How to Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
The Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to spend time with loved ones, and what better time is there to gather everyone together than Thanksgiving? We welcome you to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a Thanksgiving holiday you’ll remember for years to come. We want to make sure you have the best holiday trip to the Smokies! That’s why we’ve put together a guide on how to plan the perfect Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
1. Rent a Cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge
There’s no better place to stay for Thanksgiving than in a Smoky Mountain cabin. There are cabins of all sizes, both big and small, so everyone in your family can spend the holiday under one roof. You’ll love being able to gather in the common areas together while still having your privacy when you sleep. Relax in the hot tub, curl up in front of the fireplace, or take in the gorgeous mountain views! You can find cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge with a variety of amenities, from pool tables and arcade games, to home theaters and indoor pools. You just have to choose the one that comes with all the amenities you want on your vacation! Not to mention, all cabins have full kitchens in case you want to prepare your Thanksgiving dinner yourselves! You’ll love sharing your Thanksgiving meal with each other before challenging each other to a game of pool or foosball, or sitting in front of the fire to watch a movie together.
To save money on your stay this Thanksgiving, check out our list of cabin specials.
2. Bring the Whole Family
The best part about spending Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is that the whole family can be together. There are cabins big enough that everyone from the kids, to the grandparents, to the aunts and uncles can come along! There are also pet friendly cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge so even your four-legged friend can celebrate Thanksgiving with you. You don’t want anyone to be left behind this Thanksgiving, so you should definitely plan to bring the whole family! The Smoky Mountain area is home to so many fun activities for everyone in the family, including Gatlinburg attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Anakeesta. People of all ages will find something they love to do in the Smokies, and you’ll all have memories you can cherish for years to come.
3. Decide Where to Eat
The most important part of planning a Thanksgiving vacation is deciding where you want to eat. If you prefer to enjoy Thanksgiving in your cabin, you can purchase groceries at a store nearby and prepare a delicious dinner in the kitchen! A few restaurants are also offering take-home Thanksgiving meals, like the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, The Old Mill and Puckett’s in Pigeon Forge. Of course, if you’d rather dine out on Thanksgiving, there is a great selection of Smoky Mountain restaurants open for the holiday! Some are serving their regular menus, while some are offering special Thanksgiving feasts, like The Park Grill and Harpoon Harry’s.
For a complete list of what Smoky Mountain restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, read our blog.
4. See the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show
If you’re looking for fun Thanksgiving events in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you’re in luck! One of the best art shows of the year happens during Thanksgiving. Make plans to see the Thanksgiving Craft Show in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community! You can enjoy dozens of booths that each offer one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts made by artisans in the community. It’s the perfect time to get a headstart on your Christmas shopping! For more information on what’s happening during the week of Thanksgiving, check out our Gatlinburg events calendar.
5. Enjoy Winterfest in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
When you’re planning the perfect Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you should include some time to enjoy Smoky Mountain Winterfest! The area will be decorated with millions of twinkling lights and holiday displays. There’s nothing better to get you into the Christmas spirit after Thanksgiving than Winterfest. Take the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights along the Pigeon Forge Parkway, see a holiday show at one of the theaters in town, ride the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights, or visit Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas! You can even get some holiday shopping done while you’re in town!
Browse Cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
Start planning the perfect Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! We have a great selection of cabins in the Smoky Mountains, so you’ll have no trouble finding the best one for your family’s stay. Take a look at the best cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and book your Thanksgiving vacation today!
