Gatlinburg, TN
We’ve been to Gatlinburg, TN several times, but we were never as excited to go as we were this time. The entire world has been in lockdown for several weeks. We all had the same questions: how long is this going to last, when can we travel again, when can we go back to work, will my friends and family be okay, and so many more questions. This has definitely been a weird and hard time for everyone. We were so happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel. States were starting to open again! Even if it was gradual and careful, we could see the end in sight.
When we heard that Tennessee was reopening, we decided to book a long weekend trip in Gatlinburg. We found a great cabin with an amazing view. We invited some family and started making plans and getting excited. We also decided to take our dogs, Noel and Jingle, on our adventure.
Is It Safe To Travel?
Of course, the main question on our mind was, is it safe to travel now? We are within driving distance of Gatlinburg, TN and knew we only needed to stop once for gas. We also knew that not too many people, if any, had stayed in this particular cabin for a few months. Through this whole pandemic we have been going to the grocery store, getting take-out and doing a little shopping at the few stores that were allowed to remain open so going out again wasn’t totally a stretch.
Our first night in Gatlinburg, we decided to eat in a restaurant. All the restaurants were open and some even had a wait. We ate at a chain restaurant and when we walked in there was one other family in there. The employees working were all wearing masks and gloves. We ordered our food and sat on the opposite side of the restaurant as the family that was already there. We noticed that every other table and booth had signs indicating not to sit there for social distancing. The other family that was there left soon after we sat down and the employees immediately began cleaning the table, chairs, everything they could have touched. The entire time we were in the restaurant, only a few people came in for orders to go.
The next day it rained all day but our cabin had lots of fun things to do so it wasn’t a big deal. We did go into town for lunch and chose to sit down in a restaurant again. This one was a little busier but not so busy we had to wait. They also had signs on every other table and booth indicating not to sit there for social distancing. Again, all the employees were wearing masks and gloves. We were given paper menus which they immediately discarded once we were finished with them. They also thoroughly cleaned every surface when customers left. We received our plastic-wear completely wrapped up and sealed. When we wanted refills, they brought new glasses with a fresh beverage instead of filling up our used glasses. We felt totally safe eating there and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
What About Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The next day was a beautiful, sunny and warm day. We decided to take Noel and Jingle on a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This was the first day for the park reopening and it was busy! Most parts of the park were open. The parts that weren’t were places like Laurel Falls that would attract a lot of people. There were cones and signs up around any places that were not open so there was no question where you could and could not go. We enjoyed a nice drive and saw some wild turkeys. We stopped a few places and took some pictures. It was very easy to remain socially distant.
What About Shopping?
On our last full day we went into downtown Gatlinburg to go shopping. There was a long line of cars waiting to get into town and we had to go down one of the back streets to find parking in one of the lots. The garage behind the aquarium was already full. When we got out of the car and started walking on the main drag, the first thing we noticed was they had barricades up blocking lanes of traffic so there was only one lane each way for cars to drive. The closed lanes were for extra room for people to walk. It was pretty crowded but there was plenty of room to social distance while walking on the sidewalks.
Some of the stores had signs that only so many people at a time were allowed inside. Some stores had one-way traffic. There were a few stores that weren’t open yet but were going to be opening within the next week or two. Most employees were wearing masks. All employees were happy to have customers again. We talked to one lady who owns a candle shop and she said they were allowed to open the previous Saturday. She said it was the best selling day she had ever had. She also said she was extremely happy to be back to work as she had just lost her mother a couple weeks before.
We also went to a few stores in Pigeon Forge. As far as I could tell, all the stores were open. The rules here were about the same as Gatlinburg. There was tape on the floor in the checkouts to indicate being six feet apart. Most employees were wearing masks. There was hand sanitizer at the entrances and exits. It was crowded but it wasn’t hard to maintain social distancing. We bought a few things and never felt worried.
What about other activities?
We arrived in Pigeon Forge on a Thursday and while all the stores and restaurants were open, a few things like arcades, go carts, horse back riding, etc. were not open yet. By Saturday all of those activities were open. Mini golf, ziplining, horse back riding, arcades, go carts…they were all open. The only place we noticed that was not open and still no opening date was Dollywood. There could have been other places we missed that still weren’t open but we think it’s safe to say that if you want to head to Gatlinburg, there will be plenty for you to do and see.
Thanks for your post. I am itching to get out on the road a bit so it was good to hear how it went for you. From the restaurant, to shopping and parking and how it was handled. Good to hear. Thanks.
Sounds like, for the most part, they picked up right where they left off! We love Gatlinburg and like to visit often!
In NYS, counties are going through an opening phase process. I am surprised that nobody is wearing a mask in your pictures as it doesn’t appear social distancing is being practiced. In any event, glad you have reopened there in TN. We have yet to hit phase 1 where I live. All I really want to do is go to my condo in Florida for a couple of weeks but we can’t because we would have to quarantine 🙁 Jealous!
I love TN, but have never been to Gatlinburg. Now I can’t wait to go. I’m thinking fall would be amazing there!
I would like to visit here one day.
Beautiful area! We’ve been to Nashville, but not Gatlinburg although it is on our bucket list. You’ve certainly encouraged us to bump it up on the list!
We were wondering about Gatlinburg just yesterday! Glad to hear that it’s opening! Do you know what the internet situation is at the local hotels?
So glad that everyone is getting out and about… so glad that Gatlinburg is out of the woods from the virus and the business are being safe!
This is beautiful! looks like an amazing place to visit.
We love TN but have never been to Gatlinburg. It’s nice to hear you had a great experience in today’s environment. We are just starting to enter phase one here in Toronto. Stores are starting to open, but that’s pretty much it. Looking forward to normal… even if it’s “new”.
It is so good to see people are getting back out into the world! I can’t believe how busy it is!
It is so nice that everything is opening again. We are so excited for a summer vacation.
So happy that you were able to travel a little and that most things were opened!
We love Tennessee, especially Gatlinburg. It is so great to see the state opening back up! Glad you had a great trip.
I’m glad to hear that things are reopening in parts of the country. It makes me hopeful that maybe we will be able to squeeze in a trip sometime this summer.
I love your dogs! We have a husky lab mix named Rusty.
Such a beautiful area. I look forward to visiting one day.
Glad to see theings opening up. Here in Massachusetts we just began very tentatively yesterday.
This is really interesting since I was wondering how things would look now. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I haven’t ventured too far out, so it’s nice to read how things were for you and your family. Now I have to add Great Smoky Mountains National Park to my travel list–looks beautiful and peaceful!
I’m a little nervous about venturing out. We did go camping last week. Thanks for all the great information and photos. It’s interesting to see how our country is coming back to life!
Thanks for sharing your experience…MN is just starting to open back up, but we haven’t really been out yet!
I wish we lived closer or we would have gone too. I can’t wait for something outdoorsy to open up in California. I’ve had several family members head to Gatlinburg this week and they’ve all had a great time.
As anxious as I am to get out, I’m still a bit nervous to go out where there may be a lot of people. When I took my dog up to Lake Erie the other day, I stopped at two different parks before I found one that wasn’t too crowded for me.
We went there about 10 years ago for a family reunion and LOVED it! Glad they are reopening.
Your dogs are adorable!! It’s nice to know that we can get out to a beautiful destination and safely
Thank you for your post. It’s good to see places are opening up again with caution.
Beautiful place to visit! Going to appreciate more the next time we are there (or anywhere for that matter!)
It’s so nice to know places are opening up! Hawaii is slowly opening up but we still have to wear masks in public and tourism will take a lot longer to open up here. I’m thinking for us it will be safer and more enjoyable if we do a staycation this year instead of leaving the islands.
This was so good to read! I have a trip planned to Gatlinburg but wasn’t sure when to go. Looks like I can go any time.
We love the Gatlinburg area and were just there this past May when the SkyBridge opened!
This looks like such a beautiful area and the perfect place to spend post-quarantine. Just look at those Smoky Mountains – GAHHH!