Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Trip to Gatlinburg

One of the best vacation hot spots for you to visit again and again with your family is Gatlinburg, Tenn. From scenic hiking trails to kid-friendly restaurants, you'll never run out of things to do. Best of all, there are more than a few family-friendly hotels in Gatlinburg that are accompanied by inexpensive booking rates. Here's a quick look at a few tips and tricks for making the most out of your next trip to Gatlinburg. 

Be Choosy about Your Lodging Options
For a four-star experience, you will want to book a room at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek. This unique resort sits on 26 forested acres, and you'll be conveniently located only two miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also nearby is the Dixie Stampede. All rooms at this lodge feature jetted soak bathtubs, balconies or patios, and breathtaking views of the mountains. Do keep in mind, though, that there are only 44 rooms, so it is often necessary to make reservations. 

Zoder's Inn and Suites is a 2.5-star hotel that features the number one thing kids look for in a hotel -- an indoor swimming pool. And with Ripley's Aquarium right down the road, you won't have to travel far to keep the kids entertained. Once you get back to the hotel after a long day of touring the city, you and the kids can upload your favorite captured moments on Facebook thanks to complimentary wireless Internet access. 

Best Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg
Andrews Bald trail stretches a bit over three miles, and although it is labeled as "easy," it does have several spots where you will have to trek over small boulders. Just to be on the safe side, it's usually best to bring along only the big kids on this trail.

Ideal for kids, Porter's Creek Trail can be found just a mere six miles from Gatlinburg. While the trail itself is very long, you can turn around at any point to make it as short as you like. Many people bring along their kids and choose to hike to the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club cabin, which makes for a perfect spot to have a picnic.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Gatlinburg
One of the best parts about vacationing in Gatlinburg is that you have an endless number of restaurants from which to choose. To start off the day right, fill up on pancakes and other tasty breakfast items at the Pancake Pantry. If you find yourself in the mood for seafood, you'll want to head to The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. When it comes to mouth-watering BBQ, Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que is where you and the kids should eat. From BBQ chicken to beef briskets, all of the dishes are smoldered and smoked for 14 hours. 

When visiting Gatlinburg, there will be many hotels, cabins, cottages, and even Airbnb options for you to choose. It is imperative that you first assess your needs and preferences before choosing your lodging.

Whitney Cann spends the most of her days behind a computer screen, writing about a variety of topics. She often blogs about her own family vacation getaways and she is currently working on the #HipmunkCityLove Project. Her writing endeavors will take her to Walt Disney World and Cancun in the near future.