When we think of summer, we think of enjoying the sunshine and getting away. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a family vacation, and if you’re looking for the perfect family destination, look no further than Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is a family-friendly city with plenty of attractions, activities, and awesome events to keep you busy all summer long. To get you started, we’ve listed 10 great things going on in Gatlinburg this summer. And these are just a few of the reasons we think Gatlinburg is the right place for your summer getaway this year! Add to these the outdoor fun of horseback riding, biking, hiking, picnicking, fishing, and swimming, and you have a destination fit for the whole family!
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Gatlinburg Farmers Market—Starting mid-May, the Gatlinburg Farmers Market is more than meets the eye. Not only can you enjoy fresh local produce, but you’ll also find homemade gifts and special summertime events, including live music!
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Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales—From June 10 to July 30 this summer, Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales will be playin’ it up on the streets of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This summer-long street performance event features costumed performers, storytellers, and musicians portraying characters from as early as the 19th century. As you shop, eat, and stroll along the Parkway, you’ll get free entertainment and a taste of the mountains!
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Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair—Calling all DIY and Pinterest fanatics! The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is a perfect place for the entire family. Enjoy the products of more than 180 of the finest craftsmen in the country, as well as live country, gospel, and bluegrass music at this exciting event.
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The Back Porch Concert Series— Back for more toe-tapping fun, the Back Porch Concert Series at the Sugarlands Distilling Company promises to impress. Admission is free for this fun Gatlinburg even that brings live music to the Smokies. The 2016 stage brings in names such as The Deslondes, Jacob Thomas Junior, Colin Elmore, and Victor and Penny – just to name a few.
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Free Parkway Trolley—A great feature of Gatlinburg in the summer is its free trolley service for guests along the length of the Parkway. These no-cost, open-air shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from June 10 to August 14, 2016.
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5th Annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival—In August, Gatlinburg will host the 5th Annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival. A great place to enjoy good music and be inspired to write your own, this festival is open to the public and runs August 24 through August 28. Opportunities for songwriters include a song competition, stage spots, a band playoff, and more! Or you can come and listen during 4 days of free music with more than 100 shows to check out in downtown Gatlinburg!
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Swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—What better way is there to cool down in the summer than by jumping into a nice cool pool? And Gatlinburg has access to its own natural swimming holes at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is a great place to bring the whole family and enjoy hikes, picnic tables, and best of all, a refreshing splash in the great outdoors!
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Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park—If fishing sounds more fun than going for a swim, the national park has you covered for that, too! And there’s no better time to fish than right now—in fact, since the Lynn Camp Prong reopened, all streams in the park are open to visitors with a valid fishing license!
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Dollywood’s Splash Country—The national park is not the only place in the Smokies with great options for cooling down. Dollywood’s Splash Country is another family-favorite destination with slides and rides that will please the most thrill-seeking guests as well as splash pads for the little ones. The park opens in May and is open all summer until September.
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Cabins with private pools and community pool access—One of the best reasons to spend your summer getaway in Gatlinburg is so you have a chance to stay at one of our cabins with pools! We have cabins with their own private indoor or outdoor pools and cabins with community pool access. You won’t have to leave your cabin door to have a great time all summer long when you come to Gatlinburg!