We recently took a family road trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s the perfect nature-filled getaway and especially beautiful this time of year! Gatlinburg holds a special in our hearts for my family because my parents got married here 30 years ago. It was special traveling back there together. Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. It’s also a charming mountain town with unique restaurants and shops. Check out how we spent our long weekend in Gatlinburg.

Our adventure begins as we hit the road from Nashville to Gatlinburg on Friday morning. The drive is beautiful! The route takes you through scenic Tennessee landscapes, which set the tone for our weekend in the mountains. We arrived at our cabin in the afternoon. We stayed at Treehouse Grove. It’s a cozy treehouse nestled in the mountains. I highly recommend staying here for groups and families. It’s about a 15- 20 minute drive into town and we like how it’s away from the crowds.

One of our favorite family activities was Anakeesta. It’s an adventure park that looks over the mountains. They have many activities like hikes, treetops skywalks, gem mining, and a play gym for kids of all ages. In the evening, we visited the same restaurant my parents did after they got married 30 years ago. 

We walked on many trails along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Along the way, we saw so much wildlife and even a bear!! Cam and Remy love the outdoors so they really enjoyed this part of the trip. They were able to get into the river and enjoy the fresh air.

We decided to explore downtown Gatlinburg one night. The downtown is filled with quirky shops, restaurants, and attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. We ended up taking old-time photos of the boys. I’m so glad we did because the photos turned out adorable and now we have these memories forever. 

If you’re looking for a destination that combines adventure, relaxation, and family bonding, Gatlinburg should be at the top of your list. See below for all of our recommendations from our family road trip weekend in Gatlinburg!

PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

Painted Bear Coffee Co.

Greenbrier Restaurant

Pancake Pantry

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

Anakeesta

Nature Walk along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ripley’s Aquarium

Ober Mountain

WHERE TO STAY

Treehouse Grove