Popular Things to Do Near Tanasi Lodge
When your group settles in at Tanasi Lodge on Hatcher Mountain in Wears Valley, some of the Smokies' most popular places are close at hand. The lodge sits near Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, and a back entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so families, reunion guests, and wedding parties can spend the day exploring and return to a quiet mountaintop in the evening.
Here are attractions guests ask about most often. Hours, tickets, and seasonal closures change, so confirm the details on each venue's official site before you go.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
America's most visited national park stretches across the Tennessee–North Carolina border, known for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee. Vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes do need a parking tag, currently $5 for a day, $15 for a week, or $40 for a year. Purchase details are on the park's fees page. Check current road and trail alerts before you leave the lodge.
Cades Cove
South of Townsend, Cades Cove is a mountain-ringed valley and one of the park's most popular destinations. An 11-mile, one-way loop road leads to historic homesites, churches, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing, with a visitor center along the way. The loop is open sunrise to sunset and is typically closed to vehicles on Wednesdays from May through September. Plan at least two to four hours, and longer if you hike. Traffic is often heavy in summer and fall and on weekends year-round; use the paved pullouts if you stop to take in the view.
Kuwohi and Newfound Gap
Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome, and Newfound Gap sit along the high spine of the park, where Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) connects the Tennessee and North Carolina sides. A lookout tower at the top of Kuwohi Road offers panoramic views, and the Appalachian Trail passes through spruce-fir forest nearby. Parking at busy spots such as Kuwohi often fills, so the park asks visitors to arrive with an alternate destination in mind. Check the official Kuwohi and Newfound Gap page for current road and facility status.
Foothills Parkway near Wears Valley
Guests staying at Tanasi Lodge are close to one of the park's quieter scenic drives. The National Park Service recommends traveling the Foothills Parkway between Wears Valley and Walland for quiet views of the Smokies. That stretch is 14.75 miles one way.
Dollywood
In Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is one of the area's signature attractions. Dolly Parton's theme park offers more than 50 rides and attractions, live entertainment, crafts, Southern-style dining, and seasonal festivals in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The park also welcomes groups of 15 or more. Check the official calendar for hours and ticket options.
The Island in Pigeon Forge
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a 23-acre entertainment district with free admission and free parking, plus dining, more than 60 shops, live music, and rides. Its signature attraction is the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot observation wheel with climate-controlled gondolas.
Anakeesta
In downtown Gatlinburg, Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park reached by the Crystal Express Gondola or Ridge Rambler, which carry guests about 600 feet up from the Parkway to the summit. The park spreads across more than 90 acres and includes the Treetop Skywalk — 16 hanging bridges stretching more than 1,000 feet and swaying 50 to 60 feet above the forest floor — along with AnaVista Tower, mountain coasters, dining, and gardens with views of the national park. Confirm tickets and hours on the official site.
Gatlinburg SkyPark and SkyBridge
At Gatlinburg SkyPark, a ride on the SkyLift, the park's yellow chairlift, takes you to Crockett Summit. From there, the SkyBridge stretches almost 700 feet across a valley in a single span — the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, according to the park. The bridge sits about 1,800 feet above sea level and about 500 feet above Gatlinburg, with a 30-foot glass section at the midpoint. Clayton's Landing is a newer overlook with views toward the national park. The SkyBridge opened in May 2019. Check the official site for tickets and hours.
Ober Gatlinburg
High above downtown Gatlinburg, Ober Gatlinburg is a year-round adventure park and Tennessee's only ski area. A scenic aerial tram runs from the Parkway, and the mountain offers seasonal activities that change from warmer months to winter. Confirm what is open during your dates on the official site.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
If your group wants a change of pace downtown, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is in the heart of Gatlinburg. Check the official site for current hours, tickets, and what's on view during your stay.
After a full day, come back to the lodge
Tanasi Lodge sleeps 30 overnight and hosts weddings and events for up to 75 seated guests. When the day's adventures are done, your group can gather in the kitchens, the theater, or around the fire pit. Book your stay directly on tanasilodge.com.
Cover photo: Morning on Sparks Lane in Cades Cove, U.S. National Park Service, public domain.
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