Gatlinburg, TN is one of the most popular places to take a Thanksgiving getaway! A charming cabin in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains is the perfect place to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. The Gatlinburg area also offers some fun activities around the holiday that you’re sure to love. To help you plan your vacation this November, Chalet Village has put together four tips for celebrating Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg:
1. Book Your Cabin Early
The week of Thanksgiving brings thousands of people to Gatlinburg, so we recommend reserving your cabin as early as possible. Chalet Village offers everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 8 bedroom cabins, so we can accommodate groups of virtually any size. If you have a very large group, you can also rent a few properties that are minutes away from each other in our cabin community. If you have any questions about our cabins, or would like a recommendation, don’t hesitate to give our friendly staff a call!
(See Also: 3 Advantages of Staying at Our Cabins Close to Downtown Gatlinburg)
2. Plan a Feast in Your Cabin or Visit a Local Restaurant
When you spend Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg, you will have a variety of options for your holiday meal. All of our cabins come with fully furnished kitchens, so you can prepare a tasty feast right in your home away from home. There are a number of grocery stores in the area where you can find all of the ingredients you need to whip up your famous pumpkin pie, green bean casserole, or herb stuffing.
However, if you don’t feel like cooking during your vacation, you don’t have to! Many restaurants in the Gatlinburg area offer special holiday meals with all of your favorite dishes and trimmings. Here are some of the local restaurants that are typically open for Thanksgiving:
- Seasons of Ober Loft & Lounge (at Ober Gatlinburg)
- The Park Grill
- Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
- Mama’s Farmhouse
- The Old Mill Restaurant and the Pottery House Café & Grille
We recommend calling your prefered restaurant ahead to confirm Thanksgiving hours and see if they take reservations.
3. Get a Jump on Your Holiday Shopping
The Friday after Thanksgiving is a great time to get started on your Christmas list! The Village Shops and the Mountain Mall in downtown Gatlinburg are two popular shopping spots that are just minutes away from Chalet Village.
For unique handcrafted gifts, you will definitely want to stop by the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Running from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the Sunday after Thanksgiving, this special event showcases products from the artisans in Gatlinburg’s Arts & Crafts Community. You can expect to find paintings, pottery, jewelry, baskets, quilts, dulcimers, and a variety of other handmade wares.
4. Take a Tour of Gatlinburg’s Winterfest Lights
Gatlinburg’s holiday lights are turned on in mid-November, so you will have a chance to see these beautiful displays during your Thanksgiving vacation. Featuring snowmen, local wildlife, and Smoky Mountain scenes, these charming Christmas lights are located throughout the city. To see Gatlinburg’s 3 million LED lights, you can drive around town at night or take a special trolley tour for $5 per person. For more information about the Trolley Ride of Lights, call the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 865-436-0535.
To start planning your Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg, browse our complete selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!
