Excellent choices for activities and lodging abound in the Smokies if you plan to take along kids! We’ve assembled some tips, ideas, and suggestions on how to make the most of your vacation with kids. Remember, it’s never too late to plan!
Travel Tips
Pack an Activity Bag
We all know kids have short attention spans (if yours doesn’t, you’re blessed). That means you need to keep them occupied not only on the journey into the area from your home but also when traveling between attractions. Take along an activity bag that includes things like a favorite (or new) toy, coloring materials, and snacks. If everything is together in a bag, it’s easier to keep track of it. It’s no different than having a first aid kit (also a must-have when traveling with or without kids).
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Kids always take longer to get ready than you think they will. Whether they have to go to the bathroom right as you’re heading out the door, or you can’t figure out where they’ve taken off their shoes, they tend to be full of surprises that throw a wrench in tight schedules. We recommend you give yourself 10–20 extra minutes on top of travel/traffic time. You don’t want to stress out yourself or your kids and get stuck having to deal with trying to calm them (and yourself) down.
Check for Specials
In addition to checking any attraction/lodging/restaurant website for any specials they have going on, MobileBrochure.com is a wonderful resource for information (also filterable by location and interest), and they have coupons you can use.
Activities
Get Kids Involved in Planning
Make a list of activities that you’d all like to do with your kids, and then write them down on a blank pie chart. You can print one off for free here. Then you can place a spinner on top. A fidget spinner with a sticker on one of the ends (or some marker) works well. Let your kids take turns spinning for an activity. If they land on one someone has already picked, they can make a suggestion.
Split Activities Between Kids and Adults
You don’t want to spend every moment on what your kids want to do, so make sure you have time set out for you and any other adults who are joining you. A wonderful thing about the Smokies is most places have at least something that caters to both children and adults!
Lodging
Choose Your Style
You can go from backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to living it large in a resort or spacious log cabin. Choose the style of lodging you think both you and the kids would like and plan/pack accordingly.
Look for Family Suites or Rooms
There are some hotels in the area that offer family suites. They provide more space as well as a little bit more privacy. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge has several different types of multi-bedroom/sleeping space rooms and suites. The family suite has two separate sleeping quarters (one with a king-sized bed and another with twin bunk beds). They also have a two-bedroom suite with a king bed in one room, queen sleeper sofa in the living room, and two queen beds in another bedroom. Check out more of what they have to offer on their website. The Greystone Lodge on the River in downtown Gatlinburg has a king or queen option for their family suite. The bedroom is private with a set of bunk beds nearby. The Park Vista offers a family two-room suite. One bedroom has a king bed and full bath, while the other has four twin-size bunk beds and a half bath. The best thing about these two hotels is there are two bathrooms (one full and one half). There will be no fighting getting ready in the morning!
We hope you got something new out of our article and can plan a little easier for your next trip here. Remember to keep Rafting in the Smokies as a place to visit on your kid-friendly vacation! Our Rock Climbing Wall is for ages two and up. Our Lower Pigeon Family Float trip is for ages three and up. If your kids are five or older, they can enjoy both the Ropes Challenge Course and Zipline Canopy Tour. And older kids (ages eight and up) can dig in their oars for the Upper Pigeon Whitewater Rafting trip. Check the pages for weight restrictions as they vary by activity. If you’re ready to start booking, you can do that today!
