facebook
Home » Blog » Smoky Mountain Guides » 5 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc.

5 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains

Are you looking for something fun and special to do this year for Thanksgiving? If you want to have a memorable experience with your family, there is nothing better than spending Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains! From being able to enjoy all of the amazing things to do in the area, such as hiking, attractions, and more, to checking out special ways to celebrate the season, you are sure to have a great time when you visit the Smokies for Thanksgiving. Here are some of the top reasons that we are sure you will love spending Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains:

1. Plenty of Great Places to Enjoy a Meal

You might think that many restaurants would be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but there are plenty of restaurants in the Smoky Mountains that will be open and serving customers! Some restaurants in the area even offer special Thanksgiving menus, such as Five Oaks Farm Kitchen in Sevierville and The Park Grill in Gatlinburg. In addition to these restaurants with special Thanksgiving menus, lots of other popular restaurants in the area will be open, including Smith & Son Corner Kitchen, No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina, and J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen. You can also find out more about restaurants that will be open for Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains right here!

2. Pleasant Weather

smokies in fallAlthough you may think that it will be very cold in the Smoky Mountains around Thanksgiving, the temperatures actually tend to be very nice during the daytime at this time of year! With average daytime temperatures in the 60s, visiting around this time can provide a great chance to explore all of the beauty that the Smoky Mountains have to offer without having to deal with extreme weather in one direction or another.

3. Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show

When you spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains, you will be able to check out the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show, put on by the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which is the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States! When you visit for their Thanksgiving event, you can browse some amazing pieces and enjoy the spirit of the holiday at this unique local destination.

4. Winterfest Lights Are Already Up

A Winterfest lights display depicting The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge.The towns here in the Smokies are known for doing it up for Christmas, and when you choose to spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains, you will be able to get in on the fun! When Winterfest kicks off on November 7th, it will bring tons of spectacular light displays and holiday-themed decorations to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This means that you will be able to experience the light displays for yourself at Thanksgiving time by doing the driving tour of lights yourself, or just by admiring the decorations you pass in the course of your vacation!

5. Chance to Make Memories with Family

Yet another of the top reasons to spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains is the opportunity to make lasting memories with your family as you spend the holiday in a different place. The Smokies present so many fun chances to get out and explore the beauty of nature, relax with loved ones, shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, and more, meaning there truly is something for everyone at this incredible vacation destination.

Now that you know about some of the fantastic reasons to spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains, all that is left is to go ahead and reserve your accommodations for your trip! You can browse our full selection of featured lodging to find the perfect place to spend Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains, then get ready to make lifelong memories with your family here in the Smokies.