As the mercury rises and the days grow longer, we’re all waiting with bated breath for the most magical time of the year, and no, it’s not Christmas! Summer is just a few short weeks away, and after being cooped up inside for weeks, everyone we know is ready to spread their wings and fly! If your recent downtime was used to plan the Gatlinburg vacation of a lifetime, we are excited to offer this guide to Gatlinburg water activities that will ensure that every minute of your Tennessee trip is filled with fun and excitement!
Dollywood Splash Country
There’s no better way to keep cool on a hot summer’s day than with a visit to a water park, and Dollywood Splash Country is one of our favorite places on earth. Offering water slides with “death defying” drops, lazy rivers, and wave pools that replicate the ebb and flow of the ocean, Splash Country is no ordinary day at the park! Visitors with younger children will appreciate The Cascades portion with its misters, bubblers, and tadpole sized slides that allow them to mimic the fun their older siblings are having while remaining perfectly safe.
Did You Pack Your Tackle?
If there were a list of the top 100 fishing spots in America, we’re sure that Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain region would be pretty close to the top of that list! From ponds in parks to rivers that run through our country paradise, there’s plenty of water sources and nearly unlimited amounts of fish to be caught. If you forgot to pack your tackle, never fear; The Smoky Mountain Angler at 469 Brookside Village Way has everything you need to make sure your day on the river is absolutely perfect!
Rafting on the Pigeon River
Your children deserve to discover the thrill of whitewater rafting, but if you’re afraid for their safety, Pigeon River Rafting along the Lower Pigeon Gorge is offered by the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). Perfect for kids 3 years and older and adults of all ages, the rapids are mild and the breaks at safe swimming areas will bring a smile to your child’s face you’ll never forget!
Never Far from H2O With These Gatlinburg Water Activities
There may be some days during your stay that you really don’t want to leave the comfort of your Cabin Rental Store escape but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the water! Many of our cabins come with private pools and even more offer community pools for at home aqua adventures. Reserve yours today and discover the many Gatlinburg water activities waiting for you!
Who else is ready to escape the four walls of their homes and get outside and play? Raise your hands if you too are ready to shed the chains of self-quarantine and raise them even higher if your plans are for an upcoming trip to Gatlinburg when you do! Yes, we can see there are quite a few of you preparing for a journey to our hometown and a stay in one of our comfy cabins, and because we know you are ready to simply be outside, we’ve created this guide to the many Gatlinburg outdoor activities you can enjoy during your unforgettable Tennessee travels!
Thrilling Adventures
Whitewater Rafting is one of those adventures that sounds scarier than it really is, and when you visit the Gatlinburg area in the summer, you’ll understand exactly what we mean! Smoky Mountain Outdoors offers thrilling trips down the upper part of the Pigeon River with rapids that can reach Stage 3 or Stage 4. For those looking for a calmer undertaking, the lower part features calm waters and majestic scenery to enjoy!
CLIMBWORKS in Gatlinburg
Ziplining is one of the latest trends for fun, and CLIMBWORKS in Gatlinburg, located just across the street from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, features the thrills you’ve been seeking! From the side-by-side Mountaintop Zipline Tour where you and your partner can fly together to the Treetop Zipline Tour that keeps you flying for over two hours, the cost of these adventures start at $89 per person, but the thrill you will feel as you fly above some of the most beautiful landscape you’ve ever seen is absolutely worth every penny!
Closer to the Ground Ventures
Not everyone is a daredevil, and some of us prefer our adventures to be a little tamer and a lot closer to the ground, but that’s ok! For those who prefer to run mild instead of wild, a horseback tour of the Gatlinburg is an adventure everyone will want to try! Sugarlands Riding Stables, located at the Gatlinburg Entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is one of the first places you should visit. Offering individual trail rides and group rides that allow your entire family to participate (as long as they over 5 years of age and under 225 pounds), this quiet adventure will be one that you never want to end!
Come Home to the Cabin Rental Store
At the end of every day, coming home to the comfort and style of our beautiful Cabin Rental Store luxury cabins will be an experience that will make you forget all the bad stuff that has taken place in this first year of the new decade. Reserve yours today!
Does it ever seem as if your entire year is spent focused on your annual summer vacation? If you’re not planning the time, choosing the destination, and renting your vacation home away from home, you’re talking about it to all your friends, boarding the plane and taking the first steps into your summer journey away from home. Once the vacation is over, you find yourself looking at pictures, finding places to store the trinkets you purchased, and of course, telling your friends, family, and neighbors all about your adventures. Some trips may be better than others, such as your upcoming visit to Gatlinburg, but every vacation helps restore peace and order in the cluttered recesses of your soul. And as summer comes closer, this guide to the fun you can have in one of our Tennessee homes will ensure that this vacation is one you’ll remember happily for years to come!
Under the Sea
Gatlinburg may not be on the ocean, but if you and your family are interested in learning about life under the sea, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies at 88 River Road offers the perfect opportunity to do so! Watch live dive shows, visit the Shark Lagoon, and walk under water without having to hold your breath! Thick glass walls separate you from the sharks and fishes as they swim around and above you—no getting wet necessary! Offering penguin shows and stingray bays, your day at the aquarium will be one you never forget.
Look to the Skies
Seattle isn’t the only place in the United States with a Space Needle; the Gatlinburg Space Needle offers unparalleled views of the Tennessee landscape that is made even more beautiful when fully in bloom during the summer! Standing over 400 feet tall and located at 115 Historic Nature Trail, the views of the Great Smoky Mountains from this height will take your breath away!
“Juice” for the Over 21 Crowd
An excellent glass of wine is one of life’s simpler pleasures, and the varieties offered at the Smoky Mountain Winery never fail to please! Featuring award-winning bottles of your favorite type of grape, the dry wines featured here are always a nice treat, especially in an area where the sweeter wines are generally preferred. The South loves their sweet teas, sweet treats, and of course, their sweet wines!
Summer Moments With Gatlinburg Activities
However you choose to spend your summer days with Gatlinburg activities, spending your summer nights in one of The Cabin Rental Store’s seasonal escapes will be the best decision you’ve made this year. Reserve yours today!
As this new pandemic caused by the coronavirus continues to spread, more people are affected by it as each day passes. Those who are working on the front lines and those who are ill are facing virus head on. Others are being affected by work shifts or job loss. And many of us have respectfully cancelled, missed or rescheduled trips, weddings, graduations, and more. No matter who you are, this crisis is affecting us all. How has it affected the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area, and what steps are being taken to care for the sick and prevent further spread of the COVID-19 in Gatlinburg?
Let us first discuss the facts. Coronavirus, which is also known as COVID-19, is a type of virus that causes diseases in a range of severities, from a simple common cold to more serious respiratory problems, like pneumonia. The illness started in China, but it has spread and there have now been confirmed cases in dozens of countries, including the United States.
What Safety Measures Have Been Taken in Tennessee?
On March 30th, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee amended his previous stay at home order with this update. “Safer at Home. Because staying at home as much as possible for a temporary period of time will protect the health and safety of Tennesseans by limiting the spread of COVID-19 and preserving health care resources, all persons in Tennessee are required to
stay at home, except for when engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services as defined in this Order.”
So, what counts as an essential activity? Several things:
- Engaging in activities essential to a person’s health and safety, or that of members of your household or family. This includes care of pets.
- Obtaining necessary services or supplies for yourself, your family, and your household. These supplies and services include food and groceries, household products and work from home supplies.
- Providing, facilitating or receiving delivery or curbside carryout of online or telephone orders from businesses or organizations that do not perform or are not necessary for the performance of essential activity.
- Engaging in outdoor activity yet maintaining social distance and avoiding congregating in groups.
- Caring for or visiting a family member, friend or pet in another household.
- Visiting a place of worship, attending a wedding or funeral, while adhering to social distancing.
- On March 22nd, 2020, Gov. Lee banned dine-in services at restaurants, but there is a constantly growing list of establishments offering takeout and delivery.
Safety is the Priority
The team here at The Cabin Rental Store understands how difficult this current situation is for our community. We are working along with all governmental directions and doing our part to flatten the curve, and importantly, protect those who are most vulnerable among us. In the meantime, we are always just a phone call or an email away, ready to answer any questions you may have, and once we come out of this crisis, we sincerely look forward to hosting you once again! Click here to browse through our beautiful vacation rentals.
As you ride all the rides at Silver Dollar City, explore the hometown of your favorite country singer, the inimitable Dolly Parton, and take in the view from 407 feet in the sky inside the Gatlinburg Space Needle, you may find yourself feeling a combination of hunger pangs, exhaustion, and an unwillingness to join the crowds at the popular restaurants in Gatlinburg. You could fix a meal or even pop a frozen pizza into the oven in your Cabin Rental Store country escape, or you could pick up a takeout meal from any of these local restaurants. We’re thinking the choice is easy and you’ll agree after you try out the restaurants listed in this guide!
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, 714 River Road
Take-out pizza has to be the best meal idea no matter where you are, but the ones served at Big Daddy’s take the humble pie to new levels of greatness! Offering sandwiches, salads, and of course, delicious thin crust pizzas baked in a woodfire oven, this choice is sure to be one your entire family can get behind!
Hot Diggity Dawg, 968 Parkway
While the common hot dog isn’t the healthiest of choices, sometimes no other meal will do—especially when on vacation. Hot Diggity Dawg is one of our favorite ways to get in our fix! Inexpensive and delicious, we suggest you stop by their food cart at least once during your Gatlinburg getaway.
Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin, 478 E Parkway
Not all carry-out meals will be dinner. On those mornings you just can’t convince your family to get out of bed, a visit to Flapjack’s and a carry-out breakfast will be the perfect way to start a lazy day in! Famous for their pancakes, of course, every breakfast is hearty and delicious. If you’re really hungry, the Barn Buster will satisfy the largest of appetites!
The Three Jimmy’s, 1359 E Parkway
We have to admit that missing out on an evening out at the Three Jimmy’s would be a shame, but if you just can’t picture yourself dining in public, the food served here is equally delicious at home as it is in the restaurant. Offering a variety of foods that range from pizza to prime rib, it’s a great place to choose when everyone in your family has different ideas of the meal they want to eat!
Most Restaurants Offer Carry-Out
It’s true that you can enjoy a delicious carry-out meal in pretty much every restaurant in Gatlinburg, but none of the meals will be as tasty if you aren’t staying in a Cabin Rental Store vacation sanctuary! Contact us to reserve your stay today or book online.
As another season passes, the arrival of spring is greatly appreciated after a long winter of gloom and cold. The annual thaw begins, young flowers start to shyly poke through the dark soil, and our thoughts begin to turn to travel. Spring in Gatlinburg is worth traveling to enjoy for yourself, and if your journey leads you here and towards a stay in our Cabin Rental Store vacation homes during the season of promise, this guide to seasonal fun will ensure your stay is a memorable one! Pack your jackets—the nights can still get a bit chilly—your smiles, and a sense of anticipation as you take part in these enjoyable spring activities to enjoy in Gatlinburg!
Dollywood Re-Opens for Spring and Summer
A sure sign that the long dark days of winter have come to an end is the re-opening of Dollywood! In 2020, Opening Day is March 14th and their Festival of Nations is a much-loved event that takes place at the same time! Featuring special shows from all over the world and a passport to food that will make your taste buds squeal with joy, this spring event is one of our favorites, but it doesn’t last the entire season; operating from March 14 through April 20, if the festival sounds interesting, it’s best you book your vacation today or risk having to wait another year!
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, April 22-April 25
As the season gets in swing, the flowers come to life, bringing a serene and colorful beauty to the Smoky Mountains and the 70th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage! Offering
birding trips, hikes through the woods accompanied by music and informational talks, photography workshops, yoga classes, and a host of other naturally beautiful activities, it’s the best way to see everything that is wonderful about this special season in the Great Smoky Mountains!
Picnic in the Park
After being cooped up all winter, getting out and enjoying the milder temperatures is a treat we eagerly await and although there are plenty of grand adventures to be had in Gatlinburg
in the spring, a simple picnic at the park can be the adventure you remember most. Pick up sandwich makings at Old Dad’s General Store, 1127 Parkway, or order your favorite picnic food to go from any of our local restaurants and head over to Mynatt Park, 622 Historic Nature Trail, for an afternoon of fun and food. Offering scenic overlooks, a meandering creek, and a few small
waterfalls as well as picnic tables and grills for those who really want to do their picnic right, your day will be as full of promise as the season!
Your Seasonal Escape
Our special cabins offer the perfect addition to your Gatlinburg adventures; reserve yours today!
As you flip through the calendar pages, you may notice something that may bring you pause. Easter will be held on April 12th this year, and that date is only a few weeks away! We know this is sudden notice and that you’re still barely over the Christmas holidays, but we have an idea to save you time and energy on this, one of the more holy days of the year. Instead of staying home and cooking and cleaning, this is the perfect year to plan an Easter getaway to Gatlinburg! And of course, staying in one of cozy and comfortable holiday hideaways from The Cabin Rental Store will be the tasty sprinkles you add to the top of your Easter cupcake, especially when you follow this guide to all that’s Easter 2020 in Gatlinburg!
Great Smoky Easter Arts and Craft Show, April 8-11, Gatlinburg Convention Center
Whether you’re seeking some handmade holiday decorations to sweeten the décor of your Easter escape or you just want some extra souvenirs to remind you of your glorious Gatlinburg getaway, a visit to the Great Smoky Easter Arts & Craft Show is the perfect way to do both and get into the spirit of the season as well! Admission costs nothing, allowing you to save your pennies for purchasing those adorable wood cutouts of duckies and bunnies; you know you have a spot for it back home!
Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg
For some, the most cherished tradition of Easter is the sunrise service, something you might have feared you would miss out on during your Gatlinburg journey. Let us relieve your minds and lead the way to this spiritual event, starting at 5 AM and lasting until 10AM. Free tram rides will run every 15 minutes, and the service will be led by local ministers speaking against a backdrop of fiery colors and mountain views, offering an experience you will never forget.
Eggceptional Fun for the Children
As far as the children are concerned, Easter isn’t Easter without a hunt for colorful eggs, and as with the sunrise service, this isn’t an event you need to skip! An Easter Egg hunt is being held in nearby Pigeon Forge at Patriot Park on April 11. Take your 0- to 12-year-old offspring for a few hours of fun, laughter, and don’t forget to BYOB! No, we’re not suggesting you bring a bottle to a children’s event; we’re suggesting you bring baskets for your children to keep their treasures close!
Feast, Hunt, and Worship
Of course, you’re not required to explore the Easter events going on around Gatlinburg when you know you can do all of the same in the comfort of your Cabin Rental Store holiday hideaway! Create an Easter brunch in our fully equipped kitchens, hide eggs in the yard behind the cabin, and enjoy a cup of coffee on the back deck as the sun rises over the Great Smoky Mountains. Reserve your Easter getaway today!
Back in the day, a vacation meant having to stuff just about everything you own into at least two suitcases per person; hotels didn’t offer more than the bare minimum of necessities and airlines didn’t charge for the extra bags, so hit was more a nuisance than a problem. Today, airlines are finding new ways to ding you in costs, so those extra bags are a thing of the past, but as vacation rental homes and condos have burst onto the scene, traveling light is made that much easier! These three tips offered only by your favorite vacation rental company, The Cabin Rental Store, will make Gatlinburg travel even easier to travel light during your unforgettable getaway!
Pack Multi-Use Items
Technology is a wonderful thing, allowing us to do more with fewer things! Our smart phones that are cameras, offer access to the internet (and our favorite social network sites), work as maps, music players, and oh yeah, allow us to make calls! This ingenious device eliminates the need to carry five different devices and takes up just about the same amount of space as a deck of cards! For those who like to read, eBooks are another amazing intervention; at last count our personal devices contained over 500 books, seven magazine subscriptions, and more than a few games to play in times of boredom!
Weather Could Be a Problem
But experienced travelers know how to get around the whole “packing for every possible weather occurrence” phenomenon! Layering is important, and if you wear one heavier coat that doubles as rain gear, it can be used as a pillow on the plane, eliminating the need of carrying a neck pillow! Pack tee shirts with short and long sleeves, wear your most comfortable walking shoes, and only bring about three pair of pants; the laundry rooms in our Cabin Rental Store properties allow you to wash your clothes, pack light, and still never have to wear the same pieces of clothing twice!
Pull Out Everything You Think You Will Need, Then Toss Half of It Away
We often think we need something for every occasion, every chance encounter, but there’s no need to pack for the apocalypse! A little pre-planning can help you avoid overstuffing your baggage and can also make you realize that, no, chances are there won’t be any need for six pairs of shoes in Gatlinburg!
Gatlinburg Travel – If You Do Forget Something Important
The Cabin Rental Store offers more than comfortable and fully equipped lodging; we can help you obtain the missing object! Reserve yours today and discover the difference a full service rental agency can make!
Life doesn’t always follow the neat and orderly timeline we have planned for ourselves: college graduation at 22; first real job soon after; meet, marry, and have kids by 30? If you’re lucky enough to enjoy all that in the order you deemed correct, we salute you, but most people’s timelines suffer a few glitches along the way, especially when it comes to meeting Mr. or Mrs. Right. There’s nothing wrong with flying solo, and when it’s time to plan a solo getaway to Gatlinburg, we have your back with this list of Gatlinburg activities geared to those traveling without a plus one!
Go for a Drive
For us, there is no more pleasant experience than going for a long drive with no specific destination in mind. Stopping at quirky little shops, grabbing a giant coke from the old timey gas station where you fill up your car, and when traveling along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail or the Cades Cove Loop Road in Gatlinburg, pulling over at especially scenic spots to take pictures of the beauty that surrounds you! Road trips don’t necessarily need companions, and the landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains is a breathtaking one you will need to see to believe, so get in that car and drive!
Take an Ill-Fated Cruise – Gatlinburg Activities
Ok, we’re not suggesting that you actually take a cruise in which sure danger looms; we are advising you to visit the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge! Featuring artifacts from the Titanic and offering the stories of the passengers that survived and those that didn’t, this fascinating museum honors the memories of that ill-fated trip in a variety of ways and your solo journey will be made all the better because of it!
Table for 1?
Of all traveling experiences, dining out can be the most intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be in Gatlinburg. We’re a friendly bunch, and chances are your waiter will chat your ears off as he takes your drink orders and tells you the specials, and once you get your first taste of the perfectly prepared ribeye offered by The Park Grill Gatlinburg, you’ll forget everything else! And when they bring your Peanut Butter Mud Pie, you’ll discover yet another perk to dining out alone—you don’t have to share your dessert with anybody!
Enjoy the Peace
Real life can be frantic and loud but coming home each evening to the peaceful surroundings of your Cabin Rental Store vacation escape will soothe the rough edges and bring peace to your fevered mind. Reserve yours today!
Valentine’s Day can put a lot of pressure on a person, as you search for the perfect gift for your special Valentine. Never wanting to buy something too small, too large, too dull, or simply not romantic enough, this holiday can make or break even the strongest relationships. But if you’re looking for something that is always just right, a romantic getaway to Gatlinburg is ALWAYS the right gift, and this guide to the most romantic activities our mountain town has to offer will ensure your love’s eyes will sparkle like the stars in the night sky—which, conveniently, are visible from the back porch of one of our dreamy cabins!
A Toast to Her Beauty
This lovely woman you wake up next to each day of your life gets more beautiful every day, and what better way is there to toast her winsomeness than with a silky glass of wine? The Rocky Top Wine Trail offers five different wineries in which to make that toast and exploring them all will earn you a souvenir wine glass! Start with the Hillside Winery, then visit the Apple Barn Winery, the Apple Barn Cider House, Mountain Valley Winery, and finish off with your favorite red at the Mill Bridge Winery. With 70 wines to sample, your sweetheart will definitely know she is loved!
The View from Above on Your Getaway to Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a breathtakingly beautiful place to visit, and the view is even more romantic from above, making a helicopter tour from Scenic Helicopter Tours in Pigeon Forge the perfect choice! Featuring a variety of tours, including the humorous Upsy Downsy that allows you to get a taste of a helicopter flight without committing to something that may freak you out, these flights offer views that are almost as beautiful as your valentine!
Sweets for Your Sweet
Chocolates are a traditional Valentine’s Day gift, but a visit to the Chocolate Monkey chocolate store takes adds some extra sprinkles to the gift! Located at 702 Parkway and offering sweet treats such as chocolate covered cheesecake and caramel apples, your romance will get a boost when you share a few chocolate-covered strawberries!
An Affair of the Heart
The romance doesn’t have to end with the last sip of wine or last nibble of chocolate; your affair of the heart can continue with quiet moments in our Cabin Rental Store holiday escapes. Breakfast in bed, secrets shared by a roaring fire in the fireplace, and sunsets viewed with a glass of wine on the back patio are just a few examples of romantic moments you can expect in our cabins on your getaway to Gatlinburg. Reserve yours today!