Best Places To Make Christmas Memories In The Smoky Mountains
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moky Mountains
Christmas in the Smoky Mountains is a magical experience. My visit to the Smoky Mountains during the Christmas season was one that I will cherish forever. I now find myself planning an extended family vacation to this area of the country.
Tennessee is the best state to make Christmas memories in the Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlingburg all offer incredible Christmas experiences. BONUS: Pigeon Forge sits in the middle of all the fun, making it easy to visit all three towns.
*Thank you to Tennessee Tourism, Visit Sevierville, Visit Pigeon Forge, and Visit Gatlingburg for their hospitality while hosting me in their area.
Dollywood
2700 Parks Blvd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
800-365-5996
Website: Dollywood
As a season pass holder to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, I was curious as to how Dollywood compared. Christmas is magical in Branson and it was in Dollywood, as well. The Dollywood Express, an authentic 110-ton coal-fed steam engine is all decked out for the season, adding magic to your five mile journey through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
My friends and I did wait for more than 45 minutes to ride the train and I would do it again. Christmas is magical at Dollywood, take it all in and enjoy the magic.
As darkness sets in, the holiday lights shine brightly throughout the park. Listen and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas, as they are around every corner in Dollywood.
I would highly suggest that you wait to leave the park at closing time. Santa Claus came out on the top deck of the building near the exit, 10 minutes prior to closing. Dollywood makes Christmas memories in the Smoky Mountains extra memorable.
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Anakeesta
576 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-325-2400
Website: Anakeesta
Anakeesta is an award-winning theme park that towers over the town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. More than one million twinkling lights come alive between November 15 through January 5, 2025. An Enchanted Christmas will welcome you, with multiple musical shows daily; including the Anakeesta Carolers.
Best Christmas Lights In The South
I had the opportunity to experience Astra Lumina, an enchanted night walk amongst the stars. Astra Lumina at Anakeesta is the 15th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series and it’s the first of its kind in the United States.
Take a ride on the chairlift to the top and let the Christmas season lure you in. I did not have time to begin my day exploring this mountain top during daylight. I’d suggest arriving mid-afternoon, so you can experience the mountain top during daylight. I would recommend that you stay until closing, after sunset, to experience the holiday magic that comes to life.
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Skyland Ranch
1620 Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
865-737-2624
Website: Skyland Ranch
Skyland Ranch was an incredible surprise. We arrived by chairlift with two hours to spare. The ride up the chair lift is an experience in itself, offering stunning views of the ranch from below and the breathtaking descene. The view of Sevierville is truly awe-inspiring.
A highlight for me was the miniature farm animals at the top of the mountain. The miniature cow quickly won me over.
Christmas was everywhere during my visit in November, making this a fantastic place to make magical Christmas memories in the Great Smoky Mountains.
I was brave and took a ride on The Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster, the longest mountain coaster in the Southeast. This was one of the best eight minutes of my life in November!
If you have not taken a ride on a mountain coaster, I’d highly recommend doing it. The coaster is all decked out for Christmas, and the extra sparkling lights make the ride in the dark one of the best outdoor experiences in Eastern Tennessee.
Wilderness at the Smokies Resort
1424 Old Knoxville Hwy
Sevierville, TN 37876
877-325-9453
Website: Wilderness At The Smokies
The Wilderness At The Smokies is more than a resort. A highlight over the holidays is to ice skate. 2024 has turned out the year where I have done many things that I never expected to be doing. It had been more than 40 years since I had laced up a pair of ice skates.
My right foot is dropped (it has been dropped for 19 years) and it made putting on the ice skates a little more challenging. I was elated when I finally laced them up. It felt good to be up on them and relive my younger days for a few minutes. You may be asking, “How is ice skating possible at this resort?” I have the answer.
November 8 through January 13, 2025, you can ice skate on a 3,200 square foot outdoor wave pool. The resort converts the outdoor wave pool into a majestic ice skating rink over the holidays. If you are staying on the property, you can book an ice skating package for your ultimate ice skating experience. If you want to drive up to the resort and ice skate, you can also do that. Public admission is available alls eason long. If possible, I would suggest booking your ice skating experience ahead of time. Many special events sell out, plan accordingly.
Shadracks Christmas Wonderland
175 Gists Creed Rd
Sevierville, TN 37876
Website: Shadrack Christmas/Sevierville-TN
A family-favorite of many, Shadracks Christmas Wonderland will bring smiles to everyone in your car. Load up your family and drive through one of the most magical drive-thru holiday light shows in the country. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes, including Jingle Bells. The North Pole is featured, as Santa is working along his elves preparing for the big night. The show begins nightly through January 5, 2025, at 6 pm and runs until 10 pm (later on weekends). Rain or shine…. the show goes on. Purchase your tickets ahead of time and be ready to make more Christmas memories in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
3849 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-453-4400
Website: Dolly Parton’s Stampede/Pigeon Forge
Dolly Parton is a staple in the Great Smoky Mountain region. I have always enjoyed Dolly Parton’s Stampeded in Branson and I knew I would love the show in Pigeon Forge. Christmas is an extra magical time of year to enjoy dinner and a show at the World’s Most Visited Dinner Show Attraction. New for 2025 is ice skating. Yes, you read that correct. You can still experience the wonderful horses, fun competition, delicious food, and the celebration of Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede over the Christmas season. Due to its popularity, I’d highly recommed purchasing your tickets ahead of time. You will dine on a whole chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob and so much more….. Arrive hungry, as you will be glad you did.
Stay In A Cabin In The Mountains
Eagles Ridge Resort
2740 Florence Dr.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
866-369-2946
Website: Eagles Ridge Resort
Eagles Ridge Resort offers beautiful, luxurious cabins for you to call home when exploring the Great Smoky Mountains. Your cabin can be as luxurious as you want. Your lodging experience adds to making magical Christmas memories in the Smoky Mountains. Reserve Eagle Falls Cabin 823 Here.
I stayed in a cabin with my friend Robin and it offered all the coziness of home and more. The outdoor screened in porch on the upper level offered an additional gathering space, including a fire place. The indoor and outdoor spaces were special, as they also offered an outdoor fire pit on the lower level, sitting next to the doors that opened to the indoor swimming pool. An outdoor hot tub was also on the outdoor lower level, offering more functioning space.
Each bedroom offered doors to the outdoor deck and patio, with private spaces. The additional bedroom on the lower level also served as a gaming room- Donkey Kong, anyone?
Next to the gameroom/bedroom is a theater room, ideal for viewing movies and more. You decide how much space you want and book your cabin from your needs and wants. No matter what cabin you choose, I know you will find yourself falling in love making Christmas memories in the Smoky Mountains.
The Great Smoky Mountains are the doorway to a magical Christmas. What are you waiting for? It’s time to start planning your magical Christmas experience in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee.
SaraB
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