If you’re on the hunt for the perfect bachelorette party destination to celebrate your friend’s upcoming nuptials, look no further than Gatlinburg, TN, a small town in the heart of the Smoky Mountains with no shortage of exciting activities. In this complete guide, we’ll tell you why Gatlinburg is one of the best domestic destinations for girls’ trips in 2024.
From cozy cabins nestled in the woods and thrilling outdoor excursions to an array of delectable dining options and bumping nightclubs, our guide has it all. So, get ready to explore the best the Volunteer State has to offer and make the bride-to-be’s last hurrah a memory that lasts a lifetime. Here’s what we’ll cover:
Explore the great outdoors
Let’s dive into the magic of Gatlinburg!
Like usual, spring and fall will probably be two of the most popular seasons to get hitched in 2024. Coincidentally, those seasons coincide perfectly with the best times to visit Gatlinburg. Most people agree that Gatlinburg is most beautiful in the:
Of course, Gatlinburg is a worthwhile vacation destination at any time of the year, whether you prefer winter sports and activities or warm-weather activities in the summer.
Just keep in mind that you should confirm the hours of operation for any attractions or activities you want to see or do in late winter since there are often closures around this time. For instance, the famed Dollywood theme park closes after the winter holidays every year and doesn’t reopen until March.
Whether the bride-to-be is a country girl, a nature-lovin’ granola girl, or a city gal who is long past due for a break from the hustle and bustle, there’s sure to be a Gatlinburg bachelorette cabin that compliments their style and interests. Here are a few fantastic options and amenities to consider to get you started:
Regardless of what you’re looking for, chances are you’ll be able to reserve a budget-friendly cabin in Gatlinburg from January to March as much as one month before your trip. Although, we don’t recommend waiting until the last minute if you don’t have to since you’re more likely to encounter slim pickings and surge pricing.
The rest of the year tends to be busier, especially the Summer months. That said, you should reserve a cabin six months to a year in advance if you plan to host a bach party between April and December. If you’re planning to fly, we recommend checking how close the airport is to Gatlinburg and your stay so you can plan transportation accordingly.
Next, you can begin building out your itinerary. Here are a few ideas for activities you can try to liven up the upcoming bach bash.
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The Smoky Mountain region is known for beckoning adventurers from around the world to explore its untapped natural beauty and once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Whether your crew prefers hiking, off-roading, or spending a low-key day at the lake — Gatlinburg has something for everyone.
There’s something undeniably magical about conquering a trail with your best friends, supporting one another through challenging moments, and finally, reaching a stunning summit or waterfall.
The Smokies offer a sense of serenity and grandeur perfect for reflecting and connecting even further with the people who know you best. So, embrace the fresh mountain air and take your bachelorette party to new heights.
Several hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park are great for groups looking to get their hearts pumping. Here are a few of our favorites:
Zip through the Smokies to get an exhilarating 360º view of the Smoky Mountains. Ziplining is the perfect adventure for fun-loving souls who love an adrenaline rush and breathtaking sights.
Fortunately, most local ziplining tours offer dual lines, so you and a friend can go down together. Imagine zipping through the treetops, the wind in your hair, and the forest canopy spread out beneath you, all while sharing uncontrollable laughter with your closest friends — there’s really nothing better.
Here are a few of the best places to go ziplining in Gatlinburg:
Buckle up for a wild ride as you traverse the winding, unpaved trails in the Smokies. A jeep tour is an incredible opportunity to have fun, bond and laugh like never before.
Here are a couple of top options for off-road tours in Gatlinburg:
Douglas Lake offers views of an expansive, tree-lined shore, and the reservoir is perfect for outdoor activities like boating, swimming, and sunbathing. Here are a few local watersports companies to help you get out on Douglas Lake Marina.
Ober Mountain is the go-to spot for shredding snow in and around Gatlinburg.
The slopes are open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages. For newbies and casual winter sports enthusiasts, Ober Mountain also rents out gear and equipment for upfront cost savings.
Ober Mountain also offers skiing and snowboarding training. Lessons are extremely beginner-friendly, and the experts who work there teach groups of skiers and snowboarders essentials like gliding, slowing, turning, and stopping.
If it’s anyone in your group’s first time on the slopes, Ober Mountain will require them to complete a lesson to keep everyone safe.
White water rafting in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a fast-paced and scenic adventure. When you book a rafting excursion, you can expect to rush down the roaring Pigeon Forge Rapids surrounded by the lush greenery of the Smokies.
If that sounds like fun to you and your group of thrill-seekers, here are a few companies that can get you set up for a safe ride:
Horseback riding is a serene way to explore the picturesque landscapes of the Great Smoky Mountains. As you saddle up and meander along forested trails, you’ll feel a deep connection with nature and tranquility as your trusty steed carries you past streams and under the canopy of towering trees.
Here are two of the best ranches in Gatlinburg that are leading tours via horseback:
Toast the bride-to-be before the wedding at a Gatlinburg winery or distillery. There are a ton of tantalizing options that offer moonshine, whiskey, and wine tastings.
Here are a few of the best spots for day drinking with the girls.
Ole Smoky Moonshine has a popular seven drinks for a $5 tasting deal. This promotion is the perfect way for you and the girls to find your favorite flavors without spending a lot of money. The Holler, Ole Smoky’s Gatlinburg location, will select the available flavors ahead of time, but they do have a wide variety for sale in-house.
A few of the moonshines they have at the distillery right now are:
Many locals and tourists like the Sugarlands Distilling Company because they host musicians who play live, Appalachian-inspired tunes. However, they also offer a twist on old classics like whiskey, moonshine, and vodka, and their recipes are known to pull a sizable crowd.
You can’t go wrong with any of their drinks, but you should definitely try their Appalachian Sippin’ Creams while you’re in town. These 40-proof cream liqueurs are in high demand and known for sweetening up everything from desserts to drinks.
A few of the Sugarlands Distilling Company’s best Sippin’ Creams flavors are:
Specializing in uniquely flavored wines, the Gatlinburg Winery has earned awards and acclaim. If you like what you taste, you can also join the winery’s subscription-based club to get bottles shipped directly to your door.
When you visit the winery in Gatlinburg, be sure to sample some of their sweet wines such as:
After exploring natural wonders and can’t-miss attractions, hit the town and explore Gatlinburg’s nightlife scene. Complete with vibrant bars, live music, and packed dance floors, you can celebrate the bride’s last hurrah in style.
Whether you’re shuffling at a country bar or shaking your hips at a nightclub, the night is yours for the taking when you step onto the East Tennessee streets.
Loco Burro is the place to be on Tuesday nights. By day, the venue is a popular Mexican Cantina. But one night a week, they bring in a DJ for a night of dancing. With modern hits and an upbeat crowd, this is a high-energy spot to let loose with your friends.
Located at the Island in Pigeon Forge, this island-inspired oasis offers cold drinks and live music. Serving a menu of craft beers and eclectic cocktails, this is a chill place to unwind with friends. This bar does close its doors at 11 p.m., but it’s good for pre-gaming if you’re planning to stay out late or as a last stop if you want to call it quits early.
Funky Buddha is a 21+ sports bar and lounge in Gatlinburg. It’s also one of the few local establishments that stays open until 3 a.m., and it’s a lot of fun whether you want to relax and talk with your friends on the patio or show off your moves on the dance floor.
If you get hungry at night, they also sell appetizers like egg rolls and onion rings and entrees like Snow Crabs and spicy chicken sandwiches.
Whether you’re looking to keep your energy levels up for your next activity, you’re a foodie at heart, or you just want to snap some cute shots for social media — Gatlinburg has plenty of eateries.
From cozy breakfast cafes to bars with live music and greasy food, we have it all.
Drop into the Pancake Pantry for a late breakfast or lunch. This restaurant has been a local staple since the 1960s and has perfected the art of brunch. They serve mouth-watering dishes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Here are just a few tasty menu items that you can order at this specialty restaurant:
If BBQ is calling your name, you have to visit Three Jimmy’s. There, you can find grilled meats like pulled pork, prime beef, chicken, and smoked ribeye and several homemade sides to accompany them.
While you chow down, you can also listen to national musical groups performing pop, country, and southern rock. Or, if you’d rather, you can sit outdoors, catch a breeze, and reminisce with your friends.
Situated in Anakeesta’s Black Bear Village is Cliff Top, an American restaurant that serves steaks, burgers, and craft beers each day. When you visit, consider starting with the Charcuterie Board, which comes with smoked meats and artisan cheeses.
Then, for your meal, you can’t go wrong with The Appalachian Bison Burger, the Mississippi Chimney Top, or the Mt. LeConte Burger.
When you’re done eating, you can stretch your legs in the Vista Gardens or on the suspended canopy Tree Top Skywalk.
Attend a local concert to add a little extra rhythm to the bachelorette celebration.
Gatlinburg offers an array of concert experiences that will have you tapping your toes and dancing the night away. Whether you’re grooving to live country tunes, swaying to folk melodies, or catching a vibrant bluegrass performance, the local music scene in Gatlinburg is a delightful surprise waiting to be discovered.
Ole Red Gatlinburg is a cool place where you can listen to live country music, eat Southern-inspired burgers, sandwiches, or fish, and try cocktails like the Dirty Tractor or Hillbilly Breeze.
Owned by country star Blake Shelton, this local restaurant has quickly established itself as a major venue that gives on-the-rise artists a chance to perform.
Country Tonite is a dynamic two-hour show featuring professional singers, dancers, and musicians. This high-energy production showcases sidesplitting comedy acts, youth performers, and captivating bluegrass, gospel, and patriotic compositions.
Country Tonite presents a wholesome, family-friendly variety show where the cast passionately sings live. If you crave a blend of live music and captivating performances, Country Tonite guarantees an electrifying show, complete with stunning costumes and skilled choreography.
The Soul of Motown’s show is sure to get you grooving in your seat. Performing songs by Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and Gladys Knight, the performers at the Grand Majestic Theater will grace you with the pop and blues sound popularized in 1960s Detroit.
The theater also has a special VIP experience for Bachelorette parties, so you can pre-order food, drinks, and flowers to celebrate the upcoming bride’s wedding.
From exploring the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to strolling through the charming streets of downtown Gatlinburg, this vibrant town offers a wealth of local events, parks, and activities. Here are a few things you can do in Gatlinburg to liven up your stay.
Infuse your bachelorette party plans with a dash of excitement. Axe throwing is a somewhat unconventional activity that will get your adrenaline pumping and give you something to talk about for years to come.
Here are a few places that can help all of you beginners get going:
The Gatlinburg area has amusement parks aplenty. For a day of carnival rides and prizes, stop by Dollywood or Anakeesta. Both offer guests rides, food, and more, making for a fun, full-day adventure.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is something of an aquatic wonderland, and it’s the only aquarium near Gatlinburg.
Here, you and your friends can dive into an immersive underwater world, marveling at the graceful movements of sea creatures in the mesmerizing glass tunnels. You can even visit Ripley’s touch tank for a chance to touch sea creatures like rays, starfish, and moon jellies.
With interactive exhibits, whimsical underwater-themed decor, and the tranquil ambiance of the ocean’s depths, Ripley’s Aquarium is a captivating experience that strikes the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.
Unleash your sleuthing skills as you and your friends step into a world (or room) of mystery. Perfect for those seeking a bachelorette party filled with intrigue and teamwork, these puzzle-packed adventures will inspire an unforgettable bonding experience.
Whether you’re solving a historical mystery, pulling off the heist of the century, or trying to escape a maze, we guarantee you’ll build lasting memories along the way.
So without further ado, here are a few of the best escape rooms in Gatlinburg:
Ladies, if you’re dreaming of a charming getaway with breathtaking views, Gatlinburg’s cabin rentals are your ticket to an enchanting escape.
Imagine waking up to the sun casting golden light over the Smoky Mountains, sharing laughter around a cozy fireplace, and toasting to the bride-to-be under a starlit sky. Gatlinburg boasts an array of cabins that are not only luxurious but also offer unparalleled mountain vistas, creating the perfect backdrop for your celebration.
Here are just a few of the luxury stays Elk Springs Resorts offers for bachelorette parties in Gatlinburg:
Heavenly Heights is an Elk Springs Resort Gatlinburg cabin with five beds and five baths. Complete with a hot tub, theater room, and stunning mountain views, this is a gorgeous luxury cabin that can serve as a home base during the bride’s bachelorette party getaway.
This mansion in the mountains is a hit with most big groups. However, it’s a particularly special place to host a major bachelorette party. Sleeping up to 20 people, you can bring all of your friends along for a major memorable bash. This is a great pre-nuptial getaway with a lit indoor pool and stunning sunset views.
Look no further than this log lodge if you want to stay entertained at home between excursions. Complete with a hot tub and movie theater, there’s plenty for you and your friends to do.
The Serenity Lodge is a lovely escape from the city. Here, you can decompress with your friends before the final crunch leading up to the wedding. With arcade games, a hot tub, and an indoor theater, this is a popular option for bachelorette parties in Gatlinburg.
Rent the Stairway to Heaven and spend your nights laughing with friends. At this cabin, you can have fun swinging around a bonfire, relaxing in a hot tub with views of the Smokies, and hosting movie nights in the home theater. This incredible cabin is perfect for a getaway with your closest friends.
A good bachelorette party is about making memories from the time you leave on your trip until the second you step back into your everyday life. To complete the experience and light up your friends’ final days before they walk down the aisle, splurge on a one-of-a-kind cabin with mountain views and exciting amenities.
Check out some of our favorite vacay rentals that are big hits with bridal parties of all sizes.
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