sunrise over Gatlinburg, Tennessee

4 Reasons to Stay at Our Gatlinburg Hotel Near the Convention Center

Photo of the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
August 6, 2017

Located in the heart of the city, the Gatlinburg Convention Center is one of the most popular event spaces in the Southeast. Throughout the year, the Gatlinburg Convention Center hosts numerous conferences and special events that attract thousands of visitors to the Smokies.

When you stay at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, you will be just a seven-minute walk from all of the fun at the Gatlinburg Convention Center! To help you make the most of your next trip to the Smoky Mountains, we have put together a guide to the top four reasons you will love staying at our Gatlinburg hotel near the convention center.

1. Skip The Traffic

During peak season, downtown Gatlinburg can be a very busy place. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting in traffic on The Strip when you’re on the verge of being late for an event. Fortunately, guests at Sidney James Mountain Lodge won’t have to contend with Gatlinburg’s traffic. Our hotel is located right on Historic Nature Trail, which is the same road as the Gatlinburg Convention Center! Guests at Sidney James Mountain Lodge can enjoy a pleasant stroll to the convention center, which is much better than slogging through the congestion on the Parkway.

2. No Need to Pay for Parking

Cars driving along The Strip in Gatlinburg.

Folks who drive to the Gatlinburg Convention Center will need to pay for parking. If you are attending a conference or a festival that lasts multiple days, these parking fees can add up quickly. When you stay at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, however, you can avoid paying for parking and just walk to the convention center. Guests at Sidney James can always park for free at our Gatlinburg hotel near the convention center.

3. Convenient Breakfast at Our Cafe

If you’re looking for a quick breakfast before your event at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, you can’t beat our on-site cafe! Located next to our indoor pool, the Sidney James Mountain Lodge Cafe offers a great selection of tasty breakfast items, including pancakes, french toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, homefries, and bagels. Our poolside cafe is much more convenient than waiting in line at one of the crowded pancake houses on The Strip.

4. Awesome Events at the Convention Center

The Gatlinburg Convention Center is home to some of the most beloved annual events in the Smoky Mountains. When you stay at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, you will be minutes away from all of these wonderful traditions. Here are some of the popular events that are typically held at the convention center each year:

  • Tennessee Square and Round Dance Convention (August)
  • Gatlinburg Gathering (August)
  • Taste of Autumn (September)
  • Fall Craftsmen’s Fair (October)
  • Gatlinburg Festival of Trees (November)
  • Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show (November)
  • Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show (December)
  • Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (April)
  • Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show (April)
  • Family Fest in the Smokies (May)
  • Summer Craftsmen’s Fair (July)

The front of Sidney James Mountain Lodge in downtown Gatlinburg TN.

Ready to start planning your visit to our Gatlinburg hotel near the convention center? Browse our selection of beautiful Gatlinburg hotel rooms!