How to Invest in a One-Week Family Vacation in the Smoky Mountains

The 1 Week Plan: The Great Smoky Hills at the end of this article!

Here are some things to do and restaurants near the Great Smoky Mountains:

• Picturesque Drive– Cade’s Cove Loop
• Scenic Drive– Roaring Fork Motor Nature Path
• Trek!
• Dollywood’s Sprinkle Country
• Ripley’s Aquarium
• Use Farm City Park.
• The Island at Pigeon Forge
• Visit Midtown Gatlinburg
• Various other things to do.

Jump to the food!

1. Picturesque Drive– Cade’s Cove Loop

This was just one of our favorite things to perform in the Smoky Mountains! Cade’s Cove Loophole Roadway is an 11-mile one-way loop with spectacular views. It is a famous drive, so the earlier you arrive, the less website traffic there must be. Website traffic is immensely reduced through right here, so if you are in a rush, this is not the drive for you. There are areas to manage and park every so often, as well as a couple of old houses or farmsteads that you can walk through.

Only bike and foot traffic on Wednesdays is enabled on Cade’s Cove Loophole. Visit the National Park’s internet site before you go. We also saw a black bear while driving through here! Based on the reviews from the ‘AllTrails’ app, it is common to see black bears in this area.Here is a write-up from the National Park Solution on what to do if you see a bear.

2. Breathtaking Drive– Roaring Fork Motor Nature Path

The Roaring Fork Electric Motor Nature Route was another excellent and beautiful drive. It is a 6-mile one-way loop. There are numerous areas to pull off and park to check old houses or farmsteads.Even more information can be found at the National Forest Solution site.

3. Hike!

We didn’t do as much walking in the Smoky Hills as we wished to because… well. youngsters Yet the little that we did was remarkable. If it’s hot out, get on the tracks early and bring lots of water, plus a portable battery-powered follower. My little girl loved strolling with the fan!

Metcalf Bottoms Path

The Metcalf Bottoms Route is a very easy 1.5-mile out-and-back route within half an hour of Gatlinburg. There is an old schoolhouse at the furthest point on this trail, which offered my daughter something to look forward to. The children enjoyed playing in a creek in the parking area. They also have outing tables as well as toilets.

Laurel Falls Trail

Laurel Falls Trail is an easy 2.4 mile out & back trail. We only did a little piece of this trail, so we did not make it to any falls. Parking is very minimal. I recommend getting right here as early as you can. We had to park and walk a decent distance to reach the trailhead.

4. Dollywood’s Sprinkle Country

Dollywood’s Splash Nation is the biggest theme park I have ever been to. They have a good selection of things for all ages! There were three different areas that our one-year-old and three-year-old liked! Life jackets are available in multiple locations (included in the ticket price). We did not get it right when it opened, so there was a suitable line to get to the parking lot. The amusement park, as well as the water park, share the same duplicate entry until after you get past the ticket booths. The food lines/waits were insane during the lunch rush, so I advise eating early before the thrill!

Below is the Dollywood waterpark website for even more info. Keep in mind that towels are not given, yet they have some readily available for acquisition. Here is the frequently asked questions page.

5. Ripley’s Fish Tank

The Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg was a hit with the kids. They have an underwater tunnel where we see sharks, sea turtles, and much more! The penguin display was also a favorite. There is a children’s multi-level play area and a glass-bottom boat scenic tour (extra fee).

6. Wear Farm City Park

A park with a stunning backdrop! This park in Pigeon Forge was a tremendous cost-free activity for the kids. The highlight is that they have color covered over most of the play area. It was hot when we saw it, so this was great! They have two playground areas, restrooms, and shaded picnic table locations.

7. Pigeon Forge’s Island

The Island in Pigeon Forge is a destination where you can consume, play, and store all in one place. We appreciated watching the free water fountain that goes off every half an hour (paired with various songs). It plays two tracks every 30 minutes. They have great deals on activities and rides for kids. My daughter’s preferred component was the arcade! There was a lot of free parking when we went to The primary parking is between The Island and Le Conte Events Facility.

8. Visit Midtown Gatlinburg

We strolled down Parkway, Gatlinburg’s main thoroughfare.It is a touristy location. You can, however, consume, play, and shop normally down below.

Anakeesta Amusement Park is below, which supplies treetop skywalks, an observation tower with remarkable sights, ziplining, and much more. We did not have time to go down, yet it is on our list for next time! Ripley’s Fish Tank, the Crazy Mason Milkshake Or Smoothie Bar, and Tennessee Jed’s (sandwich shop) are in midtown Gatlinburg. Parking was costly, so be prepared to pay or stroll far away.

Other Things to Do:

If you are seeking even more ways to invest in your one-week household trip in the Great Smoky Mountains, do not worry. You will not be without things to do!

Extra Hiking Trails: Cataract Loss (easy 1.1 miles), Rainbow Falls Trail (moderate 5.1 miles), Huskey Branch Falls (modest 4.7 miles), Riverview Quiet Walkway (very easy 1 mile), Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail (moderate 1.2 miles) (make use of the ‘AllTrails’ application).

• Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park.
• Trackhouse Enjoyable Park.
• Purchasing at The Villages in Gatlinburg
• Dollywood Amusement Park.

Places to Eat

Many mornings we consumed morning meals at our cabin, but we ate breakfast several times. Right here is our fave.Lil’ Black Bear Cafe (in Pigeon Forge)– This is a cute little restaurant (very little). The children enjoyed the thick pancakes, and the breakfast sandwich was delicious!

We packed lunches for the days we were out on the routes. And also, when we bought food from a restaurant, it was typically accomplished… because of toddler crises after long, hectic days of checking out.Below are our favorite areas to eat for lunch and dinner near the Smoky Mountains.

Wears Valley Food Truck Park (Uses Valley)–We are overjoyed to have discovered this!They had three different food vendors on the day we went to I enjoyed the mountain background and also the backyard for the children!Tennessee Jed’s (in Gatlingburg): This was a fantastic find in the sea of visitor dining establishments along the main drag in midtown Gatlinburg. It’s a tiny, customer-care-ahead sandwich shop. And also the sandwiches. Delicious! 

Old Mill Pottery Home Cafe (in Pigeon Forge)– We ordered takeout as the kids were melting down a lengthy day of tasks. I enjoyed the chicken stir fry. However, every little thing was tasty.Paula Deen’s Household Kitchen area (in Pigeon Forge)– I needed to give this a shot while on The Island at Pigeon Forge. Every little thing was great, just a great deal of heavy food. I could not imagine the delicious chocolate butter cake … it was outstanding!Preacher’s Smokehouse (in Sevierville)– This location is out in the middle of nowhere, yet close to where our cabin was. I appreciated the smoked pork the most!

Gatlinburg Developing Company: We got hold of a fast beer and also got pizza to go! Both were scrumptious!

The Crazy Mason Milkshake Or Smoothie Bar (in Gatlinburg)–One of the highlights of our trip. This is an enjoyable huge milkshake or smoothie! price, but a pleasant reward for the children (as well as adults)!

Where to Stay: 

We rented this cabin in the woods near Sevierville on Airbnb. We liked our stay right here. It had an oversized wrap-around deck with a jacuzzi and rocking chairs to delight in the sound of the rushing creek nearby. We had a little drive to enter the town, but it behaved to run away to the middle of nowhere. Next time we check out the Smoky Hills, I would love to stay in Wears Valley, which is about thirty minutes west of Gatlinburg. It was a cute and charming little community. It is far away from all the touristy stuff, and the sights from this valley are stunning! Overall, the Great Smoky Mountains create a terrific location for a family vacation. We can’t wait to go back!