Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Stay on Parkway for the aquarium and Anakeesta, near River Road for the Gatlinburg Trail, or up Ski Mountain Road for a hillside setting.
from $46/night2,025 hotels compared
653 Morning Mist Way
8.9Fabulous11 reviews
from
$295/night
compared on 2 sites
439 Winfield Heights Road
9.3Superb47 reviews
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$188/night
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306 Baskins Creek Road
8.3Very Good361 reviews
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$133/night
compared on 3 sites
333 Parkway
9.0Superb564 reviews
from
$217/night
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421 West Laurel Road
8.3Very Good1,695 reviews
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$68/night
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705 Cherokee Orchard Road
8.4Very Good1,092 reviews
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2,025 hotels compared
Gatlinburg sits at the northern entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the Parkway downtown, the aquarium, lifts and restaurants are a short walk apart. Hotels up Ski Mountain Road or out toward Glades Road give up that walk, and most evenings start with a drive.
Downtown Parkway runs past Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the Anakeesta entrance and the Gatlinburg SkyPark chairlift. River Road parallels part of the strip beside the Little Pigeon River. Stay central and you can walk to dinner. The Parkway and its parking lots get busy at peak times.
At the south end of town, the Gatlinburg Trail follows the river toward Sugarlands Visitor Center. Beyond Sugarlands, Newfound Gap Road climbs into the park and Little River Road turns toward Elkmont and Cades Cove. A downtown hotel does not put every trailhead within walking distance. Check National Park Service road conditions and parking-tag rules before driving in.
East Parkway leads toward Glades Road and the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. The shops and studios spread around a loop outside the downtown walking core. The trolley reaches that area during part of the year. A car is easier when you want to stop at several studios.
Ski Mountain Road rises toward Ober Gatlinburg. Its aerial tramway begins downtown, so you can visit the mountaintop without driving up the road. Pigeon Forge lies north along the Spur and has a different run of attractions. The two centers are not walking distance apart, so stay in the town where you'll spend your evenings.
Ripley’s Aquarium, Anakeesta and the SkyPark lift are on or just off Parkway. Stay here if you want restaurants and attractions without moving the car every evening. Check the exact block: traffic and parking can add time even on a short trip.
Around here: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Anakeesta, Gatlinburg SkyPark
River Road follows the Little Pigeon River behind the busiest Parkway blocks. The Gatlinburg Trail starts near the south end and leads toward Sugarlands Visitor Center. Pick a hotel here for river walks and park access, but confirm the walk to your preferred downtown restaurants.
Around here: Little Pigeon River, Gatlinburg Trail, Sugarlands Visitor Center
Historic Nature Trail turns east from Parkway toward the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Hotels here can shorten a conference walk and still leave downtown dining nearby. The road climbs away from the strip, so check the slope and actual walking route before choosing a room.
Around here: Gatlinburg Convention Center, Historic Nature Trail, Parkway
East Parkway heads out toward the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community on Glades Road. Choose this side of town for pottery, galleries and a slower driving day. The studios are spread out, and the Arts and Crafts trolley runs seasonally rather than as an all-hours downtown shuttle.
Around here: Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, Glades Road, Mills Park
Ski Mountain Road climbs above town toward Ober Gatlinburg. Hillside hotels sit above the Parkway traffic, but getting back from dinner is a drive unless your hotel has a walking route. The aerial tramway goes from downtown to Ober, so you can leave the car.
Around here: Ober Gatlinburg, Aerial Tramway, Ski Mountain Road
Spring brings mild town walks, but rain is common. Summer days are warm and often wet, while the higher park roads can be cooler than downtown. October has fewer rainy days in the climate normals and draws visitors for fall color. Winter brings cooler town days, and mountain roads can close for weather. Check park conditions before setting out.
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) near Knoxville is the closest commercial airport. Gatlinburg is reached by road: the Parkway (US 441) comes in from the north through Pigeon Forge. Once downtown, many attractions are walkable and the fare-free trolley links more of town, but most national-park trailheads need a car or arranged ride.
40 mi from downtown
Rent a car or arrange a taxi, rideshare or licensed car service. The airport does not run an off-property shuttle to Gatlinburg.
Downtown Parkway. The aquarium, Anakeesta entrance and SkyPark lift are close together. Choose River Road if park access and river walks matter more than the busiest blocks.
Not for a trip that stays in town. Parkway is walkable and the trolley reaches other parts of Gatlinburg. For most Smokies trailheads and Pigeon Forge, drive or arrange a ride.
Gatlinburg's 2,025 hotels go as low as $46. A hotel off Parkway can mean paying to park each time you drive downtown.
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