If you're going to Gatlinburg for "nightlife", you're doing it wrong. The only real redeeming quality about the town itself is its proximity to the park. It is probably the most centrally located town to most of the most popular places within GSMNP...that's also why it's so incredibly busy. Go in a non-peak time of year, try to be there Sun-Thur and leave on a Friday if possible. Spend the days inside the park and then get dinner in town and maybe walk around for a bit and look at all the weirdos (there will be no shortage)...The people watching is about all there is "to do" unless you're into cheesy "moonshine" places or tourist traps like Ripleys Believe it or Not....that stuff ain't for me. We get up, grab some breakfast, then head into the park for the day.
We went to Cades Cove but I don't remember going to the park at all. I don't even think about the park when I think about Gattingburg. I just remember pancake houses, knife shops, and all that kind of stuff. We went with 4 other couples who had been before and they never went to the park from what I remember