Some families have a Disney trip. The Powells have Gatlinburg.
Every year, Carissa Powell packs up the family — kids, their little dog Dolly, and a well-worn list of Gatlinburg traditions — and makes the trip to the Smoky Mountains. They know where to get the old-time photo taken. They know the sky bridge will make the kids lose their minds. They know Cades Cove is non-negotiable. And this past spring, they added a new one to the list: a scenic helicopter tour over the Smokies that left them speechless.
Their home base this trip was Ober View, a mountain cabin with Mountain Laurel Chalets — and it quickly became the best stay of any Gatlinburg trip they'd had. This is their story.
We highly recommend booking with Mountain Laurel Chalets. We plan to book future visits to TN with them! The staff were helpful and kind.
— Carissa Powell, verified guest
Gatlinburg rewards repeat visitors. Every trip, there's something new to try alongside the beloved traditions. Here's how the Powells spent their days — a list that doubles as a pretty solid Gatlinburg itinerary for any family.
Walking the downtown strip and the old-time photo tradition
Every Powell trip starts the same way: a walk down Gatlinburg's main downtown strip. Lined with shops, restaurants, and mountain-town charm, it's one of those places that feels equally good on your first visit and your tenth. For the Powells, the non-negotiable stop is the old-time photo studio — a family tradition that now spans multiple years and multiple sets of costumes. If you've never done it, it's one of those genuinely fun, low-cost experiences that produces a keepsake you'll actually keep.
SkyLift Park and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge — they rode it twice
SkyLift Park sits above downtown Gatlinburg and offers one of the most dramatic views in the Smokies. The main attraction is the SkyBridge — at over 680 feet long, it's the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, swaying gently above a tree-covered ridgeline with mountain views in every direction.
The Powells rode it twice. Carissa's daughter, in particular, loved it — and SkyLift Park has continued making improvements that make the experience even better than previous years. If you're visiting with kids who love heights and adventure (or adults who pretend they don't), this is a must-do. Budget 2–3 hours and go early to beat the lines.
Cades Cove — and yes, they saw 7 bears
If you ask most Gatlinburg veterans what the single most impressive thing to do in the Smokies is, a lot of them will say Cades Cove. The Powells are firmly in that camp — they go every single trip, no exceptions.
Cades Cove is an 11-mile loop road through a historic valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive winds past preserved 19th-century homesteads, open meadows, and dense forest — and the wildlife viewing is genuinely extraordinary. On this particular trip, the Powell family spotted 7 bears during the drive.
Seven. Bears.
Bear sightings at Cades Cove have been particularly active recently, with many visitors reporting multiple sightings in a single loop. The key is to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon when bears are most active, drive slowly, and pull over safely if you see one — they often linger long enough for a good look. Beyond the bears, the historic cabins and mill sites make the loop worth doing even on days when wildlife is scarce.
Mountain coasters: the Moonshine Coaster and beyond
Gatlinburg and the surrounding area has become something of a mountain coaster hub — there are several to choose from, each with its own track layout and scenery. The Powells did the Moonshine Coaster on this trip, and the kids loved it.
Mountain coasters are different from traditional roller coasters in one key way: riders control their own speed. That means timid riders can take it slow, and thrill-seekers can let gravity do its thing. Most coasters allow single riders or tandem pairs, making them a great activity for kids old enough to meet the height requirements alongside adults.
The scenic helicopter tour: worth every penny (at least once)
This was the Powell family's first helicopter tour — and Carissa was refreshingly honest about the experience: it's expensive, and they may not do it again. But in the same breath, she called it amazing and said it was absolutely worth doing once.
Scenic helicopter tours over the Great Smoky Mountains offer a perspective of the landscape that's simply impossible to get any other way. The mountains roll endlessly in every direction, the fall foliage (or spring green) is stunning from the air, and Gatlinburg itself looks entirely different from above. Several operators run tours from the Gatlinburg area with varying flight durations and routes.
If budget allows and it's your first time visiting the Smokies, add this to the list. It's the kind of memory that doesn't fade.
Between the adventuring, the Powells needed somewhere to come home to — and Ober View delivered in every way.
The view and the sunrise
Ober View lives up to its name. The mountain views from the cabin are stunning — and on their last morning, the Powells woke up early enough to watch the sun rise over the Smokies. Carissa described it as breathtaking, and it's easy to believe her. There's something about watching the morning light spill across a mountain range from the privacy of your own cabin porch that sets the tone for an entire day.
The hot tub
After full days of hiking loops, riding coasters, and walking downtown, the hot tub at Ober View was exactly what the whole family needed. Carissa described it as immaculate — well-maintained and genuinely fun for everyone, kids included. A private outdoor hot tub with mountain views is one of those features that goes from "nice to have" to "can't imagine not having it" after the first evening.
Pet-friendly — Dolly came too
The Powell family brought their dog, Dolly, on the trip — and Ober View accommodated her without any issues. For families traveling with pets, finding a cabin that truly welcomes animals (not just tolerates them in fine print) makes a huge difference. Mountain Laurel Chalets maintains a selection of pet-friendly properties, and Ober View is one of them.
The welcome bag surprise
One detail Carissa made sure to mention: the welcome bag of treats that greeted them on arrival. It's a small thing, but it sets the tone immediately. After a long drive to Gatlinburg, walking into a cabin that's clearly been prepared for you — with a thoughtful welcome gift waiting — signals the kind of care that carries through an entire stay.
Staff that showed up when it mattered most
This is the part of Carissa's story that's hardest to put into words, because it goes beyond any specific amenity or activity. During their stay, the Powell family experienced an unexpected family emergency. In a moment that could have derailed the entire trip, the Mountain Laurel Chalets team stepped up.
Carissa wrote: “We will forever be grateful with how accommodating they were when we had a very unexpected family emergency during our reservation dates.”
That's not something you can manufacture or market. It's just what good hospitality looks like — and it's the reason the Powells are already planning their next visit.
Based on the Powell family's experience: yes, unequivocally.
Mountain Laurel Chalets manages a curated collection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals across multiple neighborhoods — from secluded mountain properties with panoramic views to properties closer to downtown attractions. What sets the company apart is the combination of well-maintained, thoughtfully equipped properties and a hospitality-first approach from the team.
A few things worth knowing if you're considering booking:
• Pet-friendly cabins are available — ideal for families who won't leave the dog behind
• Properties range from intimate couples' retreats to large cabins sleeping multiple families
• The guest services team is responsive and genuinely helpful — not just during booking, but throughout your stay
• Ober View specifically offers mountain views, a private hot tub, and flexible pet policy — check availability at mtnlaurelchalets.com
If Ober View isn't available for your dates — or if you're looking for something different — Mountain Laurel Chalets has several other standout properties:
• Heaven's Peak — one of the most-booked properties in the portfolio, with dramatic mountain views and premium amenities
• Bear Necessities — a fan favorite with warm, rustic character and everything a family needs for a comfortable mountain stay
• Smoky Mountain High — ideal for guests who want to be immersed in the mountain atmosphere from the moment they arrive
• Cottage View for 2 — perfect for couples looking for a quieter, more intimate Gatlinburg getaway
Browse the full collection of Gatlinburg cabins at mtnlaurelchalets.com/rentals and use the neighborhood guide at mtnlaurelchalets.com/neighborhoods to find the right area for your trip.
• Book cabins early for spring and fall. Peak season fills fast — the Smokies in October and spring break weeks are especially competitive.
• Do Cades Cove at dawn. The loop opens at sunrise and early morning is when wildlife is most active. Weekday mornings have lighter traffic.
• SkyLift Park is best on a clear day. Check the forecast before you go — the views from the SkyBridge are the main event.
• Mountain coasters have height requirements. Check before your trip if you're bringing younger kids.
• The helicopter tour books up. If it's on your list, reserve in advance during busy seasons.
Plan your Gatlinburg trip
The Powells are already planning their next visit. If their story has you thinking about the Smokies, start by exploring Mountain Laurel Chalets' full property list at mtnlaurelchalets.com — and if Ober View is calling your name, check its availability before someone else grabs it.
The mountains will be there. The cabin availability won't.
