Thanksgiving season is pretty much perfect here in Gatlinburg. The Great Smoky Mountains turn quiet and golden in late November, and downtown Gatlinburg smells like woodsmoke and cinnamon. The town is only a small mountain destination in the Eastern reaches of Tennessee, but it is positively bustling come Thanksgiving.
If you’re looking for a unique and memorable holiday tradition, consider staying in a treehouse over Thanksgiving. Browse our treehouses now to find a spacious home base to celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy your holiday dinner.
Now, let’s look at why Gatlinburg works so well for Thanksgiving, where to eat if you’d rather not cook, and how to pull off a home-style feast in your treehouse.
Why Gatlinburg Is a Wonderful Place to Spend Thanksgiving
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone
Thanksgiving week sits in a sweet spot for tourism in Gatlinburg, with fewer crowds than you’d expect. Peak fall season draws plenty of visitors, but by the time Turkey Day rolls around, many have already made their trip home, leaving downtown Gatlinburg and the Parkway noticeably calmer than they were in October.
Yes, Gatlinburg still sees visitors during Thanksgiving week, but nowhere near the crowds of peak leaf season or the Christmas rush that shortly follows. But this doesnât mean to say that you wonât see some fall color over Thanksgiving weekend.
Gatlinburg’s lower elevation means pockets of fall color often linger into late November even after the higher ridges have gone bare, and the Little Pigeon River running through downtown makes for an easy, flat walk in search of autumn colors after a big meal. Just pack a warm layer for the evenings, since the mountain air cools off fast once the sun goes down.
Speaking of mountains, Gatlinburg is right on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States. Itâs free to enter year-round, so a scenic drive or short hike is always within reach between meals.
Black bears and other wildlife are often easier to spot along the quieter roads once the crowds thin out, so Thanksgiving is a great time to experience the park.
Finally, one of Gatlinburgâs biggest draws is its cozy holiday atmosphere. Wood smoke drifts from cabin chimneys, string lights start going up along the parkway, and the mountain view outside your treehouse turns a normal Thanksgiving dinner into something worth a few photos.
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg
Not everyone wants to cook on vacation, even when itâs Thanksgiving, and in Gatlinburg, you don’t have to. A number of restaurants in the area stay open on Thanksgiving Day itself.
You’ll probably want to book a table a few days ahead if you have a specific spot in mind, since the sit-down places fill up fast. Here are five reliable options, all mapped out below and within a few minutes of your treehouse stay.
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
- Thanksgiving Hours: 7 AM – 1 PM
- Cuisine: Southern breakfast
- Location: 1103 Parkway
If your Thanksgiving plan starts with a big breakfast before the real feast begins, Crockett’s Breakfast Camp serves griddle cakes, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls in a cozy downtown space. It’s a popular stop, so expect a short wait during the holiday rush.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- Thanksgiving Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Cuisine: American seafood
- Location: 900 Parkway
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. leans into the holiday with a turkey and ham combo plate, traditional sides, and pumpkin pie for dessert. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly choice if you want a full Thanksgiving meal without cooking a single dish. Save room for dessert.
Calhoun’s
- Thanksgiving Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Cuisine: Smoked barbecue and American
- Location: 1004 Parkway #101
Calhoun’s smokes turkey and prime rib in-house, so you still get that delicious, classic Thanksgiving flavor even while eating out.
Takeout holiday packs are usually available too if you’d rather bring dinner back to your rental. This can be a great way to get that Thanksgiving meal while forgoing all the dishes and clean-up it makes.
Chesapeake’s
- Thanksgiving Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Cuisine: Seafood and steaks
- Location: Chesapeake’s
For a more upscale night out, Chesapeake’s serves oysters, crab, and steaks in a nautical-themed dining room. It’s a good pick for a quieter Thanksgiving dinner away from the kids’ table.
Smith & Son Corner Kitchen
- Thanksgiving Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Cuisine: Southern comfort food
- Location: Smith & Son Corner Kitchen
Smith & Son Corner Kitchen keeps things simple with Southern comfort classics like country fried chicken and barbecue. It’s a good backup option if the bigger names are booked solid for the holiday.
Other Dining Options
If you’re looking for a more casual option, Smoky Mountain Brewery downtown keeps its bar, kitchen, and usually some live music going on Thanksgiving, with wings, burgers, and pizza on the menu.
Most local businesses post updated holiday hours online as Thanksgiving gets closer, so you can rest assured youâll find great places to eat on Thanksgiving if youâre happy to forgo the traditional dinner.
For more dining ideas beyond the holiday, our guide to the best restaurants in Gatlinburg and our list of the best breakfast spots in Gatlinburg cover plenty more ground for the rest of your trip.
Keep in mind that parking downtown fills up pretty fast even in the off season, so arrive early if you’re heading in for a reservation.
Cook Your Own Thanksgiving Feast in Your Treehouse Rental
Photo Credit: Roman Samborskyi
If cooking is part of your Thanksgiving tradition, you don’t have to leave it behind just because you’re on vacation. This is one of the major benefits of staying somewhere with a full kitchen rather than a hotel, club, or resort.
Every treehouse at Treehouse Grove features a full kitchen, so you can roast a turkey or bake a pretty pie just like you would at home. Unlike hotels along the parkway, a treehouse gives your whole group its own living space to spread out in, which is definitely the better deal for a bigger family.
A quick stop at a local grocery store on your way in covers anything you forgot to pack, from cranberry sauce to extra pie tins. Food City has locations in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Once the meal is done, the hot tub and deck at your treehouse give you somewhere to unwind that a hotel room simply can’t match. It’s a quieter, more personal way to spend the holiday than in a hotel, and much more exciting for kids.
For more family-friendly ideas for the rest of the trip, take a look at our kid-friendly things to do in Gatlinburg.
More Ways to Spend Thanksgiving Week in the Smokies
Photo Credit: Kristine Crowe
Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg isn’t just about the meal. The days around the holiday are full of easy activities to fill the time in between, and most are just a short drive from downtown. In fact, few things close over the holiday.
Here’s a look at some of the things you can do. Check out our 3-day itinerary for Gatlinburg for more inspiration.
Take the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Best For: A short scenic drive
This narrow, one-way road starts right at the edge of downtown Gatlinburg and winds past old homesteads and mountain streams.
It’s an easy route to see the national park without committing to a full day hike, especially with a car full of relatives of different ages and hiking fitness.
Ride the Gatlinburg SkyLift and SkyBridge
- Location: Gatlinburg SkyPark
- Best For: Mountain views and photos
The incredible SkyLift carries you up over downtown Gatlinburg, and the SkyBridge stretches out over the valley with glass-panel sections built into the walkway.
You can expect awesome panoramic views of one of the most scenic regions in the United States. It’s probably one of the best places to take photos in the area too.
Browse the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
- Location: Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
- Best For: Grabbing some last-minute shopping and gifts
This eight-mile loop of studios and shops just outside downtown Gatlinburg is full of handmade pottery, jewelry, and holiday gifts.
It’s an easy stop if you’re already thinking about gift shopping before the season gets busier, and a quick round of mini golf downtown is an easy add-on if the kids need to burn off energy afterward.
Hit the Slopes at Ober Mountain
- Location: Ober Mountain
- Best For: Early-season skiing and tubing
Ober Mountain often opens its ski slopes and tubing hill right around Thanksgiving, weather permitting. It also has a chairlift ride and aerial tramway with sweeping park views, and these are open year-round. Be sure to visit even if thereâs no snow on the slopes.
Watch Gatlinburg Start to Light Up for the Season
- Location: Gatlinburg winter events
- Best For: Festive atmosphere
Holiday lights typically go up around Gatlinburg in early to mid-November, so you can expect to see twinkling displays throughout Downtown over Thanksgiving weekend. Depending on how long you plan to stay, you might be lucky enough to catch some of the cityâs winter events.
The Convention Center usually kicks off its Festival of Trees display around Thanksgiving. Sometimes Santa makes an appearance downtown around the same time. You may also catch festive displays at popular attractions like Ripleyâs Aquarium of the Smokies.
Check out our guide to Christmas in Gatlinburg to find out more about how the town celebrates the winter season.
Make This Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg One to Remember
With its cozy atmosphere, a national park at your doorstep, and restaurants that stay open when you don’t feel like cooking, Gatlinburg makes an easy case for a holiday destination this time of year.
And if you’d rather handle the cooking yourself, a vacation rental with a full kitchen means Thanksgiving dinner with a mountain view instead of a dining room. Browse treehouses with a kitchen at Treehouse Grove and start planning your Thanksgiving in the Smokies today.
