Are you considering an East Tennessee vacation that combines natural beauty and outdoor adventure but not sure where to start? In this Tennessee vacation guide, we’ve got it all for you.
Eastern Tennessee is home to the world-famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering numerous opportunities for exploration and discovery. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful scenic drive, a family-friendly nature hike, or something more intense like whitewater rafting, your options are endless.
From adventurous attractions and jagged mountain peaks to secluded camping spots and lazy rivers – explore the unique sights of this fantastic area just waiting to be discovered.
With these East Tennessee vacation ideas worth checking out and helpful tips on places residents love, we’ve covered everything so you can have the perfect getaway!
What is East Tennessee famous for?
East Tennessee is famous for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and captivating history. The Great Smoky Mountains are a popular vacation destination due to their scenic hikes, magnificent waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
East Tennessee also boasts an exciting music scene with roots in bluegrass and gospel music and is home to the renowned Dollywood theme park.
Other highlights in East Tennessee include numerous museums dedicated to local history, culture, and art.
There are also outdoor activities such as white water rafting and festivals throughout the year. You can indulge yourself in great food, whisky-tasting rooms, shopping districts full of boutique stores and antique shops, and check out historic towns like Jonesborough and Bristol; and many other attractions that make East Tennessee a great place to visit!
No matter what you’re looking for, East Tennessee is sure to have something that will make your vacation one to remember.
East Tennessee Vacation
Here are some East Tennessee vacation ideas to help you plan your ultimate vacation in the Volunteer State!
If you're looking for East Tennessee vacation ideas, consider taking a scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains. People have been enchanted by this ancient mountain range and its stunning views for centuries.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is more than 800 square miles of pristine natural beauty, offering plenty of opportunities to explore one of nature's best works.
Go RV Camping in one of the RV Parks and experience the beauty of East Tennessee like never before! Whether you want to relax by a lake or take an adventure on the Appalachian Trail, East Tennessee has something for everyone.
There are also plenty of activities when you go camping to keep you busy - from fishing, hiking, and biking to touring historical sites.
And if you didn't bring your RV but would still like to stay in one, there are a lot of RV rentals in Chattanooga to make it a hassle-free vacation.
We agree that RV camping is great, but have you been glamping?
If you've always wanted to try camping but have always dreaded insects that could be creeping up on your sleeping bed, then you should try glamping!
Check out this ultimate guide to glamping in ultimate guide to glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains, and you'll never look at camping the same way again.
Your East Tennessee vacation won't be complete without recreational ATV riding, and Doe Mountain Recreation Area & ATV Trail system is a dream come true for adrenaline junkies!
This 8,600-acre multi-use wilderness area is open to use by hikers, bikers, and ATV/UTV riders, among others, and will surely satisfy your need for speed. Always adhere to the Tennessee laws on ATV riding for a hassle-free experience.
Be sure to wear the proper ATV helmet and other must-have ATV accessories to be safe.
Check out these other resources on ATV riding in East Tennessee:
If you're looking for East Tennessee vacation spots with a little more intensity, East TN is also home to some of the best white water rafting in the US. White water rafting in Ocoee River offers plenty of adrenaline-pumping thrills, and the Upper Pigeon River area is also a popular choice for experienced and beginner rafters.
Book now for an experience of a lifetime!
People often ask, "What is the #1 attraction in Tennessee?" The answer is Dollywood – East Tennessee's premier vacation destination! Located in Pigeon Forge, this world-renowned theme park offers visitors a unique experience.
With over 20 rides and attractions, live entertainment shows, delicious food options, shopping experiences, and more, it's an East Tennessee vacation that you'll never forget.
The Dollywood Christmas Tree Light Show is just one of the events you should look forward to when you go for a Christmas vacation in Tennessee.
Whether visiting with the family or taking a romantic getaway, Dollywood will make your East Tennessee vacation one for the books. So come and explore what East Tennessee offers – starting at Dollywood!
Insider tip:
Here are some Dollywood hacks to save more bucks! You're welcome!
Check out this 5-bedroom cabin in Gatlinburg that's close to everything! It is approximately just 5 Minutes to Rocky Top Sports World, 10 minutes to the Grocery Store and restaurants, and less than 15 minutes to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Its amenities are excellent! From the ultra-high speed Xfinity internet with 1200+ Mbps wifi to brand new theater seats in the home theatre, every room has something special that the whole family will love.
Here are other unique features of this 5-bedroom cabin in Gatlinburg that will make you want to book it right now:
- 6-Person Hot Tub
- Movie Theater-70″ Flat Screen
- Game Room, Multi-Cade, Pool Table, Boss Toss Bean Bags, Puzzles, Chess Game Table
- 5 Miles to Downtown Gatlinburg
- And many more!
There are a lot of places to stay in this part of Tennessee– from hotels with waterslides to luxury cabins in the Smoky Mountains. There are also some Pigeon Forge hotels near Dollywood, so you can stay close while you play.
East Tennessee is also known for its delicious food. Many excellent restaurants serve classic southern dishes and unique local flavors.
Whether looking for the best breakfast in Pigeon Forge, the best steakhouses in Gatlinburg, or something in between, East Tennessee has it all.
From down-home cooking to fine dining like these romantic restaurants in Sevierville, East Tennessee is sure to have something to satisfy your appetite during your vacation.
If you're looking for an East Tennessee vacation that takes you off the beaten path and into some unique sites, look no further than Hiking Backbone Rock!
This popular site outside Jonesborough, TN, is home to one of the unique features in East Tennessee: the world's shortest tunnel.
There are a lot of hiking trails you can add to your East Tennessee vacation itinerary. Whether you're looking for easy National Park hikes for kids or like to hike the trail to Clingmans Dome, there's something for everyone in this part of the Volunteer state.
Thousands come to take in the beautiful scenery and breathtaking views from a hot air balloon every year. Tourists can also enjoy live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and more during the festival.
Along with traditional flights in a hot air balloon, visitors can also experience tethered rides, night glows, and a mass launch of over 30 balloons.
Aside from this, you can also enjoy other festivals like the Gatlinburg Songwriter's Festival, which features live performances by some of the nation's most famous songwriters and artists, and various Pigeon Forge Festivals this 2023.
Whether you're into music, food, or both, there's a festival for you in East Tennessee.
This public park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, was built for the 1982 World's Fair and has since become a local favorite with its unique attractions and events.
Visitors can explore the Sunsphere or enjoy outdoor recreation in the park's greenways and trails. The Park also holds events on the festival Lawn or the performance lawn.
For more information on current events, check out their website.
Located in Sevierville, this outlet shopping mall is a great place to find designer labels and big discounts on fashion, clothing, accessories, and home goods. You'll find over 100 stores from top brands like Nike Factory Store, Under Armour Outlet, and Le Creuset.
And while you're there, don't forget to visit the Titanic Museum and enjoy outdoor activities like mini-golfing for the kids and this 7-line zip line experience!
Smoky Mountains 7-Day Itinerary
I understand how difficult it can be to plan a trip, especially if it’s your first time going. That’s why I created this 7-day itinerary for the Smoky Mountains. It outlines all of the best places to go in the area and comes with insider tips that will save you a lot of stress–trust me, they saved me when I was planning my own trip!
- Our 7-day itinerary takes you to the best places in the Smoky Mountains.
- You’ll get to see all the best sights and attractions with driving directions
- The itinerary is designed to show you the most scenic routes.
- Packing Checklist for every season.
- You’ll have everything you need to make the most of your trip.
- Insider Tips!
Here’s a quick overview of our Smoky Mountains 7-Day Itinerary.
- Day 1: Cades Cove Loop
- Day 2: Rich Mountain Road
- Day 3: Cataloochee Valley
- Day 4: Newfound Gap Road
- Day 5: Roaring Fork Motor Trail
- Day 6: Little River Road
- Day6: Foothills Parkway
Download Our FREE Checklist for the Smokies!
Related Tennessee Reading
- Best Things To Do in Tennessee In February
- Best Ski Resorts in and Near Tennessee
- ATV Trails In Tennessee With Cabins
- What Is The Highest Point in Tennessee
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
If you’re bringing your kids to hike for the first time, check out some of the best Smoky Mountains hikes for kids so you can plan for your next weekend getaway.
Amazing scenery like the Smoky Mountains deserves to be photographed. Be sure you have the perfect camera for the job! Check out these photography gear for hiking recommendations from PhotoJeepers for the best results.
Don’t Miss All of Our Web Stories
