The Best Thanksgiving Vacation in Gatlinburg

Experience the top six things to do for an unforgettable Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg when you base out of Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg.

Thanksgiving Gatlinburg Margaritaville Fall Drinks

Plan your Thanksgiving getaway in the mountains by staying at the Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg. See the incredible array of fall colors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, experience the best of Gatlinburg, and then immerse yourself in island vibes with dinner and amazing accommodations. Here are the top six things to do in Gatlinburg during Thanksgiving. 

Enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast in Gatlinburg

Take the stress out of Thanksgiving dinner by letting us do the planning and cooking. At Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg, you’ll enjoy a Thanksgiving in Paradise that includes a plated, two-course Thanksgiving feast for you and your family. There’ll be no need for you to look for that lost shaker of salt, as we will have everything ready at your fingertips. Pair our delicious meal with our signature tropical drinks to really get into the island state of mind.

See Fall Leaves at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

With more than 100 native species of trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there’s no better place to see fall’s vibrant array of colors. Enter the park from the nearby Gatlinburg entrance and take a scenic drive to admire mountain sides colored with bright reds, oranges, yellows, and burgundies. Or get out of your car and hike to see the fall foliage up-close.

Experience Changes in Altitude in Gatlinburg

Board the Ober Gatlinburg tram in downtown Gatlinburg for great views and fun activities. There’s the Wildlife Encounter where you can see the resident black bears, foxes, bobcats, and river otters. There’s also mini golf, bumper cars, a carousel, a scenic chairlift, and alpine slide.

Or visit Anakeesta, a theme park in Gatlinburg, where you can climb to the top of the AnaVista Tower for 360 views. On clear days, you can see into three states. And if you’re looking for even more incredible views, there’s also the Gatlinburg SkyBridge where you take a chairlift to access North America’s largest pedestrian cable bridge.

Get an Early Start to Christmas Shopping

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are home to Christmas shops open year-round. Get a head start on your shopping by visiting the area’s best holiday shops. The largest store is Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, which sells festive ornaments, designer-themed trees, and so much more. But don’t miss the smaller shops like Christmas & Collectibles, Santa Claus-et and Christmas & Candle Shop at the Apple Barn.

Warm Up with Locally Made Cider

Take the chill out of the mountain air by stopping at one of the Gatlinburg area’s cideries. Tennessee Cider Company is based in Gatlinburg and Sevierville and offers a range of flavors from blackberry hard cider to carmel apple hard cider. Or head to Apple Barn Cider House in Sevierville, which is part of a larger complex that’s home to a restaurant, Christmas shop, and more.

Attend the Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Festival

For those wanting to get an early start to the holidays, book your stay Nov, 17-19, 2022, for the annual Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Festival. It’s three, bluegrass-packed days filled a number of acts each day at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. You might just find yourself humming “Margaritaville” with a bluegrass twang after attending this festival.

Prepare to fill your Thanksgiving up with wonderful mountain memories at Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg.

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