We sure are excited for another summer season here in Gatlinburg. The weather is beginning to warm up and several activities and events are planned for the season. This year, kick off your summer break with a stay over Memorial Day Weekend here in Gatlinburg. You will find plenty of fun for the whole family. Here is what you can plan for during a 2025 Gatlinburg Memorial Day Weekend trip:
Gatlinburg Spring Fest
The last bit of the spring season will be on hand when you visit Gatlinburg over Memorial Day Weekend. The area is specifically known for its abundance of blooming flowers over the spring season. When you visit over Memorial Day Weekend you can see the tail end of the Gatlinburg Springfest shown off around town. This is our spring seasonal event where Downtown Gatlinburg is decorated in flowers all over the area. Many blooming flowers include tulips and much more that dazzle to the eye. The Gatlinburg Spring Fest will run until May 31st so you will have the entire Memorial Day Weekend to see how many flowers you can track down!
Visit Anakeesta
One of the best ways to show your family the start of summer is with a little outdoor adventure. Head on up to Anakeesta where you can enjoy thrilling views of the valley along with some outdoor attractions. Anakeesta has been a staple for Gatlinburg for years and is looking forward to the summer season. This outdoor theme park sits on top of the local mountains and is reached with a gondola ride taken from Downtown Gatlinburg. During the ride up you will reach exciting elevations. Once you reach the top you will see what the excitement is all about. You will first arrive in the Firefly Village where you can find all kinds of shopping and dining. Head on out to explore the other areas including the TreeTop SkyWalk. This is the longest tree based skybridge on the continent where you walk over 800 feet of connected bridges that hang 60 feet up in the air. The AnaVista Tower is the highest point of Gatlinburg and will provide with incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Hellbender Mountain Coaster is a thrilling mountain roller coaster taking you to high speeds. The BirdVenture Play Area is perfect for little ones to run around and play. The newest addition to Anakeesta is Astra Lumina, a stunning night walk taking you through the woods where you can see the stars. This is the first Lumina experience in the country and can only be experienced here in Gatlinburg. A trip up to Anakeesta is just what your Memorial Day Weekend needs!
White Water Rafting
Memorial Day Weekend is a great time to get a head start on white water rafting just in time for the summer season. You will find several rafting expeditions here in the area including Raft Outdoor Adventures. This famously friendly and wildly fun group offers an Upper Pigeon River and Lower Pigeon River raft trips. The Lower Pigeon River trip is a summer only expedition and will be open just in time for the holiday. This is perfect for all ages in your family including the little ones too. it features predominantly calmer waters so you can easily traverse the river with your kids in tow. This expedition allows everyone with any water level experience. The Upper Pigeon River is year round and features rapids II-IV so you get a more thrilling experience. You can take the double run or have a group trip. Make sure to book now as they can book up over Memorial Day Weekend.
Zip Line Adventure
Memorial Day Weekend is all about starting the fun summer activities early. Another great option is to take the family on a zip line experience up in the trees. In addition to Anakeesta you will find a variety of zip line courses around the area including Wahoo Ziplines, Legacy Mountain Zipline, and more. Zip lines take you high up in the tree tops as you zoom around at high flying speeds. Most companies offer several courses for you to take on and usually take one to two hours to complete all together. You are safely strapped into your harness and get to enjoy stunning views of the area. This is another outdoor activity that is sure to book up quickly over the Gatlinburg Memorial Day Weekend.
Get Ready to Kick Start Your Summer Season
All of this and so much more is waiting for you and your family here in Gatlinburg this Memorial Day Weekend. The holiday is expected to be a busy time here in the area so make sure to book one of our luxury cabins today. You will not find a finer property in all of Gatlinburg.
The spring season is winding down to a close and before you know it summer will be here. Help celebrate the rising temps by planning for a Memorial Day getaway. There is nowhere better to spend this holiday weekend than Gatlinburg. You can enjoy a variety of summer themed activities that will make sure you have an exciting weekend. Here are some ways to spend your Memorial Day in Gatlinburg.
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg has the pleasure of being the home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This mountain range is nearby and provides you with a near endless supply of hiking trails in the area. One of the more popular family friendly hikes includes Laurel Falls which is just over 2 and a half miles on a paved trail. More experienced hikers can make the trek up to Andrews Bald, the area’s highest bald in the range and provides you with panoramic views of the area. Advanced trails can also include treks through Charlies Bunion which is over 8 miles in length. There is a trail for everyone here at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Explore Gatlinburg’s Attractions
Gatlinburg is also home to various attractions that offer all kinds of fun. Ripley’s Aquarium in the Smokies offers huge tanks filled with colorful fish and aquatic animals. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is close by and offers a haunted house experience in the summer. Catch a live magic show at Impossibilities Magic Show that will have your eyes playing tricks on you. Of course, it would not be a trip to Tennessee without stopping in one of the many distilleries in town!
Enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community
Gatlinburg is also home to an 8-mile loop that is the home of over 100 local artisans. This Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community features artisans of all kinds including glass blowers, painters, potters, silversmiths, and so much more. You can shop around for a unique gift or peek in the shops to see these artisans hard at work creating another masterpiece. You can even enjoy tutorial classes on how to create these works of art for yourself too!
Gatlinburg is Waiting
Get ready for the vacation getaway you need to kick off your summer season by booking Memorial Day in Gatlinburg. Reserve one of our vacation cabins in the area to find a comfortable stay.