A weekend getaway to somewhere beautiful is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a hectic week at work. Spend a blissful weekend away from all the buzz and stress and return with a mind full of creativity.
Suppose you live in any of the Southern cities. In that case, you can quickly drive up to the town of Gatlinburg, full of tourist activities, family fun, and adventures amid the great Smokys, waterfalls, the Ober, Adventure Park, and SkyLift, among several eateries serving Southern, Italian, Thai and Western cuisines with shopping malls and art centers. You will find most of the hotspots lined up together.
Whether you want to go solo backpacking or travel with friends or family, Gatlinburg is a place everyone loves. It offers kid-friendly and pet-friendly cabins with activities for kids and adults alike. You will never experience a dull moment while in Gatlinburg, providing you with a chance for mental peace and tranquility.
Even if you only have two days to spend in Gatlinburg, this blog will act as the ultimate itinerary to take full advantage of your limited time. It might get exhausting but relaxing at the same time.
1. Book a Cabin with all Amenities
Before packing, you should reserve accommodation, so you’re not waiting endlessly when you arrive. Since Gatlinburg is a prominent holiday spot for tourists from around the country, booking a cabin before you depart would be a good idea.
It’s easy to book a cabin, though. If you really want a premium experience, get a cabin with an indoor pool. The good thing is, Gatlinburg cabins with indoor pool aren’t that expensive. You’ll love the added amenity if you’re traveling with family.
If you’re traveling as a couple, you can jump into a pool as you check in for instant relaxation. Moreover, rental cabins in Gatlinburg come with a game room, a fully furnished and stocked kitchen, and a theatre room with one to 18 bedrooms.
You can bring your entire gang and experience a home-like stay where everyone can live together under one roof. The best thing about living under the same roof is that you can stay up all night and indulge in games, watch movies, or spend a family night away from home for added memories with your loved ones.
2. Go Hiking
In Gatlinburg, you must visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and explore all the hiking trails. Rise early on your first day, have breakfast in your cabin to save time, and head towards the park.
If you are here to escape from busy city life, then hiking in the wild is the best way to connect with nature and yourself. If you stay active, you can spend the entire morning and afternoon exploring all the trails.
Make sure you wear essential hiking gear, including a water bottle, an extra pair of hiking shoes or rain boots if it rains, a jacket, sunglasses, a cap, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
During your hike, you will come across freshwater streams, a footbridge entering into an enchanted-like forest, a dog park, and the Oconaluftee River Trail. A beautiful trail with shaded trees above the river ends at Cherokee, an old Native American town.
While hiking, do not miss Clingman’s Dome, the highest mountain in the Smoky Mountains, rising to 6643 feet. Once you reach here, take a break, drink water, enjoy the views, and take photos. When you return to your cabin, spend some quality time by yourself, taking in the views of the mountains.
3. Grab a Quick and Filling Meal
After the hike, grab a full meal at Joe and Pop’s Sub Shop or Mama’s Chicken Kitchen. Both restaurants are located next to each other at 1244 East Parkway. Your family can even order from both the restaurants’ menus for lunch.
The specialty of Mama’s Chicken Kitchen is its bucket of mouthwatering fried chicken. Meanwhile, Joe and Pop’s Sub Shop serves subway sandwiches and burgers with various dips and side dishes.
If you travel with several people, you can avail of discount packages at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It offers irresistible seafood platters with shrimps, mussels, crab meat, and salmon, among other varieties.
4. Take the Aerial Tram Ride up the Mountains
Visit Ober Gatlinburg after having lunch to take aerial rides like alpine slides, mountain coasters, or cable car rides up the mountain while you enjoy exotic mountain views. You cannot miss the chance to witness the beauty of nature and see the mountain peaks covered in clouds.
The place also offers winter sports activities like snowboarding, ice skating, ice bumper boats, skiing, and snow tubing for kids and adults alike. During the summer, you can experience summer tubing, racecar rides, and other rides for kids for a complete experience.
5. Go Zip-Lining
Your getaway would be incomplete without taking a zip-lining course. Visit the Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park the next day for a range of zip lines soaring above the 300 feet long swinging Canopy Bridge and over a waterfall.
Additionally, if you have the energy and outdoor enthusiasm, take a tour of the bear crawl ATV across the forest and witness wild animals in their natural habitats. You can also go zip lining at Anakeesta’s Dueling Zip Line Adventure. Once you finish zip lining, you will find refreshing meals at the highland location ranging from salads, fast foods, gourmet foods, and snacks.
6. Take a Ghost Walking Tour and go Shopping
If you are into the paranormal and thrill, then take a guided Ghost Walking Tour while you listen to the chilling tales of paranormal occurrences that happened in the past.
Your tour will last two hours, from 7 PM to 9 PM, with a check-in half an hour before. It would be approximately a mile-long walking tour during which you will discover the town’s haunted past.
After the tour, explore the Village shops at the Parkway in Downtown Gatlinburg. You will find around 27 distinctive boutiques, gift shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants.
You can end your day by shopping for gifts for your loved ones, decoration pieces, souvenirs to take back home to commemorate your trip, and having dinner after your shopping spree.
Conclusion
Spend a weekend away from your daily hassle in Gatlinburg and indulge in outdoor activities with your family or friends. Book a cabin with an indoor pool to check into, go hiking, and grab a meal on your first day. Then, take the aerial tram rides up the mountain for stunning mountain views.
The next day, go zip lining at Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park and Anakeesta’s Dueling Zip Line Adventure to experience out-of-the-world nature adventure. Take a Ghost Walking Tour at night and listen to chilling tales of the town’s past. End your day with a shopping spree and dinner at Parkway Gatlinburg.
In the end, return to your cabin and go for one last refreshing swim before heading back home. It would be a weekend that you will cherish for years to come.