Vacation costs add up. Between finding a place to stay, travel costs, going out to eat, souvenirs, and attractions, cash starts to get short. Thankfully, we have budget-friendly cabins that won’t break the bank, and Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have activities, attractions, shops, and even restaurants to fit almost any budget. If you’re working with a budget but want to plan plenty of fun for your vacation in the Smokies, read on. The list could go on and on, but we’ve started with 30 ways to play in the Smokies when you’re short on cash. Hike in the Great Smoky

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It’s never too soon to start thinking about spring vacation. Where should you go? What should you do? At Cabins for YOU we recommend a spring getaway to the Smokies! That’s because these mountains are not only packed with fun and affordable things to do, but they offer an unforgettable beauty with the Smoky Mountain’s wide variety of springtime flowers! According to the National Park Service, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is actually “a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity”—boasting a collection of more than 1,500 kinds of flowering plants. It’s no wonder, then, that this park has been nicknamed

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          Millions of people visit the Smokies each year because of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most visited national park in the National Park Service, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts 800+ miles of trails ripe for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The 11-mile Cades Cove loop road is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, wildflowers, and trees. Roads in and around the national park are perfect for scenic drives and feature interesting historic sites and buildings.           With so many things to do and see in this

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The name Johnny Appleseed has become a household one, eliciting images of pioneers, apple trees, and the great outdoors. John “Johnny Appleseed” Chapman was the American pioneer who brought apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and beyond. Stories tell of Johnny Appleseed spreading apple seeds everywhere he went, planting nurseries and donning a tin-pan hat and bare feet along the way. The stories vary from person to person, but one thing is certain: the widespread use of apples in the U.S. is due in large part to the eccentric John Chapman. Like many of the people who contributed to our country,

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So you thought Pokémon Go would be a nice change because, hey, at least your kids aren’t locked in their rooms anymore, right? Well, we’re offering you an even better solution: a real-life scavenger hunt in the Smokies! This is a chance for your family to work together, checking out popular attractions in Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge. Below, we’ve listed 6 things that really are in the Smokies—from mini-donkeys to real-life mermaids! We’ve provided as many helpful hints as we can, but it’s up to you to solve the riddle! (And don’t worry—we’ve provided answers at the bottom of

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Hike to a waterfall in the national park. A must-see during any visit to Gatlinburg is the most visited national park in the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And when you’re ready to burn off Thanksgiving and Christmas calories, this is the best place to begin! With 16 main waterfalls in the park, you’ll have plenty of waterfall hikes to choose from—whether you’re an experienced trail blazer or strapping on hiking boots for the first time. Bike the Cades Cove Loop. Do you love history? Want to see some wildlife? Don’t miss the Cades Cove Loop inside

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After booking your Smoky Mountain cabin with Cabins for YOU, be sure to plan your visit to one of our Cabins for YOU partners* and TripAdvisor’s #1 aquarium in America—Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! Located in the heart of downtown, this amazing aquarium has more fish species than there are residents in Gatlinburg! Even if you’ve been here before, it’s time to plan your visit again because Ripley’s has added new exhibits just this year that will educate and entertain the entire family. Check them out below—along with a few other unique Ripley’s experiences you may not know about. Pearl

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For kids, summer break is just that: a break. It’s what they look forward to all year, getting out of school for long days of swimming, running, playing, and sleeping in. But for parents, a fun summer for the kids comes with some work. Besides actually going to work, you’re probably working to find a lot of ways to keep the kids entertained. When taking them to the community pool, camping in the backyard, and having Disney movie nights have run their course, why not plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for some new family fun this summer?

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Looking for a way to escape the sun this summer? Why not stay indoors and watch a favorite Pigeon Forge show this year? This Smoky Mountain town has a variety of options for your summertime getaway, and they’re all suitable for everyone from young children to adults. Choose a show with comedy, a show with live music, or a popular variety show with both. There’s even an award-winning magic show right here in Pigeon Forge! If you’re looking for big laughs, exciting entertainment, great food—and for goodness’ sake, some air conditioning! —look no further than these family favorites in Pigeon

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