Best Time to Visit Gatlinburg TN & How
- Laura
- May 6
- 7 min read
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Gatlinburg Tennessee is full of first-class restaurants, shopping, distilleries, and attractions. As the gateway to America’s most popular playground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg sees over 14 million visitors a year. Learn about the best time to visit Gatlinburg TN, the weather, hotels, trolleys, and more in our Gatlinburg guide.
Surrounded by the the mountains, Gatlinburg is a four-season basecamp for exploring the magic of the Smokies. A short distance from downtown, discover miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, mountain overlooks, and river adventures. Wildlife sightings of black bears, elk, and deer are common (in town and out!).
A downtown bustling with live music, mountain coasters, mini golf, and escape rooms will compete for your attention. There are enough thrill rides, crafts stores, and ice cream parlors to keep you busy for a week. Use our Gatlinburg guide to plan your perfect getaway.
WHY VISIT GATLINBURG TENNESSEE
One reason to visit Gatlinburg TN is its proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Another, is that the town of Gatlinburg is a top-notch vacation destination in its own right. In Gatlinburg you will find an impressive array of activities, attractions, and events.
Whether you are traveling as a couple, a group of friends, or a family you will find fun things to do in Gatlinburg TN. There are water parks, zip lines, dinner theaters, and whiskey tastings. There is a vibrant arts and crafts community and restaurant scene. Downtown has live music every day, and a busy events calendar in all seasons.
GATLINBURG TOURS & EXCURSIONS
GATLINBURG WEATHER
Gatlinburg TN is a four season town. Here is a synopsis of Gatlinburg weather.
Summer
June, July, and August bring hot and humid days with average temperatures ranging from the mid-60s (F) to the upper 80’s (F). Summer is alive with lush green vegetation and lots of wildlife sightings.
Autumn
September, October, and November bring a transition in temperatures with autumn days beginning in the 80’s (F) and falling to the mid-50’s (F). Between September and October, the region undergoes an intense fall foliage season with trees turning to vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues.
Winter
December, January, and February typically see temperatures drop to between the 20’s to 40’s (F). The mountains become blanketed in snow and the region sees an influx of skiers and snowboarders. Across town, fire places are lit for revelers to gather around.
Spring
March, April, and May undergo huge weather shifts. As the snow melts, mud dries, and wildflowers begin to bloom. In the spring, temperatures climb from the 40’s to the 60-70’s in the space of a few weeks. Businesses in town refurbish and the trails in the national park begin to open.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GATLINBURG TN
When deciding the best time to visit Gatlinburg TN, consider the following:
April thru August is the best time for wildlife viewing (black bears, deer, and elk).
May thru October are the best months to plan outdoor activities and all businesses are open.
September and October are peak foliage months.
June, July, August, and October are the most crowded months.
January, February, and March are the least crowded months (and cheapest). However, some seasonal businesses close or shorten opening hours.
We believe the best time to visit Gatlinburg TN is during the months of May, June, early-September, and late-October (skipping the peak foliage weeks). During these months, the weather is great for outside activities, businesses are booming, and crowds are not at peak.
We visited for a week in late October. On the weekend days, town was mobbed and the lines were long for all attractions. On the weekdays, there was a healthy crowd, but wait times were short. All of the restaurants were open and the shops were full of stock.
GATLINBURG HOTELS
Gatlinburg has a wide range of accommodations. There are many budget motels, mountain cabins, and in-town resorts. When researching Gatlinburg hotels, look for one that is on a Gatlinburg free trolley route. Visiting town is more fun without the stress and cost of parking.
We stayed at the Westgate Resort just outside of town. It was on the trolley line. After a day of hiking in the national park, it was nice to hop on the trolley for a night in town.
Consider these well reviewed Gatlinburg hotels that are in-town or on the trolley line:
DOWNTOWN GATLINBURG
Downtown Gatlinburg is built around one four-line divided road called the “Gatlinburg Parkway” or “Downtown Parkway.” The town sits in a valley. From the Parkway, businesses go back a few blocks to the Little Pigeon River on one side, and the Smoky Mountains on the other.
Most of the action in Downtown Gatlinburg is centered between the Ole Red Restaurant on the north end of town, and the Sugarlands Distilling Company to the south (about a .5 mile walk). “The Village,” a collection of European style shops, lies roughly in the middle.
Anakeesta, SkyPark, Ripley’s Aquarium, and many other attractions and restaurants are clustered between. There is so much going on in this area that on a busy day downtown can feel like a carnival of retail madness. But the energy is fun and the feeling is family oriented. Although sometimes garish, downtown is clean and orderly.
DIRECTIONS TO GATLINBURG TENNESSEE
Directions to Gatlinburg TN include heading toward the intersection of routes US 441 and US 321 at the northern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The town is about 40 miles south of Knoxville TN, 215 miles east of Nashville TN, and 140 miles north of Atlanta GA. If flying into a major airport, Nashville and Atlanta are often used.
There are also several smaller regional airports that are close to Gatlinburg including airports close to Knoxville (McGhee Tyson Airport) and Asheville (Asheville Regional Airport).
Gatlinburg is a rural community and there are few public transportation options from the airport to town. A personal vehicle is the most convenient way to travel to Gatlinburg.
Click this link for information regarding airfares to Gatlinburg.
Click this link for information regarding regional rental car prices.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TOURS & EXCURSIONS
GATLINBURG TN MAP
This Gatlinburg TN map of the trolley routes is a great way to acclimated to the Parkway.
GATLINBURG TROLLEY & HOW TO GET AROUND
Downtown Gatlinburg is walkable with wide sidewalks and crosswalks. Throughout town there are a series of pedestrian malls to stroll. There is also a charming River Walk along the Little Pigeon River.
The Gatlinburg Trolley is a free shuttle service that connects the downtown area to many attractions and lodgings outside of town as well as Pigeon Forge. We found the trolley’s to be convenient and efficient with friendly drivers. One trolley we rode broke down, and within 10 minutes another empty trolley was sent to continue our journey.
Parking for downtown is mostly in large lots a few blocks back from the Parkway. Lots are expensive and fill up fast on busy days. However, if you want to explore the national park or outside the immediate downtown region, a personal vehicle is recommended.
THINGS TO DO IN GATLINBURG TN
Hike, discover scenic overlooks, and scout for wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Spend a day finding artisan treasures on the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts trail. Try this tour: Smokies Streams & Falls Hiking Tour
Do a tasting tour of Gatlinburg’s many distilleries, breweries, and wineries (Sugarlands Distillery, Ole Smoky Distillery, The Holler, and more).
Be treated to some amazing mountain-top panoramas at Anakeesta Theme Park, the SkyPark, Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Mountain.
Plan a day of adventure with a white water rafting, zip lining, or rope course tour. Try this tour: White Water Rafting near Asheville
Indulge your inner foodie on the Parkway. Sample candies, jellies, pancakes, donuts, cookies, southern cooking, and international delights. Try this tour: Gatlinburg Walking Food Tour & History
Revel in retail! Explore the many pedestrian malls, squares, and shops of the Gatlinburg Parkway.
Spend a rainy day at the Ripley’s Aquarium, an escape room, Hollywood Star Car Museum, or the Wild Bear Falls Waterpark.
Learn more about Appalachian history and culture on the Tennessee Heritage Trail.
Have some outdoor family fun at a mini-golf course or mountain coaster.
Spend an afternoon picnicking, swimming, birding, fishing, or discovering waterfalls at one of Gatlinburg’s rivers or streams.
Listen to live music at Blake Shelton’s Old Red or Jason Aldeen’s Kitchen & Rooftop Bar.
That’s it for now, have a good one in Gatlinburg, Laura and Randy
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