3 Days in the Smoky Mountains (winter edition)

Gorgeous mountain views, a festive lineup of shows, a vibrant downtown, and the state’s only ski resort…there is no better winter getaway in Tennessee that the beautiful Smokies. Most tourists vacation during the summer months, understandably, as this is the best time to enjoy hiking and waterfalls, rafting, and other outdoorsy attractions. I’ve been fortunate to take many roadtrips to this bustling area thanks to living so close by in both Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC at different points in time.

Surprisingly, there is a lot of action here all year even during the cold season, whether it’s special holiday themed events or seasonal productions (there are lots of great shows to enjoy). Also, this is the best time of the year to rent a cabin and cozy up by the fireplace or soak in a hot tub taking in the mountain vistas. It’s also a great time to visit Dollywood, which hosts one of the biggest holiday light displays in the country. What’s more, you can enjoy all different types of winter sports at Ober Gatlinburg. I am not a skier, however, they also offer ice skating and scenic tram rides.

Below I have organized a sample weekend trip itinerary. You will find a fantastic combination of relaxing and entertaining activities to enjoy on your getaway, so you can have a little fun and also restore in nature a bit. I have tried to provide a mix of attractions, so there is a little bit of something to suit everyone’s unique interests.

Day 1

4:00pm – There are many great cabin rentals in this region. Many of these are located in secluded woodsy setting and some offer both city and mountain views. Staying in a cabin is the primary benefit of booking a vacation this time of year in my experience. A woodsy cabin rental is so much more attractive when the weather is cold. I recommend Timber Tops. We rented out Life’s a Bear, a 1 bedroom, 2 bath that sleeps up to 4.

This cabin is the perfect option for couples and small families looking for a secluded, cozy getaway in the woods. This local company offers so many options including budget friendly and pet friendly options. Some of the cabins are massive (sleep up to 12) and include indoor pools and movie theaters.

Life’s a Bear is a great moderate choice with plenty of desirable amenities including: 2 beautiful decks overlooking the woods and mountains, an outdoor hot tub, a full size kitchen, seasonal Christmas decor, and a pool table.

I really loved the semi secluded setting in the woods. It was a nice quiet place to kick back after a hard race (I was in town for the Santa Hustle half marathon). Soaking in the jacuzzi while enjoying a sunset over the mountains was really incredible. What a treat after freezing my butt off and running 13 miles!

5:00pm – I recommend taking some time to relax, recover, and enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery. Definitely book a cabin with a jacuzzi (you can check off your preferred amenities on the Timber Tops booking site). Both driving and flying are exhausting, so it’s nice to kick back and recover before heading out into the action. We drove all the way from Massachusetts, so soaking was a real treat after 15+ hours of driving. I would say these incredible views made it all worthwhile!

7:00pm – Head over to The Pigeon Forge Parkway for a night of food, shopping, and fun. Hard Rock Cafe is a fun touristy choice with friendly service, fun food, authentic memorabilia, and a great rock n’ roll soundtrack. The Twisted Mac and nachos are awesome. It’s basically my go-to vacation choice. Other touristy dinner choices include: Pirate’s Voyage and Paula Deen Lumberjack Feud Show. Gatlinburg is sort of a cheesy area so it’s fun to kick back and visit more of a “vacation-y” style restaurant while visiting this area.

Afterwards, you can take a ride on the Pigeon Forge trolley to get around to all the different attractions and shops on this fun-filled 5 mile strip. You will find amusement rides at The Island, many museums including Alcatraz and Titanic, and numerous arcades. I was really impressed with the Titanic museum. Although it was super crowded, I really loved reading through all the historical info and seeing actual artifacts. One cool thing you will get to do here is feel 28 degree water (you can’t even imagine how cold it is!).

Day 2

8:00am – Make a hearty breakfast at your cabin before heading out for a day of fun-filled, yet exhausting activities. This is where your fully equipped kitchen really comes in handy! You have all the essentials you need for cooking anything you could imagine and a dishwasher so you do not have to work too hard on your vacation. I loved taking in the mountain scenery while enjoying my omelet.

Of course, there are plenty of restaurants in Gatlinburg if you do not feel like cooking. The Pancake Pantry is super popular with tourists (they serve creative pancakes and French Toast as well as standard breakfast entrees). My recommended choice is Crockett’s. They serve great breakfast entrees in this cute woody log cabin style space. I love the newspaper menus and the food was pretty decent.

10:00am – Head over to Ober Gatlinburg for a day of skiing, ice skating, and/or sledding. Tennessee’s only ski resort features 9 different trails with 100% snowmaking, varying in range from beginner to more advanced.  Snow tubing is an excellent alternative for those who don’t ski.

For those who don’t want to ski (I’ve always wanted to but I am scared!), there is a nice indoor skating rink. It’s a pretty decent side and I like the bustling ambiance. There is a small cafe and some shops you can browse through afterwards. I also like that this rink is open all year – it makes for a great escape from the summer heat and humidity too!

Also, you can enjoy a scenic tram ride as part of a wristband deal. This ride will obviously be much more scenic with the leaves on the trees, but it was a fun winter experience regardless.

1:00 – Take a break after all that exercise and grab a bite to eat at Ober Mountain Cafe which overlooks the ice rink. Then treat yourself to dessert at the Fudge Shop. After lunch, take some time to look around the shops. Here you can pick up souvenirs, sports equipment, and small gifts.

4:00pm – Head back to the cabin for a little R&R. While skiing and ice skating are fun, they also double as fantastic workouts! With either activity, you will burn a lot of calories. I am always so sore after skating especially in my calves and ankles. It’s fun, but pretty tough on your body if you are not a regular. I enjoyed relaxing by the fireplace and another hot tub soak afterwards.

6:00pm – Drive into Gatlinburg for a nice dinner before your tour. There are lots of touristy options and themed eateries. You will find lots of bars and grills, steakhouses, and themed eateries like Mellow Mushroom, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen, and Dick’s Last Resort. I recommend dinner at The Peddler Steakhouse, which features an attractive rustic setting, great views of the river, and a varied menu including an enormous salad bar.

8:00pm – Take a fun-filled festive ride through the most magical lights and displays set up on the city’s Parkway Avenue and surrounding areas. This used to be a fun trolley tour with lots of laughs and entertainment, however, you are limited to a self driving tour now. Regardless, it’s a festive, memorable holiday event that everyone will enjoy! Here is a map of the lights you can drive to.

Day 3

8:00am – Stop by the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge for a hearty breakfast. This popular local and tourist’s favorite offers a grand selection of breakfast favorites such as: pancakes, omelettes, and waffles. Here you will find many unique variations on traditional pancakes: Log Cabin Walnut pancakes, Cherry Supreme Special, and Wild Blueberry Pancakes to name a few. Breakfast servings are enormous, service is friendly, and the cozy dining room offers an attractive country casual setting. As I mentioned erlier, Crocketts is also a nice choice.

10:00am – While you are in Pigeon Forge, I recommend browsing The Incredible Christmas Place Store, the largest Christmas shop in the South. As a big Christmas buff, I enjoyed exploring the seemingly unending collection of holiday ornaments, seasonal decor, and gift ideas. If you like the holiday season too, this is the place to be.

The shop itself is stunning – over 60 beautifully decorated Christmas trees and several miniature holiday village displays will keep you in awe for hours. I’ve never seen more holiday cheer all in one place. On a side note, I’ve always wanted to stay in the themed Inn at Christmas Place but it books out months in advance. This property is decked to the brim with holiday cheer – it’s definitely on my bucket list in the future.

Noon – Since you are already in Pigeon Forge, you might as well have lunch in the area. There are an unending supply of local and chain restaurants to choose amongst. You will find a lot of taverns and grills, but also fancier options like steakhouses and Italian restaurants. We dined at this The Potter House Cafe. This is a beautiful little local restaurant where everything is made from scratch.

2:00pm– Head over to Gatlinburg’s main drag, the Parkway, to enjoy some of the quirky museums. One of my favorites is The Hollywood Stars Cars Museum. You will get to see a lot of classics like the Batmobile and Jurassic Park jeep here. It’s a great activity when it’s too cold to do much else.

Also, I recommend strolling around The Village shops. This beautiful German village is home to a handful of eclectic shops. There is a popular donut shop (The Friar) as well as a few touristy restaurants (the Pancake Pantry). A little hidden gem I recommend is this eclectic museum dedicated to salt and pepper shakers. It’s located just a few minutes off the Parkway.

5:00pm – Drive back to the cabin and relax a bit before heading out for your last night. Pick out your desired 2 for 1 attraction, complimentary of Timber Tops. You will be given a booklet and brochures to help you decide amongst the different options.  You have your choice amongst several great shows and activities: Titanic, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Country Music Tonite, or Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium. We chose the aquarium on our first visit (which was ok), but honestly the Titanic Museum is a must-see!

6:00pm – Make dinner at the cabin or head out to Gatlinburg pre-show/activity for an early dinner. We ate at The Old Mill Restaurant. The food here is all comfort fare (great for vacation) and the vibe is super cozy (great for the winter season). They offer a year round Thanksgiving plate and I also love the Vegetable Platter. The rustic ambiance reminds of the Cracker Barrel especially with the attached gift shop.

7:00pm – Enjoy whatever activity you planned for the night. The 2 for 1 deal offered by Timber Tops really is a nice perk, especially if you have never seen a show in the area. If you have room in your schedule, you can use a ticket each day of your stay!

10:00pm – Return to your cabin. Pack up all your suitcases so your morning check out runs as smoothly as possible. After packing up, take some time to enjoy your amenities one more time. Relax with a game of pool, a soak in the hot tub, cozy up by the fireplace, or enjoy a glass of wine on the deck!

Address & attraction pricing information

Timber Top rentals check in office is located at: 1440 Upper Middle Creek Road, 204 in Sevierville. You will receive detailed instructions on how to get to your rental upon checking in.

Hard Rock Cafe is located at: 2050 Parkway in Pigeon Forge (the Gatlinburg location recently shut down).

Ober Gatlinburg is located at: 1339 Ski Mountain Rd. For full pricing details and hours of operation, please visit the their website. Tram prices start at $29, while wristbands start at $49. Prices current as of the 2025 season.

The Peddler Steakhouse is located at:  820 River Rd. in Gatlinburg

The Log Cabin Pancake House is located at:  4235 Parkway in Pigeon Forge

The Incredible Christmas Place Store is located at:  2470 Parkway in Pigeon Forge