Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is one of my favorite places to stay when we visit the Smoky Mountains each winter.
Carly Caramanna
I’ve visited the Smoky Mountains with my husband every winter for the past 15 years.With large-scale holiday events and snow-capped mountains, this area is perfect for a getaway.There’s so much to do, including visiting museums, going to Dollywood, and dining out.
About 15 years ago, I moved to Nashville and was excited to learn that it was located just a short drive away from Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.
Since then, it’s been a regular trip for my husband and me. Our favorite time to visit is during the winter, and we make a point of doing so every year.
The mountain area is perfect for a couples’ getaway (or family one) with its many activities, eats, and scenic views.
I love the range of hotel options in the area
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is beautiful.
Carly Caramanna
When we visit the Smoky Mountains, we typically stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, the two main tourist towns in the area.
Both have a variety of hotels for a range of budgets.
My favorite in winter is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Its luxe, rustic feel sets the perfect tone for the season, and I love its on-site dining options.
I also love the Margaritaville Island Hotel, which has a year-round tropical vacation feel. Its location is ideal as it has several restaurants and tourist attractions steps away.
The food scene is pretty awesome
Smoky Mountain Brewery has options for those who like beer.
Carly Caramanna
I’ve dined at many restaurants in the area, and my favorite is definitely Smoky Mountain Brewery.
The local spot has its own craft beers on tap and tasty bar classics, like pretzels with housemade beer cheese. There’s often live music, which makes it the perfect place to relax after a busy day.
I also love that Pigeon Forge has several dinner shows to choose from.
Dolly Parton Stampede is a dinner show.
Carly Caramanna
One of my favorites is the Dolly Parton Stampede, which combines a thrilling show with horses and aerial performances with a multicourse meal.
Breakfast is also a huge deal in the Smoky Mountains. The area has tons of impressive breakfast spots, and my favorite is Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe.
Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe has animatronic chickens.
Carly Caramanna
The food is excellent, and the restaurant is highly themed with dozens of animatronic chickens. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been to.
There’s also so much to do in the area
Dollywood’s Christmas celebration is a must-visit for me.
Carly Caramanna
I love Dollywood year-round, but the theme park is extra special during the winter because of its Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.
This time of year, Dollywood is adorned with gorgeous decorations and tons of lights. Plus, the park has special seasonal shows and incredible winter-inspired menus.
As a seasoned theme-park reporter, Dollywood’s holiday celebration is well worth the visit alone — it’s my favorite theme-park event.
While in the area, I’ll also typically stop at the Titanic Museum. I’m continually impressed with how it honors the passengers.
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is quite large.
Carly Caramanna
The exhibits feel top-notch with real artifacts, and my favorite is the tribute to the ship’s onboard musicians.
I particularly enjoy the interactive nature of the museum experience. At check-in, visitors are assigned a passenger, and you learn about them and follow their journey throughout the exhibit to ultimately learn their fate.
There’s no shortage of thrill activities in the area, either. Although I don’t ski, I’m a big fan of indoor snow tubing at Pigeon Forge Snow.
Pigeon Forge Snow is fun for indoor sports.
Carly Caramanna
The indoor snow park is a great spot for anyone who wants to have wintery fun without being outdoors.
Plus, there are great places to shop and walk around
The Island is a fun place to hang out.
Carly Caramanna
I always visit The Island, a large dining and entertainment district that reminds me of Downtown Disney at Disneyland.
Of the many shops and restaurants, one of my favorites is Ole Smoky Moonshine, which offers tours and tastings. The area also has rides, including an observation wheel and SkyFly: Soar America, an attraction similar to Disney’s Soarin’.
When we visit the Smoky Mountains, we also stop in The Christmas Place, which is considered to be the largest Christmas store in the South.
I always pick up something from The Christmas Place.
Carly Caramanna
The massive shop has thousands of ornaments, nutcrackers, and other decor.
Visiting the Smoky Mountains has become my favorite winter tradition
Of course, I must mention how all of these experiences are set against the stunning backdrop of the Smoky Mountains.
The mountains are beautiful all year but particularly pretty in the winter when the tops are capped with snow. Exploring the area in December feels magical, like being inside a real-life Hallmark movie.
I love our annual tradition of visiting East Tennessee. With such a range of activities, each trip offers something new to try.
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