Sunrise over Gatlinburg skyline
It’s crucial to go vacationing every once in a while and spend time away from the mundane life, especially with family. A vacation is the perfect family bonding experience where you and your loved ones spend quality time together that you can remember for years to come. What’s best is that a trip to Gatlinburg can further add to this experience, as it’s the perfect destination for a family vacation.
From amusement parks and shopping areas to natural scenic beauty, Gatlinburg has everything a family can ask for on vacation. However, regardless of how enjoyable your destination is, some complications can still arise that might ruin your trip.
So, it’s essential to plan your vacation effectively to ensure your Gatlinburg trip is enjoyable for the whole family. Here are five ways to help you with this purpose.
Find affordable and reliable accommodation
Gatlinburg is a diverse place where you will most likely spend days exploring with your family. In the meantime, you’ll need a good staying area to return to at the end of the day. A poorly managed and uncomfortable staying area is bound to ruin your vacation, as your family will need a good night’s rest.
So, to ensure everyone enjoys the trip, search for accommodation that is not only reliable but also affordable. You don’t want to spend all your travel budget on living expenses, leaving nothing for enjoyment and exploration. Reading online reviews and searching the internet is a good way to find the right accommodation.
However, renting cabins in Gatlinburg is a viable decision if you want to skip all the work of finding the right place to stay. Not only are these cabins close to the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, but they are also known to be incredibly cheap compared to hotel rooms. Not to mention, they are also quite comfortable and clean. So, rent cheap cabins in Gatlinburg to ensure the most enjoyable vacation for your entire family.
Schedule your vacation at the right time
While Gatlinburg is full of exciting attractions and fun activities, it’s not a good idea to visit it any time, especially if you have a family. It’s best to avoid scheduling your vacation during peak vacation times. After all, flights, accommodation, and transportation prices are bound to increase during these periods.
Taking your family for a vacation during peak periods such as the summer season will be incredibly challenging, as you won’t have any money left for a fun time. Worrying about money is the last thing you want for a memorable vacation with your family.
Nonetheless, high expenses are not the only issue during peak vacation periods. Gatlinburg is also known to be highly crowded during the summer months. After all, as many as 12 million people visit Gatlinburg each year. Going for a vacation at such a time means you won’t be able to explore several popular attractions, ruining the purpose of your vacation. So, instead of going during peak vacation times, schedule your vacation for spring or fall when Gatlinburg isn’t crowded and the prices are low.
Spend time outdoors with fun activities
Spending time outdoors and exploring the natural beauty of Gatlinburg while participating in outdoor activities is the best way to ensure your entire family has fun. What’s best is that Gatlinburg has all sorts of activities that kids and adults can enjoy.
For example, going hiking in the breathtaking trails of the Great Smoky Mountains is a fun activity that’s sought after by individuals of all ages. What’s more appealing is that you can also try camping after going for a hike to further add to your outdoor experience. Moreover, Gatlinburg has plenty of spots for kayaking that can be quite an adrenaline-fueled outdoor adventure for your whole family.
However, if you’re looking for a more laid-back and peaceful outdoor activity, exploring the natural beauty of Gatlinburg on ziplines is a good idea. Another good option is to go horse riding near the woods. Spending time with your family experiencing all these activities is bound to ensure everyone has fun.
Visit popular attractions
Your trip to Gatlinburg won’t be complete until you visit its most popular attractions that bring people from all over the world. For example, Dollywood is an amusement park every family should visit on vacation. After all, it has fun rides for people of all ages, and even great places to rest and eat at. Dollywood is also known for its lightning rod, which is amongst the top 10 best rollercoasters in the country.
Moreover, you can also take your family to the highest point in Tennessee, known as the Clingmans Dome. Located at an impressive height of 6,643 feet, the Clingmans Dome gives you a breathtaking view of the Smoky Mountains.
Additionally, while exploring the Great Smoky Mountains national park, it’s a good idea to go for a long scenic drive on the Cades Cove Loop Road. The Loop Road will give you a view of everything from historical sites to beautiful mountains and meadows.
Ensure family safety
Focusing on family safety is essential during a vacation, as you’re visiting an unfamiliar area. If anything goes wrong, your vacation won’t be enjoyable anymore. While outdoor activities are fun, they can also be dangerous.
So, whatever you do, make sure to do it with a professional’s guidance. For instance, activities like kayaking are always done with the help of a professional to avoid harm. Moreover, if you’re traveling with kids, track them at all times, especially while exploring the outdoors and hiking. In other words, keep your family close to you when outside.
Besides ensuring your family’s physical safety, you must protect your money and important documents. Losing any important documents or money can result in a serious complication that may ruin your vacation. It’s best to keep all your important belongings in a safe, separate bag you always keep with yourself.
Conclusion
Going for a vacation to Gatlinburg is a great decision to strengthen family bonds and gather lifelong memories. However, a poorly planned vacation will only bring bad memories to your life. Therefore, focusing on planning is crucial to ensure everyone enjoys the trip. So, note the ways mentioned above and ensure an enjoyable vacation for the whole family.
