gatlinburg ten or wisconsin dells or cinncinnati??

[cdrn1]

I've done all three and I like Gatlinburg the best. There is so much to do: Dollywood, the Smokies, mini-golf, go-karts etc etc and good cheap food and lots of discount coupons. I don't know which direction you are coming from but somewhere in Tennesee there is the Museum of Appalachia which is good for a long afternoon, a homestead with things for the kids to do and lots to look at. Dells is spendy; Cinc has lots to do too but i just like the Gatlinburg area.

 

[stcsf04]

The wisconsin dells also has the ducks that go on land and see. There is a lot to do in the dells. Noah ark in the dells has been on the travel channels top ten waterparks in the us.

 

[QueenofMyCastle]

I've never been to the other two places but I love Gatlinburg. Sure, it's gotten a little touristy but if you look beyond that and into the mountain scenery it is just a gorgeous place to be. You can get pretty reasonable rates on rooms there...especially if you stay off the main street (which I would recommend anyway cause it can get really loud at night) and most of the motels/hotels are next to streams and set into the woods. We like Brookside Resort. It's nothing fancy for sure. It's quite rustic but it's clean and inexpensive and very quiet. It's across the street from an awesome pancake place...I think it's called Flapjacks. They have the cutest little bear shaped waffles for the kids that had become a tradition in our family! Lots of people on here are saying it is expensive but I really don't see that. Of course if you go nuts and visit *every* museum and *every* show then of course you will spend a fortune. But there is so much there that it would be easy to pick one or two special shows/museums then spend sometime hiking and sightseeing in the national park (can you say ** free **? and you are all set. We like to just walk up and down the strip and window shop, eat some fudge, dodge the timeshare sellers , and just enjoy sightseeing. Usually we spend one day at Dollywood, one or two days in the park, and then a day or so just exploring Gatlinburg. Other than going to Dollywood we try to stay out of Pigeon Forge. That place IS a tourist trap and it (and the traffic) drives me nuts!

 

[GetGlowing]

There are plenty of Gatlinburg-area options that don't include staying on the strip in either Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge if you want to avoid the kids bugging you to try every attraction like go-karts and mini-golf there. Rental cabins are everywhere. That said, you can find every brand of hotel in just about every price range in Pigeon Forge. There's been a restaurant building boom in Pigeon Forge the past couple of years and you can now find almost every chain place you can think of.

Dollywood is great, and kids LOVE it. There are plenty of water attractions and kids' rides in Dollywood to keep them amused. The kids in my family particularly enjoy the Dreamland Forest area of the park with the water canons and squirter fountains. If your 12yo loves roller coasters, he will enjoy Thunderhead and the Tennessee Tornado there, and probably the new Timber Tower ride.

My new favorite thing to do in the Great Smoky Mountains NP is to visit Cataloochie Valley, where elk who were reintroduced to the park a few years ago appear in the evenings.

There's an aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg that gets rave reviews. Nearby Knoxville (about an hour's drive) has a good zoo.

But I like King's Island too, it's a HUGE park with a lot to do.

There's another park about three hours from Cincy that you can do way cheap. It's Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, located just off I-64. It's an amusement park/water park combo. After you pay to get through the gate, the soft drinks are free, the sunblock is free, and the waterpark rafts are also free! And before you get in the gate, the parking is also free. The park features three world-class rollercoasters, and plenty of family rides and attractions. And the park food is very very reasonable. There is an on-site campground, and a couple hotels nearby. (Otherwise, the park is pretty much in the middle of nowhere). DH and I will be there later this year to get our first rides on their new roller coaster. http://www.holidayworld.com/

 

[4formickey]

The dells have mini golf, cheap food, discount coupons also. It all boils down to what do you want to do. Teasure Island has been on the Travel channel as one of the top 10 water parks in the Nation.They have coupons galore just like you are in wdw. A magic show, super walmart, a new outletmall is being built and you can tour a working chesse factory. You can also get cow pies(chocolate,caramel and pecans). They are very good. About 15 min. from the Dells they have Circus World. It was the winter home for Ringle Bro. They still have show and act at this place.They present you with the history of the circus with the old train cars and everything.

 

[EdDome]

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.

I checked the Kalahari and Treasure Island rates, both are large waterpark hotels, and their non-weekend rates are close to $300 / night. It's pricey but keep in mind that you're also paying for the waterpark amusement. I've got property just north of the Dells so I go there quite a bit. Nothing is cheap during the summer tourist season.

 

[TENIA66]

are there public transport systems in each???? are they easy to get around in??

 

[tinatark]

My business is in Gatlinburg, so I'm a bit biased... there is so much to do here - you can spend a fortune, or not. Dollywood offers come into the park after 3, the next day's free. They have kidsfest for a bit of the summer - VeggieTales, etc... There is the National Park - miles and miles of hiking, or just sightseeing. Most hotels have decent pools with kiddie areas - slides, fountains, lazy river, etc. You can eat for cheap or expensive... many of the go cart tracks offer 1/2 price rides until noon on weekdays, the Ripley's attractions in Gatlinburg - Aquarium, Believe it or Not Musuem, Haunted House and Mini Golf offer a discount package. The outlet shopping here is great.

Violent crime in our area is nearly non-existent - and the hospitality is great!

About transport - there is a trolley line (.25 each rider) that will take you through the entire area, except the places you would visit in the Nat'l Park. It's also pretty easy to drive your own car - most things are very easy to get to!

 

[dixipixi]

We go to Gatlinburg at least once a year. My FIL owns 2 houses up there so lodging is cheap.

Other than that, I think it is just as expensive (if not more so) as everywhere else. We spend most of our time in the mountains. We have a goal to fish every stream / hike every trail possible while we're there. Doing those things, we can make a pretty cheap trip.

The only thing we go to Pigeon Forge for is Dollywood. We also like the water park (but that's only open during the summer). I think Dollywood is probably the best bargain (if you buy a season pass) among amusement parks.

We go to the mountains for a "getaway" and these days I just find Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge way too crowded. I see a trend toward higher priced restaurants/ shows/ amusements as well. Things are too "shopper oriented" for my taste. If you love to shop, you'll be in heaven!

 

[jmhkd]

I would go to Gatlinburg. There is plenty to do in the daytime with Dollywood and the water park. There is also an aquarium and a Nascar themed go cart track. The cabins are very affordable and the views from them are second to none. Great place to sit on the porch and relax after the kiddies go to bed.

 

[Zoemakes5]

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

Yeah, I have to say that it is. I LOVE the dells, and it's always been a good option for us, as it's main focus is water and swimming, which works well with the age spans we have of almost 12, almost 10 (boys) and 4 yo girl. We have a tough time finding stuff they all like or places where we don't have to "divide and conquer" so that each group of kids gets to do what they want. Even at the Dells, there's a bit of that, but they all LOVE the wave pool. My fav. place to stay is the Wilderness Lodge, it has tons of both indoor and outdoor slides/rides and the outdoor stuff is heated! (Not a lot, but heated none-the-less!) . IF you'd be willing to sit through a presentation for Fairfield, you can get a two day free stay. It works even better, from what I hear, if you can get a Fairfield owner to "recommend" you, they get some sort of bonus points and you're more likely to get the room free. (And, if they're in a generous mood, your friend may get in free, too!) http://www.wildernessresort.com/ for the regular web address to check it out.
You can get slightly better deals if you're able to travel with another family and can rent one of the condos or townhouses. Also, the last week of August is the cheapest summer week to go. The Wisc. kids are back in school, so it's "off season" for them. It goes up again Labor Day weekend, but otherwise, it's cheapest.
They have a ton of non-water things to do, too. They have the Wisconsin Dells Ducks, a bunch of go cart places, Tommy Bartlett's ski show, a robot world, Ripleys, etc etc etc. Lots and lots to do, but as others have said, pretty expensive in the summer. Here's a link to the conv. and visitors bureau http://www.wisdells.com/home.cfm?flash=1
Have you checked out Cedar Point? I've never been, but from what I understand, you can stay nearby and have beach time and then go to the park, which has been rated the worlds best roller coaster park.

 

[Daisysmom]

I have been to Gatlinburg and Cincinnati. I would say if you go to Tennessee, do yourself a favor and stay in Townsend! It is a beautiful little town outside of the all the crowds in Gatlinburg! You can rent a beautiful place in the mountains and enjoy nature, then drive over to Gatlinburg to shop.

If you go to Cincinnati, go to the Newport Aquarium. The kids will love it.

 

[left210]

Tinatark or anyone - so where do you recommend staying? On tripadvisor it states Johnsons Inn in Gatlinburg is rated #1 - mainly because of location. I have heard Music Road is good in Pigeon Forge. I have a 5 year old so we will want something with a nice pool and the ability to walk places would be nice but not necessary. Any help would be greatly appreciated? Also, are there any other hotels in Gatlinburg that are within walking distance like Johnsons?

 

[loveysbydesign]

We got married in Gatlinburg in '96 and would like to take the kids there maybe next summer, can anyone recommend a fairy inexpensive area that is just outside of Gatlinberg? I was thinking of a cabin or cottage...perhaps i could find somenthing on vrbo.com?

 

[bobcat]

Another vote for Cincy! So much to do for families. Newport Aquarium is excellent, the kids loved the overhead aquariums. The waterfront area is nice and clean for an great afternoon. They have restaurants, stores, an Imax theater and of course the aquarium. There are paddlewheel cruises on the Ohio river. I did one when I was in town for a convention and it is a nice relaxing ride. Of course you have Red's baseball and the new stadium looks amazing, it has an open outfield with a great view of the river. Kings Island is not too far away and they have always had a great childrens area, plus the Beast which is the best wooden roller coaster. The water park area is included in the admission as well.

Northern KY always has some great hotel deals.

 

[Rebeccapaige!]

Hi!! I live in Wisconsin and we do go to the dells. i agree the "waterpark" hotels are very expensive in the summer. HOWEVER, I just visited the noah's ark website to show my daughter the waterslides etc, since we are going soon. anyhow there was a spot where it said free tickets I clicked on it, and it directed me to a hotel which includes TWO free tickets to noah's ark, who needs a waterpark in your hotel when you can have free noah's ark tickets! there are other attractions to go see etc. If you stop at culver's in wisconsin, the kids meals also come with a card that will give you a free child's admission with purchase of an adults, to like 38 diff. things including mini golf etc, boat tours etc. etc. etc. !! We normally when we go since we only live a couple hours, stay at the Jellystone campground you can get a nice shady campsite, we tent it, for around $55 the last time we went. they had magician shows, cake and champagne etc, when we went! so I think the dells can be expensive but if you stay at a non-waterpark hotel and just go to noah's ark (which is loads of fun) you will be way below your 1,000 price for a 3 days! I have not stayed at the hotel, but it looks like a modest hotel, no frills but why you'd want to do anything but sleep there when there's so much to do is beyond me! here's the site, it says you get 2 free tickets for each night! http://www.dellsflamingo.com/ Have fun deciding!!
Becky, Paige and Hailey
POR Feb. 2005
POP Feb. 2007

 

[dwcrazee]

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.

I totally agree. we live in central Ohio and about every 3rd year we take a cincinnat trip usually a 3 or 4 day thing and have a great time! It's a great place for families! I can't remember the name but there is a great conservatory there also. And you can't miss Jungle Jims (www.junglejims.com) Also check the train station at various times they have thomas the tank engine.

 

[PrincessParty]

It's called Krohn's Conservatory.

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-7694-/

HTH