Needing some guidance please. My girls and I are going to stay for just a few days next week. We're all adults but my youngest is moderate to severely autistic. She eats most breakfast foods but I was wondering what places would be good for late lunch/early supper. Places that aren't too 'fussy' and serve kid approved fare. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions!

Information about the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Tuckasegee Excursion.

ANYTHING I SHOULD ADD/REMOVE FROM MY LIST ?

THINGS TO DO🎢
Anakeesta
Comedy barn
Stars & card museum
Fannie farkles
Arcadia
Gatlins escape room
Gatlinburg magic lights
Dollywood
Alcatraz east museum
The island

FOOD/TREATS🍔
Crocketts breakfast camp
Five oaks farm house
Donut friar
Frizzle chicken
Mellow mushroom
Local goat
Cherokee grill
No way Jose
Best Italian
Tom and earls
Genos pizza
Log cabin pancake house-l
Bullfish grill
Flapjacks pancake cabin
Old mill candy kitchen
Moonshine mountain cookies and ice cream
Lacreme cheesecakes
Coffee
Applewood farmhouse
Azul cantina
Five oaks farm kitchen

I am trying to plan a visit to Galtinburg/GSMNP for next spring. Thinking either April or May. My question is what are the crowds like that time of year and is the weather usually pretty mild? Is there an obvious problem that I am missing or something I should know about visiting in the late Spring? I am trying to get there before schools get out and the park fills up.

Gregory Raucoules - WATE:

A bear found fatally shot in Gatlinburg over the weekend had previously been involved in several potentially dangerous human-bear conflicts.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Assistant Public Relations Chief Chelsey Sexton said that a bear was found deceased with a small-caliber bullet wound in its abdomen on Oct. 9.

Wildlife officials had received multiple reports of human-bear conflicts involving this bear, including breaking vehicle windows and entering buildings and homes. It was captured and removed from the roof of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Gatlinburg last November.

Thread: Black bear draws a crowd after getting stuck on a roof in downtown Gatlinburg

Sexton said that it’s unclear if the bear was shot by a hunter or someone frustrated by its behavior, adding that bears often travel long distances and succumb to injuries days later.

Due to its behavior and the risk to public safety, the TWRA had previously attempted to capture the bear and humanely euthanize it but was unsuccessful.

It is illegal in Tennessee to wound an animal with no intent to recover it. Bear hunting season is currently open in Sevier County and is used by the TWRA to sustainably manage the species population.

There have been 61 bears that have had to be humanely killed in Sevier County this year because of human-bear conflicts, more than double the total number of bears by the TWRA in 2025.

Related threads:

13 days ago - TWRA: 60 bears euthanized in Sevier County due to human conflicts in 2026

September - Parkway Panda Sighting

August - Parkway Panda Sighting

August - Update 4: Collective action on prohibiting black bear interactions

1 year ago - "Irresponsible behavior" - TWRA reacts to viral video of bear in Gatlinburg

We planned a friends trip to Gatlinburg in 2 weeks. I wanted to take my Subaru STi but then got to thinking roads there must be terrible at Helene.

We plan on being around downtown, skybridge, Alcatraz, titanic museum, the island.

Would love to get photos of the Subaru up there. Is it worth it or should I get a rental. Also thinking about traffic, parking, and stuff.

If I do take it, photo spot recommendations are welcome!

Also, I would like to know what something wr can do for the day at the Smokies national Park. We are a family with the youngest five years old we would like to see nice views without having to go through any crazy hikes

Hey y’all! My family is going to Gatlinburg in late October (22-25) and are looking for ideas for fun. We go yearly but we always just hike or do other outdoorsy stuff. The catch is that this year, I recently had knee surgery so we’re trying to find fun stuff to do that doesn’t involve a bunch of physical activity (walking on leveled terrain is fine). I’m not on crutches anymore but I get tired very easily and stairs are a major struggle.

Follow up to that, getting on the ski lift thing will be difficult for me so does anyone know how long the wait usually is for the enclosed skyliner-esque things at Anakeesta now? It was fairly long last time we went but I’ve heard they added more.

By the way, I’m labeling this as disability friendly because my surgery was for a disability! Not being insensitive!

Hey everyone! We’re planning another trip to the Smokies and looking for recommendations around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

We’ve visited before and already love things like The Island, several shows, go-karts and arcades, shopping the strips and Tanger Outlets, Bass Pro Shops, Ripley’s Aquarium, and some local food favorites like Local Goat, Log Cabin Pancake House, Bennett’s BBQ, and The Chocolate Monkey. Local Goat is one of our favorites, although it’s always so packed that we rarely get to eat there!

This time, we’re going with family and want everyone to have a great time. We’re a family of four with two toddlers, so we’re hoping to find new things that both the kids and adults will enjoy.

We’re especially looking for:

Activities and attractions beyond the usual things we’ve already done. We’ve seen most of the shows and aren’t looking for another one this trip. We enjoy go karts and arcades so definitely recommend your favorites that have the best deals, etc.

Restaurants and local favorites worth trying, from breakfast and casual dining to great desserts. We don’t drink anymore so don’t really need recommendations on bars or distilleries.

Hidden gems and underrated experiences that visitors might overlook.

I know vacation planning can get overwhelming with so many options, so I’m hoping to gather genuine recommendations in one place: not just to help our family plan a great trip, but to create a useful thread that other families and future visitors can come back to when planning their own Smokies vacations!
Thanks for sharing your favorites and helping us discover something new!

News Release Date: October 9, 2026
Contact: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

GATLINBURG, Tennessee - Beginning today, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m., Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road due to expected strong winds associated with Hurricane Isaias and the potential for downed trees and debris. Additionally, Balsam Mountain Campground will close today at 5 p.m. 

The park advises visitors to prepare for weather impacts from Hurricane Isaias this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the area beginning Oct. 9 with potential for 70 mph wind gusts forecast on the Tennessee side of the park. Moderate rainfall is expected across the park. 

For those looking for an alternative to Balsam Mountain Campground, campsites are available at Smokemont and Deep Creek campgrounds.  

All visitors are urged to monitor weather conditions, stay up to date with park alerts and use caution while traveling or recreating in the park. For the latest information on current conditions and closures, visit the park's current conditions webpage. 

Hello - Has anyone been hearing about danger or risk related to the hurricane this weekend? I am good with some rain, but recognize that two years ago, the Appalachians got wrecked and there was some real danger in places like western NC.

Just trying to assess what folks are hearing. THanks!!

^{From the City of Gatlinburg:}

Gatlinburg is turning up the volume on the holidays with the debut of the Gatlinburg Christmas Concert, featuring ’80s favorites Tiffany and Matthew & Gunnar NELSON. The concert adds a new experience to a festive two-day celebration filled with music, nostalgia, and Christmas cheer in the Smokies, kicking off Friday night with Gatlinburg’s beloved Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade and continuing Saturday evening with a special concert.

Tiffany and twin brothers Matthew & Gunnar Nelson will lead the 51st Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade as Grand Marshals on Friday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m. The annual parade transforms downtown Gatlinburg into a festive celebration featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, larger-than-life balloons and holiday entertainment.

The celebration continues the following night with the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 5, from 8–10 p.m. at Mills Auditorium. Tiffany and Matthew & Gunnar Nelson will take the stage to perform the songs that made them famous along with holiday favorites.

Tiffany became one of the defining voices of late-1980s pop with hits including “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been” and “I Saw Him Standing There.” Her chart-topping “I Think We’re Alone Now” has also reached a new generation of fans through its appearance in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Tiffany continues to record new music and perform for audiences around the world.

As NELSON Matthew and Gunnar rose to fame with their multi-platinum debut album After the Rain, led by the No. 1 hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection.” The album also produced favorites including “After the Rain,” “More Than Ever” and “Only Time Will Tell.” The brothers continue to tour and perform while carrying on the musical legacy of the Nelson family and have released a best-selling autobiography, What Happened To Your Hair, out now.

Together, the Grand Marshal appearance and new Fantasy of Lights Christmas Concert create a full weekend of holiday entertainment, giving visitors even more reason to experience Christmas in Gatlinburg.

Tickets for the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Concert are now on sale. Reserved Seating: $30, Premium Reserved Seating: $40

EVENT DETAILS

51st Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Friday, December 4, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Grand Marshals: Tiffany and Matthew and Gunnar NELSON
Downtown Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Christmas Concert Featuring Tiffany and Matthew and Gunnar NELSON
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 8–10 p.m.
Gatlinburg Convention Center - Mills Auditorium
234 Airport Road, Gatlinburg, TN

What’s new at Gatlinburg Sky Park.

We leave on our trip tomorrow and get to gatlinburg Friday evening. We had planned to go to anakeesta but it seems it will be raining Saturday and Sunday. Sunday morning I planned hillbilly golf. Both options won’t be as fun in the rain- so I need help. I have an 8 and 10 year old, and my husband and I don’t drink or gamble. I would ideally like to be able to see the most landscape of Tennessee while entertaining the kids (that’s why I wanted those 2 places-enjoy the views of Tennessee landscape while playing mini golf and walking the treetop rope bridges)

We have NEVER been to Tennessee either. Let me know what I should look into!

Hi everyone!

In December, my boyfriend and I are coming down for 4 nights and three days and are super excited. But I am looking for three recommendations in particular..

1) The best fried chicken
2) The best pancakes
3) The best putt putt course open in December (we are huge putt putt fans!)

Also, just go ahead and tell me yalls favorite things to do while there! 😂

I appreciate anybody’s feedback, thanks everyone!

😄

Hi,

Coming down for a celebration. Are there any places to dance Salsa? I tried Sevier Salsa Dance, but didn’t have any luck!

The new, free Dolly tour is opening on October 16th.

https://indollysfootsteps.com/

Hello Gatlinburg! I’ll be visiting your lovely city for the first time this week for my wife’s birthday and she really wants to eat dinner at Heirloom. The issue is, we have a group of 7 and their website says to call the restaurant for groups of 7 or more. The problem is, I’ve emailed, I’ve used the form on their site, and I’ve been calling every day between 5-9pm but nobody answers and their voicemail is full. I really want to set this up for my wife but I’m having a difficult time trying to get through to them. Can anyone help me figure out how to get reservations at Heirloom? Thank you so much!!!

Hey there, my dad and I are visiting Gatlinburg in mid November and I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for an outfitter that has hunting guides? So far I’ve only seen ranches that have multiple day hunts but we’re just looking for a half or whole day with our own lodging elsewhere. If they offer gun rentals that would be stellar but not necessary. Deer and/or game birds.

Alternatively, any recommendations for outdoor ranges within an hour drive?

In this episode of What's Up Gatlinburg, Erik Dobell and Mike Fowler interview Brian Hoffman who does a Red Skelton tribute show called Remembering Red in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

We learn about Brian's looooooooong and inspiring journey from Las Vegas to the Smoky Mountains and the emotional story of how he started doing a Red Skelton show in the first place.