Are you planning a trip to Gatlinburg, TN? Are you wondering about the best ways to get around town? The primary means of transportation include walking on foot, riding the Gatlinburg Trolley, and driving a car. Keep reading to find out more about Gatlinburg transportation and how to get to everything on your Smoky Mountain vacation itinerary.
1. Ride the Gatlinburg Trolley
The Gatlinburg Trolley is one of the easiest and most inexpensive means of Gatlinburg transportation. It operates 365 days a year and is completely free to ride! You can take the Gatlinburg Trolley to a variety of popular Gatlinburg attractions, restaurants, and shopping destinations. There are four color-coded routes, and they all connect at the Mass Transit Center located at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. You can also board a trolley at any stop in the city. You can take a trolley through downtown Gatlinburg, around the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, and even to the Welcome Center where you can connect to the low-cost trolley system that travels to nearby Pigeon Forge, TN.
2. Walk on Foot
Another free method of Gatlinburg transportation is walking on foot. Downtown Gatlinburg is designed for pedestrians! Sidewalks run along both sides of the main Parkway, and there are plenty of crosswalks so you can easily access all the Gatlinburg restaurants, shops, and attractions in town. You can also walk to a variety of pedestrian malls for Gatlinburg shopping, such as The Village and Baskins Square. If you want a calmer, less busy walk around town, you can take the path alongside River Road from our hotel, which follows the Little Pigeon River and offers peaceful scenery and easy access to things to do in town. At the end of downtown near our Gatlinburg hotel, you can also access the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on foot with the 1.9-mile Gatlinburg Trail that spans from the edge of town to the Sugarlands Visitor Center!
3. Drive a Car
If you want to experience all that Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains have to offer, you’ll want to have a car, whether you bring your own or rent one. A car allows you to explore the breathtaking scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains, such as Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Cades Cove Loop Road. While walking and riding the Gatlinburg Trolley are great ways to get around downtown Gatlinburg, a car is the best Gatlinburg transportation if you want to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and nearby towns like Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. You can drive to Smoky Mountain hiking trails and popular Pigeon Forge attractions like Dollywood, WonderWorks, and dinner shows.
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg, TN
When you stay at The Bearskin Lodge, you’ll have easy access to all types of Gatlinburg transportation! Our guests receive free garage parking and can take advantage of the Gatlinburg Trolley stop right in front of our hotel, allowing you to save money on parking and easily get around town with or without your car. Our downtown Gatlinburg hotel is also located within walking distance of the best restaurants, shops, and attractions in town, and we’re just steps away from the entrance to the national park! Find out more about the perks of staying at our hotel on the river in Gatlinburg and book your stay today!
