Nashvillians know a summer getaway to the Smokies is something special. Just a scenic drive from Music City, the mountains provide the perfect setting for a family escape filled with unforgettable memories.
Gatlinburg is the perfect hub for families with varied interests because it offers both relaxation and adventure. Surrounded by nature on three sides, this charming resort town also has a bustling main street that offers lots to do and see.
When planning your trip, book the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. It’s ideally situated to enjoy nature and easily reach all the action.
The resort recently hosted our team and we got to experience its pleasures firsthand. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort is set back from the road and is surrounded by trees. Even though it’s a short walk from the resort to Gatlinburg’s main attractions, you can’t hear the traffic. All you hear is the soothing sound of the stream that winds past the property.
Our family travels best when we all have our own space. The oversized suite rooms meant our tween set up camp on the couch bed in the main living space. I could enjoy the separate bedroom with a balcony perfect for morning coffee and bear spotting. (We did see a few during our stay!) After a blissful first night of sleep our crew headed downstairs to fuel up for the day’s fun.
The Embassy Suites is known for its complimentary bountiful buffet breakfast complete with made-to-order omelets. The Gatlinburg resort is no different. Everyone including our picky eater found something fresh and delicious.
Then we headed out to catch the Gatlinburg Free Trolley which had a stop located just a few steps from the Embassy Suites. Our family is big fans of the trolley partly because my adventurous nine-year-old son never saw a transportation mode he didn’t want to climb aboard. But the trolley is also convenient and easy to use. It runs 365 days a year with stops located throughout Gatlinburg. Moreover, a free trolley locator app helps you track the trolleys live. We hopped aboard and took a short ride to Anakeesta—one of our favorite Gatlinburg activities.
We took a ride on the new high-speed Crystal Express which whisked us up the mountain in record time. I’m thrilled to report there are no more lines for the scenic ride! Once at the top our adventurous crew decided to ride the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster. The single rail coaster is the first of its kind in the United States. It’s definitely built for speed! We all loved zipping down and around the mountain in our own carts. (Smaller children are able to ride tandem with an adult.)
Next, the kids wanted to visit one of their favorite Anakeesta attractions–Bird-Venture! The kids can climb, explore and slide their way through the aviary-inspired adventure zone. They worked up a sweat and we all decided it was the perfect time to start enjoying the “United Tastes of America.” The annual food tasting passes are a fun and economical way to enjoy themed drinks, snacks and treats throughout Anakeesta.
The Honkytonk Lemonade was the perfect thirst-quencher for kids while my Prickly Pear Margarita hit the spot. That was just the lift we needed to explore the Treetop Skywalk, the Treeventure Challenge Course and more. We sampled food along the way and highlights included the Oregon Port Pear Flatbread, the New Mexico Carlsbad Carnitas and the New Hampshire Plymouth Pancake Bites.
After hours of fun at Anakeesta, we decided to head back to the Embassy Suites to cool off in the three resort pools. There were plenty of Mom-approved shady spots and the kids got to splashing. I lost track of how many times they went down the slide and around the lazy river! It wasn’t long before the Embassy Suites evening reception was underway offering all guests free snacks and drinks (beer, wine and cocktails too!) to enjoy.
There are plenty of gathering spots but we decided to take our drinks and snacks back to the pool. In fact, the kids were having such a great time we decided to skip our original dinner plans. Instead, we ordered dinner from the Firefly Cove, the on-site Embassy Suites restaurant. The staff said we could enjoy our meal poolside which meant the kids could keep playing and eat when they were ready. It was such a perfect compromise we ate dinner at the pool two nights in a row!
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Resort offers the best of both worlds: easy access to Gatlinburg’s top attractions and a comfortable, amenity-filled retreat where you can unwind and enjoy the destination without ever leaving the property.
As our stay was winding down, we were all sad to leave the Embassy Suites. Isn’t that the sign of a good trip when you don’t want it to end? The Embassy Suites proved to be the perfect spot for our family to savor summer and enjoy all Gatlinburg has to offer.
About the Author, Beth: 
I’m a former TV news producer turned stay-at-home mom to my daughter Madeline and son Bennett. While I may stay at home, Madeline, Bennett and I are always on the go exploring Knoxville and making new friends. I’m a coffee addict, book lover, fashion-phile, occasional cook and bargain hunter. My guilty pleasures include Pinterest and bad reality TV. I believe a sense of humor is an essential survival skill. And–lucky me–my funny husband Andy always keeps me laughing. Follow me on Knoxville Moms as I chronicle this challenging and rewarding adventure we call motherhood!
