Parkway Downtown Gatlinburg
The vibrant heart of Gatlinburg, offering a lively mix of shops, dining, and attractions right on the main strip.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, magical ambiance
Parkway Downtown Gatlinburg
Best Time
Fewer crowds, magical ambiance

Highlights
Must-see attractions
The vibrant heart of Gatlinburg, offering a lively mix of shops, dining, and attractions right on the main strip.
"The location is the only redeeming quality."
🚶♀️ Walkable Downtown
Most attractions are within walking distance on the Parkway. Wear comfy shoes!
🅿️ Parking Solutions
Daily parking can be pricey. Consider the bypass or hourly lots if available.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Village Shops
Off Parkway, near stoplight #6
Step into a European-inspired fairytale with cobblestone paths and 27 unique boutiques and cafes.

Anakeesta
Downtown Gatlinburg
An elevated adventure park offering treetop walks, scenic views, and dining with a magical atmosphere.

Moonshine Mountain Coaster
306 Parkway, Downtown Gatlinburg
Experience thrilling downhill rides with stunning mountain views on this popular Gatlinburg attraction.

Gatlinburg Space Needle
Downtown Gatlinburg
Ascend for panoramic views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains from this iconic observation tower.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Parkway Buzz
Navigating Gatlinburg's Charm
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Walkable Downtown
Most attractions are within walking distance on the Parkway. Wear comfy shoes!
🅿️ Parking Solutions
Daily parking can be pricey. Consider the bypass or hourly lots if available.
🛍️ Unique Shopping
Explore The Village Shops for charming boutiques and artisan finds.
🍹 Local Sips
Sample local moonshine and cider at tasting rooms along the Parkway.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Walkable Downtown
Most attractions are within walking distance on the Parkway. Wear comfy shoes!
🅿️ Parking Solutions
Daily parking can be pricey. Consider the bypass or hourly lots if available.
🛍️ Unique Shopping
Explore The Village Shops for charming boutiques and artisan finds.
🍹 Local Sips
Sample local moonshine and cider at tasting rooms along the Parkway.
📸 Photo Ops Galore
Capture memories at Anakeesta, the Space Needle, and charming street scenes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Reviews for Parkway Downtown Gatlinburg accommodations are highly polarized. While some praise the excellent location, clean rooms, and comfortable beds, others report significant issues with maintenance, cleanliness, and outdated facilities. The convenience of the Parkway location is consistently highlighted as a major positive, but the overall guest experience can vary dramatically.
"This hotel was located right on the main strip in gatlinburg. While it is at the end of it, it's still within walking distance of all the things you'd want to see! We stayed 3 nights and walked that strip every night!
The service was great! They send you a link to check in online before you arrive, saving time. And the front desk employee was really helpful. He asked us if we needed anything help, if we needed directions and gave us all the information we'd need on proper trash disposal and bears in the area!
The room was really nice! It was really clean, had ample plug ins for electronics, all the lights were working and it had awesome air conditioning! The bed was actually comfortable!! (You all know how hotel beds are! They are usually hard as bricks!) The little balcony was cute, it had two chairs for me and my husband to sit out and "people watch", as it faced the strip, so we got to see all the traffic coming and going.
Overall I give this place a 9/10! I would definitely recommend and I would definitely stay here again!"
Kiley Jones
"If you can find some where else to stay I would recommend to do so. We stayed in room 116. The hallway reeks of weed and you can smell it in the room. At first glance the room looks nice, but the TV remote doesn't function well. We couldn't change the channels. Both the toilet and the shower wouldn't drain. We had to wait for over an hour for maintenance to show up because he was the only worker for multiple locations. Both the front desk worker and the maintenance worker were friendly but the facility and ownership are the problem. The location is the only redeeming quality. The breakfast is trash. The facility is old and needs major renovations. The convenience of its location is the only thing keeping it open."
Travis Holt
"DON’T STAY HERE! Beware the online photos are misleading by far. This hotel is way past its due date, just like its milk in the fridge. We arrived at the hotel and first thing I tripped over a stone step that’s their entry way. It’ was extremely hard for my dad to walk and this step into the building was ridiculous. There is a ramp on the other side but it’s really long for a person who walks with assistance and a cane. They had no disability rooms. You can reserve one but they don’t have them. The photo online must be from a king room and they added a chair in the bath for photos. The elevator stunk awful. I literally had to put my hand over my face while in it. It was filthy with the carpet torn and the floor uneven. The luggage cart had a flat tire and there were no ice buckets. Some of the Milk in the fridge was expired. The wood on the balconies was warped with 90% of the paint peeled off. The concrete on the balconies was green. The balcony chairs were stained and the plastic coating was rotted and peeling. The doors were all severely scratched up on the rooms. The outdoor hallways were dirty concrete that had green mold with air conditioning water running across the walkways everywhere. The individual air conditioning systems themselves all had plastic food bowls bowls sitting under them overflowing with water. The pool was cloudy and the heater didn’t work. I would believe it to be unsafe to swim in as the chemicals were obviously not right, I’m not a pool guy but I do own a crystal clear pool. The pool carpet was green with mold and huge stains at the entry doors. The patio by the pool had dried weeds in the concrete flower pots, not flowers. It was also dirty. The sheets in the hotel room were dirty and had been slept on with someone just pulling the comforter up to cover the dirt and hairs on it. We went to the office to get them changed and we were taken to a laundry room and given sheets to change them ourselves. We were told there was no housekeeping staff there although we saw one housekeeper going in a room on another walkway. The dirty sheets were just left in the very small room all night until we could find someone to take them. The bathtub didn’t drain and the water pressure was extremely low so it takes awhile to wash the soap out of your hair. There were some upkeeps to the rooms but they were dark and not for the visually impaired. This hotel should be torn down and a new one built in its place. The reviews on Google must be written by the owners because this place is a dump and it’s disgusting. I would definitely have spent the extra $ to stay across the street if I had known. Stay in any hotel around it, just DON’T STAY HERE! Wyndham should be ashamed to put their sticky name tags over the scratched up room doors on this place. There was a bear in the parking garage under the hotel during the night. There were cars of people playing loud music and loitering in the parking lot at night."
Shannon's Shimmers
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Parkway Downtown Gatlinburg is easily accessible by car via US-441. If coming from Pigeon Forge, consider taking the bypass to avoid main Parkway traffic.
Parking can be challenging, so arriving early or utilizing the trolley system is recommended.Yes, parking is available in various lots along the Parkway, but it can be expensive, often charged daily. Some visitors suggest looking for hourly parking or using the bypass to find alternative access points.
The most convenient way to explore Downtown Gatlinburg is on foot, as many attractions are clustered along the Parkway. For longer distances or to avoid parking hassles, the Gatlinburg Trolley is a great option.
Yes, there are several scenic overlooks, especially if you're coming from Pigeon Forge. The bypass route offers some great views, and the Gatlinburg Trail within the National Park also provides beautiful scenery.
Yes, the Gatlinburg Trail runs from the edge of downtown into the National Park, offering a pleasant walk with river views.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Parkway Downtown Gatlinburg itself is a public street and does not require an entry ticket. However, individual attractions like Anakeesta, the Space Needle, and mountain coasters will have their own admission fees.
Most shops and attractions on the Parkway operate from mid-morning to late evening, typically around 10 AM to 10 PM, though hours can vary seasonally. The Village Shops, for example, are open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM during peak season.
While many attractions have fees, simply strolling the Parkway, window shopping, and enjoying the atmosphere is free. Some areas like the Gatlinburg Trail offer free access for a scenic walk.
Look for discount brochures at visitor centers or your hotel. Some attractions may offer online booking discounts.
While there isn't a single official 'Gatlinburg tourist pass' for all attractions, some tour operators or websites might offer bundled deals for multiple activities. It's best to research specific attraction packages.
🎫 ✨ Onsite Experience
Don't miss The Village Shops for unique finds,
Anakeesta for treetop adventures, the Gatlinburg Space Needle for views, and thrilling rides like the Moonshine Mountain Coaster. Many visitors also enjoy exploring the various moonshine and cider tasting rooms.The Parkway offers a wide variety of shops, from souvenir stores and candy shops to artisan boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores like those found in The Village.
Absolutely! The charming European architecture of The Village Shops,
the scenic overlooks from Anakeesta and the Space Needle, and the general mountain town vibe provide plenty of picturesque spots.Gatlinburg offers romantic options like fine dining at The Greenbrier,
enjoying the views at Anakeesta, or exploring the unique shops. Some consider it a hidden gem for couples.Yes, Gatlinburg is very family-friendly with attractions like mountain coasters, arcades, and the unique shops appealing to all ages.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Popular dining spots include Smith & Son Corner Kitchen for great views and food,
Howard's for dinner, and various eateries offering Southern comfort food and casual dining along the Parkway. The Greenbrier offers an elevated dining experience.Look for casual diners, pizza places like Slice Pizza, or grab-and-go options. Exploring the Parkway will reveal many affordable choices.
Yes, Gatlinburg offers unique tastes like local moonshine and cider tastings,
as well as specialty candy and donut shops.You'll find a lot of Southern comfort food, barbecue, and classic American diner fare. Many restaurants focus on hearty, homestyle cooking.
While traditional Southern cuisine is prevalent, some restaurants are starting to offer more diverse options. The Greenbrier, for example, has vegetarian dishes.
It's always best to check menus online or call ahead.📸 📸 Photography
Capture the charm of The Village Shops with its European architecture,
the panoramic vistas from the Gatlinburg Space Needle and Anakeesta, and the vibrant street scenes along the Parkway. Mountain coasters also offer dynamic photo opportunities.Golden hour, shortly after sunrise and before sunset, offers beautiful lighting for photos. Evenings can be magical with the town lights.
Key landmarks include the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle, the unique storefronts in The Village, and the scenic mountain backdrops visible from various points.
Yes, you can take photos of the charming exteriors and common areas of The Village Shops. Individual shop policies may vary for interior photography.
A versatile lens (like a 24-70mm) is great for landscapes and street scenes. A wide-angle lens can capture the grandeur of the mountains, and a telephoto lens is useful for distant details. Don't forget a tripod for low-light shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
When planning your visit, consider utilizing the Gatlinburg Trolley to navigate easily between attractions and save on parking fees. Many restaurants offer kid-friendly menus, ensuring everyone finds something they'll enjoy.
💑 Couples Retreat
Strolling hand-in-hand through The Village Shops, enjoying a quiet coffee, or sharing a tasting experience at a local winery or distillery can add to the romantic appeal.
💰 Budget Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring The Village Shops
Visitors often rave about the picturesque atmosphere, making it a popular spot for photos and a leisurely stroll. Whether you're looking for a unique souvenir, a sweet treat, or just a moment of fairytale charm, The Village Shops are a must-visit destination within Gatlinburg.
Dining Delights on the Parkway
Beyond sit-down restaurants, the Parkway is also home to numerous tasting rooms where you can sample local moonshine and hard cider, adding a unique flavor to your visit. Whether you're craving a hearty breakfast, a quick lunch, or a memorable dinner, the Parkway provides a flavorful journey through Gatlinburg's culinary scene.
Adventure and Thrills on the Parkway
Other attractions like the Gatlinburg Space Needle offer a bird's-eye view of the town and surrounding nature, perfect for photography enthusiasts. Many of these attractions are conveniently located along the Parkway, making it easy to pack a day full of adventure.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit