Vacation to Smokey Mountains/Dollywood

The aquarium in Gatlinburg ( 15 minutes away) is a MUST SEE!! So beautiful and has interactive things for children to do. There is a build a bear in Gatlinburg too. I am on a tight budget so I am staying at the Howard Johnson in Pigeon Forge this time, it is very cheap. Last time I was there the whole family rented a cabin, it looked near by and such but it was way out in the woods, kind of creepy. It was through american cabin rentals. There are tons of hotels there though, you can check priceline.com for good prices. I would avoid the car museum in Gatlinburg if your children startle easily, I didnt go but my niece and nephew (5 and 3 then) went and were scared because there are displays that are motion activated and startled them. I am leaving Sunday to go back down there for a week and I am sooooo excited! Hope you have a wonderful time as well.

Hi, We live about 35 min. from Dollywood. There are so many hotels and we don't ever have to use one so I can't help on that front, but I can't think of anything to avoid. There are lots of things that are fun though. Dixie Stampede is lots of fun for all ages. A little pricey, but you get fed and entertained. The Dollywood Splash Country, next to Dollywood is a great way to cool off on a hot day- don't forget your swim suit.
Between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and in Gatlinburg there are lots of hiking trails, some fairly easy for little ones, some more difficult. (Of course you don't have to go very far on any of them if it's too much for small people) There are many "pull-offs" with info on the area and little areas to explore, including little creeks.
Outside of Gatlinburg, on Hwy. 321N (towards Cosby and Newport) is a great park called Greenbrier. In it are hiking trails, picnic areas and the headwaters of the Little Pigeon River. Some people swim or tube in the lower part near the entrance. It's way to cold for me, though. We just enjoy the sound of the water and sometimes dip our feet in. We have seen bear, turkeys, deer and other wildlife there.
Another super great place for wildlife is Cades Cove. It's a short drive from Pigeon forge and has a driving trail around the whole place. It has old, early settler buildings with historical info. and you will see LOTS of wildlife. We have never been without seeing bear, turkey, coyote, deer, etc. There is a place, about halfwayaround the loop that you can stop for all kinds of info on the cove, see a working mill grind corn, see the inside of an old home, and get info on the local wildlife. (If you are there and the traffic is backed up and no one is moving, it is called a "bearjam". It means that there is a bear and people have stopped to look. Many get out of their cars for a closer look or a picture. Do the same, without getting too close- it's worth it and you wont be moving until the bear is gone anyway.)

Of all the more commercial stuff, don't know any to avoid, but if you do the wildlife stuff, avoid encouraging bears to come closer!
Have fun-it's also a great area to live if your not too close to the busy areas!

We stayed at Pigeon Forge in the mountains and loved it. We rented a big house and took some family with us. We went to Dollywood for the day. It was fun.....
If you put this in Google...pigeon forge cabin rentals You will find a BUNCH of cabins to rent and stay......depending on your price range.....if you would like to stay closer to Dollywood, just type in dollywood cabin rentals or something similar and that should get you some good results.
Depending on when you go, make sure you take a light jacket.......loved Pigeon Forge, great shops and places to go and see......
You'll have a great time......take care.

The aquarium is definitely a place the kids will love. They have a new little penguin exhibit with tunnels the kids can climb through to see under the penguins. Dollywood and Splash Country are fun. Some free things to do are hiking. Get a map of the trails at one of the NPS stores and it will show you where all the hikes are. There's one I really like in the Greenbrier section of the park. I think Cade's cove might be open to cars again, but I am not sure. Also check out prices on cabins. Hotel prices are expensive during the summer and sometimes you can get a better deal with a cabin AND not have to worry about your kids running, jumping, or screaming.