Restrictions are lifting and it is time to get all your girls back together again! Ya know what that means?! It’s time for a GIRLS TRIP. The mountains are calling and summer is an awesome time to go chill out in the cool rivers flowing off the top of the mountain as the ground thaws. Here is our guide to a girls weekend to the Smoky Mountains!
Where to Stay
One of the best ways to stay in the Smokies is glamping! I am sure you’ve seen glamping pods and eco domes all over Instagram. They’re a unique way to get everyone under one roof which is something we love here at Stay Minty! So get ready… you haven’t seen a glamping tent like a Stay Minty glamping tent. DOMES COMING SOON! They’re gonna be 651 square foot domes fully equipped with a bathroom, shower, kitchen and cozy Stay Minty bed. Each dome will feature a private deck and living space in the woods of the Smoky Mountains! Click here to book now!
If you are more of a cabin queen who needs views and a hot tub, we got you on that too! We have 11 properties that have amenities such as hot tubs, game rooms, movie theaters, indoor pools, and so much more! Click here to see the full list of Smokies rental homes!
When to Go
There is no bad time to go to the Smokies. Summer and Fall always tend to be the most popular due to the amazing waterfalls, foliage, hiking, and wildlife. If you are looking for less touristy things to do and wanna skip the lines at the more popular view points, go in late fall or spring. Winter is also a freaking vibe… a chalet-mountain-apres ski lodge vibe. There is local skiing and snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg! No matter when you choose to go, there is always something to do during your mountain escape.
What to See
Since it is gonna be a group of you, all of these recommendations have your crew in mind and are great options for groups! The Smokies are around a 4.5 hour drive from Nashville. We definitely recommend bringing a car and luckily, we have free parking at all of our properties. There are amusement parks, souvenir shopping, mountain coasters, horse back riding, zip lines, museums, dinner theaters, and all that jazz. But if you wanna really know what’s up, here’s where we recommend going on our guide to a girls weekend to the Smoky Mountains…
Sky Bridge
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About 500 ft above downtown Gatlinburg is the 680 ft skybridge. These views will set you back about between $22-52, so book in advance for the best deals. The views of the mountains are insane and accessible by the chair lift. There’s also a bar area in the SkyDeck portion of the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park! Yay!
Clingmans Dome
Being the tallest point in Tennessee (also cool to note that it straddles the TN/NC border), this spot is one of our absolute favorites. Clingman’s Dome offers 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains! The road up to this spot can get very congested since it ends at the parking lot to the trailhead. Head up early or park along the road and hike up. Be warned that the hike up is pretty steep! You gain 300+ ft in elevation and the gradient is over 13% on a concrete incline.
Mount Le Conte
This 12.5 mile out and back hike is for ya girls who like a challenge. The trail leads to the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. So there is all sorts of elevation change and enough to challenge the best of us. Good luck on this one! Make sure to check out this great info on the trail from AllTrails.com!
Spa Day
Wanna spend some time relaxing instead of hiking and exploring? Nothing sounds more enticing than massages in the mountains. Check out Serenity Spa by Westgate, Riverstone Spa, or Blue Mountain Mist Spa. If you wanna get your stretch on before the spa, check out Smoky Mountain Yoga. Or bring the party to you! You can book in-cabin massages with A Mountain View Spa Services. So cool!
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This is great for if you wanna go for a drive on this 6.7 mile motor trail. There are loads of opportunities to pull off and take pictures of the scenery. Take a picnic or just relax with the views in between hikes and late night hot tub sessions. Rumor has it that you can see all sorts of bears and animals on this drive!
Cades Cove
This 11 mile, one way loop around a valley is one of the most visited areas of the park. This is also a motor trail that you drive, typically taking around 2-4 hours depending on traffic, and… there will be traffic. Try stopping along the drive to check out the multiple structures restored to their 19th century beauty and stretch your legs on one of the many trailheads!
Where to Eat
Restaurants are always packed. We would recommend skipping out on the restaurants and just cooking at home. But if you are determined to get out there and get drinks or don’t feel like cooking… Try the Peddlers Steakhouse, Bennett’s BBQ, or Mel’s Classic Diner. For more recommendations, check out this list of the 25 best restaurants in Gatlinburg! Oh, and don’t forget to snag some donuts from the infamous Donut Friar. You won’t regret it.
Wanna drink? There is an Old Red, same as the one in Nashville, pumping live music! You can taste moonshine at Ole Smoky Distillery or visit a winery. Here are a couple in the area: Mill Bridge, Little Bear, or Smoky Mountain Winery. Theres a ton more so look em up on google! Also make sure to check out The Greenbrier’s Women of Wine on the first Thursday each month! The unfortunate thing about late night in Gatlinburg is that things close at like 9pm. It’s crazy. So just be prepared for weird hours and minimal taxis/ubers home.
And there you have it… our guide to a girls weekend to the Smoky Mountains! A guide on when to go, what to see, where to eat, and more. And that doesn’t include the time spent enjoying your cabin’s amenities. Hot tubs, pools, arcade games, and plenty of viewssss. Some of the best times we’ve ever had have been the late night dance parties and doing random shit in the cabin. So, book your girls getaway with us and we’ll keep ya hooked up with the latest and greatest trip recommendations!
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