The winter season is an awesome time to visit Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Between the fun winter sports like skiing to the less crowded hiking trails, you won’t want to miss the adventure of the colder weather and the chance to warm up over a cozy dinner and drinks! Keep reading to discover things to do in Gatlinburg for adults before winter is over:
1. Experience snow in Cades Cove
If you’re lucky enough to visit the Smoky Mountains when it has snowed, you’ll definitely want to explore the national park, especially Cades Cove. The historic cabins, barns, and other buildings are extra beautiful when covered in a blanket of snow! The scenic loop road is open year-round, but make sure to check road closures ahead of time, just in case!
2. Ride a ski lift.
Gatlinburg SkyPark and Anakeesta are just a couple of the area attractions that offer a ski lift to the top of the mountain. If you feel like it’s too cold but still want to experience the incredible views, take Ober’s Aerial Tramway instead! The heated, enclosed cars are comfortable and still provide clear views of the Smoky Mountain scenery. If there’s snow on the ground, the view will be even better!
3. Snow tubing at Ober Mountain
Probably one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg for adults is participating in the many winter activities at Ober Mountain! There’s skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, with space for all experience levels to be able to have a good time. You can even take lessons to build your confidence before heading out onto the slopes. Inside, there are shopping and dining opportunities, in addition to a large indoor ice skating rink!
4. Smoky Mountain winter hiking
You may have hiked to a beautiful waterfall in the summertime, but have you ever seen a cascading fall during the winter? Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, and Cataract Falls are just a few of the hiking trails in the Smokies accessible in the winter. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful ice formations and beauty of the Smokies during this season!
5. Dinner and drinks at The Greenbrier
There’s no better way to warm up than a hot meal! The Greenbrier menu is a chef-driven menu with dry-aged steak, crispy skin salmon, seared duck, and stuffed trout, just to name a few of the mouthwatering entrees. Greenbrier starters include hot oysters, mussels, shrimp cocktail, and more. You can also choose from a variety of sides to complement your protein of choice, such as mushroom risotto, pommes frites, roasted asparagus, and more. Paired with a glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail, a meal at our cozy lodge restaurant in Gatlinburg will surely be an unforgettable dining experience!
Now you know about some of the best things to do in Gatlinburg for adults and why you should add a meal at The Greenbrier to your schedule. Get more ideas for fun activities with the help of our itinerary for the ultimate Gatlinburg weekend getaway!
