WELCOME to the Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide! In this comprehensive vacation guide, you will find a huge collection of articles and resources we’ve gathered to help you plan the perfect Smoky Mountains Vacation with your family.
At VeraVise Outdoor Living, we cover everything from the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains, our favorite hotels in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and most importantly where to eat in the Smoky Mountains.
So, what are ya waitin’ for? Come on, let’s get started!!


Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide
In this guide, you will find resources for the following topics:
- 125+ Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains
- How To Get To The Smoky Mountains
- Visit Cades Cove Loop
- Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains
- Things to Do With Kids in the Smoky Mountains
- Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains In January
- Things to Do In The Smoky Mountains in February
- Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in March
- Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains In April
- Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in October
- Best Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains In November
- Best Hikes in the Smoky Mountains
- Best Time To Hike Smoky Mountains
- ATV Trail Riding in the Smoky Mountains
- Best Time To Visit Smoky Mountains
- Favorite Places to Eat & Stay in the Smoky Mountains
- Top Family Attractions in the Smokies
- Great Smoky Mountains Family Resorts
- Are The Appalachian Mountains The Same As The Smoky Mountains?
- How Many Days Do You Need In The Smoky Mountains?
- Best Driving Roads In Smoky Mountains
- and so much more….

Smoky Mountains Family Vacation Favorites
Let’s cut right to the chase.
Here’s the list of my absolute FAVORITE things to do in the Smoky Mountains.
This list is subject to change because I’m always discovering new and exciting things to do in the Smokies, new delicious restaurants to try, and new fun family things to explore.
So you’ll just have to join my community and subscribe to my Smoky Mountains Vacation Newsletter if you want to know when that happens.
Ok, here are my faves for now!
- Favorite Breakfast spot: Tennessee Jed’s (don’t wast time standing pin line at the Pancake Pantry…go across the street and have a truly homey experience at Tennessee Jed’s. Love atmosphere, family owned, amazing food experience. Their little girl is the cutest!!)
- Favorite Hotel: Margaritaville GATLINBURG
- Favorite Experience: Driving through Catalooche to see Elk
- Favorite Hike: Elkmont Camp
- Favorite Dinner: Preachers Smokehouse. Sooo good. Great friendly atmosphere as well.
Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains
- 125+ Things to do in the Smoky Mountains
- Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains in January
- Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains in February
- Things To Do With Kids In The Smoky Mountains
- See The Smoky Mountain Christmas Lights
- Best Kids Hikes in The Smoky Mountains
- Easy Waterfall Hikes In The Smoky Mountains To Refresh Your Mind
- 14 Seasonal Hikes to take in the Smoky Mountains
- 7 Scenic Drives to take in the Great Smoky Mountains
- 5 Smoky Mountains Outdoor Adventures That Should Definitely Be On Your Bucket List
- Seasonal Attractions and Festivals in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee
- 14 Special Things to do in the Smoky Mountains in January
- 10 Unique Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains
- New Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains
- Off the Beaten Path Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains
- Hiking Alum Cave Trail and Clingmans Dome Hiking Trail
- Visit The Quiet Side Of The Smokies
Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains With Kids
As homeschoolers, we also love visiting the Smoky Mountains as part of our “school day”. There are multiple places to attend homeschool days in the Smokies including Dollywood and plenty of great attractions for field trips.
- Educational Things to Do With Kids in the Smoky Mountains
- Best Smoky Mountains Hikes For Kids
- Visit Dollywood
- Go Snow Tubing in Pigeon Forge
- Go Snow Tubing in Gatlinburg
- See The Christmas Lights in The Smoky Mountains








“If you drive to, say, Shenandoah National Park, or the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll get some appreciation for the scale and beauty of the outdoors. When you walk into it, then you see it in a completely different way. You discover it in a much slower, more majestic sort of way.”
– Bill Bynum
ATV Trail Tours In The Smoky Mountains
- Take A High Speed Adventure On One Of These ATV Trails In The Smoky Mountains
- Complete Guide to Riding ATVs at Bluff Mountain Adventures in Pigeon Forge, TN
- UTV Rentals in Gatlinburg
- UTV Rentals in Pigeon Forge
Best Time To Visit The Smoky Mountains
There is no bad time to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it depends upon what type of Smoky Mountains Vacation you desire.
Fall is the most popular time to visit the Smoky Mountains
When the beautiful mountains begin to pop with color. Check out our guide to Fall Colors Smoky Mountains 2022 for more information.
It is also the most crowded time of the year to visit. Arriving early at the most popular trails and sites is one of the best ways on How To Avoid Crowds In the Smoky Mountains.
Smoky Mountains Cabins
- Luxury Cabins in the Smoky Mountains
- Smoky Mountains Cabins
- Family Friendly Cabins in Pigeon Forge
- Cabins Available Through Booking.com
- TurnKey Cabin Rentals

Winter in the Smoky Mountains
Winter is a great time to visit the Smokies!!
While to does snow in the higher elevations in the Smokies, snow isn’t always on the ground so traveling through the Smokies is still possible throughout most of the winter months.
Check the NPS site for road and trail closure.
- Weather In Smoky Mountains In January
- Smoky Mountains Christmas Lights
- Smoky Mountain Snow Park For Some Family Fun!
- Smoky Mountains In December Weather
- Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains in December
- Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains in January
- Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains In February
- New Year’s Eve In the Smoky Mountains
Spring in the Smoky Mountains
is a great time for hiking because the waterfalls will be at their peak and the wildflowers will be in bloom.
Summer in the Smoky Mountains
Summer is a very popular time for families to visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding communities.
- Things to do in the Smoky Mountains in June
- Things to do in the Smoky Mountains in July
- Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in August
Smoky Mountains Packing Checklist
- Winter Packing List For The Smoky Mountains
- Spring Packing List For The Smoky Mountains
- Summer Packing List For The Smoky Mountains
- Fall Packing List For The Smoky Mountains
Smoky Mountains Attractions
- Smoky Mountains Outdoor Adventures That Should Definitely Be on Your Bucketlist
- Ride an ATV at Bluff Mountain Adventures, Pigeon Forge, TN
- Pigeon Forge Attractions Discount Tickets
- Pigeon Forge Snow Tubing
- Gatlinburg Snow Tubing
- Skiing in Gatlinburg
Smoky Mountains Restaurants
There are so many great places to eat in the Smoky Mountains. Here’s a list of our favorite places to eat in Gatlinburg, TN.
- Best Gatlinburg Restaurants That Will Please Your Taste buds and Your Kids!
- Skip the Pancake House: Go to Tennesee Jed’s For a Mom and Pop’s Experience
Where to Stay In The Great Smoky Mountains
There are three major gateway towns to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Gatlinburg, TN
- Pigeon Forge, TN
- Sevierville, TN
- How Far Is Sevierville From Gatlinburg Or Pigeon Forge?
- What Is Sevierville Famous For?
- Best Downtown Sevierville Restaurants
- Best Things To Do In Sevierville TN For Free
- What Famous Person Is From Sevierville, Tennessee?
- Best Things To Do In Sevierville, TN With Dogs
- Best Things To Do In Sevierville, TN With Toddlers
Find out, Is It Better To Stay In Pigeon Forge Or Gatlinburg?
In addition to these three major towns, there are several other small communities that offer lodging, camping, and cabins.
There are hundreds of hotels, including Great Smoky Mountains Family Resorts in the surrounding communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville for your family to choose from during your Smoky Mountains Vacation.
And if you’re looking for a different and one of a kind experience in the Smokies, you have plenty of options for Unique Places To Stay In The Smoky Mountains.
Tennessee Vacations
- Best Places To Vacation in Tennessee
- Tennessee Vacation Spots for Couples
- Best Kid-Friendly Vacations in Tennessee
- Townsend, TN Vacation
Pigeon Forge Hotels With Family Suites
- Five Kid-Friendly Pigeon Forge Hotels Near The Island Your Family Will Love
- Five Kid Friendly Pigeon Forge Hotels Near Dollywood
- Stay In The Heart Of Pigeon Forge With The Whole Family At Home2 Suites Pigeon Forge, TN
Smoky Mountains Campgrounds
- Best Smoky Mountains Campgrounds
- Best Campgrounds in Pigeon Forge
- Best Campgrounds in Gatlinburg
- Best Campgrounds in Sevierville
- Best Campgrounds in Townsend, TN
Glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains
Camping In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There is one lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains, LeConte Lodge. The rustic lodge can only be reached via hiking on one of 5 trails within the park, reservations begin to be accepted in August and bookings begin in October for the following calendar year and operate on a first come first serve basis with a long waiting list. For more details on visiting Mt. Leconte Lodge visit this website.
Camping within Great Smoky National park can be enjoyed in one of four ways.
- Backcountry Camping
- Frontcountry Camping
- Group Campgrounds
- Horse Camps
Traditional Tent Camping In The Smoky Mountains is available at several campgrounds for those desiring to do front-country camping. Both tent camping and RV camping is available within the park. Reservations are required and book up early so plan accordingly. Visit the NPS website for more information and to schedule you reservation.
Camping is also available within the national park but requires that you make reservations well in advance. Here are a few resources to help you decide where to stay when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains.
Great Smoky Mountains Family Vacations
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More Vacation Guides For the Smoky Mountains
What questions do you have about planning your Smoky Mountains Vacation?