Crumbl Cookies

Most flavors change on a weekly schedule, with a few staples staying put. That means a cookie you read about last month may not be on the tray when you arrive. Check crumblcookies.com or the Crumbl app for the week's flavors before you go. The cookies are large, closer to a personal dessert than a snack, and the flavors range from classic chocolate chip and sugar cookie to more involved options with frostings, fillings and seasonal toppings. Some are served warm and others chilled, so ask at the counter.

The store's current hours and store page are not confirmed, so check the Crumbl store locator or app for the Gatlinburg location before a special trip. Treat the 1100 Parkway address as the last published location and confirm it too.

Crumbl is an easy win with kids and teens, and for couples who want a cookie to split after dinner. A box of four or six also travels well back to a cabin. Prices are in the $ tier per cookie, though a large box can add up.

• Best time: after dinner, when sit-down restaurants have stopped serving but the Parkway is still busy.
• Tip: buy cookies the same day you eat them. Frosted cookies soften and slide in a warm car.
• Group orders: ordering ahead through the app saves time on a busy evening.

The Parkway fills on summer weekends and during October leaf season, and parking is limited, so the free Gatlinburg trolley is the easiest way to get around. If you are finishing a long day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a cookie is a pleasant reward. Remember that the park's parking tag is required for any stop over 15 minutes.

If you prefer something local, Gatlinburg has long-running sweet shops and a Village Shops donut counter that has been serving the town for decades. Crumbl's appeal is novelty and variety, so it makes the most sense when you are happy to try whatever flavors are on the menu that week.