Fun budget ideas for Smoky Mountain area

[Mom2SamandJames]

My boys and I are going on a 5 day trip with my Mom to the Smoky Mountains next week. We have some things planned but were wondering if anyone had any inexpensive fun things to do. We will be doing Dixie Stampede for dinner one night and have passes to the Nascar Go-Kart place. We plan on taking a picnic to the National Park one day too. It's been over 10 years since we were in the area. Any tips, suggestions, ideas, restaurant recommendations?

Thank you!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Check out discount tickets for Dollywood. I see on their web page if you buy tickets after 3:00 p.m. you get admisssion free for the next day.

http://www.dollywood.com/Deals/Special-Offers.aspx

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

That's a good idea. I will do that. Thanks.

 

[kimmyann]

I highly recommend driving Roaring Fork Nature Trail in Gatlinburg. It is similar to Cades Cove, but much less crowded. We love it. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm
We also really enjoyed parking & walking around Gatlinburg, there are so many little shops & fun things to do & see.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

If your boys like to ride go carts, this is the most budget way to do it.

http://www.nascarspeedpark.com/tn.aspx

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

We saw the passes for $10 extra dollars and have them. It's a great deal. Thanks!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Dolly-wood is fun....the three day water park combo is a good deal. Don't expect WDW and you will enjoy.

Ripley's Aquarium is very good. Not cheap but one of the better ones we have done. They have an amazing penguin exhibit.

Smokey mountains = free! Lots of places to stop and picnic and let the boys play in the creek.

There are soooo many things to do that cost money in that area, and they all have great curb appeal to kids, so maybe let your kids know your plans and budget before you go. We do like Dixie Stampede but the cost is really high and we find the entertainment value higher in Dolly-wood. There might still be a park/dinner combo ticket. They are owed by the same co.

 

[Styx Fan]

Check out what park ranger programs are available...great cheap fun. Cades Cove can be crowded, but it's better on a week day. May a day of it. Stop at the homesteads, the churches, etc....walk some of the shorter trails. Take a lunch with you for sure. I'm betting the crowds are less later in the day also...maybe take a picnic dinner.

Make the drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee over the mountains, again stopping at the pull-offs. Eat over in Cherokee before the return trip. Stop at the scenic overlook on the top. There is a tower you can walk a spiral loop up to the top. Pick a place where the Appalachian Trail is near the road and walk it for a bit. Fun to say you have walked on the Appalachian Trail

My family has been to the Smokies many times and rarely spent much money beyond food and lodging. We try to avoid Pigeon Forge and stay in Gatlinburg so we are closer to the park and there are less tourist traps (still many) to take your money.

 

[vleeth]

Great info.

 

[csturg]

You can go tubing down the river. There are a few companies that will shuttle you and drop you off at the starting point. Some places even include a lunch. Just Google it....oh and its cheap and lots of fun!!!

 

[iteach7th]

Eat a late lunch instead of dinner. We found out that you will get huge portions for much less than what dinner costs. This is especially true at "The Old Mill" in Pigeon Forge. We ate lunch there and it was the same items as the dinner menu and very few people in our party could finish their lunch portions.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

Our boys loved becoming Jr Rangers
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/forkids/beajuniorranger.htm
My DH and I were able to become "Not so Jr. Rangers"

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

double post

 

[Mommy2BnB]

Definitely do one either Roaring Forks or Cades Cove motor trails. It is a long drive to get to Cades Cove, although you can go to Townsend on the way back from Cades Cove and go tubing for relatively cheap - under $20 for the 3 of you. And tubing is very fun. Whichever group you choose will provide you with the tube and life jackets. Last year in one of the many coupon flyers or booklets, my family found a coupon that included a Barbeque lunch with our tubing tickets and it was a good meal.

Putt putt golf is always a favorite for my family. There are tons of those places to choose from.

I've never done Dixie Stampede, although my parents have and they really enjoyed it. We were less than impressed with Dollywood. Maybe our mistake was going on a Saturday. If you go, try a weekday.

There are so many places to shop in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Window shopping is free! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[kimsuenew]

Above all, Cades Cove is a "not to be missed" event! Pack a lunch, spend the day (do not forget the camera)!

 

[swilshire]

The Smokey Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend has some great concerts for only $5 a ticket and it is a pretty drive over there. You could plan your day around an evening visit. It is real close to Cades Cove, which is a terrific area of the park to visit.

Sheila