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As winter yields to spring, the Great Smoky Mountains showcase nature’s splendor and Gatlinburg is nestled right in the heart of it all. Spring in Gatlinburg is an ideal time to immerse yourself in beauty while enjoying all Gatlinburg has to offer.
Gatlinburg is a hotspot for family-friendly fun year-round, but the landscape displays distinct flourish when ranges burst with spring wildflowers, cold winds mellow to cool breezes, and golden sunshine spills from clifftops to valleys. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Gatlinburg springtime experiences, including lodging, hiking, and signature attractions.
SETTLE IN
Whether you value location or luxury, convenience or charm, there’s a place for you in Gatlinburg. For large gatherings, cabins and chalets are hard to beat, while treehouses offer unexpected flair and hotels pack amenities. Family-owned and operated Stony Brook Cabins and Mountain Laurel Chalets offer lodging sizes and styles to suit groups of many sizes. Treehouse Grove is a Gatlinburg treasure designed by “Treehouse Master” Pete Nelson. Known for its whimsical flair, these comfortable quarters delight guests of all ages. Gatlinburg hotels and resorts, including Margaritaville Resort and The Greystone Lodge on the River, take family-friendly comfort to the next level.
GET OUTSIDE
Lace up your boots and hit the trails this spring in Gatlinburg. Nature invites you to get outdoors, and swoon-worthy trails are steps away from the heart of town. Professional guides with Smoky Mountain Guided Hikes will lead you on a tour of wildflowers in bloom, while the upcoming 73rd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, April 26-29, is a bucket-list event for native plant enthusiasts.
UP YOUR GAME
Balance out the serene environment with big-time thrills. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, Ober Mountain and Ripley’s serve up easily accessible activities for all ages. In March, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park will go shamrock green and gold, complete with a 30-foot-tall rainbow tree of lights with a pot of gold beneath it. Anakeesta’s Astra Lumina glows up again beginning March 3, lighting up the night in a multi-sensory display. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies hosts memory-making outings including Pancakes & Penguins and Sips & Sharks this March, with advance registration required.
FILL UP
While you’re enjoying the splendors of Spring, don’t forget to fuel your adventures and your belly with tasty cuisine. Take advantage of a beautiful day by having lunch or dinner at a rooftop restaurant like Loco Burro or an outdoor patio at Three Jimmy's or Split Rail Eats. Dine at the top of a mountain at Ober Mountain or Anakeesta. Grab a sweet treat in a take-home mug at The Crazy Mason. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef and cabbage at Boudicca’s Celtic Pub, The Rampant Lion, or The Fox & Parrot Tavern. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Gatlinburg has many unique and delicious restaurants to complete your Springtime vacation.
SHOP AROUND
While you're spending time in Gatlinburg, why not spring for some new clothes, decorations or unique gift items and keepsakes. Gatlinburg might be a small town, but it's not small on its abundance of unique shops no matter what you're looking for. A staple of downtown is The Village with over 25 unique shops offering everything from candles to coffee, boots to backpacking gear, and toys to treasures. You also won't want to miss one of the oldest and most quaint shopping districts in the area, The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which is an 8-mile loop road featuring over 100 artists and craftsmen creating and selling handmade items in their shops along with eateries, lodging, chapels and more along the route. And be sure to visit the Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show at the Convention Center from April 5 - 8.