Best Places to See Fireworks
New Year's Eve & 4th of July
& St. Patrick's Day
In the Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
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Most people know about the New Year's Eve Ball Drop and fireworks show that celebrate the New Year in Gatlinburg. Also the 4th of July Parade at Midnight July 3rd! But if you want to avoid crowds down on the street, there are other options for you!
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Also, many of the restaurants and hotels will have special vacation packages and dinners for New Year's Eve. Cabins availability for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will also go fast, so the key is
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Call your favorite place ahead to find out
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Book EARLY to reserve
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Reserve your Cabin near Downtown
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Stay in a Condo Downtown
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Get one of the Best Hotels on the Strip
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The following is a list of Best Ways to Spend New Year's Eve or July 4th
in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN
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​QUICK LINKS:
My Cabin Suggestions
My Hotel Suggestions
Attractions
Car Shows
Food & Restaurants
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Tips for Avoiding Traffic Jams
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Want to Avoid Crowds?
Here are Some Cabins You Can
See Fireworks From!​
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City Lights - 2BR, 2BA, Sleeps 6, Gatlinburg
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R&R Retreat - 2BR, 2BA, Sleeps 6, Gatlinburg
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Private, Modern Vacation House - 4BR, 3BA, Sleeps 10, Gatlinburg
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Above It All - 4BA, 4BA, Sleeps 8, Gatlinburg
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Redwood Retreat - 2BR, 2BA, Sleeps 8, Gatlinburg (walk to downtown)
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Smoky Mountain High - 4BR, 3BA, Sleeps 10, Gatlinburg
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See More Cabins Below....
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1.) Gatlinburg - New Year's Eve Ball Drop
Space Needle, Downtown Gatlinburg, TN
New! Drone show before the fireworks!
If you want to see the annual breathtaking fireworks display from the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle, and hear live music, the party is downtown to the corner of Historic Nature Trail and the main Parkway to watch. The brilliant and popular fireworks show is choreographed with music and led light effects for anyone who wants to watch!
My best advice is to stay in a hotel or cabin in walking distance to the Parkway! If you can't find a place to stay nearby, arrive early and plan to stay awhile.
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Don't forget the 4th of July Parade is always the first in the nation - It is held at midnight on July 3rd each year -the second the clock strikes midnight on the 3rd, the fireworks begin in Gatlinburg.
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Check out this cozy, 1BR, authentic, antique log cabin, called Lover's Loft, just above Gatlinburg, where don't even have to leave to see the Gatlinburg fireworks celebration!
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Walk Downtown from These Highly Rated Condos
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2.) The Island
131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge
One of the best and most popular places in Pigeon Forge to see fireworks on New Year's Eve is The Island. Usually there will be live music or a concert there that night. The Island is loved for being very family and kid friendly. But there is always something for adults too, at The Island. Lots of parking, lots of food, music, fountain show and entertainment for everyone.
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3.) Anakeesta
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Anakeesta's spot high up on the mountain is a sure bet for fireworks viewing. Take a ride to the top and get comfortable at the Clifftop Restaurant for the Top of the World New Year's Eve Party. Check out the Observation Tower for an even better view! Enchanted Winter lights, champagne, specialty cocktails and other perks await. (See cabins near Anakeesta here.)
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4.) Skylift Park
765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Limited tickets will be on sale, so get them ahead of time! Take the ride to the top for a special New Year's Eve Viewing party at the top. Eat and drink at the SkyCenter (indoor) or the SkyDeck (outside), or watch and wait for the ball to drop on the SkyBridge itself. The Skylift boasts one of the best views over Gatlinburg and promises to be spectacular viewing for fireworks!
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5.) Ober Mountain
1339 Ski Mountain Rd., Gatlinburg, TN
Ober Gatlinburg normally offers limited tickets for their New Year's Eve party up on the mountain top. Call ahead to get a spot! Fireworks can usually be seen in downtown Gatlinburg from a distance, although if there is a lot of fog or clouds, it could hinder the view.
But if you're looking for a smaller crowd, away from the chaos of downtown, this might be a great choice. This party usually includes a DJ, live music, champagne toast, a round trip Aerial Tramway ride, appetizers, and souvenir glass.
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Is the New Ober Mountain Worth It?
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6.) The Mountain Mile New Year's Eve Celebration
2655 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN
See street performers, fireworks, sip hot apple cider and hot chocolate. Try the obstacle course and win some prizes! Tons of shops and fun stuff at the Mountain Mile include the thrill ride called "The Mountain Monster", Junction 35 Spirits, Guy Fieri's Downtown Flavortown, Escapology, Toy Town, The Listening Room, Cinnaholic, Bladez and more!
EV Charging Stations available too. Great family event! See the Mountain Mile on Facebook for details.​
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7.) Gatlinburg Bypass Scenic Overlooks
Gatlinburg Bypass, Gatlinburg
This is an option - But not my favorite. Warning - very crowded, but the key here is to arrive early, plan on staying awhile and have patience, but the view will be a huge payoff! Note - There are no bathrooms. Just the overlooks. It is free and open to the public, and the views will be amazing! There are several pull offs, but the 2nd and 3rd will have the best views of downtown Gatlinburg and the fireworks display! If you have never been on this road, I suggest driving it first, before you decide to go on New Year's Eve or for St. Patrick's.
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8.) Downtown Parking Garage Rooftops
Gatlinburg, TN
There are a few options here.
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The first one is behind Ripley's Aquarium on Greystone Heights Rd.
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The 2nd, is at 520 Parkway, on the left when you come into downtown
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The 3rd is 955 Parkway, on your right as you drive toward the National Park.
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Park anywhere in the garage, and then go to the top for the best views!
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9.) Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina, 735 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
One of my favorite spots! Just catty-corner from the Space Needle itself. Normally wristbands are sold on New Year's Eve that allow you to come and go from each place on a list in downtown Gatlinburg on the strip. But if I were you, I wouldn't want to leave the rooftop bar and patio at Loco Burro! Great food, a rooftop bar with a perfect view, a mechanical burro, restaurant and dancefloor below, what more could you want?
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10.) Park Vista Hotel, 705 Cherokee Orchard Rd., Gatlinburg, TN
Just a short distance up the hill from the Parkway in Gatlinburg (less than 1 mile), you can enjoy downtown Gatlinburg by day and come back to the hotel at night to celebrate with a champagne toast at midnight and another perfect view of the ball drop from the Space Needle. No need to worry about getting home, you just have to go to your room after the party!
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There are a lot of places you can see fireworks in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, these are not the only ones! Any place that is high up is generally better. Any cabin, house, condo, hotel or parking area can be a great spot if it you have a good view of the Space Needle, downtown Gatlinburg or the Island in Pigeon Forge.
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11.) Cabin or House Overlooking the City of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge
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I found a couple places to rent in Gatlinburg that are pretty amazing. Imagine the views at night!
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Check out this 3BR, 3 Bath, jaw dropping beauty you can rent that overlooks Gatlinburg.
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Or you might also like "Truly Heaven" overlooking downtown with spectacular views!
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Or check out this cabin, called "This is Heaven" that overlooks downtown Gatlinburg. It would also have a beautiful view for fireworks. Better book it early!
12.) Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
315 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg
If you can get a balcony room facing the Space Needle, you will have the best show! If not, you can still view the firework show from the area around this highly rated hotel. If you can't get a room here, check out some nearby hotels to this one.
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13.) Margaritaville Island Inn
2735 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
This highly rated hotel is right in front of The Island on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. If you get a room with a balcony on the back side, you will have a perfect view of The Island and all the festivities on New Year's Eve. Not to mention you are in walking distance. A room on the front with a balcony still overlooks the Parkway in Pigeon Forge and is a win-win.
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14.) Whispering Pines Condos
205 Ogle Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN
A spot you may have overlooked. And speaking of overlooking--these have great reviews and sit up on a little hill that overlooks the Pigeon Forge Parkway. They are great for viewing fireworks at The Island and also watching Rod Run cars go by during car shows.
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Whispering Pines Condos also have elevators and are wheelchair accessible.
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