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November 22, 2024
One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in the Smoky Mountains is to take a holiday-themed trolley or train ride! Not only will the experience put you in the spirit of the season but also be the ideal setting for enjoying the beautiful winter scenery of the Smokies. Read on to learn more about the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg trolleys, how you can do a self-guided tour of the Winterfest lights, plus a realistic train ride that should be on everyone’s bucket list!
The Gatlinburg trolley is a free service you can use to get around the Gatlinburg area and best of all, to admire all of the Gatlinburg Winter Magic holiday light displays! While you can also take a self-guided driving tour of the lights, there is nothing better than kicking back in the heated comfort of a Gatlinburg trolley to enjoy all of the displays! These include millions of custom-designed lighting displays that represent traditional holiday scenes, Smoky Mountain wildlife, and more.
All trolleys stop at the Mass Transit Center located at the front of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and they run 365 days a year! Learn more about the different routes and seasonal hours here.
Winterfest in Pigeon Forge is one of the biggest annual events of the year, lasting from mid-November all the way into February! The entire town transforms into a winter wonderland, with a mind-boggling amount of twinkling lights and unique displays on nearly every building and street. From the iconic 12 Days of Christmas to the Fairytale Fantasy displays and beautiful light-covered bridges, you’ll love being able to see the holiday cheer manifested in the most beautiful light displays!
The Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights is best experienced at your own pace with Christmas songs playing in the car while you sip hot chocolate, but if you do want to ride the trolley for easy access to area attractions, shops, and restaurants, you can find more information about trolley fares and routes here.
A Pigeon Forge Christmas vacation wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the Dollywood Express! You can take the 20-minute train ride during the daylight hours to enjoy the 5-mile journey into the Smokies with breathtaking views, then come back at night to witness millions of spectacular holiday lights and sing Christmas carols with your fellow riders!
The Dollywood Express is just one of the many festive activities you’ll want to do during Dollywood’s annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival! Check out the Dollywood operating schedule to find out what times the train is running on the day of your visit as well as live entertainment, shows, and other exciting things going on.
Planning a stress-free group holiday vacation in the Smokies starts with finding the perfect place to stay, and luckily, you can find the best selection of group cabins in the Smoky Mountains right here! From 4-bedroom cabins ideal for a couple of families to a 26-bedroom cabin mansion for large groups and retreats, our cabin rentals are fully stocked with everything you need for a Christmas getaway. Some have indoor pools while others have outdoor fire pits, while most cabins have game rooms, home theaters, hot tubs, and more!
Browse all of our large cabins in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to find one that meets all of your needs. Our reservations team is also only a phone call away if you need assistance with booking your stay and planning the best Christmas in the Smoky Mountains!
