I just wanted to take time and share how we planned our low-budget trip to Gatlinburg Tennessee We took the trip over the Easter weekend for a family of five while sticking to our budget of less than 500.00. We first decided when we wanted to go, and where we would stay in the Gatlinburg area for little or no cost out-of-pocket, I will explain this tip later.
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Transportation
My husband did not want to put the extra miles on our vehicles so we used AAA discount and military discounts to get a rental car through Avis rental. The total for the car was $99.00 plus tax which included four days and unlimited mileage. The kids enjoyed the fresh car smell and keep hinting at the fact we should get a new vehicle…got to love the kids desires to spend whats not theirs.
Gatlinburg
Stay
I mentioned earlier how we managed to stay for free 4 days and 3 nights in the pigeon forge area right outside Gatlinburg. My husband aka Mr tight, called a time share through Wyndham Resorts in the area and told them we were interested in a property. Well, this resulted in the time share property giving a four-day and 3-night complimentary stay on the grounds for which my husband and I agreed to sit through a 90 minutes presentation for buying a timeshare. Now once the 90 minutes was over Mr. tight politely told the sales representative no not at this time. And we were offered an extra 4 night 3 day stay at one of their other resorts of our choosing as long as we use it within one year. Ching Ching ching another Win Win!!!
Entertainment on a Low Budget
I did some research online for activities that were family friendly before arrival in the Gatlinburg and surrounding areas. This allowed us to manage the cost of activities and entertainment before arrival in the areas. I also developed a floating itinerary starting each day at 8 am for breakfast until 10 pm to make sure we managed our time wisely to absorb as much of the area as possible.
Day One
Our first activity was horse back riding along the Great Smoky Mountains. The scenery was breath-taking and for $90 for the five of us including a petting zoo. I must say worth every penny. After horse back riding we took the journey (10 mins) to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Again another breath-taking moment. Everything was green and full of new Spring blooms. As we made our way along the Little River Road to Cades Cove we stopped to snap photos of water falls and wild life. That evening we made our way back from Cades Cove and to greet us was a young black bear on the side of the road. We literally held up traffic to get out and see. This might not have been the most advisable thing to do and it was a little dangerous.
Day Two
The second day we had our presentation for the Wyndham Resorts. They feed us free breakfast and had entertainment for our children. We left with another chance to visit for free and tickets to Hatfield and McCoy Show that evening for $25. Once we left the presentation we took a drive to Gatlinburg. We ended up at Ober Gatlinburg were we rode the tram to the top. There we rode a mountain rollercoaster that you controlled the speed. Ober Gatinburg has many activities for families no matter the time of year you go. That evening we ended up at the Hatfields and McCoy Show. Who doesn’t like dinner and a show. This was all you can eat fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, corn, and bread. With your choice of dessert.
Day Three
The third day we spent again in Gatlinburg shopping and walking around the main drag. Here there are restaurants, gift shops, arcades, and museums. The walking didn’t end there as we ended up at The Island in Pigeon Forge. This is where my kids conquered their fear of heights and zip lines and bungee jumping off a 30 foot ramp.
Last Day
Easter Sunday was our last day in Tennessee and it was so painful to leave such a beautiful place. As we packed our belongings and said farewell to the mountains we finished with a nice Sunday breakfast at FlapJacks. This place is famous for that’s right!!! Flapjacks. They were amazing. The service was excellent and the flapjacks bigger then the plate itself.
Back Home
We finally returned home back to New Orleans, LA and dropped off the rental vehicle. After the kids showered and fell asleep me and the husband reviewed our activities and photos from the trip and calculated the overall cost for the 4 day trip. We stayed in Gatlinburg free, got a discount on a show and dinner one night, and got military discounts on all events in the Gatlinburg area. We had an awesome Easter weekend for only 350.00 out of a $500 budget, which included rental car, meals, souvenirs, lodging and memories.
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22 Comments
Looks like a wonderful trip! I’ve never been to Gatlinburg, but we might just have to check it out! Thank for all the great tips.
June 1, 2017 at 11:59 amYes please do, you will not regret it.
June 4, 2017 at 12:45 pmVery nice!! My boyfriend loves Gaitlinburg, but I’ve never been. It’s only a 3 hour drive from us and he’s been talking about how much the kids would like it … I feel more convinced with your post lol
June 1, 2017 at 12:04 pmThis was our first trip there and I was not at all excited. I was so wrong. From Sieverville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. There was something to do. Matter of fact there was so much that we are taking another trip soon. Plenty of things to do and not expensive at all.
June 1, 2017 at 1:48 pm3 hours is not far at all. We had a 11 hour trip from New Orleans. Oh I hope you are able to go one day and explore there. There is so much to see.
June 4, 2017 at 12:44 pmYou had a nice weekend, Amanda!
I heard Gatlinburg for the first time, will remember to visit it while planning my US tour.
June 1, 2017 at 1:44 pmYes it is great The Smoky Mountain National Park is free to get in and is so beautiful. The surrounding areas are filled with things to do.
June 1, 2017 at 1:49 pmYes a must see for sure in the US.
June 4, 2017 at 12:41 pmI’m super jealous! This sounds like an awesome trip. I’ve never been to Gatlinburg, but am going to have to add it to my list. I’m even more jealous of the pricetag. I’m all about cheap/fun vacations.
June 1, 2017 at 2:22 pmYes, as a family of five every dollar counts and I was so impressed by all the amazing activities to do there for cheap. $25/pp helicopter rides. With discounts online. You really can enjoy yourself without spending tons of money.
June 1, 2017 at 2:30 pmI remember the pics you shared from this trip wow under $500.00 excellent!!! I love traveling on a dime…great post ?
June 1, 2017 at 7:16 pmThank you! Yes, it was so fun to go and it was a last minute trip we only had a month to plan it. Imagine if we had more time to plan how it would have turned out. I am still happy we went and I will be going back and finishing what we didn’t get to do.
June 1, 2017 at 7:51 pmThis sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing. I have a bad case of the travel bug with a limited budget so I am always after deal tips.
June 1, 2017 at 9:02 pmYes I hope you enjoyed. I love to travel and in most cases it can cost a lot of money. I try to find the cheapest way to go.
June 1, 2017 at 9:12 pmSounds like a really fun trip!
June 2, 2017 at 8:16 amA lovely post, thank you for sharing! I’m not so familiar with Tennessee, so it was a nice post on budget travel with your family!
June 4, 2017 at 12:27 pmI was also not familiar. My husband’s co worker goes up there often with his family and told us about it. I was really on the fence with it as I thought nothing could beat the Montana mountains where I grew up. I was so wrong. It was equally as beautiful as places such as Glacier National park. I had to really put my bias aside and what I got out of it was a great trip that my kids ask if and when we are going back.
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June 13, 2017 at 3:14 pmGatlinburg is beautiful. I’m from right around that neck of the woods and every year that go back to visit family, my mom HAS to take the girls to Pigeon Forge. They love the go-carts. I told them we need to go to Dollywood next time. It never happens. lol
July 17, 2017 at 2:12 pmI love it up there. I want to do Xmas there. I hope it will remind me of being home.
July 17, 2017 at 2:17 pm[…] bravery on my kids part. It was their first time on a horse let alone ride one up a mountain in the Smokey Mountains. It allows them to take a leap of faith even if they are terrified. Believe me, tears have been […]
July 21, 2017 at 7:29 pm[…] Easter or Spring break is also a great time to travel. Being half way through the school year. Children get a small break. There is never a more perfect time then this to travel. The weather is not as cold and it isn’t extremely hot. This makes for a perfect time to travel. Check out what my family did over the Easter break in Gatlinburg. […]
July 29, 2017 at 5:43 pm