Gateway to Gatlinburg

On Saturdays from 8:30 am until 12 noon, you can experience a bit of what makes our region of the world so special at the Gatlinburg Farmers Market. Now in its 11th season, the Farmers Market prides itself on bringing longtime residents and visitors the finest, freshest locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, jams, jellies, baked goods, and much more. In addition to the top Tennessee grown produce, you’ll also find a variety of baked goods, flowers and plants, and natural health and wellness products, all crafted according to old fashioned Appalachian know-how. As you browse the various booths, you’ll also be treated to live music performed by some of the best musicians here in the Smokies.

Address: 849 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN

Here come the dog days of summer. Please remember to bring sunblock as you come to the mountains to visit. As you walk through the streets of downtown Gatlinburg, you may not always be in a shaded area. Don’t get a sunburn in the Smokies. Another thing to remember to take along is a water bottle. Keeping hydrated is essential throughout the year, but especially in the summer months. We lose a lot of water through perspiration. Last but not least, please do not feed wildlife and dispose of your trash in bear-proof containers. Trash kills bears. Human food kills bears. Let us be mindful of that.

Many others are open. We just did not check with all. With more than 100 restaurants in Sevier County, you will always have lots of options, even if only half of them reopened on May 1. For particular restaurants, you do not see on our list, feel free to check on their website. Those who are open will offer takeout and curbside delivery and/or dining in at half capacity. For parties larger than six, they will seat you at different tables, six feet apart. This is only for Phase 1 of re-opening Tennessee. We do not know when Phase 2 will start. Just like you, the staff at Zoder’s Inn and Suites closely monitors official guidelines for a safe reopening process.

April temperatures do not always allow for sun tanning, but when the weather is nice, hotel guests love being able to lounge at the pool. The flowers have bloomed and there is no denying that spring has arrived. Azaleas are blooming and birds are chirping. For hikers, Smoky Mountains hotels provide a home away from home where they can recharge their batteries before tackling the next trail. There’s nothing like breathing in the clean, fresh, mountain air and moving your muscles as you hike.

Most of our frequent guests know that Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is one of the best facilities of its kind in the region, and they offer a variety of special events and activities for their visitors. However, many may not know that the aquarium now offers a thrilling and educational opportunity. If you’re ready to get an exciting and closeup view of nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, sawfish, and green moray eels, you can now climb aboard a Ripley’s Glass Bottom Boat for a fun and fascinating ride.

You’ll glide over the placid waters of Shark Lagoon, with a mere three inches between you and the almost 85,000 denizens and 75 amazing species who occupy the lagoon, including those from Caribbean reefs and tropical Atlantic Ocean waters. You’ll learn while you cruise with narration by expert guides who will provide facts about the various creatures who inhabit Shark Lagoon. Each boat is 16 feet long, with a large pane of glass for optimal observation, and boats head out for Shark Lagoon every 10 minutes, making this an ideal activity for busy vacationers.

What are you doing for spring break? Why not come to the Smokies? Put away your devices and unplug from your internet connection. Go on a hike and reconnect with Mother Nature. Listen to the chirping birds, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and enjoy some feel-good food.

Restore your zest for life with a week or a weekend in Gatlinburg during your spring break. The most visited national park in the nation offers numerous opportunities for hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. You can discover what is in Gatlinburg Tennessee together with your children, family, or friends.

This is the time of the year when bears come out of hibernation and they are hungry. Keep your distance because these majestic creatures are not teddy bears.

They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. This may be more of a saying and a rhyme rather than a true weather predictor, but we like it. And, in some years, it is actually true. Regardless, March has very changeable weather, from unseasonably warm temperatures to late-season snow storms.

When you come to Gatlinburg in March, you must plan accordingly. Our mountain trails can be a study in all four seasons. You may start out in spring or even summer, if the temperature is in the 70s, and see signs of fall leaves on the ground. On higher elevations, you get into winter as you run into patches of snow on the ground in shaded areas.

Bring the right hiking gear and explore comfortably by wearing layers. A water bottle and a snack will keep you energized for the hike, while a hat helps keep the sun or the wind at bay. When you return to your hotel in Gatlinburg TN, you will have lots of pictures to share with your friends on social media.

While the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center is one of the area’s most popular attractions, many folks don’t realize that the center offers much more than realistic wax replicas of Hollywood stars and pop music celebrities.

There are also three action-packed adventures, making this an ideal destination for the entire family. Check out the attractions listed below for all the action.

Castle of Chaos

Fly, race, and careen around during this 5D adventure ride that’s filled with exciting sights and exhilarating sounds. Buckle up, arm yourself with your laser blaster, and fire away. Aim to win, as the winner’s scores are shown onscreen at the end of the ride.

Hannah's Maze of Mirrors

Are you brave enough to rescue Princess Hannah? Your quest includes climbing a musical staircase, crossing an infinity drawbridge, and facing dead ends, and twists and turns before confronting the mirror maze where the princess is trapped.

Outbreak - Dread the Undead

Enter the creepy Chemacorp Lab, where a closed-circuit broadcast speaks of experiments with the gene-altering Alpha Strain just before the emergency alarm is sounded. Then, try to make your way through a building crawling with zombies. Dare to brave the fun surprises and scares within.

Tennessee and Texas are connected in many ways, not just through Davy Crockett and the Alamo story. For instance, these states have contributed the most presidents, namely three each.

From Tennessee, we have Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James Polk – in case you were wondering. From Texas, we have the Bushes, father and son, and Lyndon Johnson.

A Gatlinburg vacation around Presidents’ Day will be very patriotic, as the city always decorates with lots and lots of flags on a national day like this. It is a sight to behold. As they remove the Winter Fest and Valentine’s Day lights, city workers make sure flags tell the story of our nation’s presidents.

This winter has not exactly done much to earn its name. We had some snow in November, which disrupted certain gatherings, but nothing else. Children in Gatlinburg in Tennessee are longing for snow. They are taunting winter by calling it wimper.

Zoder's Inn takes advantage of the warm temperatures to forge ahead in our remodeling efforts. The tower suites are coming along nicely. So are the flower beds.

As we finished January, we stopped looking backwards and forwards simultaneously, like Jannus, the Roman god with two faces. He was, if you remember, the god of beginnings and of endings, of transitions and of duality, of gates and passages. Now, we only look forward.

The transition into 2020 seems complete. February has begun – a long February, with 29 days. It is a special year with 366 days and we only get to celebrate it again in 2024. Make it a good one – come to the mountains.

We all enjoy seeing sunshine, especially during winter. No matter how cold it is outside, if the sun is shining, we feel better about our day. As we approach the last few days of January, we hope you have sunshine where you live.

At Zoders Inn and Suites, rain or shine, our remodeling crew is working hard inside the tower suites. You will like the results of their efforts. Next time you visit, book a tower suite, to enjoy the fresh interiors.

People consider Zoders one of the nice hotels in Gatlinburg TN because we invest a lot in the maintenance of our property. We take pride in our work and it shows.

Depending on where you live, you might have a lot of snow, or none at all. At Ober Gatlinburg, in January, you will find a winter wonderland for sure. When our family took ski lessons up there, the instructors told us the snow they make there will prepare you to ski on any terrain.

Some people think they must go to Utah or Colorado for some really good skiing, but Ober is excellent for all levels of skiers. The beginners can be on their slopes and the more advanced skiers can take the longer, higher slopes.

Don’t forget you can also ice skate at Ober Gatlinburg, year round. They also have snow tubing and other snow-related fun. Spending a day at Ober is just one of the many things to do in Gatlinburg in January.

Moonshine has come a long way from the bad old days. Today’s moonshine is a legal, finely distilled, and flavored product that is worthy of the term “spirits.” Additionally, such flavors as butterscotch, apple pie, peach, sweet tea, and many others leave us with more of a craft brew experience. Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas offer a variety of this “white lightning” libation, along with tours and tastings located throughout the area. Four of our faves are listed here.

Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery

From The Holler and The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg to The Barn in Pigeon Forge, you'll find free tours, live summer concerts, and a myriad of tempting flavors with proofs ranging from 40-100.

Sugarlands Distillery

An abundant assortment of interesting flavors are the showcase of this downtown Gatlinburg distillery. Free tours are available, and don’t miss their entertaining Back Porch concerts.

Old Forge Distillery

This Pigeon Forge distillery features coffee, chocolate, French toast flavored moonshine, and free tours, along with their unique selection of vodkas, bourbons, and rums.

Doc Collier Distillery

This Gatlinburg storefront offers tastings of five varieties and seasonal flavors. Don’t leave without tasting their famous moonshine brandy.

Jingle bells, jingle bells. If you do not hear bells ringing by now, something must be wrong. No matter what kind of Christmas you celebrate (secular or religious), we hope you experience peace, joy, and love now and every day.

Life is short. Magical Gatlinburg vacations await. Put troubles and worries behind you, as Sinatra sings, and choose to hope for a better tomorrow. You do not have problems that cannot be solved. It’s a new day and pretty soon it’s going to be 2020. Not just any new year. Perfect vision 20-20 kind of year.

Twenty years after the Y2K scare, humanity is still here, innovating, learning to communicate with each other, and preparing to visit other planets. Move forward in the hope of a better future. Merry Christmas!

The other day, at Light #1 in Gatlinburg, I had to stop as the light turned red. There were cars coming from the other direction and my intention was to turn left to use the Dudley Creek Bypass. Tourists on their way to Gatlinburg Falls Resort know this road. Locals use it as a shortcut towards Highway 321.

This lady behind me shook her head and clearly said something disapproving of my slowing down on a yellow light. Sorry, but I will not rush to turn left on a yellow light with oncoming traffic speeding towards me. No matter how angry you get.

One of the most visited towns in the United States, Gatlinburg has its fair share of traffic incidents. When you all come to visit, keep your wits about you and drive safely. Plan for extra time and plan your meals so you do not get hangry in traffic.

Are you ready for Christmas yet? We barely started the month of November and people ask you that question already. Whatever happened to Thanksgiving, right? We all need to take Thanksgiving back.

Get a book about the First Thanksgiving which matches the ages of your children and read about it in the evening, during your family time together. We plan to do this again this year.

For most people, Thanksgiving represents the dearest holiday. Mom’s cooking, no materialistic details, no crazy shopping just for the sake of handing a present over to somebody. Just family and friends getting together to enjoy food and time together. So don’t skip over Thanksgiving. This year, or the next, or the next.

Many hotels at Gatlinburg TN offer suites with fully equipped kitchens where your family can cook a full Thanksgiving menu. Zoder’s Inn gets booked for Thanksgiving a year in advance, but you can certainly check availability now. You never know.

Recently, my family and I watched “Interstellar,” the sci-fi movie with Matt Damon, Matthew McConaughey, and Anne Hathaway. One line that stood out was this: “When we become parents, we realize we are here only to make memories for the children.” Are you making memories with your children in the Smokies this year, for Thanksgiving? We hope so.

Children will remember the fun and fellowship and they will certainly remember the food. So make an effort and get your family into a Smoky Mountains hotel this November. Embrace the season, the traffic, the experience. Time only goes forward and you can never have these moments back with your children.

This holiday season, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are offering visitors the ultimate holiday light experience—a multitude of brilliant displays in a variety of venues. First, head out on November 15 for a cozy, drive-through experience at Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland. Ongoing at Smokies Stadium through January 5, 2020, this seasonal favorite also features pony rides, a petting zoo, food vendors, and visits (and photos) with Santa. Next, be dazzled by the millions of lights and spectacular lighted displays viewed from a warm, cozy seat on the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights. From November 22, 2019, through January 31, 2020, the trolley will take you across downtown and beyond, for one magical ride.

Return to the family ride for the Pigeon Forge Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights from November 22, 2019 – February 17, 2020, and don’t miss the official kick-off of the holiday season with the Tree Lighting at The Island on Pigeon Forge on November 23. Make your post-Thanksgiving extra special with a stunning show of family fun and pyrotechnics at the Titanic’s Thanksgiving Fireworks Parade on November 29, and be sure to stick around for Gatlinburg’s own Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on December 6.

Like some of the 4 star hotels Gatlinburg TN boasts? Music? History? Appalachian culture? Come to Gatlinburg on Friday and Saturday evenings and just walk up and down the streets. Actors, dancers, and musicians put on a show in different locations to help you relive Appalachian culture from a hundred years ago.

The dancers clog, which is a special dance performed in shoes called clogs. These young ladies, called cloggers, work hard throughout the year to learn the steps and rhythms passed down from generation to generation. The actors are costumed storytellers who know how to spin a yarn about ye old times. The musicians perform original songs and traditional tunes of these parts. What’s not to love?

The other week, we saw a meme on Facebook: “It’s fall in Tennessee. You know what that means… Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It’s still 90 degrees out.” And, yes, it is true. In the morning, the temperatures have dropped some, in the range of 57F-67F. But once the afternoon rolls around, we are looking at 82F-92F.

Also, we are in a bit of a drought. It has not rained really well since August 26 in Sevier County. We need the rain badly.

Otherwise, things are right on track with fall: decorations, green leaves turning yellow, orange, and red, and lots of apples and pumpkins everywhere. And romance. We see honeymooners and couples without children, a sign that fall can be as romantic as any other time of the year. You might wonder how many romantic hotels Gatlinburg TN offers. Well, plenty. Some top hotels in Gatlinburg TN are tucked away from the busy downtown area and even have balconies overlooking a creek. If you search, you will find.

Between September 6 and November 22, the City of Gatlinburg organizes the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. A free event throughout Gatlinburg, this is your chance to experience fall like nowhere else. With over the top autumn decor, including life-size, 3D scarecrow people, Gatlinburg becomes that magical place where you can forget about your stress and replenish your batteries.

In October, the Tunes and Tales part of the festival kicks off every Friday and Saturday evening. Costumed storytellers, cloggers, and musicians will help you experience Appalachian culture since the 1800s. Walk up and down the Parkway to find artists located at different plazas and in front of Gatlinburg hotels TN, performing and demonstrating their craft for free.

These programs are carefully put together for your entertainment and we hope you enjoy the show. The performers have worked hard preparing for the Harvest Festival Tunes and Tales.

Did you know that Gatlinburg in Tennessee has a thriving community of farmers? Take advantage of the last weeks of the Gatlinburg Farmers Market. Located at the American Legion Building, on Hwy 321 in Gatlinburg, the Market is open every Saturday between 8:30-12:00.

The vendors provide fresh, local produce, as well as baked goods. Eggs, meats, fruits, vegetables, honey, artisanal products, arts and crafts demonstrations – there is something for everyone.

The Market will close on October 12, so make sure to come visit soon. Now in its 10th season, the Gatlinburg Farmers Market runs from mid-May through mid-October.

Each autumn, the Great Smoky Mountains foliage changes from the vibrant greens of spring and summer to brilliant hues of gold, red, orange, and bright yellow, until the mountains are ablaze with bright fall color. This dazzling display, along with the city’s new fall decorations, provides the ideal backdrop for 2019’s extended Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. Beginning September 6 and lasting through November 22, this year’s festival will showcase all the area’s favorite fall events and activities.

Be sure to join us for Taste of Gatlinburg on September 12, Oktoberfest at Ober September 27 – October 3, and the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament from October 4-5. Don't miss Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival Tunes and Tales from October 2-24, the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair happening October 10-27, and our famous Chili Cookoff on November 9. And, don’t forget about all our wonderful winter activities, when Gatlinburg will be decked out for the holidays! So, make your plans to visit us soon—we’re betting you’ll “fall” in love and never want to leave.

One resort Gatlinburg has had for a long time is Zoder’s Inn and Suites. Wallace and Dorotha Zoder moved to Gatlinburg from Louisiana before there was a National Park. When they started renting out cottages to the few tourists who came to the mountains in the 40s and 50s, little did they know how busy this town was going to become.

Wallace and Dorotha did not see the arrival of www.zoders.com or our different social media channels. However, their dedication to hospitality lives on. Their staff, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren take pride in offering tourists a home away from home.

This time of year, many look for style ideas to transition from summer to fall. Gatlinburg boutiques have brought in the latest fashions to help you look your best. Usually, when people come on vacation Gatlinburg surprises them with new collections, as well as classic pieces that will go the distance in your closet.

If you have a wardrobe capsule printed out or saved on your phone, just bring it in to one of the stores downtown Gatlinburg. The shop assistants will suggest other places if you cannot find everything in their store.

Is brand pride something you care about? Then go for it. But if a logo is a no go, you can definitely find the right pieces in the downtown Gatlinburg shops.