Winter is one of the best times to visit Gatlinburg as there are fewer visitors in town, but nearly all of the local attractions, restaurants, and shops are still open for business as usual. This is the perfect time to explore the trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park or to explore the unique stores in downtown Gatlinburg! While the winter weather is generally moderate in the Smokies, you can easily warm up if you experience some chilly temperatures during your stay. Here are 4 great ways to stay warm during a winter vacation to Gatlinburg:
1. Enjoy the Fireplace at the Nantahala Outdoor Center
Our hotel is practically right next door to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which makes a great first stop on your vacation to Gatlinburg! This huge store offers everything necessary to enjoy excursions into the Smokies, including a complete lineup of gear, footwear, and apparel. While you are exploring this fun and unique store, you will find a giant fireplace that is perfect for warming up on cool days. The Nantahala Outdoor Center also features a swinging rope bridge and a kid-friendly bear cave your children can enjoy as you relax by the fireplace.
2. Visit An Indoor Attraction
One of the awesome things about a winter vacation to Gatlinburg is you will find plenty of exciting indoor attractions to visit on chilly days! This is the ideal opportunity to experience Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where you can experience the warmth of the Tropical Rainforest exhibit or travel inside of a tunnel while being surrounded by sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays! Some of the other popular indoor attractions in Gatlinburg include the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, Fannie Farkle’s, Arcadia, Gatlin’s Fun Center, and the Mysterious Mansion.
3. Treat Yourself to a Hot Meal
No vacation to Gatlinburg is complete without sampling some of the local cuisine, so treat yourself to a hot meal to warm up on a cold winter afternoon! Whether you have a taste for steak, seafood, pizza, or good ole’ fashioned barbeque, you will find dozens of fantastic options just steps away from our hotel! If you don’t feel like walking far, just head right next door to Calhoun’s where you can enjoy fresh ground burgers, sandwiches, barbeque, streaks, and more! Some of the other restaurants within close walking distance of our hotel include the Park Grill, Cherokee Grill, Luigi’s Pizza, Peddler Steakhouse, and Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que.
4. Use the Hot Tub At Our Hotel
When you stay at our hotel this winter, it is easy to stay warm by taking advantage of our indoor heated pool and hot tub! Let the water soothe your muscles and put you into a complete state of relaxation. This feels especially wonderful after a hike through Great Smoky Mountains National Park or a stroll through downtown Gatlinburg!
Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in downtown Gatlinburg today to plan your winter vacation to Gatlinburg! We look forward to seeing you soon!