Why is Gatlinburg Busy? 5 Reasons You May Not Have Realized
People who have visited Gatlinburg on multiple occasions mostly know when the busy times are. When it gets busy during normal slow periods is what throws tourists for a loop. Even I have found myself scratching my head recently, trying to crack the code of increased traffic and visitors. Well, fairly recent events motivated me to write this. Obviously, tourism is at an all-time high, but there are weeks when you expect a decrease in foot and vehicle traffic. Here are a few reasons to explain a bigger than normal turnout when you expect a downturn in tourism.
1. Tennessee Football Home Games
I’ve only recently been introduced to this, but it holds water, especially SEC games. You do see a fair amount of opposing fans spend the weekend here, enjoying themselves before watching their team get beat by the Vols at Neyland Stadium. I’m kidding, but it’s true. If you visit a brewery or any place here in Gatlinburg where there are televisions, some may not have tickets, but they’re certainly a presence. A fan base that travels well will do all sorts of extra activities, so it’s no surprise they find their way here.
2. Evacuation Orders Due to Weather
Hurricanes happen yearly, and when it comes time for the season, we’ll see an influx of tourists who have been ordered to evacuate. These can be people from Texas all the way up the Atlantic coast. Floridians usually make up the bulk of evacuees, generally speaking, but North and South Carolinians are the other groups who head west to Gatlinburg for safety. So if you may wonder why a normally calm September seems more occupied, check the news and weather for a named storm. That may be why.
3. Music Concerts
Not long ago, Morgan Wallen came to Knoxville to play for tens of thousands of fans at Neyland. And yes, I heard anecdotal evidence from attendees who were here for a few days, spending countless hundreds on concert tickets and accommodations alone. It was head-scratching at first, as we were a little perplexed at what would normally be a fairly slow week. When we realized this concert—held an hour away from Gatlinburg—was a legitimate reason for the extra business, it made sense. If you know how big this particular country singer is, and also the fact he hails from the area, you’ll understand why it was busier.
4. Big Group Gatherings at the Convention Center
The Gatlinburg Convention Center is pretty massive. Don’t believe me? Well, there’s 3 rooms: Mills Auditorium, The Great Hall, and Ballroom. These large areas can accommodate close to 10,000 people combined, offering more than 160,000 square feet of space. From church and cheer groups to women’s and FFA conferences, there’s no shortage of busloads funneling these special groups into Gatlinburg. Who can also forget the big hair metal fest and Bigfoot congregation as well. Yes, they all contribute to a busier than usual Gatlinburg.
5. Detours/Closed Roads
The big one at the moment is I-40 at the Tennessee/North Carolina border, but as we saw with the Jeep Invasion in August, the park is working on roads and pulloffs—with helpful funding—that can clog traffic, making it seem busier because of detours. The situation with vehicles populating the tourist areas are an ongoing—and sometimes disqualifying—aspect of getting around here, but for tourists who shouldn’t be in a hurry to begin with, this should be a reality check. Why blame everyone else for a place you fell in love with? There are millions of new tourists, in addition to the repeat ones, coming here every year. I was one myself. You can still have fun despite the traffic.
I hope this helps you understand what makes Gatlinburg busier when you least expect it. I’m sure there are others, but the Rod Run is something most everyone knows about, and honestly, we don’t see the same scene in Gatlinburg, compared to Pigeon Forge where the event is held. And yes, there are other car shows that spill over as well. If anything, this only adds another page to your research for planning a Gatlinburg vacation. There’s no such thing as too much, but you also don’t want to set a firm itinerary. Just know it can change. Find things that fit your interests and do the best you can to enjoy your stay here. There’s something for everyone.
Thank you for reading and subscribing to my publication. I hope you enjoyed this post. I’ll have more lists and everything you could possibly want to know about Gatlinburg as it relates to you, and also, how I am doing as a transplant from Ohio. Stay tuned, everyone!