The best places in the Smokies to give – or get – a gift card from
I’ve never been much for etiquette. Never drank tea with my pinkie finger out, never called my elders ma’am or sir and never worried about whether or not it was the right season to wear white – in my case, it’s never the right season for white.
And I never thought a gift card was a bad gift. Thankfully, society is catching up to me on this one.
It used to be that gift cards were seen as a little uncouth, a little impersonal. Like you gave a gift card when you didn’t really know the person well enough to know what they like or what they don’t have or what they need.
As someone who goes through life as a mystery, wrapped in an enigma and surrounded by a riddle – not really, I wear everything on my sleeve – I appreciate a gift that says, “go get yourself something nice.”
Now, there are levels to gift card giving. You can go the straight cash, homey route and just get a credit card with a certain amount on it. Issued by Visa or Mastercard this is the carte blanche, unlimited option route. However, you can find a gift card that accomplishes the easy-giving goal you’re looking for and provides a little bit more of a personal connection.
With this in mind, here are some of our favorites in the Smokies – some of which have bonus deals.
Anything Dollywood related
Can’t go wrong with the Dollywood family of experiences. I started to put season passes here, but Dollywood has multiple gift-giving options, including gift certificates, a term that makes me feel like I’m writing this blog entry in 1984 and we’re about to thumb through the Service Merchandise catalogue.
You can give the gift of season passes but make sure the receiver doesn’t already have one. The gift certificates might be better because they can be used for basically anything at Dollywood or Splash Country. It’s like Dollywood Traveler’s Cheques, a reference I’m not going to explain. Dollywood also offers gift certificates for mountain cabins; resort stays or spa trips.
If you want to give a gift that says mountain experiences, your search can begin and end at Dollywood. For more information, click here.
A meal that they may not buy for themselves
I think there’s something nice about getting a gift card for a nice meal that can be used for a family or a date night or whatever. But, if giving the gift of a meal, I’d shoot for something a little special. No offense to Gorilla Taco or Paula Deen’s or whatever, but a gift card is a nice chance to allow someone who wouldn’t normally splurge on themselves to splurge a little.
The best options for this are all the restaurants at the top of our rankings. The Appalachian is the top one on my list, I’ve been strongly hinting at this for awhile but no takers, so I’m putting it here in print for the world to see. But The Peddler, the Greenbrier, Chop House, Chesapeake’s, Pinchy’s or any of the top tier restaurants make for great gifts to give and/or receive.
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Wilderness at the Smokies
This is like giving the gift of summer. In the midst of the cold, dark days of winter, what is more exciting than a day or two at a fantastic indoor waterpark? Amounts available start at $25 and go all the way up to $1,000 and the card can cover the variety of experiences at the resort. The gift card can cover a family stay – which would include some of the other resort amenities like ice skating – or the cost of day passes to the water park.
The Wilderness has – in the past – offered incentive deals for gift card purchases like $10 for every $100 spent. So, if you’re planning on getting a Wilderness getaway for yourself or family, you might want to purchase gift cards and rack up a little bonus instead of just buying them outright.
A stay in the Smokies
We’ve already mentioned the Dollywood resorts and Wilderness, but a lot of the area resorts offer gift card options. You might consider some of the more unique lodging opportunities. If your recipient is a fan of “Lord of the Rings” style fantasy, Ancient Lore Village – the fantasy getaway just across the Knox County line off of Chapman Highway – has certificates that will cover lodging, day passes, wine tastings, brunch and more. Another option would be Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek Resort, the cabins amongst the trees located in the mountains above Gatlinburg.
Ober Mountain
The resurgent classic attraction formerly known as Ober Gatlinburg has become one of the best values in the Smokies. Passes start at $49 and include a ride up the Gatlinburg Tram. Be aware, however, the skiing experiences are separate from any of the passes. The gift card, however, is good for almost all of the retail and dining shops as well as all the activities offered. The retail and food vendors not owned by Ober will not accept the gift cards. But they are good for any of the wrist bands, skiing or snow sports, equipment rental or lessons. Gift cards are available in values from $25 to $100 dollars.
Do you have a wish list for gift cards in the Smokies? Share them here in the comments and on the socials! Maybe Santa will be reading.