Choosing Your Hotel: Tips From The Locals
After helping visitors plan vacations in the Smokies for decades, we've noticed that the best hotel isn't always the highest rated one. The Smoky Mountains area is not lacking in lodging options, so choosing which is best for you comes down to a simpler question: what are you looking to experience here? What are you hoping to get out of your visit? Our small group of local insiders is here to guide you in the right direction.
If You're Visiting Dollywood
Thousands of visitors flock to our beloved hometown theme park every year. If this is a primary focus of your trip, booking a hotel near Dollywood is an easy choice. Staying within 2-3 miles of the park can make the trip there and back much quicker, and because Dollywood isn't far from the parkway, these hotels are still ideal if you want to spend some time at the big attractions on the strip.
Hotels Near Dollywood
Staying On The Parkway
If your goal is to find the best place to stay near all your favorite attractions and shows, you should check out the top hotels on the Pigeon Forge parkway. There are plenty of affordable hotel and motel options that are conveniently located - some even within walking distance - next to the best things to do in the area.
Hotels On The ParkwayTraffic Tips: Parkway hotels have their pros and cons. While staying on the strip will keep you close to numerous popular attractions, it's important to factor in what's happening in the city at the time of your stay. Pigeon Forge traffic on the main drag can get extremely congested during the busiest parts of the year.
One thing first-time visitors don't expect is how dramatically traffic changes during major events. A hotel that's five minutes from Dollywood on a Tuesday afternoon might take 30 minutes to reach during a major event weekend. Be sure to check the car show calendar, and pay close attention to the Spring & Fall Rod Runs dates. Those weekends can bring enormous congestion to the area, making it tough to get around easily.
Staying Near The Mountains
Are the Smoky Mountains calling you to the area? If nearby access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is important to you, consider staying in Townsend or Gatlinburg. These two cities are the closest to the national park. In Gatlinburg especially, you'll be right in the shadows of the incredible 6,593 foot Mt. LeConte itself.
Gatlinburg HotelsWhat about mountain views from the hotel? One of the biggest misconceptions visitors have is that you need to stay high in the mountains to enjoy great views. In reality, the Smokies are so massive that you'll see them from hotels throughout Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and even Knoxville. If mountain views are your priority, don't assume you have to trade convenience for scenery.
Staying in Sevierville
Visitors often overlook Sevierville because they're focused on Pigeon Forge, but that's exactly why many repeat visitors choose it. It's a bit of a hidden gem where you'll usually encounter less traffic, often find better hotel rates, and you're still only a short drive from Pigeon Forge. A hotel in Sevierville is a good fit if you have plans for shopping at Tanger, going ziplining or horseback riding, or visiting a water park.
Sevierville HotelsSmoky Mountains Hotels: FAQ
Is staying in Sevierville the same as staying in Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are different cities connected by one long road, so they often feel like the same place. Sevierville, Dolly Parton's hometown, is similar to Pigeon Forge in that it offers a sprawling amount of things to do, places to eat, and events that come back every year. The city's award-winning attractions and variety of great shops make it a great place to stay for an action-packed vacation.
The great part is: staying in one city doesn't limit you from enjoying the other. They are both easily accessible.
Which is better for hotels: Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg?
That depends on what you're looking to get out of your vacation. If you are interested in hitting a bunch of top attractions or shows & theaters located close to your hotel, Pigeon Forge is probably the better option. If you want more mountain views, walkability, and are interested in more activities in the national park, Gatlinburg is probably the better option.