5 of the Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg TN in January

There is no better way to start off the new year than with a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Whether you’ll be celebrating with us at the stroke of midnight on January 1st, or you will be visiting later in the month, Gatlinburg is chock full of fun activities that you don’t want to miss. To help you make the most of your getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to all of the best things to do in Gatlinburg TN in January:      

1. New Year’s Eve in Downtown Gatlinburg

Of course, Gatlinburg’s New Year’s Eve festivities start on December 31st, but the party will keep on going until the wee hours of January 1st. At midnight, the new year will make an explosive entrance when the ball drops and brilliant fireworks launch from the Gatlinburg Space Needle. After the fireworks display, you can dance the night away at one of the excellent bars in downtown Gatlinburg. Blaine’s Bar & Grill offers a variety of special New Year’s Eve packages that you can learn about here.

2. The Back Porch Concert Series at Sugarlands Shine

If you’re a fan of live music, you’ll love the Back Porch Concert Series! Hosted by Sugarlands Distilling Co. in downtown Gatlinburg, these free performances showcase some of the best up-and-coming musicians in the country. You can expect to hear a variety of musical styles, including folk, blues, soul, rock, jazz, and more. Shows typically start in the afternoon and early evening, and you can see the Sugarlands Distilling concert schedule here. 

3. Skiing and Snowboarding

January is a great time to hit the slopes for some excellent skiing and snowboarding at Ober Gatlinburg! Offering a variety of ski packages ranging from 4 hours to 3 days, Ober has everything guests need to participate in winter sports, including equipment rentals and lessons. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, visitors to Ober can enjoy ice skating, snow tubing, thrilling rides, and a variety of other great things to do in Gatlinburg TN in January. Before you head out for your ski trip, be sure to check Ober Gatlinburg’s slope report to make sure that the weather is cold enough for the resort’s snow machines to work.

4. Tennessee Winter Special Olympics

At the end of the month, Ober Gatlinburg will host the State Winter Games for Tennessee’s Special Olympics. This is a great opportunity to see some truly exceptional athletes compete in alpine skiing, speed skating, and snowboarding. Come on up to Ober to watch the opening ceremonies and cheer on the competitors! 

5. Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

At the beginning of every year, millions of people pledge to be healthier, happier, and to spend more time with their families. However, as the months go by, these New Year’s resolutions often fall by the wayside. This January, get a jump on your resolutions by taking a vacation in Gatlinburg.

Doubling down on your fitness goals is easy when there are so many great winter hiking opportunities in the national park. Some of our favorite trails include Alum Cave Bluff, Rainbow Falls, and Chimney Tops. A Gatlinburg getaway is also perfect for enjoying plenty of fun quality time with your family. Nothing brings a group closer quite like staying together in a real log cabin in the mountains. With so many amazing things to do in Gatlinburg TN in January and beyond, your family will want to stay here the whole year!

To keep up to date on everything going on in the area throughout the year, check out our Gatlinburg Events Calendar!