Where to Stay in Gatlinburg

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Resort and I gotta say it was great. The rooms were large like you expect at any Embassy Suites but because it’s a resort it has so much more. From multiple pools including a zero-entry pool, lazy river, and large hot tub to an onsite restaurant, bar, and ice cream shop there’s more right there for the guests. They even have an on-site activity center where you can book fly fishing trips, hiking excursions, and more.

Fly Fishing

In my opinion, fly fishing is a must here even if you’ve never done it before. It’s fun and relaxing at the same time. Plus, it’s thrilling when you do catch a fish. We did a lesson with Smoky Mountain Guides because my two friends had never done it before. Just like me, they ended up loving it. 

Hiking

There is an abundance of hiking including one trail right in town! Gatlinburg is right at the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountains so whether you are looking for a super easy trail or super advanced trail they’ve got it.  If you do not want to go hiking on your own I suggest booking a tour with Smoky Mountain Guides.

For tips on specific trails read 13 Best Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Moonshine Tasting

Downtown has a ton of moonshine tasting rooms to choose from, each with every possible flavor of moonshine. My favorite was the pecan pie. 

Shopping

Downtown is adorable and full of shops. You could shop around for hours if you wanted to and not make it into all of the shops here. We were on the hunt for cowboy boots and although we found a lot they were a little to pricey for us.

Anakeesta

A must while in Gatlinburg is Anakeesta, a mountaintop adventure park packed with activities for all ages. Stroll along the scenic TreeTop Skywalk, one of the longest tree-based bridges in North America, offering breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. Kids will love the whimsical Treehouse Village Playground, while thrill-seekers can enjoy the adrenaline-pumping Rail Runner Mountain Coaster, the first of its kind in the United States. With ziplining, shopping, dining, and spectacular views from the Anavista Observation Tower, there’s truly something for everyone at this unique outdoor destination.

Lunch at Tennessee Jed’s

You can dine in at Tennessee Jed’s or grab food to-go and have a picnic, like I did inside The Great Smokey Mountains park. I had the smoked chicken salad and watermelon slices. The picture doesn’t may not look like much but this sandwich was crazy good.

Dinner at Ole Red

Craving dinner with a side of honky-tonk charm, Ole Red is the place to be. I sat down expecting some solid Southern grub, but what I got was a delightful rollercoaster of flavors and vibes. My salad was shockingly amazing—fresh, crisp, and almost too healthy for a place serving up fried everything. But the real plot twist? A Lucky Charms cheesecake for dessert. Because nothing screams “Tennessee fine dining” like a nostalgic sugar rush masquerading as a gourmet treat. Meanwhile, a local band was absolutely killing it on stage, belting out country hits.

Clifftop Tap House

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Panama

Sri Lanka

Gatlinburg, Tennesee

Belize

Nevis

Riviera Maya

Western Montana

With almost everyone watching Yellowstone, Western Montana easily makes the list. Montana is just as beautiful as the show depicts it to be. Even more so in person. While here you have to stay at a ranch and get your cowboy on. There are many to choose from and I’ve stayed at two I can recommend: High Tail Ranch and Alpine Falls Ranch. The High Tail Ranch even has a few days a year that you can pay to help herd Bison! Also while here you have to go fly fishing (often included in your ranch stay), go hiking, and visit a hot spring.

La Paz, Mexico

Germany’s Romantic Road

Turkey

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1. Boulevard Trail to Mt. LeConte

For when you feel like hiking for days…literally. If you’ve ever wanted to experience nature while simultaneously questioning your life choices, the Boulevard Trail is for you. It’s the scenic route to Mount LeConte and promises epic views, dramatic drop-offs, and a sense of pride when you finally finish—about seven hours later. Just remember, what goes up must come down, and in this case, it’s your legs after 16 miles roundtrip.

2. The Appalachian Trail (Yes, THAT Appalachian Trail)

For the overachievers, dreamers, and those who really enjoy a good challenge. The Appalachian Trail is legendary. If you’ve got about six months to spare, why not walk the whole thing? For those of us with jobs, kids, and, well, real lives, you can dip your toes in along the state line in the Smokies. But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to tell everyone you hiked the Appalachian Trail. They don’t need to know you only did a mile.

3. Ramsay’s Cascade Trail

Because everyone loves a 100-foot waterfall. Ramsay’s Cascade is the trail for when you want to see a waterfall so impressive that even your teenager might look up from their phone. Fun fact: it’s the tallest waterfall inside the park. It’s a solid 8-mile trek that takes between 5 – 7 hours to hike, so pack snacks. The 100-foot waterfall at the end is totally worth the climb, though, as long as you’re not completely worn out by the time you get there.

4. Abrams Falls Trail

The best waterfall in the park… or so the locals say. Sure, every waterfall in the Smokies is beautiful, but Abrams Falls has its own fan club. It’s only a five-mile hike, so you won’t need an oxygen tank, and the falls are truly stunning. But remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and after hiking for a few miles, any water falling over a rock is going to look pretty amazing. It can be tempting to swim here but it’s dangerous and the National Park Service says not to swim.

5. Little River Trail

For when you’re feeling chill but still want to say you hiked. Little River Trail is one of those hikes that you can manage even if your “hiking shoes” are just sneakers you wear to the grocery store. It follows an old railroad bed and stays mostly flat (yes, flat!), making it perfect for those days when you want to get out in nature without the feeling that nature is trying to kill you.

6. Cucumber Gap Trail

Deep woods for the adventurous (or those who just want to say they went off the beaten path). Cucumber Gap winds through the deep woods of the Smokies, offering that rugged, secluded vibe. It’s not the most famous trail, but if you’re the type who prefers the road less traveled (or at least the one with fewer tourists), this one’s for you. It’s 5.6 miles of “I’m one with nature,” without being too long.

7. Sugarlands Valley Trail

The “paved” option for people who like nature but also like being alive at the end of the day. I present to you, the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail. It’s paved, which is basically a hiking cheat code. You get to say you went hiking, but your legs won’t hate you for it. Plus, it’s an ADA-accessible trail, so everyone can enjoy the outdoors, from stroller-pushing parents with young children to those in wheelchairs.

8. Laurel Falls Trail

For the stroller crowd (yes, really). Laurel Falls trail is the ultimate family-friendly, stroller-friendly trail. It’s paved and leads to a stunning 80-foot waterfall. Bonus points for not feeling like you need a survival kit. It’s only 2.6 miles round trip, so even your kid with the shortest attention span might make it without a meltdown. If you are looking for some easy trails this is it! Keep in mind, this trail is one of the most popular trails in the park so it might be crowded at times. 

9. Alum Cave Trail

Where caves aren’t really caves, but you’ll forgive them for it. Alum Cave sounds like you’re about to descend into some Indiana Jones-style adventure, but it’s really more of a large overhang than a true cave. Still, the hike up to it is gorgeous, and if you’ve ever wanted to stand under a massive rock formation and shout into the void, this is your chance. The 4.4-mile round-trip trail is a bit intense at times. 

10. Gatlinburg Trail

Finally, a trail where Fido is actually allowed to join.Let’s be honest—most hiking trails aren’t exactly pet-friendly and all trails inside the Tennessee part of the Smoky Mountains do not allow dogs. The one exception is the Gatlinburg Trail, where dogs are welcome. It’s an easy 3.8 miles round trip, with scenic river views and the bonus of being right in town, so you can bribe your dog with treats afterward (or yourself, let’s be real).

11. Elkmont Nature Trail

For when you want to explore history and pretend you’re a time traveler. Elkmont Nature Trail is the perfect short loop hike (just a mile), but it’s packed with history and charm. This trail takes you through a once-bustling logging town, now a ghost town that’s slowly being reclaimed by the forest. They recently re-opened Col. Chapman’s house so you can walk all through the house. So, if you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re hiking through the set of a post-apocalyptic movie, this is your spot. Plus, the forest scenery is top-notch, and the loop means you won’t get lost—probably. 

12. Metcalf Bottoms Trail

Short, sweet, and full of old-school Smoky Mountain charm. Metcalf Bottoms Trail is a 1.5-mile jaunt that starts from a lovely picnic area, making it a great choice for families who want to blend hiking with some outdoor dining. You’ll find remnants of historic homesteads along the way, giving you a sense of life in the Smokies long ago. It’s a great starter hike for those who aren’t looking to overdo it.

13. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

For when you want a scenic drive with a side of hiking. This isn’t just a hiking trail—it’s a full-on motor nature trail, meaning you can drive a 5.5-mile loop and hop out to explore trails like Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls along the way. Think of it as the “lazy hiker’s” dream: get all the views without all the walking. The hikes you do choose to take are short and scenic, and your legs will thank you.

Wrap-up

Gatlinburg’s hiking trails offer a little something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a waterfall you had to earn with sweat and determination, or you’re just here for a casual paved stroll, the Smoky Mountains has the right trail for you. Just be sure to pack snacks, plenty of water, and maybe a motivational speech for when the trail starts getting a little too real. If you do not want to go hiking on your own I suggest booking a tour with Smoky Mountain Guides. I went hiking and fly fishing with them and both were fantastic. 

Happy hiking—may your legs forgive you!

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

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