Don’t Fall into the Tourist Trap. Here are the Top Things to AVOID in Gatlinburg Tennessee for an Amazing Smoky Mountains Experience.
While most tourism articles out there tell you about the best things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, we’re going to talk about what to avoid. Our goal is to help you maximize your time, save money, and enjoy the experience.
Gatlinburg is not a place for me by design. Traffic drives me nuts, long lines send my anxiety soaring, and crowds of people feel suffocating even among the splendor of the Smokies.
So why do I keep going back season after season? Because I’ve figured out some things to avoid that make the other parts of the trip that much more enjoyable.
Hopefully, you can learn from my missteps as I explored Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Avoid the Most Crowded and Least Crowded Times
Asking when the least-crowded time is in Gatlinburg is setting yourself up for show schedule hiatuses and top attractions downtime.
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Sure, you’ll avoid the crowds, but that off-season pricing also means you lose some value of amenities. Unless you just want winter hikes and hearty meals, skip mid-January through March.
The most crowded months in Gatlinburg and the national park are October, July, and June. If you plan to visit during this time, look for mid-week options. Arriving on a Sunday and leaving before Friday means escaping the worst congestion.
My best tip here is to plan strategically. For example, the holiday lights in Gatlinburg simply blow your mind. At the same time, many people don’t realize the celebration starts right after Halloween and can go as late as mid-February.
I always make a point to visit in early November, when the leaves are past their peak but still pretty, and the holiday spirit takes over without me becoming The Grinch in traffic.
Avoid Over Indulging
This is a lesson I learned the hard way on a romantic holiday getaway to Gatlinburg several years ago. This thing to avoid in Gatlinburg has nothing to do with counting calories or carbs, but it does involve pacing yourself when it comes to feasts and festivities.
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I was at Dollywood with my boyfriend, and we ate a bountiful lunch buffet at Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, thinking that would be our “big meal” of the day. Perfectly stuffed at the end of the meal, we headed to a show to sit back and relax. Within minutes, my poor guy was sweating profusely. He had the “meat sweats.”
Not only did we have to leave the theater for him to cool off outside, but we both were too full for the adrenaline-boosting rides. Let’s just say there was nothing romantic about that night in Gatlinburg.
Now I know to strategically plan either a big breakfast before a long, challenging hike or to save the “big meal” until right before it was time to head back to the hotel.
Avoid Peer Pressure
Anyone who has been to Gatlinburg has an opinion of what you should see and do. I went on one trip where a local friend took us around to all of her favorite spots, even if they wouldn’t be my top choices.
My vacation became a trip where she relived her favorite memories while I was merely a guest when I should’ve been pushing more for what I wanted to do.
You’ll get inundated with “You HAVE to eat at Pancake Pantry” or “The BEST view is at XXX.” Listen to advice, but don’t take it as gospel.
It’s okay if you like the “schticky” aspect of Gatlinburg and all the “tourist traps.” It’s also okay if you’d rather head to the Great Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community for local, handmade shopping options rather than gift shops on the Parkway.
You’re not going to find a bad pancake in Gatlinburg or taste bad barbecue. If you want to go off the beaten path, don’t let anyone pressure you into the “trendy” spot.
Avoid Sleeping In
Before you can say, “… but I’m on vacation!” hear me out. There’s a peaceful tranquility in the Smokies morning air, and my excitement (or is it anxiety?) always wakes me up early. I’ve walked trails or meandered through window-shopping wonderlands before the first scent of bacon wafts over.
Getting up early, say around 7am, helps you avoid the worst of the traffic, find a free parking spot in town, or get a trailhead parking location inside the park. Even early Sunday mornings mean most people are in church, and the city is yours until the congregations start to assemble at the brunch spot of the season.
My early morning exploration has introduced me to my first black bear (at a safe distance) and given me plenty of time to get local tips from the hotel front desk while the rest of Gatlinburg snoozes.
Starting the day with mindfulness and presence means I can better handle the hectic pace that lies ahead.
Avoid “Winging It” at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in America. More than 13 million people visit annually, and the biggest entrance is in the heart of Gatlinburg. You couldn’t pay me Dolly Parton’s salary to try that entrance after 10am during peak season.
My suggestion is to pick your top three places to see in the park. Start at the highest one. For example, if you want to see the highest peak in the Smokies at Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), go there first before the lot fills up. That means arriving by 8am in the summer. The park is open 24 hours a day, so there’s no such thing as “too early.”
Then, while everyone else is working their way up the mountain, you’re heading down to a waterfall or a more challenging hike. In fact, if you park at Kuwohi, you can take the hike to Andrews Bald or walk a few miles of the Appalachian Trail from that same parking lot.
Avoid Rushing Through Ticket Purchases
Do you remember the first time you ordered at Chipotle? You just wanted a burrito, and then you were peppered with a litany of questions about bowls, wraps, protein, salsas, sides, guac (does that cost extra?), etc. That’s a lot like what ordering tickets for shows or attractions is like in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
There’s not just a seat for the show. There’s regular, premium, and VIP seating. Plus, which side are you on? (“Uh, the right?” I shrugged, not realizing at first I had to choose Hatfield or McCoy.) From separate backstage features to meet and greets with the cast, booking a ticket is mentally straining, and the costs can skyrocket quickly if you’re rushed.
Look for attraction deals like a steep price cut after 5pm or a full ticket price in the evening that gives you access the entire next day. Even then, review the add-ons before you book tickets.
Avoid Free Tickets
Nothing is free, and that holds true in Gatlinburg. Anyone who approaches you with free tickets for a “quick timeshare presentation” is going to monopolize your time. It’s never just an hour, and they’re quite skilled at their jobs.
I used to joke that it’s a good thing I’m not rich because I was on the hook twice, but I missed amazing afternoons that could’ve been spent on Mount LeConte or driving Roaring Fork, all to get tickets for a show that I still had to pay $50 after add-ons.
Avoid “Holding It In”
When nature calls, you’ll find plenty of public restrooms in Gatlinburg. Even then, it never feels like there are enough. If you’re remotely picky about where you “go,” you might find some of the facilities undesirable.
Even simple planning, like avoiding restrooms near theaters in Dollywood, can avoid long lines before and after a performance goes a long way.
As friendly as the Great Smoky Mountains business owners are, you’ll find more “for customers only” than public restrooms. If you patronize a place with restrooms for customers, seize the moment.
My Golden Rule? Use the restroom at least once every two hours, no matter what. That way, urgency won’t ever give way to desperation.
Avoid Confusing Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
I don’t know why my mind assumed that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were “right next to each other” during my first visit, but you should know they are seven miles apart.
Gatlinburg has the most attractions, like Anakeesta, SkyPark, and the Aquarium, while Pigeon Forge is where the bulk of the shows are located.
A trolley system runs through Gatlinburg but doesn’t go to Pigeon Forge. Even with the Parkway Bypass, Teaster Lane, and Veterans Boulevard, there’s no getting around the traffic between the two.
Plan your days to stay in one section of the town, or at least do one in the morning/afternoon and the other at night.
Avoid Trying to Do It All in One Trip
A standard weekend visitor, even on a three-day weekend, isn’t going to see even the 10 best things to do in Gatlinburg. At least, not with any kind of proper pace to soak it all in.
Choose either Anakeesta or the SkyPark. The Gatlinburg SkyPark is a little more chill, with the record-breaking SkyBridge and places to relax while soaking in the views. The only access point is the SkyLift (chairlift), which ascends 1,800 feet. Those who don’t like heights should know that.
Those who want to add a mountain coaster to their adventure can choose Anakeesta, which has great views, ziplining, and several coaster options. Anakeesta has a chairlift with gondolas and a Chondola but also offers a Ridge Rambler ride on a road to the top.
Drive Newfound Gap or Foothills Parkway. Take your time at the scenic overlooks instead of trying to fit them all in, which can easily chew up an entire morning and afternoon.
Avoid Walking a Mile in Bad Shoes
I have my “Ortho Shoes” that go with me to any large tourist destination, like the Smokies, Branson, or Las Vegas. One day of wearing sandals at Disney World taught me painful lessons from my calves to my pinky toes.
Style must be set aside to enjoy the many nooks and crannies of Gatlinburg. Plus, you won’t ever be the only one in your group who can’t go ziplining because you wore flip-flops. Many attractions require closed-toed shoes anyway, and who wants to carry those around all day?
Wearing comfortable shoes that are well-worn and provide foot, ankle, and leg support will make the day much more enjoyable, even if you wait in lines or walk a lot.
Avoid Being Grumpy
Before I knew the things to avoid in Gatlinburg, I felt like the traffic and crowds were out to get me. In fact, my friends still refer to me as a “pain in the Appalachia” from our first girls’ trip since I was so pushy to get through rows of people and dictate proper driving techniques to every vehicle within earshot.
You’ll face slow walkers, photo bombers, screaming kids, and long lines. The last thing you want to do is make yourself something to avoid in Gatlinburg with a sour disposition. Just enjoy people-watching while making new friends.
Enjoy the slower pace of Appalachian life and smile at the people you pass. When you sync with Gatlinburg’s vibe, you’ll enjoy the trip much more.
One Final Bit of Advice in Gatlinburg
Over the past few years, the Great Smoky Mountains region has seen several big disasters, like the devastating wildfires in 2016 and the unimaginable flooding from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
You will likely see fundraisers and donation centers for years to come as the region rebuilds. One of the best ways you can support this community is by shopping, eating, and staying at locally-owned businesses.
Not only will your support of local businesses help the regional economy, but you’ll also get a better taste of true Appalachian hospitality and culture.
This article was originally published by Smoky Mountain Wanderings on October 14, 2024, and has been republished with permission.