Traveling with young children isn’t always easy, but the effort is always worth it when you’re coming to Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Offering endless attractions and unparalleled natural beauty, Gatlinburg is the perfect place to take a family getaway. To help make your trip as relaxing as possible, we have put together a few tips for staying with young kids at our vacation cabins in Gatlinburg TN:
1. Make the Road as Fun as Possible
Some children can get a little stir crazy on long car trips. To keep your kids in good spirits, we suggest bringing plenty of entertainment for the road. Tablets and smartphones are great for children who can handle extended periods of screen time, while picture books, stuffed animals, and other toys are ideal for toddlers. Classic car activities like “I Spy” and the “License Plate Game” are also tried and true ways to pass the time. Also, don’t forget to bring some snacks for your trip! Try to avoid sugary treats, which will only get your kids more hopped up, and go with healthier options like fruit, vegetables, or cheese.
2. Stick to Your Children’s Routine
While it is sometimes unavoidable, try to minimize any major changes to your children’s sleep schedule. If your kids are used to going to bed and waking up at a certain time, they can become cranky if their routine is disrupted. This also applies to when they eat, so make an effort to plan your meals in advance. All of our vacation cabins in Gatlinburg TN come with fully furnished kitchens, so you’ll be able to whip up all of your kids’ favorite foods in a snap.
3. Visit Kid-Friendly Attractions
The Gatlinburg area is chock full of attractions that are perfect for young children. Some of our favorite places to take the littles ones include:
- The Pancake Pantry
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Hillbilly Golf
- Fannie Farkle’s
- Gatlinburg Space Needle
4. Schedule Plenty of Downtime
Although there is so much to see and do in Gatlinburg, being constantly on the go will tucker your kids out. Instead of hurrying from one attraction to the next, be sure to build plenty of downtime into your trip. Sometime in the afternoon, head back to your cabin so your kids can nap, or at least relax for an hour or two. Parents will also enjoy kicking back for part of the afternoon and enjoying all of the great amenities in your cabin, like hot tubs and game rooms.
5. Expect Your Plans to Change
While it’s a good idea to have a general plan for your activities each day, don’t treat your itinerary as if it’s carved in stone. When you’re traveling with young kids, you can expect a few spills and stains to occur throughout the day. If you don’t make it to all of the attractions you planned on one day, don’t worry about it! You can always come back the next day, or save it for a future tip to the Gatlinburg area.
To start planning your vacation, check out our complete selection of vacation cabins in Gatlinburg TN!
