism, etc. has taken a toll on the wildlife and natural habitats. Fortunately, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is working to preserve and even restore as much of the national park as possible.

What Makes the Smoky Mountains Smoky?

So where does the name Smokey Mountains, Smoky Mountains or Smokies come from anyway? If you have ever seen the Smokies, you’d know how it got its name. The higher elevation, humidity, and hydrocarbons produced by trees and plants often put off a hovering, almost eery haze throughout the mountain range giving it the name “Smokies” as it looks like there is smoke all over the mountaintops. It’s an amazing sight if you have never seen it before – almost as if the mountains are on fire – or simply haunted.

About the Fall Leaves in the Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is deciduous, meaning most trees shed their leaves as the weather turns colder. As this happens, the mountains come to life with amazing color! The reds, yellows, oranges, etc look as if buckets of paint fell from the sky onto the mountains. It’s incredible! Knowing when to see this is anybody’s guess, but you’re probably still wondering when the leaves change color in the fall. Well, this depends on two primary things – temperature and moisture. As the weather turns colder, deciduous trees go into “survival” mode and start preserving as much water as possible. The best thing they can do to accomplish this is shed their water-retaining leaves! As the trees zap the water out of the leaves, the result is that the leaves slowly change color, dry up, and fall off. So the trick is to look for a cold, dry snap in weather, which basically means predicting when the leaves will change color in the Smoky Mountains is about as hard as predicting the weather! Statistically, though, the middle and last half of October are usually the safest bets for a colorful visit. Bring your camera!

Synchronous Fireflies at Elkmont in the Smoky Mountains

One last interesting aspect of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that needs to be pointed out is the synchronous fireflies in Elkmont near Gatlinburg. This is an amazing event that happens only once a year for about a week in mid-June and only in two locations in the entire world…the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them…the other is in Asia. You can pick which one to come to, but I suggest the Smokies!

If you have comments or any interesting facts about the Smokies you’d like to share about the Great Smoky Mountains, please share them in the section at the bottom of this page! We’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Best Gatlinburg Coupons and Discounts

Get the best discounts and coupons for Gatlinburg, TN. If you’re looking for Gatlinburg coupons we have exactly what you’re looking for!

When you visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee there are definitely a lot of things to do, which can end up costing you more than you had planned on. Fortunately for you, there are numerous sources of Gatlinburg coupons and discounts that will help you save quite a bit of money. You can find discounts on hotels, food, fun, shopping, and more when you pick up brochures and free visitor guides all around town. If you can’t find one, you must be sitting in your car because these things are everywhere! However, if you’re a planner and want to find some coupons for Gatlinburg before you arrive we have just what you need.

The first thing you can do is take a look at the official vacation planner, the Gatlinburg Vacation Guide. The guides will give you a good idea of exactly what Gatlinburg has to offer. You can use the guide to plan out where you’d like to stay, play, eat, shop, etc. Be sure to also check out our list of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg as well. We also maintain a list of Gatlinburg cabin companies. All of that should be plenty enough information to create the perfect vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Now all you need is a way to save some money! That’s where we come in.

There are tons of websites, brochures, timeshare deals, etc that offer coupons for Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. Some of them are good & legit and the others are…well…let’s just say we’re going to save you some headaches! We’ve scoured practically every website that offers Gatlinburg coupons and have created a list of the best ones…most of these allow you to print coupons out from your own computer. Some of these sites also provide a printed coupon book which you can order and have sent directly to your house. Either way, this gives you plenty of time to plan & save money before you even arrive in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The Best Gatlinburg Coupons Websites

Best Read Guide
This is one of the printed books that you can pick up just about anywhere in town. It offers coupons for hotels, cabins, restaurants, attractions, shopping, and just about everything else that Gatlinburg has to offer. You’ll also find coupons for Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area.
http://www.smokymountainscoupons.com/

Smoky Mountain Navigator
The Smoky Mountain Navigator is another printed guide that can be mailed straight to your house. Each page is chock full of coupons to save you money during your vacation. There are Gatlinburg coupons as well as Pigeon Forge coupons all throughout this guide. The cool thing is that you can print actual coupons from the printed guide simply by visiting their website using the link below. There, you can also order a coupon book and have it mailed to you.
http://www.smokymountainnavigator.com/index.asp?mid=71

What To Do – Sunny Day Guide
If you’ve vacationed in just about any other tourist destination, you have probably seen this printed guide. It’s very popular and can be picked up for free all over town. You can also visit their website using the link below to print coupons for hotels, restaurants, shopping, Gatlinburg attractions, and more. Many of the coupons are for Pigeon Forge as well.
http://www.sunnydayguide.com/smoky_mountains/sm_coupons.php

All the Smokies
You can find some decent Gatlinburg cabin coupons on this site along with resort, lodging, and coupons for hotels.
http://www.allthesmokies.com/coupons.html

Those websites should just about cover all of the Gatlinburg coupons that you would need to save money on your Gatlinburg vacation. We also have a list of websites that offer Pigeon Forge coupons as well, so be sure to check it out too!

When Do the Leaves Change Color in the Fall in Gatlinburg?

Get the inside scoop on the fall foliage and the leaves changing color in Gatlinburg, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains. View webcams, find out the best time to visit, and more!

Fall is an incredible season to visit the Great Smoky Mountains with the beautiful Gatlinburg fall colors, crisp air, crafts, harvest festivals and more. If you have never visited Gatlinburg TN in October or early November, then you are missing out on an amazing experience.

Figuring out when the Gatlinburg fall colors will peak can be very tricky, and requires predicting the weather a little bit, too. A good rule of thumb that defines a brilliant fall is dry weather with cool (not freezing) temperatures in October. There are obviously other factors, but the cool temperatures will make the fall even more stunning in the Smokies. Colors usually peak around the last half of October with the higher elevations changing color first and the colors trickling down into the valley.

So, how can you figure out if the Gatlinburg fall colors are peaking just in time for your visit? And when is the best time to visit in the fall? We can help!

Road winding through the Smoky MounatinsInside Tips for Planning Your Visit to See Gatlinburg Fall Colors

  • Check out the views from more than just the national park hiking trails, too. You can see the Gatlinburg fall colors from all over the area. Try visiting the Gatlinburg Space Needle or riding on the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway for the best views of the colors!
  • Prepare for lots of colors! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be changing colors, but there are other places to see the fall colors, too, like the Dollywood Harvest Festival.
  • Keep in mind that it’s going to be busy! If you visit Gatlinburg TN on the weekend, you’re likely to encounter many more people visiting the area. If you want to visit during a time when there are not as many people in the area, try planning to visit on a weekday!

GSMNP.com

Fall in the Smoky MountainsThe GSMNP site (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) keeps the most up-to-date information about all of the Gatlinburg fall colors throughout the season. They offer:

  • Gatlinburg fall colors facts
  • Information on why and how the leaves change colors
  • Updates about the best times to visit the area for the fall color changes
  • Helpful information for planning your visit to the Smoky Mountains

You can also jump straight to the site’s information specific to fall foliage.

Ready to start planning your Gatlinburg vacation? Make sure to check out all of the best places to stay in Gatlinburg TN, so you can get the best view of the Gatlinburg fall colors every time you step outside!

Stargazing in the Smokies

There is a pervading thought that says when the sun sets, there is nothing to see in the Smokies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Stargazing in the Smokies is a wonderful way to spend an evening of your Smoky Mountain vacation.

When night falls in the Smokies, the National Park seems to empty.  The people vanish, the cars vanish and most of the animals seem to disappear.  There are few times that the drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is a lonesome drive but after the sun goes down you can find yourself going for half an hour at a time without seeing a car.  The thought is that since the sun has set, there is nothing to see in the Smokies.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Stargazing in the Smokies is a wonderful way to spend an evening of your Smoky Mountain vacation.

After sunset a whole vista of celestial ‘wildlife’ pops out.  Stars that you never knew existed hangout among familiar constellations.  Extra stars seem to accessorize Orion’s belt.  Ursa Major and Ursa Minor seem to fill out more and you can see why ancient people may have named them what they named them, instead of looking like a dipper it might actually resemble a bear.  Our view of the sky, usually inhibited by city lights, is opened up as you leave the vestiges of civilization and climb higher into the mountain.  Newfound Gap Trailhead, the parking area for one of the most hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail, is one of the best places to stargaze in the Smokies.

Due to the fact that there are no street lights at Newfound Gap Trailhead, there are no cities close enough to see and the fact that at night most of the cars in the parking lot are left by overnight hikers.  This leaves the parking lot vacant and the passing cars don’t add enough light to affect your night vision.  Once you get to the parking area, go to the furthest end of the parking lot, turn off all the lights in your car and wait for your eyes to adjust.  Once your eyes are used to the dark you will start to see some amazing sights in the night sky.  Remember that you are above 6,000 feet in this parking lot, so you may want to bring a coat in the spring or fall because it ill be cooler then it is in the valley areas.  If it is 60 in Pigeon Forge, it will be at least 10 degrees cooler on the mountain.

Another thing to keep in mind is the moon.  If the stars are brighter in the Smokies, then the moon is ten times brighter.  A full moon on top of the mountain is a glorious thing to behold but if your planning on seeing stars keep the phase of the moon in mind.  The perfect time to view stars by the millions is during the new moon.  With the moon out of the way, you will have an unobstructed view of the stars and your stargazing trip to the Smokies will be complete.  If you want to see an amazing moonrise, then get to the summit early during a full moon and it will bright enough to read by.

Because of the lack of lights on the mountain it is possible to take pictures of this starry expanse.  You will need to turn the flash off on your camera and you will have to use fairly long exposures.  Long exposures (one and half to two minutes minimum) will produce star lines on the exposure.  The Earth’s constant movement in relation to the unmovable positions of the stars causes the star lines. This is what you want.  Lots of light into the camera and giving the camera enough time to absorb the light you are letting it will make the outline of the trees hazy and the stars will be small streaks in the sky.  You’ll need to use a tripod to eliminate movement of the camera.

If you are looking for an after-hours opportunity for your family to enjoy something they may not get to see anywhere else, get out of the cabin or hotel room, pack up the cool weather gear and head to the top of the Smokies, or a place like Cades Cove.  Put a sleeping bag on the hood of your car, lean back and enjoy the view.  Instead of looking at the gorgeous mountains below the heavens, turn your eyes upward and look at the stars.

Gatlinburg Trolley Schedule

You’ve made it to Gatlinburg, found a place to park, and now you’re out and about touring the town. But say you want to tour town but don’t want to have to spend the day walking it. Simple, take the trolley.

Gatlinburg’s trolley is one of the nicest public transit systems in the state. There are numerous spots to hop on, and it’s a very easy way to get around town. And all for just $2 a day. That’s right, you can ride all day long in the downtown area for just two dollars a day.

Current Trolley Map

For everyone looking at a Gatlinburg trolley map, the day pass includes unlimited access to the all trolley routes but the Tan and Pink routes. Both Gatlinburg welcome centers offer the all day trolley pass, as well as city hall and the mass transit center near Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. There are also individual routes for purchase. Those run from 50 cents on up to $2 depending on distance. You must have exact change for each individual route.

There are over 17 parking lots conveniently located throughout the downtown Gatlinburg area. Just look for the blue parking labels. Parking fees vary based on locations. Call (865) 277-8222 with any questions.

Hillbilly Golf

Right as you go into Gatlinburg, if you are coming from Pigeon Forge, you are going to see a sign for Hillbilly Golf on the left hand side of the road.  Hillbilly Golf is a staple of Gatlinburg attractions and has been a min golf destination for years.  When you give Hillbilly Golf a once over you are going to wonder where the miniature golf course is but that is because you are not looking at the right spot.  Stand in  front of the ticket booth and look up.  You will notice an incline rail system that seems to go up and out of sight, that is where the course is – that is where the fun is.

Get your ticket and jump on the rail car.  You will take a brief ride up the mountain, the 300 feet only takes a few minutes but it does give you a great view of the Parkway as it threads its way into Gatlinburg.  You ride backwards up the mountain to both of the course.  Each one is a full 18 holes and both are delightfully decorated and fun to play.  But of course, half the fun is the fact that you are playing on the mountain.  The courses are built into the mountainside, into the very rock with trees and plants growing all around.

Not only are the courses chiseled into the ground and rock of the Smoky Mountains but they are decorated with a detritus that has taken years to accumulate.  Pieces of mountain history, pieces of the past decorate the courses.  The obstacles that you shoot and putt around are the very articles and things of the past that you might have seen doting the front yard of any mountain person in the Smokies at the turn of the century. Outhouses and stills are part of the course, as are native plants and rock walls that came to symbolize the mountain yards of the homesteads in the Smokies.  Some of these items have been out on these courses since Hillbilly Golf opened years ago.  Golf balls have been shot through and around these pieces of Americana for years and you might even find that you are still trying to putt around the same still that you had trouble with as a kid. Try both courses while you are there, spend plenty of time on the side of the mountain and experience the thrill you had when you rode the incline railway up the first time you took it years ago.

Hillbilly Golf
340 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
865-436-7470

Parking in Gatlinburg

Everyone knows Gatlinburg is a walking town, so where do you leave your car?

One of the biggest issues on any trip to Gatlinburg is where to park. Although Gatlinburg is a small town, it must accommodate the needs of thousands of businesses and their employees during the week. To say that parking is at a premium would be putting it lightly. The city has plenty of parking lots and garages but you do have to pay to park. FREE parking can be found along River Road in Gatlinburg, but you have to get there early to get a spot, or just be lucky. There is also the mass transit option. While parking remains an issue in Gatlinburg, the city has provided several options.

Parking lots in Gatlinburg can be found quite easily. There are some lots that are run by the businesses next to them or run as businesses themselves, and some that are owned by the city. The city-owned lots are larger and the prices are the same from lot to lot. There are also two parking garages in Gatlinburg, one beside Ripley’s Aquarium and one located at traffic light No. 3. These two garages provide a lot more parking space compared to how much space they actually take up. On River Road there are several privately owned parking lots. Unlike the public lots, which are based on one flat rate, the privately owned lots sometimes have deals depending on how long you are in the lot. If you are just staying for a little while or visiting just one location you may want to check the private lots out.

River Road is the land of free parking. From the traffic light beside Ripley’s Aquarium you can turn down River Road. The parking is along the right hand side and runs almost all the way down the road with very few exceptions. To get parking along River Road you need to get there early or be lucky. Most locals that work in Gatlinburg and arrive early, park on River Road. If you are headed to Gatlinburg for breakfast it might be worth a trip down River Road to see if there is a space open. If you come in late there is still a chance as people come and go all day long in Gatlinburg.

Another option is mass transit. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge both have an amazing trolley system. When you are headed into Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge, you will pass the Gatlinburg welcome center. Next to the Welcome Center, you will find one of the free parking lots that is a stop for the trolleys. Park your car at the trolley station and then ride the trolley for $0.50 per person per ride, or $2 for an all day pass. All the trolleys stop at the Aquarium and there are trolley stops throughout Gatlinburg. Free parking and a 50-cent ride on a trolley is a great deal.

When you are heading to Gatlinburg keep your parking options in mind. Find a lot to park in, take your chances of finding a free space on River Road or simply park and ride the trolley. The city has given you several options and you will find the best part about Gatlinburg is that it is small enough to walk end to end easily; and being able to wander the streets is part of the magic.

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN

A list of the top 10 best places to eat in Gatlinburg, TN. This list of restaurants in Gatlinburg are the best places to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner on your next vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

When you visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee, it’s always fun and exciting to find the best places to eat throughout the area. There are definitely a lot of places to eat in Gatlinburg and you can only eat so many times during your visit, so you’ll want to find the best places while you’re planning! So how do you go about figuring out where to eat? You could ask the employees at the places you visit where they like to eat. You could read the various review websites. Or you could get the best of both worlds and simply check out our top 10 restaurants in Gatlinburg TN by the people who live and work in Gatlinburg as well as the visitors who have shared numerous opinions.

We’ve compiled a list of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg, TN with restaurants that you won’t find back home. Every restaurant in this list is unique to the area so you have a dining experience that doesn’t compare to anything you’ve had anywhere else. You won’t find chain restaurants or “fast food” in this list. Most of the restaurants listed are owned and operated by locals who share a love for excellent food. Continue reading “Top 10 Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN”