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Posted by Jon Hoffman in Volunteer Cabin Rentals
Looking forward to a long Thanksgiving weekend? Why not spend it – or the entire week – here in the Great Smoky Mountains?
This fabled Appalachian region provides the perfect setting for a memorable Thanksgiving getaway, complete with crisp fall temps, fabulous food, and magnificent mountain views that seem to stretch on forever.
Here are 7 reasons to visit the Tennessee Smokies over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Meals
The Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area is home to dozens of restaurants, ranging from casual eateries to ultra-fine dining establishments. And many of them serve special holiday fare on Thanksgiving Day itself (Thursday, November 24, 2022).
At The Old Mill Restaurant, for example, you can feast on tender roast turkey, succulent prime rib, and savory sugar-cured ham, along with traditional sides like corn chowder, cornbread dressing, and fritters with real maple butter – all in a picturesque Pigeon Forge setting on the banks of the Little Pigeon River.
After all that festive feasting, you may feel the need for some bracing outdoor exercise. Why not head to an easy-to-moderate trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
If you're traveling with seniors and/or younger kids, you'll enjoy Gatlinburg Trail, which starts off at Sugarlands Visitor Center, then winds around and back through 3.9 scenic miles, with an elevation gain of only 235 feet. Hike another half mile on a side trail to view beautiful Cataract Falls.
Thanksgiving is an all-American holiday, so why not explore some authentic US history while you're celebrating? Hike easy nearby trails to discover 19th-century homesteads like the Noah “Bud” Ogle house, the Walker sisters' home, and the John Messer cantilever barn. (You'll find these well-preserved structures on the Noah “Bud” Ogle Self-Guiding Trail, the Little Brier Gap Trail, and the Porters Creek Trail, respectively.)
By late November, most of the Smokies' deciduous trees have shed their leaves, so you can glimpse wide-open vistas in all directions.
For a special viewing experience, take the legendary Chondola – or ride in the new Ridge Rambler passenger trucks – 600 feet uphill to reach Anakeesta, Gatlinburg's mountaintop attraction. Then stroll the spacious observation deck to take in spectacular 360° views.
Hankering for even more impressive views? Climb the 86 enclosed steps inside Anakeesta's AnaVista Observation Tower. From the top deck you can see as far away as Kentucky!
Seeking the perfect holiday gifts for all those hard-to-please folks on your gift list? Come to the Gatlinburg Convention Center between November 22 and 27, 2022, for the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show, where you'll find hundreds of handmade treasures skillfully crafted by the gifted artisans of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community.
Browse fascinating exhibits featuring everything from quilts, baskets, and pottery to handcrafted jewelry, old-fashioned straw brooms, hand-dipped candles, and exquisite hand-tooled leatherwork. It's all for sale, so come prepared to stock up.
Looking for family-friendly entertainment over Thanksgiving weekend? Take in a legendary dinner show like Dolly Parton's Stampede or the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, both open on Thanksgiving Day. Or kick off the Christmas season with a holiday-themed show at the Smoky Mountain Opry or Country Tonite Theater.
You'll find so much more to see and do during your Thanksgiving Smokies getaway – including Smoky Mountain Winterfest, with its millions of magical lights. Contact Volunteer Cabin Rentals today to book your cozy, comfortable cabin just minutes from all the fun.
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