You ladies of Parenting that live in or near Tennessee..

MamatoA2010

Have any of you visited the Smokey Mountains area in TN? I'm thinking of taking a road trip there next summer with DD (she will be 5 1/2 at that time). Its about 9 hours drive from my city and we wouldn't do the drive in one day- most likely we would stop halfway and spend the night and finish the rest of the drive the following day to break it up a little. So talk to me about what kinds of things there are for young children to do in and around the Smokey Mountains area. I know there is Dollywood, an aquarium and water parks (I'm sure its hotter than balls July in Tennessee). TIA!

MamatoA2010

Thanks so much @fredalina‌ !!!

[Deleted User]

There are so many things to do in that area. Your LO might enjoy hiking as well. There are tons of easy trails that a 5 year old can do.

You could easily spend a couple of days at Dollywood.

Will LO be in school yet? Can you do another time of year? You won't be melting and stuck in as much traffic in May, for example. Seriously, I don't leave the canopy of the Smokeys in July unless it is to hit the lake.

If you feel comfortable with a 5 year old, there is tubing down the river in Townsend.

MamatoA2010

You ladies have been more than helpful so thanks! One more question- where to stay?

MamatoA2010

@TheNialler‌ - still unsure of where we would be staying. I'm unfamiliar with the smokey mountains area. How far is Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge and which is better and/or has activities close by for my 5 y/o?

[Deleted User]

Gatlingburg is more walkable, PF is just a huge ass parkway with strip malls and sidewalks.

Personally, I would do Gatlinburg. You will have to drive everywhere anyway so stay in the more scenic town. Plus it's slighty more tree covered and higher elevation meaning a tad bit of relief from the heat. Slightly.

MamatoA2010

THANK YOU! I signed up to receive their travel brochure. You ladies are THE best!!

[Deleted User]

There is a hotel with an indoor water "park" off Governor' Crossing. I know nothing about it except driving by it/parking there to eat at BBW. But I'd still choose Gburg

MamatoA2010

@TheNialler- can you tell me what restaurants, grocery stores are in the PF/Gatlinburg area? I'm thinking of getting a cabin because I want to be in the mountains and see the scenery and I know the cabins come with a kitchen..

ready-or-not

Yes, wilderness at the smokies, I highly highly recommend it. The kids LOVED it plus its close enough to also hit up the Gatlinburg attractions too.

MamatoA2010

Is Wilderness an outdoor pool or a hotel with lodging? Excuse my ignorance.. I've never been to that area of Tennessee before (only Nashville).

bumpuser260585

We had a great experience getting a cabin from Aunt Bug's rentals last time we went. Before kids we stayed at Best Western Zoder's Inn. The BW was right when you get in Gatlinburg so it was easy to walk to everything but out of the way.

Bring comfy shoes, you'll be doing a lot of walking in the mountains.

MamatoA2010

Decisions Decisions! Now I'm really confused.. do I go with a cabin in the mountains or a lodge with indoor waterpark? I'm leaning more towards a cabin because DD has already been to an indoor waterpark twice before.

ready-or-not

Goggle wilderness at the smokies. Its indoor & outdoor waterparks, plus an indoor adventure center with arcade, rock climbing ect. We stayed there for 5 nights & took day excursions into Gatlinburg to the aquarium (which I also recommend), Ripleys, the mountains, ect. We got one of their mini suites that had like a half kitchen (sink, mini fridge, microwave) & kept sandwich & snack stuff so we only actually ate out once a day to keep cost down. Plus it had 2 TVs & a little room divider so at the end of the busy days the kids could relax & watch tv & we could too.

I'm not knocking a cabin for sure, the views are always beautiful! But for a July visit, the Wilderness place is awesome

MamatoA2010

ready-or-not said:

Goggle wilderness at the smokies. Its indoor & outdoor waterparks, plus an indoor adventure center with arcade, rock climbing ect. We stayed there for 5 nights & took day excursions into Gatlinburg to the aquarium (which I also recommend), Ripleys, the mountains, ect. We got one of their mini suites that had like a half kitchen (sink, mini fridge, microwave) & kept sandwich & snack stuff so we only actually ate out once a day to keep cost down. Plus it had 2 TVs & a little room divider so at the end of the busy days the kids could relax & watch tv & we could too.

I'm not knocking a cabin for sure, the views are always beautiful! But for a July visit, the Wilderness place is awesome

How far is the wilderness resort from the activities of Gatlinburg and Dollywood?

MamatoA2010

Also, is this wilderness resort the same wilderness resort that is in the Wisconsin Dells?

[Deleted User]

AuburnGirlSC said:

We've been to the indoor water park. We went over a year ago and the kids still talk about it. There are outdoor areas too. It's called The Wilderness Lodge or something like that. They loved it.

That's out on 66. I'm talking about a smaller one near Walmart

NarwhalBacon

@mamatoa2010 Wilderness at the Smokies is in Sevierville. It's about 40 minutes from Gburg and maybe 10 from PF. If you plan on taking trollies or anything it will be a PITA, becasue it's so far out.

NarwhalBacon

We only live an hour and 20 mins from the Smokies. We always stay in Gburg. PF is good for kids because of all the amusement parks, but it's way more packed than Gburg in the summer.

MamatoA2010

@NarwhalBacon‌ - thank you for that info! That helps me make a better decision as I want to stay close to the attractions of Gatlinburg. So thank you thank you!!

NarwhalBacon

there is a place called Bearskin Lodge in Gatlinburg. I haven't stayed but I know multiple people who have and they loved it. It's right behind the parkway, you can walk to the main shopping area or the aquarium in 3 or 4 minutes.

https://thebearskinlodge.com/

[Deleted User]

MamatoA2010 said:

How far is the wilderness resort from the activities of Gatlinburg and Dollywood?

It is way out of town on the main road from I-40 to PF/Gburg. July traffic from there to anywhere else would be miserable at best.

I'm no good on lodging since I don't have to deal with that. I do know there are cabins out Waldens Creek that would drop you into the middle of PF from the main road but still be away from the sea of neon and pavement.

NarwhalBacon

You can also get packages at Bearskin to save on aquarium tickets

[Deleted User]

NarwhalBacon said:

You can also get packages at Bearskin to save on aquarium tickets

That's within walking distance, right? That would put her in a good central location.

NarwhalBacon

MarlaSinger& said:

You can also get packages at Bearskin to save on aquarium tickets

That's within walking distance, right? That would put her in a good central location.

Yup! It's pretty much right next to the Aquarium. It's on the road that goes behind the mountain mall

[Deleted User]

There is ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg. But I've only done that in my prom dress.

MamatoA2010

I want to stay as close to the waterparks, mini golfing, go karting and activities as I can. So it's sounding like a scenic cabin stay in Gatlinburg is the way to go?

MamatoA2010

@TheNialler‌ - have it in July when I'll be there!!

NarwhalBacon

My B, it's the Edgewater Hotel that is next door the the aquarium. Bearskin is about a 10 minute walk up the road.  

ready-or-not

Tennessee is awesome sauce. You'll never wanna leave

[Deleted User]

You get a choice- scenic cabin or proximity. I would call a nice river front hotel in Gatlinburg a compromise.

MamatoA2010

@ready-or-not‌ - oh I know that! I've been to Nashville, Memphis and Lynchburg. It is gorgeous! Love TN

[Deleted User]

Those aren't even the pretty sections of TN.

NarwhalBacon

It's very relaxing to drink your early morning coffee (that may or may not be spiked with a lot of Wild Turkey) over the river.

MamatoA2010

@MarlaSinger&‌ - wow! I'm in for quite a vacation then! Does it get hillier and prettier as you go east in TN?

[Deleted User]

Yes. The further east, the higher the elevation. The TN/NC line is basically the ridge of mountains.

[Deleted User]

And now I'm homesick.

[Deleted User]

TheNialler said:

I'm going to be in Gatlinburg and the mountains on Thursday, Marla. I'll post some pretty pictures of the fall foliage.

Jealous.

MJN9510

We have gone serveral times to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.  We like to eat the the Alamo Steakhouse.  Also,  the Old Mill restaurant is really great!  We always stay in a cabin and cook most meals in and then treat ourselves to a couple meals out.  I go online and print coupons for discounts for the Aquarium (which is the best one I have been to) and some restaurants.