If you have ever been to the Smokies, you know how many cities there are around the area. We want to share some of the best Smoky Mountain towns you need to experience while you’re in the area. From entertaining things to do to sight seeing, you’ll find plenty of things you should see in these towns in the Smoky Mountains. Here are the top 5 towns in the Smoky Mountains you should visit:
1. Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is one of the top cities near the Smokies you need to experience. The downtown area is also known as The Strip, which is where most of the attractions and restaurants are. You’ll find popular activities, such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the Gatlinburg SkyPark. Gatlinburg is also home to Tennessee’s first pancake house, The Pancake Pantry. If you enjoy learning about mountain culture, then you have to go through the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community. This is the more scenic part of Gatlinburg, and you can actually watch craftsmen and artists at work in their shops along this 8-mile loop.
2. Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is another major town in the Smoky Mountains you’ll want to visit. It's one of the most popular towns near Gatlinburg TN! The most well-known attraction in this city is Dollywood, an exciting theme park with tons of rides, shows, food, and more. The Island in Pigeon Forge is another major attraction where you can go shopping, ride rides, enjoy food, and much more. If you enjoy history, you should visit The Old Mill Square. The grist mill is still operational to this day, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Sevierville
Sevierville is one of the more low-key towns near Gatlinburg TN. There are a ton of shopping complexes where you can spend your day browsing through different stores. A popular destination is right outside of the Sevierville Courthouse; there’s a statue of Dolly Parton people love to take pictures with. There are all kinds of hole-in-the-wall restaurants you’ll want to try in this town as well, such as Graze Burgers. If you love Southern food, good wine, and looking through general stores, you need to visit The Apple Barn. This entertainment complex has two restaurants, a bakery, a candy shop, an ice cream shop, a winery, a cider mill, and a general store you can enjoy.
4. Townsend
Townsend, Tennessee is a quaint little mountain town with incredible scenic views. The main road will take you into the national park in a less populated entrance. It actually puts you pretty close to Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road. If you’re in town on a hot summer day, you can go inner tubing down the river at River Rat. There are also a ton of little mountain shops you can look through. Townsend is known as one of the most peaceful Smoky Mountain towns.
5. Greenbrier
We can’t talk about towns in the Smoky Mountains without mentioning Greenbrier! This is the perfect spot to kick back and relax or enjoy the beauty of the Smokies. And, of course, you can stay at our campground! We have plenty of entertaining things to do, from volleyball to a private swimming hole next to the river.
There are quite a few Smoky Mountain towns near Gatlinburg TN you’ll want to explore. Since our Gatlinburg campground is close to all of them, what better place to stay than with us when you want to explore? Find out more about our campground and our camping options, then start planning your next trip to the Smokies!
