Christmas Dining in the Smokies
The Smoky Mountains don’t just feel like a magical place, they really are a mystical destination. The phrase “old as the hills” rings true when you really dive into the old lore of the mountains. When you come to visit, take this otherworldly tour and investigate for yourself. Here are six of the Smokies’ best kept secrets.
1. Elkmont Trollbridge
Escape to a place that really feels like a glimpse into a mythical land. The Elkmont Trollbridge is a true hidden gem that only locals know about. Hike along the Little River Trail until you reach this spot. Covered in moss and mushrooms, the Trollbridge is perfect for capturing pictures or looking for hidden fantastical creatures.
2. House Of The Fairies
This whimsical spot is only a mile from downtown Gatlinburg yet it feels like you’ve been transported into another realm. Map to this magical place, then go out and explore. Here, you’ll find towering trees and moss covered logs and boulders. Then at the end of the trail you’ll see it...an arched doorway, that looks like it’s almost cut into the side of the hill, sits with a wooden ladder leaning against the frame. Step inside and find a cool spring, filled with water that tinkles like bells.
3. Synchronous Fireflies
The synchronized fireflies that come out every year like clockwork might be more science than magic but when you’re sitting among the trees and they begin to spark in unison, flickering in and out of sight, it feels like something otherworldly. This rare phenomenon is only seen in a few places in the world and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.
4. Elkmont Ghost Town
Once a thriving vacation spot for the Knoxville elite, the Elkmont Ghost Town looks like a legend brought back to life. Recently restored, explore inside the homes and hike trails where you will find the remains of homes once occupied by Appalachian locals who would serve, supply and work in the town. This piece of history is frozen in time and feels like stepping back into the past.
There are many magical places in the Smokies and these are only four of them. Don’t stop here, continue to search for more mystical creatures and sprites living in the trees and hollows. To discover more, stay overnight in the mountains in a log cabin. This cabin is even called Magical Moments, which is exactly what you’ll find when you visit the Smoky Mountains.
The following is a list of restaurants we expect to be open on Christmas Eve or Christmas day for those of you who won't be able to cook or simply would prefer eating out for Christmas dinner this year. Times and availability may change, so please call ahead of time for up-to-date information.
* Alamo Steakhouse
Open Christmas Eve only
3050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
www.alamosteakhouse.com
(865) 908-9998
(Pigeon Forge location Only, Gatlinburg location no longer available)
* Bennett's Pit BBQ
Open Christmas Eve only
714 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
bennetts-bbq.com
(865) 436-2400
2910 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
bennetts-bbq.com
(865) 429-2200
* Big Daddy's Pizzeria
Open Christmas Eve only
3053 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
bigdaddyspizzeria.net
(865) 429-7171
714 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
bigdaddyspizzeria.net
(865) 436-5455
1820 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
bigdaddyspizzeria.net
(865) 908-1123
* Blue Moose Burgers and Wings
Open Christmas Eve only
2430 Teaster Ln # 108, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
bluemooseburgersandwings.com
(865) 286-0364
* Bullfish Grill
Open Christmas Eve only
2441 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
bullfishgrill.com
(865) 868-1000
* Calhoun's
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
2532 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
calhouns.com
(865) 868-1500
1004 Parkway #101, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
calhouns.com
(865) 436-4100
* Cheddar's Casual Cafe
Open Christmas Eve
3240 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
cheddars.com
(865) 908-9555
* Cherokee Grill
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
1002 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
cherokeegrill.com
(865) 436-4287
* Cici's Pizza
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
1811 Parkway #105, Sevierville, TN 37862
cicis.com
(865) 774-6696
3189 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
cicis.com
(865) 366-1616
* Corky's
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
3584 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
corkysbbqpf.com
(865) 453-7427
* Cracker Barrel
Open Christmas Eve only
3960 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
locations.crackerbarrel.com
(865) 428-4613
2285 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
locations.crackerbarrel.com
(865) 908-4459
690 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
locations.crackerbarrel.com
(865) 908-3202
* Crawdaddy's
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
762 Parkway #5, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
crawdaddysgatlinburg.com
(865) 430-3755
* Denny's
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
3716 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
locations.dennys.com
(865) 774-5047
2480 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
locations.dennys.com
(865) 428-2411
* Fuddruckers
Open Christmas Eve only
168 Collier Dr, Sevierville, TN 37862
myfuddruckers.com
(865) 453-2221
* Geno's Pizza
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
3971 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
genospizza.com
(865) 428-2498
385 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
genospizza.com
(865) 430-9300
* Golden Corral
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
3610 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
goldencorral.com
(865) 453-1827
513 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
goldencorral.com
(865) 453-8859
* Gondolier Italian Restaurant
Open Christmas Eve only
964 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862
gondolierpizza.com
(865) 428-8050
* Hard Rock Cafe
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
2050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
hardrock.com
(865) 430-7625
* Howard's Restaurant
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
976 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
howardssteaks.com
(865) 436-3600
* Huck Finn's Catfish
Open Christmas Eve only
3330 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
huckfinnsrestaurant.com
(865) 429-3353
* Iron Boar Saloon
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
104 Waldens Main St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
ironboarsaloon.com
(865) 429-7779
* Johnny Rocket's
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
735 Parkway #2, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
johnnyrockets.com
(865) 430-5844
* JT Hannah's Kitchen
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
3214 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
jthannahs.com
(865) 428-4200
* Loco Burro
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
735 Parkway #1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
kennedy-concepts.com
(865) 430-5624
* Mama's Farmhouse
Open Christmas Eve only
208 Pickel St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
mamasfarmhouse.com
(865) 908-4646
* Margaritaville
Open Christmas Eve only
130 The Island Dr Suite 6101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
margaritavillepigeonforge.com
(865) 210-8530
* Mellow Mushroom
Open Christmas Eve only
2485 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
mellowmushroom.com
(865) 286-2229
131 The Island Dr Suite 3101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
mellowmushroom.com
(865) 286-3800
903 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
mellowmushroom.com
(865) 277-0600
* Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
1001 Parkway #2, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
obergatlinburg.com
(865) 436-5423
* Old Mill Restaurant
Open Christmas Eve
164 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
old-mill.com
(865) 429-3463
* Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
131 The Island Dr #8101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
pauladeensfamilykitchen.com
(865) 366-1510
* Pucker's Sports Bar and Grill
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
745 Parkway # 9, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
kennedy-concepts.com
(865) 430-7755
* Smoky Mountain Brewery
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
1004 Parkway # 501, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
smoky-mtn-brewery.com
(865) 436-4200
2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
smoky-mtn-brewery.com
(865) 868-1400
* Texas Roadhouse
Open Christmas Eve only
180 Collier Dr, Sevierville, TN 37862
texasroadhouse.com
(865) 908-4140
3786 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
texasroadhouse.com
(865) 286-1543
1019 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
texasroadhouse.com
(865) 430-4284
* Three Jimmy's
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
1359 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
threejimmys.com
(865) 325-1210
* Timberwood Grill
Open Christmas Eve
131 The Island Dr #1101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
timberwoodgrillpf.com
(865) 286-0600
