Curated guides
The best of the Smokies, ranked
33 hand-curated guides drawn from our full database of trails, waterfalls, restaurants and stays, checked against official sources.
Trail guide
15 picks Best Easy Hikes in the Smokies
The most rewarding easy, family-friendly trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the gateway towns: short distances, gentle grades, big payoffs.
15 picks Best Moderate Hikes in the Smokies
Half-day moderate hikes in GSMNP: waterfalls, ridgelines, and historic coves with manageable elevation gain.
14 picks Best Hard Hikes in the Smokies
Strenuous Smokies classics: Mount LeConte, Chimney Tops, Ramsey Cascades, and other big-elevation trails for experienced hikers.
16 picks Best Short Day Hikes in the Smokies
Big payoffs without the big mileage: the best short hikes in GSMNP and the gateway towns, four miles or less one-way.
16 picks Best Full-Day & Long Hikes in the Smokies
Ramsey Cascades, Mount LeConte, and the Smokies' other big-day trails: long, rewarding hikes for fit hikers with an early start.
11 picks Best Loop Hikes in the Smokies
No backtracking: the best loop trails in the Smokies, where the whole hike is new scenery from trailhead to finish.
Waterfall guide
16 picks Best Waterfall Hikes in the Smokies
The Smokies' best waterfall hikes ranked by trail distance: from short strolls to backcountry cascades, with the hike, height, and access details.
15 picks Tallest Waterfalls in the Smokies
The highest waterfalls in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ranked by drop, with directions to each one.
10 picks Easy-to-Reach Roadside Waterfalls
Smokies waterfalls you can reach with little or no hiking: good for families, limited mobility and quick photo stops.
Where to eat
18 picks Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg
Where to eat in Gatlinburg: pancakes, steakhouses, Southern cooking, and date-night spots, from Parkway classics to local favorites.
18 picks Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge
Where to eat in Pigeon Forge: dinner shows, barbecue, breakfast houses, and family restaurants along the Parkway.
12 picks Best Restaurants in Cherokee, NC
Where to eat in Cherokee, NC: casino dining, Southern and Cherokee-influenced cooking, and family spots near the Oconaluftee park entrance.
13 picks Best Breakfast & Pancake Houses in the Smokies
The Smokies are pancake country: here are the best breakfast houses and morning spots in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and beyond.
11 picks Best Steakhouses in the Smokies
Where to find a great steak in the Smokies: the region's standout steakhouses for a hearty mountain dinner.
Best Barbecue in the Smokies
Smoked ribs, pulled pork, and brisket in the Smokies: the gateway towns' best barbecue joints.
12 picks Best Restaurants for a Romantic Dinner
Upscale and special-occasion dining in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee: the Smokies' best spots for a date night or anniversary.
18 picks Best Cheap Eats in the Smokies
Eat well without blowing the budget: affordable casual restaurants, diners, and quick bites across the Smokies gateway towns.
7 picks Best Seafood Restaurants in the Smokies
Fried catfish to crab legs: where to find seafood in the landlocked Smokies, plus the region's famous trout.
18 picks Best Mid-Range Restaurants in the Smokies
Reliable, good-value sit-down restaurants in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee: where most visitors eat best without overpaying.
18 picks Best American & Southern Restaurants in the Smokies
Comfort food done right: the Smokies' best American and Southern restaurants, from country cooking to modern Appalachian.
Attractions
18 picks Best Things to Do in Pigeon Forge (2026)
Dollywood, dinner shows, museums, go-karts, and more: the top attractions in Pigeon Forge for families and groups.
18 picks Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg (2026)
Ride-ups, the SkyBridge, Anakeesta, distilleries, and museums: the top attractions in downtown Gatlinburg.
Best Things to Do in Sevierville (2026)
Quieter than the Parkway towns: the top attractions, outlets, and family stops in Sevierville, Dolly Parton's hometown.
8 picks Best Things to Do in Cherokee, NC (2026)
Cultural sites, the Oconaluftee park gateway, Harrah's, and family attractions on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC.
18 picks Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains (2026)
The top attractions and activities across the Smokies: theme parks, ride-ups, museums, shows, and outdoor adventures in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and beyond.
Camping
Best Campgrounds in the Smokies (2026)
Frontcountry, backcountry, and private campgrounds across GSMNP and the gateway towns: sites, amenities, and reservation tips.
Best RV Campgrounds & Parks (2026)
Where to park the RV near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the national park: full-hookup sites, amenities, and locations.
Best Frontcountry Campgrounds in GSMNP (2026)
Drive-up camping inside the national park: every developed frontcountry campground in GSMNP, with sites, amenities, and reservation tips.
Scenic drives
History
16 picks Best Historic Sites in the Smokies
Pioneer cabins, churches, and grist mills preserved in Cades Cove, Cataloochee, and Roaring Fork: the Smokies' best historic sites.
12 picks Historic Sites in Cades Cove
The pioneer cabins, churches, and the Cable Mill preserved along the Cades Cove loop: what each structure is and its story.
6 picks Historic Sites in Cataloochee Valley
The remote Cataloochee Valley preserves churches, homes, and a school from its Appalachian settlement era: a guide to each historic structure.
Where to stay
Where to stay
Near the Great Smoky Mountains
However you spend your days, compare live cabin and rental prices across the region before the best dates sell out.
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