Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains are the ultimate family vacation destination! Offering endless natural beauty, hundreds of attractions, and fantastic lodging options, the Smokies really have it all. Planning a trip with the whole clan can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but with a little preparation, mapping out your getaway will be a breeze. Amazing Views Cabin Rentals has put together a convenient Smoky Mountain vacation guide to help put parents on the right track.
Pack Smart
When traveling with children, you need to put some extra thought into the packing process. Obviously, appropriate clothing is a must, but there are a few extra items that you’ll definitely want to bring as well. Be sure to take some entertainment for the road, such as toys, video games, iPads, and books. Kids always get hungry between meals, so bring along plenty of snacks so you don’t have to constantly stop at restaurants or gas stations. Sugary treats can lead to an energy crash, so try to choose healthier options like fruit, cheese, or nuts instead.
Other items that you don’t want to forget include band-aids, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, nail clippers, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and vitamins/prescriptions. If your kids are old enough to pack for themselves, be sure to give their suitcases a once-over to make sure they didn’t miss anything. Also, don’t get so caught up in worrying about your kids’ suitcases that you forget to pack what you need!
(See Also: Our Smoky Mountain Vacation Guide for Packing Lighter and Still Having Everything You Need)
Choose a Cabin with Lots of Entertainment
Family vacations always go more smoothly when your kids have plenty to do. Fortunately, when you stay at our cabins, your kids will never be bored! As you select your cabin, be sure to consider which amenities your children will enjoy the most. Do your kids like to play video games? If so, they will love staying at one of our Smoky Mountain cabins with arcade games. Do you want to have a family movie night during your vacation? Then rent one of our Smoky Mountain cabins with home theater rooms. Other special features to consider as you browse through our cabins is whether the property is pet friendly, has seasonal swimming pool access, or offers mountain views.
Check Out All of the Best Kid Friendly Attractions
There are so many incredible attractions in the Smoky Mountain area that it can be hard to know which ones deserve your attention. A good place to start is with the Amazing Views Rewards Card. When you stay with us, you’ll receive this special voucher each night of your trip, which is good for one free adult admission to some of the best things to do in the area. These free Smoky Mountain attraction tickets can be redeemed at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, the Smoky Mountain Opry, Darren Romeo’s Magic Beyond Belief, the Comedy Barn Theater, the Blackwoods Morning Variety Show, the Country Tonite Music Show, Adventure Park Zip Lines, Legacy Mountain Zip Lines, or Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini-Golf.
In addition to these excellent attractions, there are a number of free things to do in the area that your kids will love. Here are just a few ideas:
- Feed the ducks at The Old Mill
- Drive around the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
- Watch a fountain show at The Island in Pigeon Forge
- Have a picnic in Cades Cove, Metcalf Bottoms, or Patriot Park
- Go hiking or auto touring in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
To start planning your getaway, browse our complete selection of Smoky Mountain cabins for rent. Also, if you have any questions about our Smoky Mountain vacation guide, don’t hesitate to give our friendly staff a call!
