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A photo of the downtown area covered in snow near our Gatlinburg TN condos.

The Perfect Weekend Itinerary for Winter in the Smoky Mountains

If you are planning a weekend vacation to the Smoky Mountains and are wondering what to do, you’ve come to the right place! The surrounding towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, have plenty of attractions, events, and beautiful nature at every corner! The winter season is very special in the Smokies. Enjoy delicious holiday foods and fantastic special events! Here is your perfect weekend itinerary for winter in the Smoky Mountains:

The Best Places to Eat

snow at the old mill in pigeon forgeOn your weekend getaway this winter in the Smoky Mountains, you are going to want to eat tasty food! Lucky for you, there are fantastic restaurants with all types of cuisine. One of the most popular restaurants to dine at is The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy delicious southern cuisine in an old-fashioned setting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you are looking for a fantastic breakfast spot, go to The Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. Have a great selection of famous Smoky Mountain pancakes plus other delicious foods! If you want some of the best BBQ in the Smokies, check out Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que. Some other tasty places to try out are Huck Finn’s Catfish in Pigeon Forge, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen in Pigeon Forge, and Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant in Sevierville. All these restaurants are delicious and will have you satisfied this winter in the Smoky Mountains. 

The Best Things to Do

You can’t have winter in the Smoky Mountains without Winterfest! The towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg each display holiday lights celebrating the changing of the seasons. The weekend you visit, take a drive in Pigeon Forge at the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights. You should also visit The Island to experience dozens of attractions and shopping opportunities. The Island is also decorated for the holiday season with fantastic lights and trees! Be sure to visit Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg to try out some snow tubing, ice skating, shopping, and more! Another fun thing to do this winter in the Smoky Mountains is to explore nature by hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. See amazing sights, and you might even have a chance to view wildlife. The Smoky Mountains are also known for their fantastic dinner shows. During the holiday season, see a special Christmas dinner show at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show. You’ll have a great time experiencing all the events and attractions in the Smokies!

The Best Places to Stay

pine top paradise cabinStaying in a Smoky Mountain cabin is a fantastic way to spend winter in the Smoky Mountains! There are many Pigeon Forge cabins and Gatlinburg cabin rentals loaded with amenities. Find everything from cabins with game rooms to cabins with theater rooms! Have a cozy place to come back to after experiencing all the fun things to do in the Smokies. Book a Smoky Mountain cabin and enjoy all the comforts of home! 

Seasonal Tips

Are you interested in learning seasonal tips to keep in mind when visiting the Smokies? If you visit during winter in the Smoky Mountains, expect to experience snow. Snow tends to fall during December, January, and February and can reach up to 2 feet at higher elevations. Roads are open year-round, but when the winter weather is bad some roads may be closed. Popular roads that may be closed if there is heavy snowfall include Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop Road. There are so many events that go on during the winter as well. Some of them are only one day, while others go on for days or even weeks. Be sure to double-check if the events you are interested in are still going on during your arrival. 

You are now on your way to having the perfect weekend this winter in the Smoky Mountains. Take a look at what else to do in the Smoky Mountains.