Best Family vacations on a budget: Pigeon Forge/Dollywood/Great Smoky Mountain Style!
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Considering the Best Family vacations on a budget? The Smoky Mountains is my happy place, my place of peace. We have been coming here for years, but this is our FIRST SUMMER Family Trip to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood! Asheville, Marshall, Murphy, Cherokee, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg etc. We have VERY different itineraries depending on if our kids (7 and 9) are coming with us or not. If you’re a travel nut like us then check out the Southwest Card, you earn points when paying for flights AND for regular bills like cell phone and streaming. My Southwest points add up every year and this pays for flights for our winter vacation EVERY year…this year we fly to Park City, Utah for a ski trip!
For our Family vacations on a budget this year we decided on a week-long vacation starting at Pigeon forge and Dollywood. We then traveled through Gatlinburg and through the Smoky Mountain National Park to Murphy and then Cherokee North Carolina and ending in Atlanta. Because we brought our kids, we jam packed this vacation FULL of adventure and activities. I’m going to tell you all about them, what was fun, what wasn’t. Let’s start with Pigeon Forge!!!
Family vacations on a budget
Family Trip To The Smoky Mountains and Dollywood-PIGEON FORGE
If you’re flying the you begin your Family vacations on a budget with flights. The closest airport to Dollywood/Pigeon Forge is Knoxville and it’s about an hour drive to Pigeon Forge, so make sure you prepare for that. You will need to rent a car from the airport because you are about an hour from Pigeon Forge, do this ahead of time…it’s a small airport and they do not have an endless supply of SUV’s.
My kids were HANGRY getting off the plane and driving over an hour to Pigeon Forge was LONG. My daughter got sick halfway there (probably a mix of the change in elevation and blood sugar drop) so maybe packing some snacks is a good idea or maybe just eating in Knoxville BEFORE driving to Pigeon Forge. Knoxville is a college town, there are plenty of good things to eat! Stop at the University of Tennessee and takes some pics! My kids were way too hungry for this, so we just drove straight to the restaurant in Pigeon Forge.
Family vacations on a budget
Family Trip To The Smoky Mountains and Dollywood: PIGEON FORGE…FOOD
RESERVATIONS. RESERVATIONS,RESERVATIONS. SAY IT FAST, SAY IT AGAIN
This is the BEST TIP FOR YOUR Family vacations on a budget to Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is BUSY. Loads of tourists pretty much all the time and the restaurants are always packed especially the good ones. Alot of restaurants in the Pigeon Forge area aren’t available on Open Table, but you can make a reservation at Local Goat through google. The local goat is THE PLACE.
Just FYI, most of the restaurants on The Island don’t take reservations, it’s first come first serve…so get there at least by 5:30 to get a table. I made reservations weeks ahead of time for the Local Goat, it is a VERY popular restaurant. The food was fantastic, I had the hot honey chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries, hubs had some kind of cheeseburger. HEAVENLY, I recommend this place hands down. Calamari was exceptional as well.
The next night we strolled around The Island and stopped in at Timberwood Grill for an early dinner (we had been at Dollywood Splash country all day so we were hungry very early). If you plan on The island for dinner, best advice is GO EARLY. NONE of the restaurants will take a reservation, just FYI. I had a Bison burger at Timberwood Grill and hubs had a Brisket Sandwich. This place does Moonshine Margaritas and I’m telling you they will have you REAL happy, the Mango Habanero hit every mark for this margarita Lovin’ Texan!
No, The Island is NOT an actual island, it’s kind of like a boardwalk with Sky wheel, shops, restaurants etc. Very Touristy so go early. Definitely wear some tennis shoes because you will be walking! Stop by the Ole Smoky Moonshine store while your there they have moonshine samples and some CRAZY flavors; the White chocolate strawberry cream and moonshine peaches were incredible.
Pigeon Forge is VERY touristy, people are literally everywhere, cars too. Traffic is just a way of life here, so give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going.
Family vacations on a budget
Family Trip To The Smoky Mountains and Dollywood– PIGEON FORGE Accommodations
For our Family vacations on a budget to Dollywood we have rented condos and AirBnB’s in Pigeon Forge before. Condos and houses on AirBnB in the pigeon forge area are VERY expensive and we are just never there! Pigeon Forge is not about comfort and relaxation…it’s about fun and adventure!
Now Gatlinburg is more about scenic hiking, R and R… we have rented this Gatlinburg cabin with family before. It’s pretty affordable if you all split it. Ok back to Pigeon Forge, so this summer we decided to save some money and get a hotel with free continental breakfast. This was the first time we chose a hotel instead of a rental home or condo and I’m telling you I will never rent a condo or AirBnB in Pigeon Forge EVER AGAIN.
Hotels are where it’s at in Pigeon Forge! 3 nights cost us $600 with tax and EVERYTHING (free breakfast as well, which is a substantial save for a family of 4). For a 3-bed cabin/condo near Pigeon Forge Airbnb will run you close to $900-1,000 (that’s with fees, cleaning and taxes). That is not including breakfast that you will have to pay for (For our family of four that’s about $60/day…so $180 for breakfast alone). See it adds up. Save where you can.
We stayed at Econo-Lodge Riverside in Pigeon Forge and it was perfect for us. Our room was big enough with fridge and microwave, sheets and beds were soft and comfortable. We requested a room closest to the parking lot and on the ground floor so we could bring coolers back and forth easily. I you want to read my post on Travelling with kids-Hotel Version, CLICK HERE.
This hotel accommodated EVERYTHING we requested from extra pillows and blankets to our room location. Another awesome thing about this hotel is the INDOOR POOL and HOT TUB. If you travel to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in the fall then you know it’s too cold to swim outside at that time…. even though our trip was summertime the indoor pool was wonderful, wore my kids out real good, which means they sleep like rocks.
A good night’s sleep equals well-rested and happy kids and that equals happy parents. Happy Kids and Happy parents are THE GOAL on the Family vacations on a budget Dollywood Style
This hotel has a pretty good free continental breakfast…we budget where we can 🙂 Coffee, cereal, toast, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, fruit, yogurt, sausage links. It was all we needed. This hotel is also right smack in the middle of everything, so very easy access.
Little Pigeon River is in the back of the hotel, we brought our continental breakfast out there every morning. So peaceful, the ducks are a bit aggressive when you have food, but it was wonderful. Quiet and relaxing start to the day.
Family vacations on a budget
Family Trip To The Smoky Mountains and Dollywood Tips:
1.) If you’re flying, then use this backpack cooler as your carry-on. It is a wonderful thing to have for extra drinks/beer in your room or even cold drinks when hiking the trails. It’s a must when traveling with kids, they are constantly hungry and thirsty am I right?
2.) If you’re traveling with kids then go to the Wal-Mart down the street from the Econo-Lodge (even if you don’t stay there, Wal-Mart is everywhere) and grab some snacks and cold drinks for the room. My kids go snack crazy at night before bed or even after swimming (which we did every night to try and zap their energy).
3.) Ask for a room closer to the parking lot…super easy with luggage. Don’t get a room too close to the pool…it’s open until 11…and people do SHUT IT DOWN, so it gets noisy. Oh, and bring a swimsuit AND GOGGLES….the chlorine at the pool is pretty intense. These goggles below are the best goggles EVER. They don’t hurt the eyes and no need to press and get that painful suction. My kids LOVE them.
Family vacations on a budget
Dollywood Splash Country
This was a SUMMER Family Trip To the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood. So, we opted for Splash Country instead of the Dollywood Theme Park, my kids are just more waterpark people instead of rollercoasters. Also, in the summer that concrete theme park is just SO HOT. My kids have been, and they opted for Splash Country this time. Buy tickets HERE.
Family vacations on a budget
Packing Tips for Dollywood Splash Country
1.) Bring an empty water bottle, they have drink stations with ice, water and soft drinks pretty close to the park entrance. My kids’ insane obsession are Stanley’s…they each got one for Christmas, but there are SO many knock-off’s on Amazon. They will not let a cooler in Dollywood Splash Country so don’t try. The security is intense, and they do random searches on people walking in. It’s like trying to get through airport security.
2.) Dollywood is alcohol free. Yes, nowhere to buy it. So, if you like to sip a margarita by the bar while your kids go berserk on slides then be aware. I wouldn’t suggest trying to sneak any in… the security is tight at the entrance. Maybe if you had a bag with a hidden cooler compartment…hmmmm. A mom MUST ALWAYS be prepared lol. We pull this little trick when we visit Great Wolf Lodge or Kalahari.
You can read my Family vacations on a budget posts on Great Wolf Lodge HERE and my post on Kalahari HERE. I also did a post on comparing the two indoor Waterpark Giants, get it HERE… it’s a fun read.
3.) SANDALS NOT WATERSHOES. I repeat SANDALS NOT WATERSHOES. The concrete at Dollywood Splash Country is like lava. It will blister your kids’ feet in between rides, so footwear is essential. Kids can kick off their sandals right before each ride and after the ride slip them back on. Wet water shoes are annoying to take on and off constantly, so don’t even bring them. You kid will get annoyed and choose blistering over losing time putting on and taking off wet water shoes. Kid’s go THAT nut at this place, it’s wild.
4.) Towels. Dollywood does not give you towels. You must bring your own or buy them from the gift shop at $25 a towel. We just brought a few from the hotel and brought them back…easier. I was NOT packing towels in my suitcase. For this week-long Family Trip to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood, there was NOT enough room! I have heard great things about THESE towels though…apparently, they pack efficiently. I’m still too cheap for that, hotel towels work JUST FINE.
5.) EARLY BIRD-If you want to sit under the shade then get to Dollywood at opening. The park opens at 10 AM, but that line will start forming by 9:15AM. My favorite place to set up shop is by the wave pool as it’s center to everything and my kids can easily check in to the “command center” often.
Now if you are able to splurge on a canopy then do it, we did it for the first time this trip and I’ll never go back. It was nice to eat in privacy or just relax a bit in your own space. Our canopy was “Lakin’s Lair” by the wave pool.
6.) Just a tip…If you know you want a canopy for sure, then reserve online at least 4-5 months before your Family vacations on a budget : To The Smoky Mountains and Dollywood. The canopies, retreats and deluxe retreats are a hot commodity and if you wait until the day of your trip they will all be gone, I have seen families lined up at the booth to try and get one…to no avail.
I have pics below of our canopy. It also comes with a lockbox for our wallets and souvenirs. The retreats and Deluxe retreats are bigger and have more amenities like sofa, TV, dining table and chairs, waitering service, mini fridge with water and ceiling fan, check them out HERE.
7.) TimeSaver H20 Passes. So I was on the fence about this the first time we went to Dollywood Splash Country years ago…I am now a believer. You must have these if you’re going BEFORE school is back in session (June, July and through mid-August) it’s just so crowded, you will spend the entire day in lines.
An exception would be if you plan on going passed 3 PM…the park will be pretty dead then so no need. If you go during the summer when school is out then prepare to be in line for 45-60 minutes per ride (River rush Coaster 85 min+). They have 2 lines, one for general riders and the other line for timesaver pass riders. The timesaver riders are able to cut the line, they basically pay for expedited lines.
***You could very realistically spend your entire day waiting in lines, we did this years ago when we went because we were being stubborn about the cost of the passes. Just do it. It’s a MUST.
8.) The first thing you do when you get into the park is get your shady spot, there are not many…so prioritize this. The wave pool is my favorite spot, but my kids are 7 and 9 so they ride everything.
If you have younger kids or toddlers you might want to grab a shady spot by little creek falls, Cascades or the Butterfly (Butterfly is THE BEST shady spot with small kiddos). HERE is a link to a park map, I’d familiarize yourself with this so when you get into the park you can quickly get to your shady spot!
After you get your spot then go get your Timesaver passes back at the front of the park (right next to canopy and retreat rentals if you purchased those).
9.) SUNSCREEN. You must. That is some direct sunlight. Enough said. Force your kids to come to the “command center” every 30-40 minutes to re-apply and hydrate. Don’t forget ears and lips and feet. Every 30 -40 minutes my kids know to come for a hydrate and spray break, this is a must.
If you’ve read my posts enough then you know I’m VERY crunchy. I’m a board-certified chiropractor with double certification in Functional Medicine specializing in Holistic Anti-aging and Environmental Detoxification…so I’m super nuts about what my kids put in and on their body. This brand COOLA has been researched by me at nauseum. They are wonderful. Organic, gluten free and reef safe.
Yeah, I get it…why does sunscreen need to be gluten free and organic? Because your skin is the largest organ in the body, it absorbs everything. Gluten gets into the bloodstream through skin products. I see it on blood testing. It’s the “Gluten Creep”. Ok rant over. Get the face spray, the body spray and lip sunscreen…ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR SKIN and especially on Family vacations on a budget : To th Smoky Mountains and Dollywood! Remember what goes on your skin, gets into your blood.
10.) Food. You cannot bring food into the park. If you get caught they will make you throw it away. I mean you won’t be arrested or anything…so go ahead and try if you are stealthy. Good thing they have plenty of food places in the park.
The park opens at 10 AM, by noon my kids are starving. At 11:30 we walk over to get their food…and this year we were able to eat in peace and quiet in our very own shady canopy!! It was lovely! Our fave is burgers and fries from Campsite Grill, the food is expensive, but it’s fast and good 🙂 Before you go download the Dollywood App, you can order food from it when you’re in the park and just go pick it up 🙂
Family vacations on a budget
Pigeon Forge Dinner Shows
You must try a dinner show when you come to Pigeon Forge, the area is known for them, and you won’t find this kind of entertainment anywhere else. Yeah, it’s a bit cheesy, but what the heck right? When in Rome…
Dolly’s Stampede– We did this one a few years ago when our kids were much younger. They thought the light show was ok, but overall, they were not very entertained and honestly neither were my husband and I. The food was not great either and my kids picked around the food and came out starving and we had to make a McDonalds trip at 10 PM. So, this year we prioritized food, and we decided on Hatfield and McCoy. There were drawbacks.
Hatfield’s and McCoys– This is labeled as a dinner “feud” between 2 family’s, The Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. When you book tickets online you get to decide if you’re sitting on the Hatfield or the McCoy side. Book online and do it early, the shows sell out. We sat on the McCoy’s side, but I feel like the Hatfield side was better, I DON’T NOW WHY I JUST DID.
***Word to the wise, when you book either call or email and ask where you are sitting. This has never happened to us at a dinner show before, but they seated us off in a corner of the stage and we could barely see a lot of the show. We couldn’t switch tables because it was fully booked. So don’t make our mistake, know BEFOREHAND where you are seated.
-The show: It’s kind of funny. Cornier than anything. It has water scenes and people in the front VIP row get splashed and wet…so be aware of that. All in all, the show was just as un-entertaining as Dolly’s stampede. Fortunately, people don’t go to this show for the show….
-FOOD: The food at Hatfields and McCoys is amazing. I’m still trying to find the recipe for the chowder they served. I had 3 servings of it (oh just a tip, get there early so you can get “second servings” of food…once the show starts they stop serving). They had buckets of fried chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and chocolate or banana pudding…it was so good.
My husband went to the bar to get us some “signature cocktail”…skip that part…it was like a sugar tonic and not worth the $18 extra a drink. One irritating thing is the waiters are in a HURRY, they are not really all about customer service lol…they are just trying to pile food on each table and move on. We really had to convince the waitress to snap a pic of us.
My overall review of Hatfield’s….we will try the Pirate show next year…Dolly’s stampeded and Hatfield’s were pretty boring TBH, but if food is your thing…Hatfield has amazing food.
Family vacations on a budget
Pigeon Forge-MOUNTAIN COASTERS!!!
You cannot go to Pigeon Forge without riding the mountain coasters…or at least one. If it’s the right one, then you only need one!!
In the order of Awesomeness
1.) Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster– This was the best. It was fast and fun. THE BEST ONE in Pigeon Forge. Just a TIP: The mountain coasters have cool lights along the coaster and the mountain, so they are VERY popular at night…they are just as fun in the day so go early at opening time on this one. The lines at night are hours long.
2.) Rocky Top Mountain Coaster– This one annoyed us. It brags that it’s the longest and that’s the claim to fame, but it was too long IMO. It stopped or slowed constantly. Right up on a curve it would just slow down and take all the thrill out of the ride. This one is not one for thrill seekers, you will be disappointed.
3.) Goats of a roof– For the little kids. Not thrilling at all. If you have big kids then just go to Alpine!
Hiking
So many awesome places to hike when you get a bit further from Pigeon Forge. Like I said before Pigeon Forge is very touristy. The best hiking is closer to Gatlinburg. When you go hiking you want to get away from that. Something to keep in mind when hiking with kids…some trails are pretty long. like 5+ miles, so when you hike it trying to get to a waterfall, don’t forget you need the kids to have enough energy to hike back to the car. Hint…go early, not as many people so you have a better chance of seeing wildlife. Also, not as hot.
1.) Cove Mountain and Cataract Falls: This one is right outside Gatlinburg (20 minutes from Pigeon Forge). This trail is perfect for kids…only 3/4-mile one way to the 20 ft Cataract falls.
2.) Laurel Falls: This is our favorite and one we hike every year. It’s a bit longer of a trail, but the waterfall is just breathtaking, 80 feet. Now, I will be honest on this one…you will probably see a bear along this trail. We have come here for the last 4 years and have seen a bear each time. They do not bother us but have the talk with your family about safety. If a bear does get close, you need to know what to do and not to do. This trail is only about 1.3 miles, paved, to the Falls. This trail is popular, there will be other families so count on that.
3.) Cades Cove: Drive through Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on the way, it’s 5.5 mile a drivable trail with beautiful creek views. Ok, back to Cades Cove…The drive to Cades is super fun…I’d grab some food on the way and have a picnic by the river, there are so many areas to do this…our fave is Metcalf Picnic Area. Cades Cove has a scenic loop you can drive, and you can hike to cades cove waterfalls and historic mill. This is a day trip. Cades Cove takes a few hours, so plan for that.
Tips for hiking with kids/families
1.) Backpack– Again we always bring the cooler backpack with some ice and drinks/snack. Momma carries this one. I also give my husband and each kid a backpack too (typically their carry-on backpacks on flight over). It’s just their school backpacks, but if you had one backpack with supplies for 4 people it would be SO heavy. We get my kids’ Jansport backpacks with the leather bottom, we travel a lot so I need the backpack/carry-ons to hold up.
2.) Water bottles with ice and water filled up. I pack extra water in my backpack cooler, but each person has their own water bottle in their pack. My kids at the moment are Stanley obsessed, but any water bottle will do. You don’t need to be all fancy, my husband and I like the Gatorade squeeze bottles.
3.) Snacks- I don’t like snacks in the packs, especially on the lesser known trails. I always have us eat before we hike onto the trails and dispose of the food in ziplok bags in a trash receptacle or back in the car. Wildlife will smell food. You must remember you are in their home, not the other way around. Don’t play around with this.
If your kids constantly need snacks then do not go on the lesser known, longer trails. Stick to short crowded trails. My kids have been going hiking for years, they can handle the 5-7 mile hikes without snacks, but if they couldn’t then I wouldn’t take them on the long hikes.
Not to scare anyone, but I have been followed by a bear before. It was just me and a friend in Alaska and this bear followed us for miles. Nothing happened, but it could have gone badly. Later on, someone in town told us the bears will follow any scent of food, they probably smelled our chips. I don’t know…just be aware.
4.) Small blanket or towel to sit on when resting. Kids will need to rest, especially if they are not used to higher altitude. If any high-altitude symptoms just rest for a bit and HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE. We take these liquid IV’s everywhere we go and ESPECIALLY with altitude changes, fast way to get electrolytes and hydration into you and your kiddos.
5.) Ponchos: These fit easily in each pack. The smoky mountain national forest is pretty much a rain forest, rain happens very quickly and can very quickly flood and cause many problems. Check the weather and be prepared for changes in weather.
6.) Dry clothes: Just trust me, it’s necessary. Falls, slips happen, especially when wet. You are dealing with nature. Dry clothes for each person in a plastic Wal-Mart bag is fine. Or maybe your kids are like mine and refuse not to get in the water.
7.) Bug spray: In the summer bugs are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Bring the Cutter. Not that deet free stuff, I realize bug spray and DEET is awful for you (I know this more than anyone), but there are some nasty bugs in the forests.
***You have got to weight risks versus benefits. Ticks cause Lyme disease and Mosquitos spreading West Nile is rampant right now…don’t take a chance. These bugs will attack you and your children relentlessly. Protect them.
8.) Sunscreen: Obvious. Check out above. Those are all I will use on my family.
9.) First Aid Kit– I always have one on me. My kids are active and adventurous, and I need to be prepared. But really, you will be out in the middle of nowhere so have some essentials. I have a DIY KIT, and it always has small, medium and large band-aids, couple ACE wraps that can double as tourniquets, butterfly bandages, betadine spray, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, Steril Gauze, Sterile pads, medical grade adhesive tape, Moleskin for foot blisters, small scissors and tweezers, hydrocortisone cream, Tylenol and Ibuprofen for headaches (common in high altitude), Benadryl.
Alot of this can fit in a gallon sized freezer bag but pack it. You’d rather have it and not need it THAN NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT. There are also some really great made for you first aid kits on Amazon.
10.) Bear Spray– Ok a couple things here. I have been coming to the Great Smoky Mountains for years and I’ve never needed to use this, but I do have one. My husband and I each have a can of bear spray that stays in one side pocket of our packs so we can grab it quickly.
Keep in mind you must learn how to use it, just like Mace…it will go bad with time so test it yearly. Also, it will only deter a curious bear from coming too close…it will not stop a bear attack. Understand this. Read up on bear safety before embarking on hiking trails, educate your children.
11.) Hiking boots Adult– Waterproof and high ankle are a must. These are Creekside trails, they are wet. Also, rain showers are common and quick moving so footwear needs to be waterproof. Get high ankle boots as ticks in this area are common, as are poison ivy and oak. Also, snakes and rodents hide in the brush (hopefully you won’t get off the beaten path much).
Like I’ve said before we are traveling family. We love to hike and explore nature, so I invest in hiking gear. My favorite hiking boots for me and Husband are THESE from Columbia. They are waterproof, rubber gripping sole, high ankle and SO comfortable. One pair has walked me through icy and snowy Alaskan trails to the rainforests of Costa Rica. They are durable.
Hiking boots Kids– Now my kids are 7 and 9. They grow literally like weeds. They outgrow shoes every 5-6 months. I don’t spend an insane amount of money on hiking boots for them because they usually get 2-3 wears a year before they have to be donated, and I have to buy a bigger size.
We went to Costa Rica in March of this year and then the Smoky Mountains in July, so My kids got 2 wears of THESE babies this year. These boots from Amazon were comfortable, high ankle, durable and waterproof. My kids wore them fine. For $35, they will do. When my kids stop growing, I will invest more in their hiking boots
12.) Sunglasses (Polarized) and Hat- The elements out in nature are intense and unforgiving. Protect your eyes from the UV light. We use these kids’ polarized sunglasses for hiking and softball and baseball tournaments for my kids. They are sturdy.
13.) Trash bag and a roll of TP- Not glamourous but self-explanatory.
14.) Flashlights– in each pack, check the batteries beforehand.
15.) Portable phone charger-juiced up
16.) Hiking clothes are important- Typically I’d say leggings, but that is awful in the summer. Breathable Dry fit shorts and shirts (I like bright fabric so I can easily spot my group if someone gets too far ahead…my son is bad for this.) Hiking socks are a must, normal sox will not sweat well, and they can cause blisters.
17.) All-Trails APP up and ready to ROLL! This app has saved me on multiple occasions. A friend and I were turned around when hiking Mount Magazine in Arkansas years ago. This app was critical in us finding our way back to the correct trail to our car. It’s easy to get turned around up there. The app is free for 7 days, so download it then delete after your trip.
*** This is the most important piece of advice I have when hiking with kids. Teach your kids how to call for 911 and how to drop a pin to your location. Teach them what to do if something happens to you, because it can. I have seen adults pass out from heat stroke on these trails. Some of the harder trails are not for the faint of heart, so be aware of this and your family’s limitations.
Prepare your child for an emergency. Also, goodness’ sake STAY ON THE TRAILS, do not venture off. There are trees everywhere and you will get turned around easily.
DRIVE THROUGH THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
After our Gatlinburg adventures in hiking, we headed to a friend’s place in Murphy, North Carolina. Through the beautiful Smoky Mountains, we go. This drive was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and my family and I travel ALOT and have seen ALOT. The air was so pure and fresh. I have never experienced anything like it.
Very different from the Houston, Texas air I’ll tell you that! We stopped probably every 10 minutes to take pictures and just admire the view. There is a TON of places to just pull off to park and gaze.
This drive literally takes you all the way up through the mountains to the tip top and then back down again and into North Carolina. The smoke off the mountains is just unreal, you can definitely see why they call it the “smoky” Mountains.
Tips:
1.) Write down your directions before embarking on this drive, you will lose reception on your phone…be prepared for that.
2.) Take a rest stop when you see one, there are not many with bathrooms through this drive.
3.) Remind your kids not to constantly stare out the window, they will get sick. Get them to lay their head back and shut their eyes every 10 minutes or so.
4.) The altitude is quite high at the top, so if you’re like us and used to the plains of Texas then make sure you know how to handle that.
5.) Go slow, the roads are winding. Ask the driver often if they need a break.
6.) Enjoy nature. That’s what vacationing in the Smoky Mountains is about. It’s not the sunny beaches of Destin or the constant exhaustion of Disney. The Smoky Mountain trip is about calmness, peace and nature. We hiked daily, we mined gemstones, we swam in huge lakes surrounded by mountains, we rode horseback through the trails, we fed goats, we ziplined and we whitewater rafted. This trip was one for the books. No iPad, no phones, no laptops. It was a complete disconnect and it was MAGNIFICENT and exactly what we needed.
