Winter months can be long and bleak. One of the best ways to break up the monotony is with a quick trip to lift your spirits. Chattanooga is in a prime location for a fast winter getaway. We are conveniently located to many neat cities that are perfect for exploring during the colder months.
Winter Day Trips From Chattanooga
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN: These two cities make for a perfect winter retreat. Located just under three hours from Chattanooga, your options are endless when it comes to making the best of the cold weather. These two towns were designed with winter in mind. Hiking trails, Ober Gatlinburg, Anakeesta, Dollywood, The Island, The Resort at Governor’s Crossing, and Wilderness of the Smokies are all at your fingertips to keep you entertained. Restaurant options are endless, as are go-kart tracks, arcades, indoor mini golf, and shopping malls. The Tanger Outlets in Pigeon Forge have every store you could ever need! The largest Buc-ee’s in America recently opened in Sevierville, so you can spend hours there as well! My personal favorite places to eat in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are Calhoun’s and Paula Deen’s Family Restaurant at The Island. You can stay in one of the many hotels along the strip or enjoy a cozy cabin in the mountains. This is one of my family’s favorite places to visit during the winter! Check out this guide of 100+ Family Fun Things to Do in the Smokies.
Asheville, NC: This quaint North Carolina town is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. There are plenty of fun things to do during the winter including exploring the famous Biltmore Estate, hiking, shopping, spas, visiting the downtown, eating delicious food, and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Winter trip ideas are all laid out for you here! This is another spot that has both hotels and cabins for your family to enjoy! There are several ski resorts close by, so that’s another great winter option. Check out this guide from Knoxville Moms.
Blue Ridge: Blue Ridge, GA is one of my favorite towns to visit during the winter months. It’s just a little over an hour away from Chattanooga, and it’s a beautiful cold weather town. There are many cabins, bed and breakfasts, and spas to stay in while you visit. Their downtown has adorable shops to visit. There are endless numbers of restaurants to meet your hunger needs. You can see the views on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway or by taking a scenic drive through this mountain town. Everything in town is close enough to walk to, and it turns into a magical little place when the snow is falling.
Nashville, TN: Music City is a great place to visit during the winter! Between music and sports, you’ll never be lacking in things to do. Whether you want a small, quiet venue to take in music, the history of the Grand Ole Opry, the gospel experience of the Ryman, or the stadium feel of Bridgestone Arena, you’ll have endless options when it comes to catching a show. While you’re there, you can have the ultimate winter experience of going to a NHL hockey game. Shopping and food are also big in Nashville, so you’ll have plenty of shops and restaurants to pop into when you’re cold. Take a pair of boots and a cowboy hat, and you’ll fit right in!
Helen, GA: This little German town is a great spot to visit during the winter months. There are spas, breweries and wineries, activities for the whole family, shopping, and no shortage of German food to be had (with plenty of American cuisine thrown in). Lodging is not an issue in this quaint little town. You can rent a cabin, stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast, or even camp if you wish. While you are just a short drive from Chattanooga, you’ll leave feeling like you spent a weekend in Europe!
As we wait for spring to arrive, I hope this list of winter spots helps brighten the cold months ahead!
Be sure to check out these ice skating spots, skiing near Chattanooga, and snow tubing spots for more winter fun!
