gatlinburg ten or wisconsin dells or cinncinnati??

[TENIA66]

Hello All

I need a stay destination with about three days worth of fun, inexepnsive kid oriented.....we've selected either gatlinburg, wisconsin dells or cincinnati...we're looking for inexpensive, driving, we like amusement parks, zoos, some museums we're a go go go family not a rest and relax family. we like regular food regular clean hotels, hotels are a place to sleep, not enjoy and food is something to eat not to savor....life is what we're after.....ideas for where and how much??? three kids, 12, 6 , and 1 and half.....disney ate our major vacation money....what about three days on 1000 or less???

the three days would be on location, not including travel

 

[PrincessParty]

AAA has discount tickets to many Cincinnati attractions. I am not sure about the other cities.

 

[imsayin]

A good waterpark hotel in the Dells is expensive in the summer. Can run $200-$300 (maybe more). There are probably other cheap options without the waterparks.

 

[imsayin]

double posted

 

[sammielynn]

I vote for Gatlinburg. There is so much to do, dollywood, splash country, the Great Smoky Mountain Park, shopping hiking, The Comedy Barn is great for families. The list goes on and on. I live just over an hour from this area and we go for the day quite often.

 

[p2oh]

Check out CincinnatiUSA.com or StayNKY.com they have several packages available, Kings Island is a great theme park with a cool water park as well. There is also a water park called The Beach near Kings Island. The zoo is good too, if you belong to your local zoo they are part of the reciprocal program with a lot of zoos around the country. Also, if the Reds are in town bleacher seats are pretty reasonable and they have a really cool aquarium right across the river. There is a ton to do in Cincinnati, it's a great place to visit.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Check out CincinnatiUSA.com or StayNKY.com they have several packages available, Kings Island is a great theme park with a cool water park as well. There is also a water park called The Beach near Kings Island. The zoo is good too, if you belong to your local zoo they are part of the reciprocal program with a lot of zoos around the country. Also, if the Reds are in town bleacher seats are pretty reasonable and they have a really cool aquarium right across the river. There is a ton to do in Cincinnati, it's a great place to visit.

We have done the pkgs and had a great time. There is also the aquarium in Newport and the Children's museum in Cincinnati.

 

[Savsmommy]

We go to Gatlinburg, TN every 3 years for our family reunion. It is gorgeous there and has a ton of stuff to do. White water rafting, horse back riding, caverns and so much more. We love it there.

 

[timandlesley]

I'm from Cincy and we have season passes to Kings Island. They re-did the kids area and it is awesome - all Nickelodeon themed - check out pki.com

There is a lot to do here, we have a GREAT zoo, the new aquarium is good in Northern Kentucky, and Kings Island is good too, plus the water park at Kings Island is great too for all of your kids ages.
Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[formernyer]

I have never vacationed in Wisconsin Dells or Cinncinnati, but I live in TN and I can vouch for it being a great family vacation destination. It's a truly beautiful area and there's a great variety of things to do as a family. One thing about that area is you can really get nickle and dimed to death if you aren't careful. I know a few people who aren't very disciplined...they set out for an inexpensive weekend and spent a small fortune in Gatlinburg.

Another TN destination that's great for a long family weekend is Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a nice aquarium, a Children's Science Museum, an IMAX, Rock City, Ruby Falls, the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and a lot more. Most attractions are all within walking distance of each other.

 

[KLAIT]

If inexpensive is important, I would lean away from the Dells. It is a very expensive place.

 

[princesscj]

I live in OH and have spent a lot of time in the Cincinnati area. The Newport Aquarium is great! The whole are around the aquarium is great, shopping, restaurants, they have one of those places like a Dave and Buster's but its called something else, can't remember.

Kings Island has a lot to offer for everyone. Great amusement park!!

Lots of good, inexpensive eats. Try Skyline Chili for good chili dogs.

It has been years ago but we stayed in northern KY near the aquarium once at the Drawbridge Inn - I have no clue what it is like now, but it was cheap and had a deal with discounted aquarium tickets, the hotel looks like a castle from outside that my son dug, but rooms were old looking but 2 great pools, one indoor and one outdoor. They were big.

I have been to Gatlinburg a few times, to me is a tourist trap and I always, always spend more money than planned, everything is very expensive!

Enjoy your trip no matter what!!

 

[princesscj]

I live in OH and have spent a lot of time in the Cincinnati area. The Newport Aquarium is great! The whole are around the aquarium is great, shopping, restaurants, they have one of those places like a Dave and Buster's but its called something else (a big of arcade type games), can't remember.

Kings Island has a lot to offer for everyone. Great amusement park!!

Lots of good, inexpensive eats. Try Skyline Chili for good chili dogs.

You will have to do a bit of driving (30 min. or less) to go to different attractions though.)

It has been years ago but we stayed in northern KY near the aquarium once at the Drawbridge Inn - I have no clue what it is like now, but it was cheap and had a deal with discounted aquarium tickets, the hotel looks like a castle from outside that my son dug, but rooms were old looking but 2 great pools, one indoor and one outdoor. They were big.

I have been to Gatlinburg a few times, to me is a tourist trap and I always, always spend more money than planned, everything is very expensive!

Enjoy your trip no matter what!!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Cincinnati-no questions asked:

Kings Island
Coney Island
The Beach waterpark
River Downs
Newport Aquarium
Cincy Zoo
Jungle Jims
Cincinnati Mills
Reds baseball is not expensive
Nice riverfront/often events on the riverfront
Indiana casinos closeby.

Plenty of hotels at usually a really low cost. Many, many eating options. Not the tourist trap that Gatlinburg is now.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We did Cincinnatti and Gatlinburg last year!...4 days at Cincy then 5 days at TN. I personally liked Cincy better!!! I LOVED King's Island! We also visited the Aquarium, went to a ball game and ate at Hobrauhaus(which we had previously had eaten at in Munich, Germany)! Another idea...Cleveland?! We combined Cleveland with Cedar Point!

 

[Danemom]

Another Cincy vote. King's Island (actually in Mason, OH) has the BEST kids area ever, especially for your 12 and 6 yr old. Scooby Doo, Dora, Rugrats, SpongeBob are some of the characters there. A Rugrats suspended coaster and a new ride called "Avatar" (I'm not familiar with the show) were big hits with my 12 and 10 yr olds. I really liked Avatar too!

I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but they have a special where if you enter the park after 5 pm, you can go the next day free. That'll really stretch your money. Just don't eat there - the food is really high, especially soft drinks. A glass of water is free though. There are fast food places about a mile away.

There is a really nice museum "complex" in downtown Cincy with several museums in an old bus station. My kids really enjoyed it a couple of years ago.
We also like Gatlinburg put it is really expensive!
Good luck and have a great time wherever you go!

 

[TENIA66]

wow, you folks are really helping, i've eliminated for sure the dells, seems like cincy is winning, how about more on gatlinburg

 

[crazelion]

I love Gatlinburg. it has Dollywood, Spash Country USA which I have been trying to get past 3 years but never made it. I heard that Dixie Stampede is good show. The Aquarium is excellent. I love the outlet mall shopping that there to.

The hotels I have no idea about because I only live 2 hours away.


Chattanooga has a excellent minor league baseball park.

 

[4formickey]

wow, you folks are really helping, i've eliminated for sure the dells, seems like cincy is winning, how about more on gatlinburg

we just came back from the dells and my kids had a ball. If you stay at treasure island ,you will get to use their waterpark and theme park.It is worth the trip because everything is right on the hotel grounds. They have 6 go carts 4 roller coasters, a wave pool, about 5 waterslids. This is on the outside. They have about 4 indoorwater slids, 4 indoor play areas for the kids and much, much more things to do. check out their web site.

 

[TENIA66]

we just came back from the dells and my kids had a ball. If you stay at treasure island ,you will get to use their waterpark and theme park.It is worth the trip because everything is right on the hotel grounds. They have 6 go carts 4 roller coasters, a wave pool, about 5 waterslids. This is on the outside. They have about 4 indoorwater slids, 4 indoor play areas for the kids and much, much more things to do. check out their web site.

thanks good to know!!!!