Treat your mom to a Mother’s Day she won’t forget! Come on to Gatlinburg, home to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park with its lovely, fog covered, gently rolling mountains. Besides all the things you can do in the park, there’s traditional arts and crafts, moonshine, great dining, and more. What more could your mom want? So, what can you expect from Mother’s Day in Gatlinburg?
Outdoor Activities for Mom to Enjoy
Since you’re in right next to the Smokies, you have to visit The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hike or bike along the many trails, enjoying amazing mountain views, quiet forests, open grassy meadows filled with color wildflowers this time of year, remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain communities, streams and cascading waterfalls. Little Greenbrier Cemetery, Elkmont Ghost Town, Alum Cave Bluffs, Chimney Top, Rainbow Falls and Cades Cove are just a few of the more popular spots to visit. You can also enjoy one of the scenic auto driving tours or enjoy the trails on horseback.
Take your mom sightseeing. The Gatlinburg Space Needle is an observation tower almost 500 feet high, with great panoramic views of the area and the Smokies, as well as exhibits on the area’s history, and arcade and magic show. And as long as you and your mom aren’t afraid of heights, you should plan to walk across the SkyBridge. It’s the longest pedestrian bridge in the country, over 680 feet long, and the glass panels in the center of the span allow you to see the ground over 150 feet below. The views from the bridge are amazing.
And, of course, there’s Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, Just a few miles north of Gatlinburg, Dollywood features traditional crafts and music and is home to the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.
Indoor Activities She’ll Love
Does your mom love to shop? Head to downtown Gatlinburg. While this one isn’t totally inside, she’ll enjoy wandering through historic Gatlinburg with you. Make sure to visit The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community, with over 100 artists and craftsmen. Located on the north side of Gatlinburg, the Community is dedicated to preserving traditional mountain crafts and is filled with painters, sculptors, soap and candle makers, glass blowers, potters, weavers, silversmiths, carvers, and more. You can view a wide variety of arts and crafts, from kitschy, fun souvenirs to handcrafted Mountain Dulcimers, especially during Gatlinburg holidays.
If your mom is a little tired from hiking to waterfalls or wandering around Gatlinburg, set her up for a virtual shopping spree in the comfort of your rental. Get her nestled in front of the TV, gift cards in hand, with a few of her favorite snacks and drinks by her side.
Treat your mom to a spa day. Book a session or two at one of our local spas for a few hours of pampering with a deep muscle massage, mani-pedi, or a fascial. Or stay in your spacious vacation rental, and create your own spa day. Bring everything with you, or shop for what you need in downtown Gatlinburg. Find a pretty basket or maybe a locally made handmade ceramic bowl, and add in her favorite soaps and bubbles, a scented candle or two, a new loofah, and maybe a magazine or that book she’s been trying to finish. Don’t forget some scented lotion and colorful nail polish for after her soak. Turn on her favorite tunes, get her settled with a nice cold glass of wine or her favorite beverage, and some snacks. Then leave her alone to soak and enjoy her alone time. Afterward, set her up on the patio and finish the mani-pedi or her facial with those lovely Smoky Mountains as a backdrop.
Treat Your Mom to Breakfast in Bed or Brunch
Of course, breakfast in bed is traditional, as is taking her out to brunch. It’s easy to fix mom a delicious breakfast or brunch of her favorite dishes right in your rental’s gourmet kitchen. Your mom will love fresh handmade crepes or French toast, waffles or pancakes, fresh fruit, mimosas and more.
And of course, there are plenty of delicious, fun dining spots here in Gatlinburg. Get everyone dressed up for a fancy meal at the Melting Pot, or head to the slightly upscale Gatlinburg’s premier steakhouse, the Cherokee Grill. For something a little less formal, try Pancake Pantry or Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que for BBQ, pastries and more.
Dine in at one of our local restaurants, or pick up your mom’s favorite meal, bring it back to your vacation home and dine out on the terrace. Whip up a few mimosas, then everyone can enjoy brunch and the Smokies at the same time.
Mother’s Day Vacation Rentals in Gatlinburg
Celebrate everything your mom does for you by giving her a day filled with things she loves. Hiking, shopping, a spa day, whatever. She’ll love every minute of it since she’s got her entire family with her! Let us give you a hand planning special Mother’s Day in Gatlinburg with the perfect luxury vacation rental in the area. Give us a call today!
