Here in Gatlinburg, summer is a very special time of year. Vacationers from all over the country flock to our Smoky Mountain city to enjoy the wonderful weather and a variety of seasonal events. To help you plan your summer escape, we have put together a convenient guide to some of the best things to do when you stay at our vacation cabins in Gatlinburg TN.
1. Celebrate July 4th the Gatlinburg Way
If you can make it to Gatlinburg for July 4th, you’re in for a real treat. Independence Day is our favorite holiday, and we’re not afraid to show it! The fun kicks off with the First Independence Day Parade in the Nation, a huge procession through the streets of downtown Gatlinburg that begins at the stroke of midnight on the 4th.
In the morning, visitors and locals alike head down to the Christ in the Smokies bridge on River Road to watch (or participate in) the River Raft Regatta. This one of a kind unmanned raft race is a can’t-miss event! Registration for the race starts at 10 a.m. and the rafts hit the water at noon.
To end the holiday, the city of Gatlinburg bids farewell to the 4th with a spectacular fireworks finale at 10 p.m. The best spots to see the pyrotechnics are around traffic lights #3 and #5, but they will be visible throughout the downtown area.
2. Go Swimming at the Chalet Village Clubhouses
When you stay at our vacation cabins in Gatlinburg TN, you will always have a place to cool off during the dog days of summer. Chalet Village offers a variety of excellent clubhouse pools for the exclusive use of our guests. Whether you relax at our North, South, or Alpine Clubhouse, you will love going for a swim when the weather gets hot. In addition to pools, our clubhouses also come with other fun activities, such as tennis courts, shuffleboard, horseshoes, ping pong, foosball, board games, and more. For a detailed look at all of our community amenities, check out our blog about the Chalet Village clubhouses.
3. Enjoy Free Entertainment in Downtown Gatlinburg
From mid-June through the end of July, downtown Gatlinburg hosts the popular Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales event. As part of this seven week festival, musicians, storytellers, and artisans line The Strip each evening to perform for the crowds. You can expect to hear plenty of country and bluegrass music, along with some stories and legends from Gatlinburg’s past. All of this free entertainment is the perfect complement to a night spent strolling through the downtown area.
4. Have a Barbecue at Your Cabin
Many of our properties come with outdoor grills, so you can have a barbecue right at your cabin. For some locally grown produce, we suggest stopping by the Gatlinburg Farmers Market, which is held on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m until noon at 849 Glades Road. Once you have all of your ingredients, you can fire up the grill and enjoy a delicious meal on your deck. We’re not sure why, but food just seems to taste better when you eat it outdoors in the mountains!
To start planning your summer getaway, browse our complete selection of vacation cabins in Gatlinburg TN.
