4 Steps for Celebrating Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains
Every year, thousands of people come to Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains to celebrate Thanksgiving. Located just a day’s drive from 60% of the nation’s population, the Smokies are the perfect meeting place for families with far-flung relatives. Offering spectacular natural beauty, great restaurants, and hundreds of fun attractions, the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are the ultimate holiday destinations. To help you plan your Turkey Day getaway, Smoky Mountain Chalet Rentals has put together the following steps for enjoying Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains.
1. Reach Out to Relatives ASAP
As noted above, visiting the Smoky Mountains is very popular for Thanksgiving, so you will want to make your plans as early as you can. The first step is to contact your relatives to determine who will be joining you on your holiday vacation. Once you have a final headcount, you can choose where you would like to stay.
2. Pick the Right Cabin
Smoky Mountain Chalet Rentals has a great selection of properties that are ideal for a Thanksgiving celebration. If you will be traveling with a large group, consider renting a 6 bedroom cabin that can accommodate up to 12 adults and 6 children (12 and under). Another great option is renting a number of smaller cabins that are located near one another.
Of course, if you’re planning a more intimate holiday escape with just your immediate family, we also have a number of superb 1 bedroom cabins in the Smoky Mountains that can sleep up to 4 guests. If you have any questions about our vacation rentals, or you would like a cabin recommendation, don’t hesitate to give our friendly staff a call!
3. Plan Dinner in Your Cabin or in Town
When you spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains, you will have the option of preparing a meal right in your cabin or dining out in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. All of our properties come with fully furnished kitchens, so you can whip up a delicious Thanksgiving meal with all of your favorite dishes. There are a number of grocery stores close to our cabins where you will find all of the ingredients you need.
If you would prefer to take the day off from cooking, you can enjoy your holiday feast at one of the excellent restaurants in the Smoky Mountain area. Here are a few of the local restaurants that typically offer Thanksgiving meals:
- The Old Mill Restaurant/The Old Mill Pottery House Café and Grille
- Mama’s Farmhouse
- Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
4. Enjoy the Local Festivities
After you’ve eaten until your heart’s content, be sure to enjoy some of the local holiday fun in the Smokies. Here are a few things you won’t want to miss:
- Fireworks at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge on Thanksgiving evening at 7 p.m.
- Beautiful holiday lights throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
- Amazing Black Friday shopping at the Tanger Outlets, The Island, The Old Mill Square, and The Village in downtown Gatlinburg.
To start planning your Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains, browse our complete selection of Smoky Mountain cabin rentals!