10 Best Tennessee Towns For A Winter Getaway
Winter is one of the most underrated seasons of the year! While most people prefer to travel in the summer, the cold season can be special for anyone exploring the Volunteer State. With hotel prices conveniently low and snow covering Tennessee’s rolling hills, cozy cabins, and charming downtowns, there’s no better time to experience the state’s hidden beauty. From the frosted peaks of the Smoky Mountains to the festive streets of small historic towns, Tennessee transforms into a wonderland of twinkling lights, roaring fireplaces, and heartwarming hospitality.
Whether looking for a romantic retreat with your better half in Tellico Plains or a family-friendly holiday escape in Gatlinburg, these Tennessee towns for a winter getaway offer it all, and then some. Bundle up, grab a mug of hot cocoa, and discover top destinations for an unforgettable winter getaway in the heart of the South.
Gatlinburg
This storybook town in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains spoils guests with a series of winter adventures that expose its unrivaled beauty. Tourists can make the most of winter sports at the Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area. This family-friendly amusement center offers a variety of fun activities, including snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating. Alternatively, you can book a tour to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle and admire the town's wintry wonderland from above as snow gradually builds up in the jagged peaks of the Smoky Mountains.
The Village Shops welcome vacationers to shop till they drop, with access to dozens of boutiques, stores, and eateries, where you can find spices, souvenirs, gift items, fashion goods, and more. Finally, don't forget to take the whole family to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies for exotic encounters with over 350 marine animal species.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge comes alive in the winter as vacationers flock to its world-class amusement parks for some family-friendly fun, and twinkling lights illuminate the streets to signal the arrival of the festive season. Thousands descend upon the town to take advantage of its amusement parks. At Pigeon Forge Snow, guests enjoy snow play in a climate-controlled indoor snow park, where the temperature remains at 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, Rowdy Bear's Smoky Mountain Snowpark offers an unforgettable snow tubing experience in Tennessee's largest outdoor tubing hill, boasting a 70-foot drop. The Island in Pigeon Forge also transforms into a wintry wonderland, with sparkling lights, live entertainment, adventure, and more, offering guests a chance to create magical holiday memories.
Tellico Plains
Tellico Plains offers a romantic winter getaway, free from crowds, with the opportunity to experience its majestic landscapes blanketed in white powder. A scenic drive along the Cherohala Skyway allows you to admire the icy wonderland in the Cherokee National Forest, with over a dozen picturesque overlooks along the way. Elsewhere, hiking enthusiasts can venture into the town's wilderness to discover the frozen Bald River Falls. This 90-foot cascade turns into a photographer's haven in winter as it freezes over, forming a rare visual spectacle.
Elsewhere, downtown Tellico Plains offers numerous indoor locations where visitors can find something fun to do. This includes learning about Appalachian and Native American history at the Charles Hall Museum or enjoying delicious baked goods at Tellico Grains Bakery.
Sweetwater
Experience the festive in a quintessential small town by taking a vacation in this Monroe County community, which promises an array of thrilling winter adventures. Sweetwater is famous for hosting Craighead Caverns, which entice tourists with a rare excursion to discover the nation's largest underground lake, the Lost Sea. This magical destination offers the perfect winter escape, where guests can learn about the cave's geology, admire the stunning cave flowers, and take a glass-bottomed boat tour of the lake's glowing, turquoise waters.
If you are not discovering Sweetwater's underground treasures, you can browse invaluable collectibles at Sweetwater Antiques for something unique to take home. Alternatively, step outside and play in the snow at Sweetwater City Recreation Park.
Cookeville
This vibrant town in Putnam County offers an array of winter activities for both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts. Cookeville offers guests an unforgettable adventure in the awe-inspiring wilderness of Cummins Falls State Park. You can shake off the winter chill with a hike to this stunning 75-foot waterfall and witness the snow turning the 300-acre park into a wintry wonderland. Additionally, City Lake Natural Area offers more opportunities to bask in Cookeville's wintry wonderland, with access to hiking trails, camping spots, and fishing areas.
Silver screen fans can catch a nice holiday flick with loved ones at AMC Highland 12, which screens first-run films inside a modern movie house. Lastly, tourists can shop for Christmas attire, gifts, and accessories at Poppie's Boutique.
Sevierville
This East Tennessee village, situated just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers a range of family-friendly activities to make your winter getaway a memorable one. It is home to the Rainforest Adventures Zoo, which provides a sanctuary for over 100 species of birds, reptiles, primates, and small mammals, as well as a petting zoo for farm animals. Also, guests can explore one of the state's most spectacular caverns with an underground tour of the Forbidden Caverns. This geological wonder features unique crystalline formations, mysterious grottos, and natural chimneys that never fail to impress first-timers.
Vacationers will love the idea of holiday shopping at Tanger Outlets Sevierville, where more than 100 stores, ranging from local to brand-name and designer, offer a wide selection of footwear, clothing, accessories, gifts, and other trendy merchandise perfect for the holidays.
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap's scenic mountain surroundings transform it into one of the best Tennessee towns for a winter getaway when blanketed in snow. This is an invitation to step outside and admire the winter wonderland through hikes in the nearby Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. The Tri-State Peak Trail takes adventurers to a high elevation, allowing hikers to take in the scenery from the Pinnacle Overlook.
The Cumberland Gap Winter Market offers shoppers a festive holiday shopping experience. Dozens of vendors set up shop in the downtown streets to sell a wide array of merchandise, ranging from antiques and crafts to gift items and collectibles. Meanwhile, you can seek a little warmth with a cup of hot coffee at Gap Creek Coffee House.
Townsend
Townsend is a charming village on the peaceful side of the Smoky Mountains, where you can enjoy the winter holiday away from the crowds. The town boasts a series of seasonal events and festivals to spark your itinerary, including the Tennessee Winter Beer Fest. Several breweries and distilleries from across the region participate in this annual event, rewarding participants with delicious samplings of locally crafted brews. Meanwhile, you can sign up for the Cades Cove Heritage Tours to witness the Smokies in its wintry majesty along an 11-mile loop road with wildlife viewing opportunities.
Winter also opens doors to unforgettable underground excursions, allowing you to explore Tuckaleechee Caverns, a geological phenomenon located beneath the Smoky Mountains. Furthermore, you can admire the wintry scenery outdoors during a leisurely stroll along the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum.
Union City
Union City charms winter travelers with a variety of attractions and activities, including a lineup of family-friendly fun to usher in the season. One of the main draws for visitors to the town is the Discovery Park of America. This 100,000-square-foot museum offers an educational experience for all ages, featuring interactive exhibits that include an earthquake simulator, a replica 20th-century town, an aquarium, and dinosaur walks. Also, families can revel in indoor skating fun at Thelma's Skateland 2 of Union City.
Elsewhere, guests can step outside to commune with nature and experience its wintry transformation during a walk along the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge boardwalk. The presence of Reelfoot Lake further provides unique birdwatching opportunities.
Savannah
This Tennessee River community in Hardin County boasts an enchanting winter calendar, riddled with colorful attractions for the whole family. Tennessee Street Park serves as the perfect outdoor space for recreation. It welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy fun activities on its playgrounds, walking trail, picnic areas, splash pad, and pavilion. The Savannah City Market offers exciting shopping opportunities, as travelers take advantage of deals and discounts to purchase decor items, apparel, fashion accessories, and other products in a vibrant atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Savannah Skating Rink offers a variety of indoor activities to entertain the whole family. This magnificent facility features a roller skating rink, pool tables, arcade games, and much more.
Winter In Tennessee’s Charming Scenery
From underground adventures in Townsend to mountaintop thrills in Gatlinburg, these Tennessee towns for a winter getaway prove that the season is anything but dull. Each destination offers its own unique blend of scenic beauty, festive charm, and cozy Southern warmth in the United States. Whether you’re sipping coffee by the fire, exploring snow-dusted trails, or wandering through historic streets twinkling with lights, winter in Tennessee is pure magic and promises travelers a charming array of unmissable adventures.
