View of the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg
975 verified placesGatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend

Smoky Mountains trips start with the right base.

Decide where to stay, map the days, and move through the park towns with fewer expensive guesses.

Trip planning order

Choose the base, then fill the days.

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, and Sevierville solve different trips. Start with lodging and driving reality, then shortlist restaurants, hikes, shows, and ticketed stops.

Pick Your Town

The fastest path to a better trip is choosing the right base before booking.

Compare Gatlinburg vs. Pigeon Forge

Spring Wildflowers

Blooming trilliums, dogwoods, and mountain laurels

Best in the Smokies

Highest rated by our community

Best Starting Points

Start with the decisions that shape the rest of the trip.

Get the free checklist

Ticket Deals

Book Attraction Tickets Online

Reserve popular Gatlinburg attractions online before the busiest time slots and same-day prices start climbing.

Mobile ticketsSkip the box officeBook in minutes

Tap any live offer below to open the official ticket checkout for that attraction.

Top Published Places

Showing 300 top picks from 980 published listings

Where to Eat

Restaurants & Cafes139 places

Where to Stay

Hotels & Cabins36 places

Get Outside

Nature & Trails14 places

Things to Do

Fun & Entertainment57 places

Drink & Taste

Breweries & Wineries14 places

Shop Local

Gifts & Crafts5 places

Next planning step

Lock in the right stay before the itinerary gets crowded.

Start with live lodging options, then use the planner and guides to shape the rest of the trip around that base.