We've visited the Smoky Mountains every winter for 15 years. It's the perfect spot for a fun, scenic vacation in the US.

11.12.2024 - 17:39 / insider.com

About 15 years ago, I moved to Nashville and was excited to learn that it was located just a short drive away from Tennessee's Smoky Mountains.

Since then, it's been a regular trip for my husband and me. Our favorite time to visit is during the winter, and we make a point of doing so every year.

The mountain area is perfect for a couples' getaway (or family one) with its many activities, eats, and scenic views.

When we visit the Smoky Mountains, we typically stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, the two main tourist towns in the area.

Both have a variety of hotels for a range of budgets.

My favorite in winter is Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Its luxe, rustic feel sets the perfect tone for the season, and I love its on-site dining options.

I also love the Margaritaville Island Hotel, which has a year-round tropical vacation feel. Its location is ideal as it has several restaurants and tourist attractions steps away.

I've dined at many restaurants in the area, and my favorite is definitely Smoky Mountain Brewery.

The local spot has its own craft beers on tap and tasty bar classics, like pretzels with housemade beer cheese. There's often live music, which makes it the perfect place to relax after a busy day.

I also love that Pigeon Forge has several dinner shows to choose from.

One of my favorites is the Dolly Parton Stampede, which combines a thrilling show with horses and aerial performances with a multicourse meal.

Breakfast is also a huge deal in the Smoky Mountains. The area has tons of impressive breakfast spots, and my favorite is Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe.

The food is excellent, and the restaurant is highly themed with dozens of animatronic chickens. It's unlike any place I've ever been to.

I love Dollywood year-round, but the theme park is extra special during the winter because of its Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.

This time of year, Dollywood is adorned with gorgeous decorations and tons of lights. Plus, the park has special seasonal shows and incredible winter-inspired menus.

As a seasoned theme-park reporter, Dollywood's holiday celebration is well worth the visit alone — it's my favorite theme-park event.

While in the area, I'll also typically stop at the Titanic Museum. I'm continually impressed with how it honors the passengers.

The exhibits feel top-notch with real artifacts, and my favorite is the tribute to the ship's onboard musicians.

I particularly enjoy the interactive nature of the museum experience. At check-in, visitors are assigned a passenger, and you learn about them and follow their journey throughout the exhibit to ultimately learn their fate.

There's no shortage of thrill activities in the area, either. Although I don't ski, I'm a big fan of indoor snow