Gatlinburg Local Area

Local Area

Welcome to Motel 6 Gatlinburg—set along the banks of the Little Pigeon River and just a short walk to the Parkway. Our location is perfect for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg’s top attractions like Anakeesta, Ober Mountain, and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. A Gatlinburg Trolley stop is near the hotel, so you can hop on and reach downtown sights without the hassle of parking. Hikers love our easy access to the Park via the Gatlinburg Bypass, and day-trips to Pigeon Forge (Dollywood, The Island, dinner shows) are a quick, direct drive.

Gatlinburg Attractions

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies underwater tunnel with tropical fish and marine life

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

📍 0.8 miles from Motel 6

Voted Best U.S. Aquarium! Marvel at 12-foot sharks, sea turtles, penguins, and thousands of exotic sea creatures in a 340-foot underwater tunnel.

  • 340-foot underwater tunnel
  • Touch a Ray Bay - pet stingrays
  • Penguin Playhouse with daily parade
  • Hourly dive shows and feeding demos
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Anakeesta mountain park with scenic views of Gatlinburg

Anakeesta

📍 1.2 miles from Motel 6

Mountain-top adventure park featuring the longest pedestrian SkyBridge in North America with stunning 360-degree views.

  • 680-foot SkyBridge suspension bridge
  • Treetop Skywalk and canopy walks
  • Mountain coaster and ziplines
  • Shops, restaurants, and seasonal events
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Gatlinburg SkyLift Park with scenic mountain views

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

📍 1.5 miles from Motel 6

Scenic chairlift ride to the top of Crockett Mountain with America's longest pedestrian SkyBridge featuring glass floor panels.

  • Iconic yellow chairlift since 1954
  • 680-foot SkyBridge with glass panels
  • SkyDeck observation area
  • Night illumination and photos
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Ober Mountain aerial tramway and year-round activities

Ober Mountain

📍 1.8 miles from Motel 6 (to tram base)

Year-round mountain resort accessible by aerial tramway, offering skiing, ice skating, alpine slide, and wildlife encounters.

  • Scenic aerial tramway ride
  • Winter skiing and snowboarding
  • Year-round ice skating and alpine slide
  • Wildlife encounter with black bears
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Downtown Gatlinburg Parkway with shops and restaurants

Downtown Gatlinburg Parkway

📍 0.5 miles from Motel 6 (walking distance)

Vibrant downtown strip with shops, restaurants, attractions, and entertainment just 1.5 blocks away on the trolley line.

  • Dozens of unique shops and boutiques
  • Wide variety of restaurants
  • Street performers and entertainment
  • Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery
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Scenic trail in Great Smoky Mountains at Cades Cove area

Cades Cove

📍 12 miles from Motel 6

Historic valley in the Great Smoky Mountains with 11-mile loop road, preserved log cabins, churches, and abundant wildlife viewing.

  • 11-mile one-way scenic loop
  • Historic log cabins and churches
  • Best place to see black bears and deer
  • Bike rentals and picnic areas
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More Popular Gatlinburg Spots

  • Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
  • Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery
  • Sugarlands Visitor Center
  • Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
  • Mysterious Mansion
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
  • Hillbilly Golf
  • Hollywood Star Cars Museum
  • Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
  • Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community (8-mile loop)

Nearby Restaurants (Walkable / Short Ride)

Steakhouse dining with premium cuts

The Peddler Steakhouse

Beloved riverside steakhouse—hand-cut steaks and salad bar tradition.

BBQ ribs and southern cuisine

Calhoun's Gatlinburg

Local Tennessee BBQ, burgers, and brews—family-friendly and consistent.

Hearty breakfast with pancakes and eggs

Crockett's Breakfast Camp

Hearty Southern breakfasts and legendary cinnamon rolls—come early.

Stack of fluffy pancakes with syrup

Log Cabin Pancake House

Classic Gatlinburg pancakes and friendly service—an old-school favorite.

Italian pizza with fresh ingredients

Best Italian

Pizza, garlic rolls, and Italian standards a short stroll from downtown.

Craft beer taps at local brewery

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Local brews, pizza & pub fare; lively atmosphere after a day on the trails.

More Nearby Options

  • The Park Grill
  • Cherokee Grill
  • No Way Jose’s Cantina
  • Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
  • Wild Plum Tea Room
  • Tom & Earl’s Back Alley Grill
  • Ole Red Gatlinburg
  • Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
  • Boudicca’s Celtic Pub
  • Five Oaks Farm Kitchen (short drive)

Pigeon Forge Attractions (Easy Drive via Bypass)

Dollywood theme park entrance and attractions

Dollywood

World-class coasters, shows, crafts, and seasonal festivals—worth a day trip.

The Island in Pigeon Forge with ferris wheel and attractions

The Island in Pigeon Forge

Restaurants, shops, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, and family attractions.

Titanic Museum Attraction ship exterior replica

Titanic Museum Attraction

Immersive, interactive journey through Titanic history and artifacts.

Interactive science exhibit for families

WonderWorks

Hands-on science exhibits and fun for kids and kids-at-heart.

Dolly Parton's Stampede theatrical performance and dinner show

Shows & Dinner Theatres

Dolly Parton's Stampede, Comedy Barn, Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud, and more.

Shopping mall with brand name stores

Tanger Outlets

Brand-name outlet shopping in nearby Sevierville.

Getting Around Gatlinburg

Park the car and relax. A Gatlinburg Trolley stop is near the hotel, making it simple to reach the Parkway, the Aquarium, Anakeesta, and more. Driving to Pigeon Forge? Use the Gatlinburg Bypass for fast access.

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Modern Amenities

Free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, parking, and pet-friendly accommodations.

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