Great Smoky Mountains National Park: What To Do and See in This Iconic National Park

In this weeks Travel Flashback episode we share the best things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains including hikes, scenic viewpoints, and experiences in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.

We went to Gatlinburg on two different occasions: Mid-fall to see the fall foliage and get cozy mountain vibes, and in spring to see the lush green foliage. Both are amazing and both should be experiences. After experiencing both we would definitely recommend Fall late October as the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains, but you really can’t go wrong any time of year. 

Great Smoky Mountains is one of those places we all agreed we could return to year and year and never grow tired of. It’s down right gorgeous and the small towns intertwined with the national park actually have an overwhelming amount of options for fun things to do.

We recommend Crossroads Inn and Suites in Gatlinburg, TN for where to stay in Gatlinburg. It’s an amazing lodge with one bedroom suites with full size jacuzzi tubs and wood burning fireplaces in the front room! This was perfect for a fall visit when its cold outside and you want to be cozy inside. The price is right and it’s at the end of the main road so you can walk the full thing and back.

The Great Smoky Mountains is in Tennessee and therefore southern food is very much a part of this experience. We recommend places to eat in Gatlinburg and places to eat in Pigeon Forge for dinner and brunch that we ate at and would recommend to you.

We share the best hikes in Great Smoky Mountains for short and longer hikes, In this episode we recommend Clingmans Dome Lookout (1 mile), Alum Cave Bluffs to Myrtle Point (11.4 miles), and Laurel Falls Trail (2.6 miles). 

We also share what to do in Gatlinburg from our experiences on the skylift and nearby Tuckaleechee Caverns. And if you have time or are staging in Pigeon Forge, do not miss the Old Mill Restaurant, it has an amazing dinner deal, great service, and is a great price for this delicious southern cuisine!

If you’re looking for a longer trip in Tennessee, also consider going to Nashville and Mammoth Caves National Parkwhich are just a few hours away and can easily be added on.

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