Nice North Side Finds in Gatlinburg

When I give you information regarding Gatlinburg, I want it to be from a position of credibility—or at least some familiarity. The following places we’ve visited at least once, so I can honestly give you our experiences with each on the north end of Gatlinburg. Spoiler Alert! They’re all positive.

First, let me explain the north part of Gatlinburg. This is the end you first enter coming off the spur from Pigeon Forge. I don’t know where it technically becomes not the north side, but I’ve cut it of at stoplight #3, which is the East Parkway, taking you past many other good eats and Glades Road, home of The Arts and Crafts Community. Here’s my list!

Zoder’s Inn

When you think of old Gatlinburg, this is one of a few places that should come to mind. It has a lot of charm, and it’s been updated in recent years. But not enough to give you a sense it obliterated everything you remember from this motel, which features many different living units. It’s most known for the creek that runs between it. If you love the white sounds of rushing water to assist you in a good night’s sleep, this may be for you.

The Atrium Restaurant

We first discovered this restaurant on our inaugural visit. What drew us in—even though my first order was Blueberry Pancakes—was their famous Baked Apple Pancake. For my money, it’s one of the best tasting sweet dishes in all of Gatlinburg. Unfortunately, we haven’t been here in close to ten years, but we’ve discussed another indulgence that we hope to follow through on again.

Chesapeake’s

A recent addition to our north side finds, Chesapeake’s gives the seafood lover a reason to not feel guilty eating fish in landlocked Tennessee. Fresh fish flown in daily from the Atlantic is a solid reason not to ignore this fairly upscale, but still casual-friendly restaurant. We ate here recently, and while we’re not the biggest fans of seafood, it was easily the best we’ve ever had. A repeat visit will be necessary.

Gatlinburg Brewing Company

While I have been here a handful of times for some of their excellent suds, only on our last visit did I finally have some grub. Their brick oven pizza is great, and serves as a perfect pair with any of their locally brewed beers on tap. Their most popular one seems to be the Gatty Light, which they also offer as a to-go option. This place doesn’t occupy a large space like Smoky Mountain Brewery, but they make up for it with some high quality offerings, which also include hosting the occasional local musician.

Baymont On The River

Another transparency alert: We stayed here one time ten years ago on a whim, prior to our first Gatlinburg cabin vacation. This hotel was undergoing some renovations, and our unit had been completed. It was small but perfect for us, and it also gives you more than just a creek view. Stunning views of the Little Pigeon River off our balcony definitely made it a memorable visit. The only downside is its susceptibility to vehicle noise, being it’s right next to the Parkway.

Moonshine Mountain Coaster

Formerly named the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, I believe they underwent an ownership change or a re-branding. I know they spent time correcting some issues, but our, once again, one-time visit was pretty awesome. To this day, it remains the only mountain coaster on our ride list. That means I can’t compare and contrast the others that have popped up all over the Smoky Mountain tourist areas. Still, I’m always open to trying this or another one again; it’s just not a high priority item for our vacation.

Hillbilly Golf

Last but definitely not least is another business with some longevity in Gatlinburg. It’s little wonder it’s stood the test of time to the tune of more than 50 years. It bills itself as one of the most unique mini-golf experiences in the Smokies, and it’s difficult to argue otherwise. You pay for a round, then you are taken on a tram up on the mountainside, where an 18-hole course awaits. It may not have all the frills of a modern one, but that’s not the point. It’s super cool and prideful for many to say they’ve done this. And we’re happy to join that club.

You might want to check some of these places when you visit Gatlinburg for the first time. You won’t have to search far, since they are all on the main drag before you hit the multitude of shops and eateries that start immediately after the north side “ends.”

Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss any of my forthcoming posts, which will feature the other must-do’s on the other side of town. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy my growing library of content!