Trip to Gatlinburg, TN

Not that this is helpful at all, but my senior year of high school we took a trip to the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg, TN to compete in (I was in 3 choirs, our band and orchestra went as well).

And just a little FYI, this girl right here was awarded most outstanding female soloist at the 2002 Smoky Mountain Music Festival. NBD.

We also went to Dollywood. That place was creepy. OH and there's a restaurant there called "Cooter's" and all us 17 year olds thought it was great fun to get shirts that said "I ate at Cooter's." Who am I kidding, I still think that's hilarious.

Mama's Farmhouse. All you can eat family style dining. Prepare your *kitten*.

There is a Ripleys Aquarium there! My kids love it, we go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge at least twice a year!

I got married and honeymooned in Gatlinburg and we love taking family trips there. :-)

My favorite place to stay is renting a cabin on the mountain overlooking Gatlinburg. They are fantastic and spaced out enough that you feel like you're way out in the wilderness even though the town is a quick 5 minute trip down the mountain. The pizza places deliver up ere as long as its not iced over. This way you and your kids can have separate rooms (I.e. privacy) plus many of the cabins have hot tubs, jacuzzis, some have entertainment like pool tables etc. Plus a full kitchen so you have the option to make your own meals if you want to. We stayed in a cabin for our honeymoon and just last year we went back and stayed in the exact same cabin with our kids - the one we got had 2 bedrooms so we put the kids in one and then had one to ourselves.

We love taking the Motor Nature trail. All of the town maps show you how to get there, it's cool b/c one minute you're in town and e next it's like you're in the middle of nowhere. There are bunches of stops along the drive where you can hike, picnic, etc. we saw a bear climbing a tree out there one time, super cool.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokeys is pretty awesome. We spent several hours there with our 1 and 3 year old. There are also lots of other things to do on the main road in town(putt-putt, shows, dining, shopping, etc). And it's just a quick drive to Pigeon Forge for even more entertainment.

Just found out my uncle is moving there, so excited to visit!!!! Sorry off topic I know :P

Oh, the SkyLift is pretty cool, it's basically just a chairlift that you ride up to the top and they take a picture of you on the way up with the mountains behind you and the town below you. Of course they charge you and arm and a leg for the pic but it's a pretty cool souvenir. Also be warned, the only thing at the top when you get off the chairlift is a gift shop and a view and the pic if you want to buy it. But it's a nice relaxing ride. :-)

Great website that we always use is patriotgetaways.com

They have awesome cabins for great prices! And your kids would love the Aquarium. I know my son did and he was only 6 months old

i use homeaway.com to book my trips and they have tons of cabins listed on there. i would definitely do a cabin instead of a hotel. the hotels are pretty much all worn down and gross, except for maybe the hilton in gatlinburg.

Dollywood/Splash Country has tons of activities for the kids.

Ober Gatlinburg is a much cheaper version ($20 if i remember correctly), but the kids will be free and you can ride the skylife there multiple times. they have swings and a few small rides as well as alpine slide which are super fun (and you can control the speed if it scares the little one).

Shopping in pigeon forge.

Cades Cove has bicycles you can rent and ride around the 11 mile loop or you can drive your car.

Chimney Tops is a nice place to picnic with streams all around.

Definitely the aquarium - my daughter had a blast there. There is an underwater walkway type thing in the shark tank so you kind of feel like you are "with the sharks". Pretty cool. There's Bubba Gump's restaurant. That was decent. Lots of shops along the road to peek into. Pack your walking shoes for sure

You need to drive the Cades Cove loop. You aren't too far from it in G'burg. A few old cabins, primative churches, grist mill, quiet scenic views. And you will certainly see deer, maybe turkeys, maybe even elk and bears. I'd do the loop during the week, since it can get crowded during the weekend. Early and late in the day increases the chances of seeing deer. The road between GBurg and Cades cove runs right along Little River, which is really gorgeous. And other than gas, it is all free.

i use homeaway.com to book my trips and they have tons of cabins listed on there. i would definitely do a cabin instead of a hotel. the hotels are pretty much all worn down and gross, except for maybe the hilton in gatlinburg.

We use homeaway.com as well. We stay at the same cabin every year...Lacey's Place. Super comfortable beds, in the mountains yet you don't feel like you're going to die driving to it, pet friendly if you have a dog you want to take. It's between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Going in August and can't wait!

My husband and I visit there often. There are lots of fun things for kids to do... and parents, too. We ALWAYS end up racing go-carts.. there is horseback riding which is nice, but maybe not for the kids. We like to stay at The Summit. It takes about 15 minutes to get down off of the mountain from there, but it overlooks the slopes of Ober Gatlinburg, which is beautiful at night. The Summit looks "homey"... very comfortable.