Andrew & Rain’s guidebook of local recommends
Outdoor activities
Trust me, your kids will love it. You probably would too (if you enjoy roller coster).
48 locals recommend
Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster
386 ParkwayTrust me, your kids will love it. You probably would too (if you enjoy roller coster).
If you go in summer, it will have some fun water activities. If during a cool time, you can do crazy zip-line.
87 locals recommend
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park
2530 ParkwayIf you go in summer, it will have some fun water activities. If during a cool time, you can do crazy zip-line.
To be honest I have not tried this yet. But I've heard all about it. Could not wait to pay a visit next time and I'll share my experience.
40 locals recommend
Outdoor Gravity Park
203 Sugar Hollow RdTo be honest I have not tried this yet. But I've heard all about it. Could not wait to pay a visit next time and I'll share my experience.
You can buy a package for 1 or 2 hours, it includes tubing and roller coast laser shooting. Both are fun. They have 4 lanes tubing. Now they give color code for different speed. It's super fun.
17 locals recommend
Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park
2155 ParkwayYou can buy a package for 1 or 2 hours, it includes tubing and roller coast laser shooting. Both are fun. They have 4 lanes tubing. Now they give color code for different speed. It's super fun.
At first I was afraid to get on. Later I did not want to get off. I was told this is the world's longest mountain coaster. You will ride on it for 9 minutes! Best part is you can control your own speed, so if you are scared you can slow it down. And you can ride with kids. They also give discount for seconde
39 locals recommend
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
2940 Veterans BlvdAt first I was afraid to get on. Later I did not want to get off. I was told this is the world's longest mountain coaster. You will ride on it for 9 minutes! Best part is you can control your own speed, so if you are scared you can slow it down. And you can ride with kids. They also give discount for seconde
Grotto Falls is not only one of the most popular waterfalls, it’s one of the most popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The waterfall itself is 25 feet high. What makes it special is that you can actually walk behind it. It’s also a popular spot for salamanders, and the cool environment around the falls makes it perfect for summer hikers.
111 locals recommend
Grotto Falls
Trillium Gap TrailGrotto Falls is not only one of the most popular waterfalls, it’s one of the most popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The waterfall itself is 25 feet high. What makes it special is that you can actually walk behind it. It’s also a popular spot for salamanders, and the cool environment around the falls makes it perfect for summer hikers.
Kids activities
This is a no-brainer for kids (or adults with a young heart). It's stupid but fun. We don't miss it.
7D Dark Ride Adventure
903 ParkwayThis is a no-brainer for kids (or adults with a young heart). It's stupid but fun. We don't miss it.
Huge waterpark for summer vacation, fun theme park for other seasons. You would not want to leave this place.
797 locals recommend
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks BlvdHuge waterpark for summer vacation, fun theme park for other seasons. You would not want to leave this place.
Sightseeing
Have you ever tried to sit among mountain and trees to watch the sunset? It is extremely beautiful there. Anakeesta has a lot of activities from sightviewing to shopping and mountain roller coster to zip-line. Also it has a big tree-top trail you can walk with your kids and a small park tells the story of new Gatlinburg. I just simply love this place. It touches my soul.
453 locals recommend
Anakeesta
576 ParkwayHave you ever tried to sit among mountain and trees to watch the sunset? It is extremely beautiful there. Anakeesta has a lot of activities from sightviewing to shopping and mountain roller coster to zip-line. Also it has a big tree-top trail you can walk with your kids and a small park tells the story of new Gatlinburg. I just simply love this place. It touches my soul.
Take a lifting ride to the top, then go cross the long wood bridge. We even saw couple little bears under us.
190 locals recommend
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
765 ParkwayTake a lifting ride to the top, then go cross the long wood bridge. We even saw couple little bears under us.
Wine Tasting
The Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, also known as "Ole Smoky HollerSM" is America’s most visited distillery and produces all of their signature flavors. Great fun if you are over 21. Place you can have some fun and put down all worries.
195 locals recommend
Ole Smoky Moonshine
903 ParkwayThe Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, also known as "Ole Smoky HollerSM" is America’s most visited distillery and produces all of their signature flavors. Great fun if you are over 21. Place you can have some fun and put down all worries.
Food scene
Best restaurant in town. German beer and meat! My favorite is GERMAN POT ROAST, it's so good that you have to try. The price's reasonable too.
28 locals recommend
Wild Bear Tavern
4236 ParkwayBest restaurant in town. German beer and meat! My favorite is GERMAN POT ROAST, it's so good that you have to try. The price's reasonable too.
So popular that you would have to wait in line for hours to get a table. Have to admit that we haven't got a chance to try it yet, since every time we were there, there was always a long line waiting.
483 locals recommend
The Old Mill
164 Old Mill AveSo popular that you would have to wait in line for hours to get a table. Have to admit that we haven't got a chance to try it yet, since every time we were there, there was always a long line waiting.
Heard a lot good things about this one. Also the parking lot's always packed. Must be that good.
498 locals recommend
Local Goat- New American Restaurant
2167 ParkwayHeard a lot good things about this one. Also the parking lot's always packed. Must be that good.
While this down home restaurant serves up bountiful Southern cooking family style, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the breakfast is a family affair not to miss. Their divine dishes are all derived from owner’s the Johnson family’s great-grandmother (known as Mama to the family) and prepared fresh daily from scratch.
57 locals recommend
Mama's Farmhouse
208 Pickel StWhile this down home restaurant serves up bountiful Southern cooking family style, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the breakfast is a family affair not to miss. Their divine dishes are all derived from owner’s the Johnson family’s great-grandmother (known as Mama to the family) and prepared fresh daily from scratch.
For a true southern eatin’ experience, Huck Finn’s Catfish is a southern food feast you don’t want to miss. They’re famous for their, “ALL ‘U CAN EAT CATFISH & CHICKEN DINNERS.”
Awarded “Best Catfish in Tennessee,” by Tennessee Magazine four years in a row, Huck Finn’s Catfish is a meal customers are sure to enjoy. This restaurant proudly serves pond-raised, grain fed, Mississippi Catfish. Catfish that are certified by the U.S. Catfish Institute.
59 locals recommend
Huck Finn's Catfish
3330 ParkwayFor a true southern eatin’ experience, Huck Finn’s Catfish is a southern food feast you don’t want to miss. They’re famous for their, “ALL ‘U CAN EAT CATFISH & CHICKEN DINNERS.”
Awarded “Best Catfish in Tennessee,” by Tennessee Magazine four years in a row, Huck Finn’s Catfish is a meal customers are sure to enjoy. This restaurant proudly serves pond-raised, grain fed, Mississippi Catfish. Catfish that are certified by the U.S. Catfish Institute.
International, Contemporary, Fusion, Mediterranean, European, Wine Bar. I just love it. It's close to the art & craft area. Very romantic place.
57 locals recommend
Red Oak Bistro
669 Glades RdInternational, Contemporary, Fusion, Mediterranean, European, Wine Bar. I just love it. It's close to the art & craft area. Very romantic place.
Grocery Shopping
You can buy food, water or anything you'll need. It's on parkway and pretty close.
176 locals recommend
Publix Pharmacy at Valley Forge Shopping Center
2656 ParkwayYou can buy food, water or anything you'll need. It's on parkway and pretty close.
Walgreens
3071 Parkway 8 AM – 8 PM weekdays, 10 AM – 6 PM weekends, 6 miles from our cabin.
Food City
1219 East PkwyGreat place to shop groceries.
City advice
Ways to save
Bring some cash
If you want to do shopping at the Shopping Village, you may want to bring some cash with you. Some stores charges extra if you can only use credit card.
Book before you go
Put on reservation for "Cherokee Grill"
Probably the best steak house on the street. Without a reservation, you probably would have to wait for 1.5-2 hours in busy days. But generally speaking, the food worth the waiting.
Ways to save
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park tickets are good for the rest of day
Go early and you can enjoy your ride again and again.
Don't miss
Anakeesta's waiting line is longer
Other than open chairs, it has 6 booths. Which means it will stop longer than Skylift. The chairs are higher too. If you are afraid of height, take the booth.
Ways to save
Online grocery shopping
https://www.smokymountaingrocery.com/, it says it's the only State licensed grocery delivery company in the Smoky Mountains! Just in case you need.
Ways to save
Online food delivery
https://www.grubhub.com/delivery/tn-sevierville/dinner, download the app "grubhub", check out their menu. It will deliver to your door.