Oh, beautiful March! Here is the month that we return to longer sunlit evenings and warmer weather. Here is a month where you just can’t wait to be outside, exploring the natural beauty around you. And what better place to be outside amidst natural beauty than in a mountain town like Gatlinburg that sits in the shadow of the Appalachian mountains? In Gatlinburg, it’s like the whole city celebrates the start of spring with an array of activities and events.
Just take a look at the following outstanding things you can do this March in Gatlinburg:
1. Get Lucky at the Sky Bridge
Dates: March 2 – March 31, 2024
Where: 765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
See Website
March is a popular month for all things green thanks to the St. Patrick’s Day holiday that happens on March 17. The Gatlinburg Skypark is celebrating this green-themed holiday by stringing up green lights all along its 680 feet. So on and take that high road, or well high bridge!, over Gatlinburg and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and surrounding mountain landscapes while walking along a sea of twinkling green lights.
2. Lights at the Gatlinburg Space Needle
Dates: March 10 – March 17, 2024
Where: 115 Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg, TN 37738
See Website
Views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Sky Bridge allows guests to take a leisurely walk across the sky above Gatlinburg, but it isn’t the only place in the city that will take you high above the skyline. The Gatlinburg Space Needle is an iconic observation tower that takes guests in a glass elevator straight up 400 feet. For this month, they are joining in on the shamrock flair by lighting up the interior and exterior of their elevator with green and gold lights.
3. Shamrock Celebration at Anakeesta
Dates: March 14 – March 17, 2024
Where: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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Anakeesta is a Gatlinburg adventure hub that offers action-focused activities like zip-lining, treetop park, and gondola rides. During March, they are decking the halls with green and gold like many others, but they are also going a few steps further. During most of March, they will also be featuring specialty green beer throughout their on-site restaurants and other dining locales, and special Celtic-themed musicians will be taking to the stages throughout the park.
4. Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt
Date: March 29, 2024
Where: 170 Glades Road, Suite 32, Gatlinburg, TN, Halls Crossroads
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Easter egg fun takes a unique turn at this Halls Crossroads event. Here, both kids and adults are invited to come to seek out eggs full of goodies. The twist here is that you hunt in the dark for eggs that glow. The group behind this event has only done it once, but to even aplomb that they’ve switched it up to being an annual event. We certainly are excited to see how big this year’s encore version gets!
5. I Will Always Love You Music Festival at Dollywood
Dates: March 9 – April 14, 2024
Where: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
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You can never go wrong with a day, night, or weekend spent at Dollywood. This spring season, things get even better with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival that’s happening now and will continue on into mid-April. During these weeks, special kid-friendly activities will happen at Camp DW and both the Dollywood resorts will host festival-inspired menus as well as special entertainment acts.
6. Gatlinburg’s St. Patricks Day Celebration 2024
Dates: March 10 – March 24, 2024
Where: 115 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Throughout this month, the city of Gatlinburg itself is supporting a variety of family-friendly festivities that honor the Irish culture. City organizers are collaborating with most of Gatlinburg’s downtown restaurants, hotels, shops, and other attractions to build a St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere that is alive with decorations, special foods, live entertainment, and, of course, some good-fashioned drinks. check out the city’s website to learn more.
7. St. Paddy’s Day at the Island 2024
Date: March 17, 2024
Where: 131 The Island Drive Pigeon Forge, TN, 37863
See Website
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a massive family fun center that features rides, retail shops, restaurants, gaming stations, and more. This month, they’re throwing a big St. Patrick’s Day party that will include multiple Celtic-inspired musical events and activities with a green and gold backdrop that will include green-dyed water fountain displays.
8. Irish Folklore at the Titanic Museum Attraction
Dates: March 1 – March 31, 2024
Where: 2134 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
See Website
Are you and your traveling group a bunch of history lovers? If so, then consider heading on to the Titanic Museum Attraction this March. The Titanic Museum will be hosting a special fairy cottage tribute to the 187 Irish who were aboard that great ship on its way across the Atlantic.
9. Go for a Hike
All that glitters green and gold don’t have to be in the city. Maybe you want to appreciate March’s favorite color outside? Well, if so, then you came to the right place! The landscapes of Appalachia are full of a hundred different shades of green. Go just on the outskirts of town and enjoy an invigorating hike surrounded by blooming flowers and the sight of fresh green leaves as winter changes into spring.
10. Hillybilly Golf Gatlinburg
340 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-7470
Hillbilly Golf Gatlinburg reopened on March 1 and while they’re not doing anything big for St. Patrick’s Day, at least not that they have revealed so far, they do certainly offer some great activities that are worthy of putting them on this list of best things to do in Gatlinburg in March. In fact, many locals name this attraction as the number one thing to do in the city! Hillbilly Golf is a mini-golf course that sits at the very top of the mountain. There are two courses to choose from, both of which offer a nice blend of obstacles and landscaping that create quite a nice challenge in a beautiful setting.
Learn More About All That’s Great in Gatlinburg
Naturally, these are only some of the big highlights of what’s great in Gatlinburg for the month. To learn more about all of the goings on in this beloved mountain town, be sure to check out our other pages which include detailed reviews of popular restaurants, shops, and attractions.
