Planning a trip to the Smokies can be exciting, but if you are staying in a cabin there can be a lot more to take than just clothes and yourself. I’ve run down the big essentials that many people can easily overlook. If you follow this list, you can be sure you’ll have everything dotted.
TVs
A majority of cabins offer flat screen TVs. Just because it’s flat screen doesn’t mean it’s new. Be prepared to have the right adapters in case you want to use your iOS tablet, streaming video service likes Amazon Fire or Chromecast, or a modern game console. Composite video/S-Video is popular on older models, and there are numerous converters that allow you to use your HDMI devices with it. When I stay, I pack the following:
- AV + S-Video to HDMI (http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00KXDS4VQ). This is going to be the most common connection.
- iOS/Android HDMI adapter – This allows me to plug my tablet or phone into the HDMI port on the converter that goes into the TV. (iOS: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B009WHV3BM)
- You can also get a VGA converter, which tends to be much cheaper. Make sure you get one with an audio cable, as otherwise, you won’t have sound.
- CORDS! If the converter doesn’t have them, buy some. Make sure you have a long HDMI cable.
- Power extension cord. Most converters require a power source (some have USB chargers). If you have an extension cord for power, you’ll reduce trips to the store.
If you don’t want to lug around a ton of electronic equipment, check to see if your cabin has a DVD player. If they do, you can always pack DVDs that will take up less space. You could always take a newer computer monitor and just an adapter to hook up to your tablet. Then you can use the streaming services on the tablet if your cabin/tablet has wifi. I know we’d be at a loss without a nightly dose of My Little Pony, Shimmer & Shine, or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
Food
If you don’t want to cook at your cabin the entire time you’re there, that’s perfectly understandable. To save money, you still may want to consider just getting food for breakfast. Take cereal, granola, and breakfast bars, and pick up produce, eggs, and milk on the way in. Pasta, oatmeal, and soup are quick to make and are easily stored during transit.
If you do want to cook, travel with non-perishables. There are several Food City stores in the area. Pick up one of their reward cards, and you’ll save a little bit. Even if you do go out to eat, having a cabin means you can bring back leftovers and use them for the next day! If you don’t want to cook and don’t want to leave, Geno’s Pizza delivers to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!
Clothes & Bathroom Supplies
Remember, your cabin should have a washer/dryer (check before you book) so you don’t have to take a week’s worth of clothes for every type of season. Of course, don’t under-pack either. You don’t want to feel like you’re doing more laundry than relaxing! Take a beach towel for each person if you have a hot tub, because most cabins don’t have very large towels or a lot of them. Don’t forget your swimsuit or shoes for whitewater rafting and ziplining!
For the bathroom, we like to pack extra washcloths too, just to be on the safe side. I’d also take one extra roll of toilet paper to put in each bathroom for every week of stay.
Cabin Supplies
Take a bunch of trash bags because you need to clean up after yourself! Having extra trash bags that are nice and thick to dump in the outdoor bin is a must. Please also be mindful of bears, so make sure your outdoor trash is secured. Cabin properties typically have a locking bin area. We’ve seen bear disasters before. You never know when one might want to see what kind of trash is in your pickup bed.
Make sure you get some laundry detergent. Some stores have those little travel size detergent bottles. That was good enough for us for a week, for a family of three. We did laundry about every other day. Many cabins don’t supply laundry detergent.
If you’re the cooking type, take some extra pots, pans/skillets, and utensils (a sharp knife or knife sharpener will come in handy) as well as dishwashing soap/pods and scrubbers for cleaning. Not all cabins are well stocked for every type of legendary meal you might plan to cook. If you’re into grilling, make sure you take charcoal/starters for the grill and a lighter, plus a spatula/tongs. That will save you on having to take pots and pans. One great thing that is handy to have is a crockpot. You can cook something up in the morning and then come back at the end of a fun-filled day to enjoy it with the family.
Don’t forget the little things either, like paper towels, a corkscrew, or a beer tab opener! If you’re a big coffee drinker, you might find you’re stuck with a “little thing” in your cabin. Take your coffee maker from home just in case. You can take ground coffee (or grind it up) in a ziplock bag for easy transport. Coffee filters are also in short supply, so take those too.
For safety, make sure you take a few flashlights and a first aid kit. If you plan to hike, add a compass, water bottle, and snacks to the mix.
And that’s the essential list! Obviously, I didn’t include packing tips for your actual vehicle, but that all depends on the length of your stay, how far you’re traveling, and whether you have any planned stops.
Besides planning your activities with Rafting in the Smokies, MobileBrochure is a good resource for things to do in Gatlinburg.
BONUS: TRAVEL SURPRISE
Traveling with a small child? Keep things interesting by giving them a present when you leave for the trip and also when you depart to go home. It will keep them distracted but also give them something to look forward to. It’s also an easy enforcer for poor behavior. All you need to do is threaten to take away the new toy if they misbehave. Feeling thrifty? Dig out a few old toys your child hasn’t played with in a while. We also take a container filled with crayons, coloring books, a tablet for movies and games, and Water Wow! boards.
BONUS: COOL KIDS POPSICLE
Get some pudding or yogurt blends (Gerber makes these) that don’t need to be refrigerated so you can travel with them. Take some ice pop molds (or on the cheap, an ice cube tray) and pour the pudding/yogurt into it. If you are using an ice pop mold, you can put everything together and stick it in the freezer. If you are using an ice cube tray, stick it in the freezer, and when it starts to harden, you can stick in toothpicks. If you don’t want to wait for them to freeze, you can use clothespins to prop up the toothpicks so they don’t fall over. The best time to get ice pop molds is right before the end of summer. We got this pack for $.50 at Walmart!
When it’s finished setting (you’ll probably need at least four hours in the freezer), they’ll be good to go. We do yogurt ice pops because they are a healthier option. It’s always fun to wake up and be offered a popsicle for breakfast!
