Make this holiday season special with a trip to Gatlinburg. Whether you are visiting family or simply want to travel for the holiday season, experiencing the Smoky Mountains during the holidays is a unique experience. The following are some activities and events to consider visiting for your Gatlinburg Christmas experience.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
For more than 40 years, the Fantasy of Lights Parade has been a holiday staple in Gatlinburg. This parade features bands from several states such as Alabama, Georgia, Virginia Tennessee and North Carolina. With over 100 floats and numerous festive holiday balloons, this parade is worth the trip to Gatlinburg. If you want to get the best spot for this parade, you will have to arrive early. Make sure that you bundle up as winter nights in Gatlinburg are chilly. This parade is a great addition to a Gatlinburg TN Christmas vacation.
Trolley Ride of Lights for this Gatlinburg Christmas Experience
All aboard the Trolley Ride of Lights in Gatlinburg. This is a 45-minute guided tour that takes you through Gatlinburg to experience the beauty of the city set aglow with festive holiday lights. The light displays include images of Santa and his reindeer and elves as well as an assortment of lighted Christmas images and scenes. The light displays also include familiar Smoky Mountain animals such as deer and foxes. You’ll enjoy gazing at the spectacular Christmas light displays while seated in a warm, comfortable trolley. Make sure you get your ticket for this one-of-a-kind Gatlinburg TN Christmas experience.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival
Experience the thrill of an amusement park decorated for the holiday season at the Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival. The entire park is transformed into a Christmas oasis. The Rivertown Lake portion of the park is morphed into Carol of the Trees which is an intricately decorated light display that is accented with holiday music. The nightly Parade of Many Colors dazzles onlookers with floats with popular Christmas characters. You can even enjoy viewings of popular Christmas films such as It’s a Wonderful Life.
Where to Eat
Like any other place that is popular with tourists, Gatlinburg has no shortage of restaurants. There are places that you will not want to miss while you are visiting The Gateway to the Smokies.
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
1103 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Wednesday to Saturday 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
This breakfast restaurant is an institution in Gatlinburg, and it is famous for its hearty meals. It has been feeding hungry folks since 1870. When you enjoy a meal here, you won’t want to pass up the griddle cakes. You can get them served with a number of different delicious toppings such as pecan, wildberry, or a strawberry compote. They also offer singer Aretha Franklin’s recipe for pancakes. All of the egg dishes are served with the restaurant’s famous corn pone. Remember to include grits with plenty of butter and pepper and fried potatoes with any meal that you get.
El Soñador Mexican Restaurant
458 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Sunday through Thursday 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 10:30 pm
If you want to take a little break from Southern cooking, this fabulous Mexican restaurant is the perfect place to do it. It offers strong drinks, large portions, and tasty food. You should never pass up the guacamole appetizer accompanied by a sweet and salty margarita or two. The enchiladas Del Mar are spicy, rich, and cheesy. The veggie fajitas are a healthy and delicious alternative to some of the heavier fair. They come with a hearty serving of grilled vegetables, guacamole, and cheese. Save room for dessert. You won’t want to miss the cheesecake or chocolate chimichanga.
Tom & Earl’s Back Alley Grill
651 Parkway #110, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
You haven’t really been down south until you have been to a local watering hole. You can enjoy a few drinks and a game on one of the big-screen TVs here. You can also enjoy some great pub food. One of the major draws of this pub is the appetizers. Be sure to try the creamy corn fritters serve with a spicy Chipotle sauce. The fried green tomatoes come with a tasty ranch sauce. The Mountain Trail Salad comes with so many vegetables that the most discerning rabbit would be sated. You can also get one of the biggest plates of nachos you have ever seen here. You will want to sing when you sip on a Porch Song which consists of Southern Sweet Tea and Stoli Ohranj or A BITTER 2020 which is comprised of muddle lemons and oranges with Empress Gin and Lemon-Lime Soda.
Enjoy the Holidays in Gatlinburg
Make this year’s Christmas experience one you’ll never forget with a trip to Gatlinburg. The Cabin Rental Store offers high-quality vacation rentals throughout Gatlinburg. Show us your itinerary, and we’ll find the best vacation rentals to suit your lodging needs. To begin planning your vacation lodging, contact us at (877) 301-0776. Browse our best Christmas rentals in Gatlinburg!
