How To Enjoy A Snow Day In Gatlinburg
By Leif Palmer
Posted on February 3, 2021
We just got a bunch of snow dumped on us in Gatlinburg. But in our little vacation community in the Great Smoky Mountain, we know how to make the most of a good snow day, and if you happen to be staying with us in town, or if you're planning on visiting this week, don't let a little frozen precipitation stop you. If you can get here safely (the main roads are pretty clear right now), we can offer you several ideas for how to have fun here in the Burg.
Play in the snow
You might take the Aerial Tramway from downtown to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, where you can spend an entire day or more snow skiing, snowboarding, riding inner tubes downhill and much more. They have clothing and equipment rentals and ski school to get you started, and they also have shopping, dining and indoor attractions just in case you've had your fill of playing outside in the snow.
Warm attraction
There are lots of places in Gatlinburg where you can get out and have some fun without exposing yourself to the elements. Attractions like Star Cars on the Parkway as well as all the Ripley attractions in town (Aquarium of the Smokies, Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, Haunted Adventure and more) will open up your entertainment options while allowing you to stay toasty warm.
A hot meal
The Parkway is also home to dozens of great Gatlinburg restaurants, including The Park Grill, The Peddler Steakhouse, Crockett's Breakfast Camp, T.G.I. Friday's and The Melting Pot. Start your day with a hearty breakfast and cap it off with a juicy steak or fresh seafood.
Snowbound shopping
Lots of awesome retail destinations are within easy reach on a snow day in Gatlinburg. You can wander from shop to shop in the climate-controlled warmth of the Mountain Mall, or enjoy the snow-covered plaza as you check out the stores at Baskins Square Mall. Standalone stores like Nantahala Outdoor Center might be a good place to find the clothing and gear you'll need to weather the storm.
Regardless of how you spend your fun snow day in Gatlinburg, you should have no trouble getting around. The streets are pretty clear, and the trolleys are running, so if you're visiting for the day, just take advantage of our Gatlinburg downtown parking. Everything else you'll need to make a day of it is just footsteps or a trolley ride away.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.