Gatlinburg Vacation on a Budget
- smokymountainexplorer
- May 14, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Gatlinburg is scenic, it's adorable and it can get expensive if you try to do it all. Luckily you really don't need to fill up your itenerary with overly-priced experiences, after-all you are surrounded by hundreds of miles of beauty to explore. So here is a list of the best low-cost experinces in Gatlinburg and in The Smoky Mountain National Forest so you and your kids can stay on budget and have the best vacation ever!
0-$25
Hiking Games and Exploration
Children don't always do so well walking for long periods of time and if you aren't careful your hike could become less of a peaceful bonding experience and more of a tug-of-war between going back or making it to the waterfall. But kids love being outside generally and they walk all day when they aren't running so really the only problem is when they become aware of their walking and boredom. How do we avoid this? It's simple, the best hiking games!
Scavenger/ Photo Hunts and Games
The Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide is full of ways to keep kids minds busy exploring with photo hunts and three scavenger hunts including a Cades Cove, creek and nature scavenger hunt, all made specifically for the items you will see in The Smoky Mountains. Plus facts about the mountains, plants and wildlife!
Kid friendly maps from some of The Smoky Mountains most popular trails so your kids can fill out the landmarks they see or bring a map with landmarks already placed so they can lead the way. Ready for a game? Get out your "Would You Rather?" game and get to know what excites your kids! With questions that make your kids think about what truely matters to them.
While your kids are busy exploring nature and marking off their scavenger hunt you can relaxe and take a breath of fresh air! Don't just walk learn, play and explore!
Fairy Investigator
Are you ready for a whole new way to explore the Smoky Mountains? Get your kids and your exploring hats and get ready to go on a "real" fairy hunt. The Twin Creek Trail has been suspected of fairy activety and it's up to your kids to investigate!
In The Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide you will find a top secret letter asking for help looking for any proof of fairies existence! Children should keep eyes peeled looking for anything that could lead to the proof of fairies existence including: flower beds, butterflies, anything resembling a house, trinkets or shiny objects.
The Smoky Mountain Explorer Guide includes an all about fairies page so you can learn what to look for and what fairies are like in the mountains, plus a map so your children can mark off anything they see that suggests fairies could be about! Shh.. Make sure not to spoil the surprsie "real" fairyhouse! The guide also comes with detailed instructions so you know exactly what you're doing and where you're going as a parent.
To learn more about The Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide full of hiking games, maps and all new ways to explore press below.
Scenic views
Sure kids don't really cherish a good view the same way we do but that doesn't mean they aren't seeing it! Often times I was surprised how my kids would notice a magnificent view on their own and tell me how pretty it was. Although not all kids will notice it is what makes the mountains such a vacation hot spot, so make sure you squeeze a jaw dropping view or two in.
One of the best views you will find is Clingmans Dome, at 6k ft it is the highest point in The Smoky Mountains! With a steep but relatively short walk to the lookout taking about 1.3 miles and lasting roughly 45 minutes round trip. Driving up to Clingmans Dome on Roaring Fork Motors you will find many lookout spots as well if you decide against the crowd and walking up steep hills isn't your thing.
The Trolley
The trolley in Downtown Gatlinburg doesn't sound like much and in reality it's probably not a whole lot more than a cheap and lazy way to get across town, but trust and believe my kids were very upset that we didn't have time to ride the trolley. You will have to take into consideration the fact that you will probably not know where it's going to take you and how long it will take to walk back, but maybe that's the thrill? Lucky for those that plan ahead there is a trolly locator app that you can access by pushing the button below. Best of all the trolley is free so even if you end up on the wrong side of town at least you won't be wasting any money.
$25-$65
Jayell Animal Encounter
This was one of my kids favorite things we did and it was one of the cheapest things too! For our family of three it cost less then $60 for us to go on a train to a personal animal encounter with a little monkey named Abu. This monkey jumped on my kids heads and sat on their laps while he drank so they could pet him! My daughters both ranked getting to pet a monkey as one of the best experiences of the whole trip. I got some awesome pictures and they remember it fondley!
Along with the monkey they also have a large bird cage building where you get to feed a variety of birds and watch them interact. Back at the farm they have a summer snow tube slide and a jumping pillow. The staff was incredible and made the experience extra special!
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo
The deer farm was an interesting experience if you think goats are aggressive just wait until you try to feed deer! Not only are deer more aggressive they are also a lot smarter and spend less time trying to eat your shirt. The best way to enjoy the deer is probably to feed them from outside the gate and only go in after they have been lured away from the entrance and you have no food left. Although maybe not the most tranquil part of our trip it was an experience for sure and the kids loved being able to pet the deer sitting down! It was a one of a kind experience that we will surely never forget, plus it wasn't very expensive! The farm also had many other animals to feed including zebras, porcupines and goats.
Hillbilly Golf
If you plan on mini golfing this is the place to go, you will ride the lift up to the top of the hill and then mini golf all the way down to the bottom! With a fun farm theme! Although maybe a little more expensive then normal mini golf you won't find it much cheaper in Gatlinburg!
Gatlinburg is full of fun things to do so explore on a budget without missing any of the fun!
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