Mark your calendars — National Grandparents Day is less than a month away, on Sunday, September 9, 2018! Since our grandparents have doted over us for as long as we can remember, why not take some time to do something extra special for them? And what could be more fun than planning a weekend trip to the Smokies?! Cabins for YOU has plenty of 1-2-bedroom cabins with homey conveniences and bonus amenities, perfect for an early September getaway to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Sway on the porch swing, whip up homemade recipes in the fully equipped kitchen, watch feature films in the home theater, relax in a king-size bed, and wake up to a steaming cup of joe with breathtaking Smoky Mountain views.
As a bonus, Grandparents Day falls during that special time of year in the Smokies when the weather begins to cool, the mountain air turns crisp, and the leaves begin to change. So, you’ll have plenty of ways to keep your grandparents entertained whether you stay at the cabin or explore the great outdoors. For fun ideas on where to take your grandparents during your relaxing stay, check out our list of auto tours, historical museums, and dinner shows below. And remember: no matter what you plan for their special weekend, your grandparents will forever treasure the Smoky Mountain memories made with YOU!
Scenic Drives in the National Park
Hiking and cycling aren’t the only ways to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and that’s great news if you’re traveling with seniors…who might not be as quick on their feet as they used to be. While there are a couple hiking trails and walking paths that are wheelchair-friendly (like the paths through the Mountain Farm Museum), it might be more enjoyable for your grandparents to take an auto tour instead.
Choose one of several scenic drives in the Smokies during your stay. Many are paved and, like Newfound Gap Road, provide scenic vistas, restrooms, and short hikes to nearby exhibits. One of the most popular roads in the national park continues to be Cades Cove. This 11-mile loop road, accessible from both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, offers prime opportunities to view wildlife (white-tailed deer are frequently seen) and a smattering of historic sites, including the still-operating John Cable Grist Mill, built in 1868!
More Ways to Enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains
- Plan a family picnic in front of a rushing stream
- Spend a quiet afternoon birdwatching (some 240 different species have been found in the park!)
- Take a carriage ride or hayride via Cades Cove Riding Stables
Historical Museums in the Smokies
Often, a favorite activity for seniors — whether they’re sitting at home or relaxing in a rocking chair on the back deck of your cabin rental — is to reminisce about “the good ole days.” Well, indulge their appreciation for all things historical by planning a trip to a Smoky Mountain museum!
The Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, for instance, will give your grandparents the chance to remember their favorite movies and shows. From “The Dukes of Hazzard” General Lee to the 1966 Batmobile, this unique museum features tons of cars made famous by Hollywood in the last half-century.
Maybe your grandparents aren’t into cars as much as they are into the Hollywood legends who drove them — people like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, or Marilyn Monroe perhaps? Then try the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge! This exciting 2-story museum invites you to meet movie and TV stars from past to present, from Charlie Chapman to Anne Hathaway.
Finally, if Hollywood stars just don’t impress, we’re sure the world’s largest museum attraction will! The Titanic Museum Attraction, one of our Cabins for YOU partners*, in Pigeon Forge offers the unique opportunity to hear the stories and see the artifacts of original passengers and crew members. What else can you do at the Titanic Museum? Touch a real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase, and reach your hand into 28-degree water. This is sure to be one Smoky Mountain outing your grandparents won’t soon forget!
Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge
Our last idea for your grandparent getaway to the Smokies (but this blog certainly doesn’t exhaust all your options!) is to plan a fun night on the town at a Pigeon Forge dinner show. At these exciting attractions, you’ll get a delicious dinner and high-quality entertainment for one low price.
At the thrilling Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, you’ll enjoy a Southern-style feast while you watch two of the oldest feudin’ families in the Smokies hash it out on stage. Amazing feats of strength and hilarious comedy combine to create a unique dinner show experience you’ll only find in Pigeon Forge.
If your grandparents were born and raised in the Bible Belt, they might appreciate another unique Pigeon Forge venue: the Biblical Times Dinner Theater. With biblically based productions performed by an award-winning live cast, this theater will take you on a trip to the Holy Land right here in East Tennessee!
Or invite your grandparents for a “sleuth-ful” outing at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Theater. Grandma will love pretending to be Nancy Drew as she figures out whodunit in one of 3 live shows playing at this Pigeon Forge theater: Moonshine Murders, Gun with the Wind, and The Killbillies!
Celebrate National Grandparents Day with a memorable trip the Great Smoky Mountains, filled with outdoor fun, top attractions, Southern flavors, and cozy cabins!
*Cabins for YOU partners offer discounts to all our guests simply for staying with us. For more information about the discounts offered at these and other local attractions, start an online chat with one of our Vacation Specialists today!