You’ve said it before: “I need a vacation from my vacation!” Those are the kind of trips where you’re constantly on the go and feel like you have to see absolutely EVERYTHING because when are you going to be back? Maybe never, right?
But the great thing about the Smoky Mountains is how easily accessible and downright affordable it is for a family vacation this year…and next year…and the next. So when you come to the Smokies, you NEVER have to feel like you should cram it all in all at once. And trying to would definitely leave you overwhelmed!
Instead, plan this year’s vacation to be the most low-key EVER—you know, the kind where you come home refreshed and relaxed and ready to take on the world…or at least your kids’ Monday night homework! Read on for 15 easy ways to make your next Smoky Mountain getaway the most relaxing ever.
- Sleep in EVERY morning. Remember, this is vacation! You don’t have any early morning appointments to keep. You don’t have work to get ready for or school to think about. So sleep in, relax. You even have permission to eat breakfast in bed if you want to! Our Smoky Mountain rentals provide everything you need to stay comfortable inside your cabin.
- Sip coffee on your rocking chair porch. Whether your cabin has wooded views, mountain views, or overlooks a rolling creek, one of your favorite places to retreat will be your rocking chair porch. And since you’re not on a schedule, take some time to sit back and soak up those views with a cup of Joe fresh from the kitchen. When else will you have this chance?
- Try bird watching in the national park. Visiting the Smokies always presents the chance to try something new, and if you’re new to bird watching, you’ve yet to experience one of the most fascinating—and relaxing—activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Grab your binoculars and get ready to view some of the more than 200 bird species native to the Smokies.
- Plan a family picnic at Cades Cove. Another popular activity in the national park is visiting Cades Cove, a lush valley with walking trails, historic sites, and tons of Smoky Mountain wildlife. For a quiet afternoon with the family, plan a picnic in the natural setting of this beautiful valley.
- Go tubing down the Little Pigeon River. Whitewater rafting might sound ambitious, but tubing with River Rage is a completely different story! Located in Townsend, this family-friendly attraction offers 3 different river routes for 1 low price, and the only experience you need is the ability to float down a lazy river with nothing more than the Smoky Mountain scenery on your mind!
- Ride the Aerial Tramway to Ober Gatlinburg. Do you want to see the sights—the lush trees and rolling mountains in the distance? Skip the grueling hike to the top of Mount LeConte and try a ride on the Aerial Tramway instead! This large cable car will take you on a 2.1-mile ride up to the Ober Gatlinburg resort and offers 360-degree views of the Smokies along the way!
- Window shop on the Arts & Crafts Trail. You might not realize that the largest group of independent artisans in North America can be found right here in the Smoky Mountains. And to see them, all you have to do is visit the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community! Plan to spend an afternoon browsing these artists at work in their studios. Who knows—you might even find piece of Smoky Mountain art to take home!
- Check out the exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium. Voted the #1 aquarium in America on TripAdvisor, this amazing attraction in Gatlinburg is worth a visit the next time you’re in the Smokies. And you just might find that walking around Ripley’s Aquarium—where you can view tons of fish, touch stingrays, and even paint with penguins—was one of the most low-key, yet fun things you did all week long!
- Plan a wagon ride at Waldens Creek Stable. Where can you get off the beaten trail in the Smokies without having to hike or bike or even break a sweat? At Waldens Creek Stable! This Smoky Mountain attraction situated on a 500-acre ranch offers scenic wagon rides that are fun, affordable, and safe for the whole family.
- Listen to bluegrass at Ole Smoky Moonshine. Perhaps the epitome of relaxation awaits you at Ole Smoky Moonshine, where you can sample some flavored moonshine and listen to bluegrass for hours. Check out their newest location at The Island in Pigeon Forge, and enjoy music on their huge outdoor stage. Best of all, the concerts play every day and are completely free!
- Go for a swim in your indoor private pool. When it comes to choosing one of our Smoky Mountain rentals, one of the most relaxing and exciting amenities you can get is a private indoor pool! Going for a morning swim or splashing around with the kids in the afternoon are easy and fun ways to have a great time without a lot of extra fuss!
- Book Chef Jeremy for your in-cabin meals. Although our cabins provide their own kitchens with all the equipment you’ll need for homemade meals, not everybody wants to cook on their Smoky Mountain vacation. So we have the perfect solution: book Chef Jeremy to prepare, cook, serve, and (get this) clean up for your delicious in-cabin meals!
- Book an in-cabin massage. Another special add-on offered by Cabins for YOU is an in-cabin massage—talk about catching up on some R&R! You can book your in-cabin massage for one adult or for a couple during your Smoky Mountain stay. Don’t miss this chance to relieve sore muscles, melt away stress, and make the most of your getaway!
- End your nights with a soak in the hot tub. Even if you skip the private indoor pool, your cabin is likely to have its own outdoor hot tub – because almost all of our Smoky Mountain properties do. And we can’t think of a better way to end your evenings than with a relaxing soak with the one you love during this year’s stay in the Smokies!
- Watch your favorite TV shows…in bed. Okay, so maybe we can think of ONE other thing you can do with your evenings—curl up, get cozy, and catch up on your favorite show. The convenience of a Smoky Mountain rental with private bedrooms and homey amenities are what a relaxing, low-key vacation to the Smokies is all about!