{"id":5366,"date":"2019-03-26T23:14:48","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T03:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/?p=5366"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:46:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:46:03","slug":"the-beginners-guide-to-gatlinburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/advice\/the-beginners-guide-to-gatlinburg.htm","title":{"rendered":"The Beginner\u2019s Guide to Gatlinburg"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting ready for your first trip to Gatlinburg<\/a> or Pigeon Forge<\/a> in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee? Don\u2019t worry \u2013 we\u2019ve got you covered. We\u2019ve been managing vacation rental cabins, exploring, living in, and loving the Smokies for a long time. We LOVE the attractions, the cozy cabins, the gorgeous scenery, the annual events, the variety of food, the music\u2026well, EVERYTHING about the Smoky Mountains! We\u2019ve also spent a lot of time playing tourist, so we know the ins and outs of vacationing here too.<\/p>\n

So if you need some tips for getting around Gatlinburg, ideas on what to do and eat while you\u2019re here, or a list of where to shop and explore, we have it all. Read on for your easy and quick Beginner\u2019s Guide to Gatlinburg!<\/p>\n

Getting Around Gatlinburg<\/a> (& Pigeon Forge)<\/strong>
\nNavigating Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge can really be quite easy \u2013 if you know what to do. Luckily, you have several options for getting around Gatlinburg too. If you\u2019ll be driving your car or a rental car<\/strong>, be sure to check which events will be happening during your stay so you can prepare for traffic and decide when you\u2019ll be getting out and about. Traffic lights are numbered along the Parkway (the main strip through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge), so it\u2019s easy to know where you\u2019re going. Many attractions, restaurants, and shops are peppered in plain sight along the main roads, so driving along and deciding what you want to do as you go is easy as well!<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want to do your own driving<\/strong>, no worries! The Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Trolleys make navigating the Smokies so much easier! They\u2019re also very budget friendly, with fares starting at just $0.50. The trolleys (Gatlinburg Trolley and Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley<\/a>) have tons of stops at major attractions and areas in the Smokies, so it won\u2019t be hard to use this as your main source of transportation if you\u2019re doing a lot of exploring downtown.<\/p>\n

Of course, you can always park your car and walk in Gatlinburg<\/strong>, because so many activities are right next to each other along the Parkway. Places like The Island in Pigeon Forge<\/strong> and The Village Shops<\/strong> in downtown Gatlinburg can provide hours of fun \u2013 all while walking around!<\/p>\n

Making Vacay Easy<\/strong>
\nThe Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau has an app that makes Smoky Mountain vacations easier. It\u2019s free and features info about events, attractions, restaurants, maps, and more. You can also check out our Cabins for YOU blog<\/a> for more information about everything you could want to know about the Smoky Mountains! We have new ideas, tips, and cabin updates each week, so always check back for something new!<\/p>\n

What to Pack for the Mountains<\/strong>
\nThe weather can change quickly in the mountains, so light layers always seem to be the best bet. This is also great if you\u2019ll be hiking! So a quick rundown of some things you\u2019ll want to bring along:<\/p>\n