Does it begin the week of Memorial Day? My boyfriend and I are planning a trip that week, and wanted to know how congested it will be. I assume most kids are still in school and it wouldn't be too bad, but just wanted to check.

Thanks!

We were in the area in September and was told that their "busy season" is in October, when all the leaves are changing, etc. We stayed in Sevierville at a B&B. I'm not sure about Memorial Day. HTH!

Seems to me it's always crowded in Gatlinburg. We've gone there several times throughout the year, even in February, there was too much traffic. I would think any holiday weekend would be the same.

If interested in more peace and quiet rather than people and traffic, I know of some other options for staying in the mountains that may be better for a home base. Feel free to email me at [email protected].

Linda

I've gone to Gatlinburg many times and at different times of the year. The earliest I have ever gone has been the second week of June and it wasn't too bad--the tourist season was just gearing up.

The absolute worst time to go is in July or early August. Usually, I find that the week immediately preceeding Labor Day is considered a slow time as family vacations are mostly over for the year.
If you stick to the weekdays, it shouldn't be too bad, but remember, it always gets more crowded from Friday thru Sunday as many tourists come into town for just the weekend.

We have gone to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge many times during Memorial Day week and it is not bad at all. Stay off the parkway in Pigeon Forge (go the back roads)...and take the by-pass from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg and vice versa and traffic will move.
I went last year on a weekend in October (high season because of the autumn foliage change) and traffic was murder...