With so much to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountains, it can be difficult to plan what activities you’ll do when you get here. Should you hike on Saturday and visit Dollywood on Sunday? When should you take a drive through Cades Cove? Can we fit in a trip to The Island? If planning out your Smoky Mountain activities has you stressed, stress no more. These three simple steps will help you plan your activities with ease.
Step 1: Prioritize your Smoky Mountain activities
If a day at Dollywood is a must-do on your trip but you really want to take in a dinner show, find time for a hike, visit the Rainforest Adventure Zoo, and stop at the Apple Barn in Sevierville, you’ll need to plan out your trip and that starts with prioritizing. Start by listing the activities in rank with the first must-do on top and the activities you’re okay with waiting until the next trip on the bottom. After you’ve ranked them, start assigning either morning, afternoon, evening, or full days to them.
Step 2: Leave room for flexibility
Even the best-laid plans can go wrong, so leave room for flexibility. If the weather looks like it might not be ideal for Dollywood on Sunday but Friday is a beautiful day, switch things up. It may mean leaving something on your list for the next visit but it could also mean finding something to do that wasn’t even on your list! Creating special moments, experiences, and memories should be your true goal, so make sure that you’re allowing freedom in your plan.
Step 3: Find ways to save money on Smoky Mountain activities
There’s no getting around the fact that attractions in the Smoky Mountains cost money. While there are plenty of free things to do in the National Park, activities like Dollywood, the Rainforest Zoo, and dinner shows have a cost. Save time and money with these simple tips.
- Buy tickets in advance. Not only will you skip the line when you arrive at your activity, but you can take advantage of online discounts.
- Stop at the Sevierville Visitor Center when you get to town. You’ll be able to pick up plenty of attraction booklets and coupons that will save money on your Smoky Mountain vacation.
- Grab the free Sevierville Vacation Guide which includes a Sevierville Coupon Book inside it.
Now that you have a plan, what are you waiting for? Find your Smoky Mountain lodging and get ready for some special moments in the mountains!