Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you may be trying to decide what you will do and where you will eat when you’re in town! There are plenty of fun activities to try when you’re here for the holidays, so there’s something for everyone in your group to enjoy! Check out these 10 things to do and places to eat during Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg:
1. Enjoy Winterfest Lights
2. Visit the Festival of Trees
Get in the spirit of Christmas during Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg! From November 22nd to November 26th, the W. L. Mills Conference Center will be hosting The Festival of Trees for the purpose of raising money for the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund. You will have the opportunity to see showings of beautifully decorated Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes, and your children can create beautiful crafts to bring home, as well as play in the play area! Of course, you can’t forget to take a picture with Santa Claus!
3. Gatlinburg Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show
4. Spend Time at Anakeesta
A great way to spend Thanksgiving weekend is to hang out at Anakeesta! This downtown Gatlinburg attraction provides you with incredible mountain views, a relaxing atmosphere, and plenty of fun activities your family will love! Grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, and pick up a souvenir or two before you head back down the mountain! From November 18th through November 23rd, the attraction is hosting a Thanksgiving Celebration at the Smokehouse, where guests can enjoy a special plated dinner with smoked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans, smoked gouda dressing, and cranberry salad.
5. Gatlinburg Black Friday Shopping
6. Snow Tubing at Ober Mountain
If you are fascinated by playing in the snow, snow tubing at Ober Mountain is a fun activity for your family. Starting mid-November, you can race down the hill on packed snow for a ton of fun! There will also be countless activities including skiing, snowboarding, snow playing for children, snow sporting lessons, snow tubing, and more!
7. Enjoy the Holidays at Gatlinburg SkyPark
8. Smith & Son Corner Kitchen
If you want to have your family and friends’ Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant instead of preparing it yourself, Smith & Son Corner Kitchen is the right fit for you. Choose from crispy fish and chips, sizzling fajitas, or tangy barbeque ribs for your meal. This restaurant also has burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Plus, you can get your favorite beer to go with your meal!
9. The Park Grill
In the heart of the Smoky Mountains is The Park Grill. This particular restaurant will have you feeling cozy with the mountain lodge feel. You can’t go wrong with having ribeye, New York strip, or filet mignon for Thanksgiving. However, if you want a more traditional meal, you can enjoy The Park Grill’s Thanksgiving Feast!
10. No Way Jose’s Cantina
No Way Jose’s Cantina is another restaurant that will be open on Thanksgiving day. Again, if cooking Thanksgiving dinner is not your thing, this is a great place to have a meal with your loved ones! Share the chicken or steak fajitas, try one of the burritos stuffed to the brim and covered in sauce, or get a combo meal if you just can’t decide what you want. Don’t forget to get a margarita or another classic cocktail to go with your delicious meal!
These amazing things to do and places to eat during Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg are only a few of the many activities you can experience. Have you decided where you will stay while you’re in town? Look through our Gatlinburg hotel rooms and book one for your trip!