4 Fun Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg TN

When it comes to celebrating the 4th of July, there is no better place to be than Gatlinburg! From the nation’s first Independence Day Parade to a dazzling fireworks performance, this is the place to be to honor our great nation! Whether you prefer to join in on the fun of the parade, visit a local attraction or just kick back for a relaxing afternoon, the choice is yours! Here are 4 fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg TN:

1. Nation’s First Independence Day Parade

One of the best ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg TN is by attending the first Independence Day Parade in the nation! This fun parade has been an annual tradition for over four decades and kicks off at 12:01 AM on July 4th! The Midnight Parade route stretches for over a mile, starting at Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway before turning south onto Parkway at traffic light #3 and traveling through downtown to traffic light #10 at Ski Mountain Road. Be sure to arrive early on the evening of July 3rd to secure a great viewing spot along the parade route!

2. Gatlinburg Fireworks Finale

fireworksThere is no Independence Day celebration complete without fireworks, so don’t miss the spectacular fireworks show in downtown Gatlinburg! This event has been named as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society and is a 20 minute showcase of stunning fireworks that will light up the sky! The show will be visible from anywhere along the streets in downtown Gatlinburg, but the best viewing area is around traffic lights #3 and #5.

3. Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta

The most unique way to celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg TN is by attending the River Raft Regatta, which has become an Independence Day tradition loved by visitors of all ages! This annual race features a competition between any type of unmanned floatable down the Little Pigeon River, so you will see rubber ducks and just about anything else you can imagine! If you want to participate in the race, you can rent a rubber duck for a nominal fee or bring one of your own at no cost! All contestants begin the race on the starting line at the Christ in the Smokies bridge at 10 a.m. to register their floatable, then the race kicks off at noon! The event ends after all the floatables have crossed the finish line at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

4. Relax in Your Cabin

The Majestic Waters cabin in Gatlinburg.If you prefer a more relaxing way to celebrate Independence Day in Gatlinburg, kick back in your cabin from Acorn Cabin Rentals! We have a wide variety of cabins available to meet your needs, ranging from 1 bedroom cabins for a romantic vacation to 5-plus bedroom cabins for large families and groups! Our cabins are situated in gorgeous settings among the Great Smoky Mountains but are still just minutes away from the 4th of July celebrations in Gatlinburg. While staying with us, enjoy private decks with scenic views, soothing hot tubs, fully equipped kitchens and much more!

Now that you know the fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg TN, check out all of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals today to plan your Independence Day getaway! We look forward to seeing you soon at Acorn Cabin Rentals!