How to Plan a Gatlinburg Christmas Vacation in 5 Steps

November 20, 2015

Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals is the perfect destination for your Christmas vacation in Gatlinburg! With various cabins of all sizes, we have everything you need to celebrate the holidays in the Smokies. Here is how to plan a Gatlinburg Christmas vacation in 5 steps:

1. Determine Your Group Size

When planning a Christmas vacation in Gatlinburg, the first thing you need to do is determine how many family members will be making the trip. When you have a definitive headcount, you can book the appropriate cabin for the size of your group. For example, if you are planning a large Christmas get-together with the extended family, you can check out our 5 bedroom cabins in Gatlinburg. Or perhaps you might be planning a romantic holiday getaway with your sweetheart where a cozy 1 bedroom Gatlinburg cabin would be ideal. We have everything from cozy 1 bedroom cabins to large group cabins. The sooner you can book your cabin the better, since the holidays are a very popular time to visit the Smokies.

2. Make Your Meal Plans

Of course, one of the highlights of Christmas is preparing and eating all of the delicious holiday food! All of our cabins feature full kitchens with all the conveniences and amenities of home, making it easy for you to cook a wonderful Christmas meal for the family. However, if you would rather eat out on the town, there are several Gatlinburg restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

3. Take the Trolley Ride Of Lights

During your Gatlinburg Christmas vacation, you should definitely plan to check out the town’s stunning holiday light displays! One of the best ways to enjoy these magnificent displays is to take the Trolley Ride of Lights, a wonderful journey that takes guests through downtown Gatlinburg. The trolley is enclosed and heated so you can relax and admire LED light displays of dancing fountains, a rocking horse, and so much more! The trolleys depart nightly from the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m., and admission is just $5.00 per person.

4. Schedule Some Wintertime Fun

Although the weather might be a bit chilly during your Christmas getaway, this can still be a fantastic time to enjoy the great outdoors! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 365 days per year, so you can take a Christmas Day hike to check out some of the spectacular scenery. Ober Gatlinburg is also a popular winter destination, offering skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing activities for kids and adults. After a cool day of winter activities, you can look forward to returning to your cabin to warm up by the fireplace or to kick back in your very own private Jacuzzi tub!

5. Stay for the New Year’s Celebrations

When making your Gatlinburg Christmas plans, consider reserving your cabin for a week so that you can enjoy the fabulous New Year’s celebrations in town! One of the highlights is the annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show that takes place at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle near the intersection of the Parkway and Historic Nature Trail. Free entertainment kicks off at 10 p.m., followed by a magnificent fireworks display at midnight that blasts off from the rooftop of the Space Needle. Rhythmic LED lights on top of the observation tower and special choreographed music add to make the event even more spectacular!

To start planning your Christmas vacation, browse our complete selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!