Every summer, my husband and I love taking our kids somewhere new for vacation. We believe that habitually going the same places every year gets boring and when it comes to vacation we want to be anything but routine. This year we chose Tennessee as our destination for “new” fun. It is remote, far away from where we live, and has all the components for the great time we were looking for. Wanting to add a little spontaneity to our trip we didn’t book a hotel or anything in advance. We packed our bags, hooked up the GPS, loaded up the van and took off for our Tennessee adventure!

Arriving in Tennessee my family and I expected to see a lot of hills, however, as we got further in what we saw captured our hearts and still does to this day- The Great Smoky Mountains! At first thought it may seem like the mountains are nothing more than an area for great hiking, however you will soon discover that the mountains hold so much more! Within the nearby towns, there is a lot of entertainment and fun for everyone!

After driving awhile, we came to a town called Sevierville. It was there that we saw something off the main road that captured our attention with a massive lit-up funnel like structure coming off the side of it’s building: Wilderness at the Smokies. It is known as Tennessee’s largest family resort and includes one sizable indoor and two outdoor waterparks. It is a great place for families to stay and relax while also having a lot of fun. The outdoor waterparks– Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark and Salamander Springs Outdoor Waterpark– are only open during the summer. The indoor water park (Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark), however, is open year-round! The water parks include several water slides, tube slides, water racers, surf riders, lagoons, rivers, and even spas for us mommies. Our family really loved the Storm Chaser Thrill Ride- which we eventually figured out was the massive funnel like structure that caught our attention to begin with- which is a waterslide that gives its riders a hair-raising experience! Four guests plummet 55 feet down a thrilling, dark tunnel ride before dropping through a zero gravity fall into a funnel where they experience several fast oscillations before splashing into a pool below. Be prepared for the ride of your life! Note: A few of the water rides include a minimum height requirement of 48’’.

After spending 5 hours at the waterparks, my husband and I decided (along with much begging from the kids) that we had to stay overnight at the resort… and we were in luck, a room was actually available! Normally I would suggest booking ahead as they tend to stay booked up.

There are a few different lodging options to choose from at Wilderness. Since we are a family of five, we opted to stay at the River Lodge. We wanted to be sure we chose a room that had enough space for all of us as well as comfort and boy did it deliver! River Lodge offers a variety of suite styles that are designed to accommodate families while allowing for the convenience of extra room to spread out. Our largest suite sleeps up to 15 people, which includes multiple sleeping rooms, a full kitchen and family room with fireplace. River Lodge is also connected to the Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark and also has many other features including: Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark, Cataloochee Creek Adventure Golf, The Thirsty Miner Restaurant, Mountain Marketplace, Outpost Gift Shop, Back Country Arcade, Paint Your Own Pottery, a Fitness Center and Guest Laundry.

Another option, Stone Hill Lodge features upscale furnishings, with a mountain-modern decor. Rooms have flat screen TV’s, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards and in-room safes. Stone Hill Lodge also features: Salamander Springs Outdoor Waterpark, Hidden Trail Bar and Grill, Black Bear Boutique, Back Country Arcade, a Fitness Center, a Business Center and Guest Laundry. From double queen hotel rooms to king executive suites, they are sure to have the room that is perfect for your family.

Lastly there is Sanctuary Villas, which are luxurious, golf front villas, less than a mile from all the other Wilderness amenities. All Villas are fully furnished with every amenity your family might desire along with a private terrace and game room. Enjoy golf course seclusion and also waterpark access!

After we checked out of our room and went to the waterparks for one last time, my kids started to get really cranky- partly because they didn’t want to leave but also partly because they were exhausted and were in the need of some good food. When traveling, Trip Advisor is my best friend. My husband and I searched for local places with great reviews and found the Hatflields & McCoys Dinner Show all I had to do was read the online description and instantly it cheered the kids up! If you’re searching for a place to eat and have a laugh, look no further! At the Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Show you can enjoy a nice homemade, country style dinner while watching one of the best comedy shows in Pigeon Forge. Dinner includes an all-you-can-eat line-up featuring some of the best food in Pigeon Ford, according to Trip Advisor- and we’d have to agree. The menu included country fried chicken, open pit pork barbeque, a southern style creamy vegetable soup (my absolute favorite – I was even able to buy the soup mix in the gift shop after the show to take home to make), corn on the cob, mashed taters, coleslaw, homemade rolls, and a specialty dessert. Everything was amazing and the chicken was so tender and juicy—we definitely had to ask for seconds and our waiter was all to happy to oblige. We received excellent service and with a smile!

The on-stage staff delivered an outstanding show called “A Family Feud.” We were laughing so hard watching folks dressed in country-style attire—men with straw hats and overalls pick guitars and sing and women with plaid dresses and boots dance and sing and give a great story line filled with humor. There was never a dull moment watching the two families banter back and forth. Just be sure you chew and swallow your food quickly… or the person sitting across from you may not be very happy when coleslaw comes flying across the table because you let out a big belly laugh!

If after Hatfield & McCoy’s your begging for more comedy on your trip be sure to check out The Comedy Barn also located in Pigeon Forge. The Comedy Barn is actually a sister venue to the Hatfield & McCoy’s and combo tickets are available at a discount when you book both. Just like The Hatfield and McCoy’s Dinner Show the Comedy Barn offered up a ton of laughs and a great meal. Dinner for this show however is served at The Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe right next door. There your family will receive an amazing feast that includes Savory Pot Roast, Fried Chicken Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Homemade Pasta Salad, Cream of Chicken Soup, Rolls, and for dessert Banana Pudding or Chocolate Cake. The Comedy Barn show times are 5pm and 8:15pm nightly. Tickets are $29.95 per adult and $9.95 per child. You can ADD ON the dinner option for $19.95 per adult and $9.95 per child.

The Comedy Barn has a variety of acts: magicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, amazing trained animals, tap dancing, live country and gospel music! They also bring unsuspecting audience members into different parts of the show and trust me when I say that will leave your stomach sore from laughing so hard! The Comedy Barn show offers seasonal acts as well and has a special Christmas Show for the holidays. Your family is sure to have endless streams of laughter and fun!

Back in the van and a few minutes away from Pigeon Forge, we arrived in a quaint little mountain town called Gatlinburg. As we drove in we saw a billboard advertising an awesome-sounding attraction called Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. I quickly Googled it and found out that it was voted “The Best U.S. Aquarium” by USA Today in 2017 and it’s no wonder why, it has something to offer the whole family! From penguin encounters, to swimming with stingrays and painting with penguins… no matter what activity you choose at the Aquarium, you and the family will never get bored!

Ages 4 and up can make a new furry little friend— a penguin! Staff members are on-site to monitor the encounters. The penguins are well trained to interact with visitors. They can pet the penguins and even get a photo with them. Children ages 4-7 must be chaperoned by an adult and the staff. Prices are $44.99 for one adult to chaperone one child.

Ever wanted to get up close and interact with a stingray? If so and if you are at least 40” tall and 5 years old, you can splash (swim) with the stingrays for only $29.99! My family was able to swim with the stingrays together and it is something we will never forget! Just be sure not to forget your swimsuit / trunks as they are required attire for this activity. Towels however are provided.

Feeling artsy? And love penguins too? Try a penguin painting class with these little furry friends! For only $79.99 per person, you can help a penguin create a cool work of art. You will choose a color or two, dip your penguin’s feet in the colors, and watch your penguin get to work as he or she walks colored footprints all over a piece of 8×10 white canvas paper! My youngest son absolutely loved this activity because he loves painting and penguins are his favorite animals! Again a chaperone is required here for children ages 4-7 and it’s an additional $19.99 to chaperone one child in addition to the general penguin painting class admission.

Some other cool opportunities at the aquarium include live shows; gift shops; cafés; viewing coral reefs and coral fish; the Discovery Center (where you can get hands-on with aquatic creatures of many types); Gallery of the Seas (you can view octopuses, jellyfish, lionfish, spider crabs, cuttlefish, and other mesmerizing ocean creatures); Stingray Bay; Penguin Playhouse; Ocean Realm; Shark Lagoon; Touch A Ray Bay; and Tropical Rainforest (creatures of the rainforest). The aquarium also offers birthday parties and group activities such as Sleeping with the Sharks (spend a night under a dome watching the sharks), classroom field trips and events (includes discounts for teachers and students and advanced group booking online). General admission is $34.99 per Adult, Children ages 6-11 are $19.99 each and Children ages 2-5 are only $9.99 each. If you would like an Aquarium guide, it is an additional $2.99. Ripley’s also offers combo tickets to Aquarium as well as some of its other attractions.

Beyond waterparks, comedy shows, great food and the aquarium, another amazing way to experience the area is to explore the Great Smoky Mountains itself! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must! The park covers a large area from Tennessee to the North Carolina border. It is known as America’s most visited National park for a reason—there’s so much wildlife diversity, so many beautiful views, great hiking trails and interesting things to do there. While hiking we came across a couple black bears in the distance (always hike with caution), a beautiful assortment of wildflowers, a variety of birds, and fireflies once it got dark along with many other mysterious and interesting creatures that reside within the mountains.

One of the most popular areas of the National Park is Cades Cove. Cades Cove is an isolated valley located in the Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The valley was home to numerous settlers before the formation of the national park. It is a very popular place to capture breathtaking views of the mountains. Here, it was possible for my family to see a lot of white-spotted deer, black bears, raccoons, turkeys and other animals. There was even the opportunity to set-up camp close by (with tents and RV’s) if you wish to be further immersed in the wildlife! Around the area we saw a lot of historical houses that dated back to the 19th century. My husband (who is a History Channel buff) loved this! Some of the things we came across were churches, windmills, log homes, barns and old school houses. No matter what you come across, there is sure to be some kind of historic story or fact behind it providing a great opportunity for a history lesson for the kiddos!

Open year-round, the Smoky Mountains of course offers a lot of opportunity for great hiking and even kid-friendly hikes. Some of the more popular destination hikes include Charlies Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs, Andrews Bald, Rainbow Falls (a hike to a beautiful 80 foot waterfall that shapes into an hourglass in the winter), and Chimney Tops (a much steeper climb/hike). Our family’s favorite was Rainbow Falls- the waterfall was amazingly beautiful!

Yes, this Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains “Adventure” left my family feeling more than satisfied with our spontaneous and un-routine vacation. Whether your interest is hiking, swimming, laughing until you hurt or getting up close and personal with natures furry and feathery residents, you are bound to have an awesome time and make unforgettable family memories with a Great Smoky Mountains’ Vacay! What are you waiting for!?!

The post Get Away with a Great Smoky Mountains Vacay! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Vacations are a time honored practice in my house. Every year we pack up the kids and head off to a destination on the east coast to build family memories. Last year was not going to be any different. Our older boys are in high school now, so we are focusing more on getting away with all of our kids. There are only a few more years until our sons will be heading off to college, so I want to be sure that I take advantage of  vacation opportunities while they still live at home. With that in mind, we set out for a stelar family vacation last fall. Last year’s vacation spot was in the Great Smoky Mountains.  We wanted a family friendly hotel to stay in located near fun and affordable activities to do together. We found that in Pigeon Forge. With four kids still in the house, we needed a large hotel room. This can be a problem for some locations, but not for The Inn on The River in beautiful Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Inn has rooms of all sizes. I was able to find the room that fit our needs on their website which has great pictures of the room sizes available.  While booking, I was drooling over the rooms with a king–sized bed, fireplace and Jacuzzi, but reality hit fast and I booked the mini suite with two queen beds, a pullout sofa and a private balcony. The room was everything we thought it would be: Comfortable beds, plenty of room for every member of my family, and a great breakfast included in our reservation. This was not just a breakfast based on a box of stale donuts.  The Inn not only had waffles, fresh fruit, cereals and yogurt but also biscuits, sausage and gravy.  Breakfast is very important to me on vacation. If I don’t have food, I turn into a demanding diva. My blood sugar levels need sustenance in the morning, and my two teenage boys feel the same way. The Inn filled our mornings with breakfasts that had an at-home feel to them.

Large rooms, comfortable beds, a warm lobby and filling breakfasts are three of the four requirements that I have for a hotel. The fourth requirement for my family is a pool. Pools provide kids of all ages with a place to get their wiggles out. If I booked a room somewhere without a pool I would end up with a bed jumping competition of Olympic proportions in my room. The pool at The Inn exceeded my expectations. Not only was there an outdoor pool, there was also an indoor pool. Since the vacation was in during colder weather, the indoor pool was perfect. Fortunately, it only rained one day on our vacation. We had planned on being out hiking that day, but the rain kept us in and the pool saved the day. Instead of Olympic style long jump competitions on the beds, we had a family day spent relaxing and swimming in the indoor pool.

The Inn On The River was the launching point for our vacation, but the Smokies had so much to offer, we had to get out and explore some of the amazing activities found there. The trick was not doing so many activities that we would end the days stressed, but also not doing too few activities, which would lead back to long stretches of children jumping on the hotel beds. My husband and I have to hike on every vacation, so that was the first activity we sought out. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of our favorite places on the east coast to hike, and it is a reasonable drive from Pigeon Forge. My husband poured over maps for weeks planning which trails we would hike. More embarrassing than admitting to my children’s bed jumping ways, is admitting to one of our hikes in the Smokies.  My husband had picked out the trail at Clingmans Dome.  Clingmans Dome is the highest spot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have a strong fear of heights. I thought that the Dome would be my vacation moment to overcome this fear, but alas, it was not. While my children were enjoying the 360-degree views found at the top of Clingmans Dome, I was sitting at the bottom of the Dome’s path trying to fight off the dizziness that sometimes comes with fear of heights. While that was an embarrassing experience with my family, the view of the fall colors on the short hike to and from the Dome made the entire trip worth it for me. The Smokies offer truly breathtaking views, and no trip to the Smokies is complete without a hike to enjoy them.

The best thing to do after a day spent hiking in the woods is to spend some time relaxing inside. The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show was the perfect fit. The dinner show is located in Pigeon Forge, so we didn’t have to take a long drive to get there. The food was mouthwateringly fulfilling: fried chicken, barbecue, potatoes, beans, desserts and more. The food was only part of the evening. The show was sensational, and it kept everyone entertained.  The blend of banjos, singing, dancing and laughter was perfect. We were even able to avoid some of the crowds by going to the show on a weeknight.

When I bought our tickets to the dinner show, I decided to buy a package deal so that we could see both the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show and the Family Comedy Show at The Comedy Barn. This award winning family comedy variety show went above and beyond my expectations for the evening. After a second day of hiking the picturesque trails of the Smoky Mountains, we were ready to sit, relax and be entertained. My favorite part of the show was when three men were pulled out of the audience for part of the act. When they were selecting men from the audience, my husband shrunk lower in his seat than I have ever seen him shrink. That made for a good laugh, too. The skit with those men was the funniest one of the evening, and there were plenty of funny skits. They also have a Christmas comedy show that runs late in the year.

A vacation is not a vacation for my boys without riding some roller coasters. Dollywood’s “Smoky Mountain Christmas” (Nov 10– Dec 30) offered up roller coasters and so much more. Dollywood is a family friendly one hundred and fifty-acre theme park.  While my husband and sons were repeatedly riding America’s first wing roller coaster, I was hiding my fear of heights while enjoying the many Christmas shows with my daughter. Our favorite show was Appalachian Christmas. I love Bluegrass music, and this Bluegrass take on Christmas music was outstanding. The Carol of The Trees was also amazing. There were so many trees lit up, my children loved it. The whole park was decorated and lit up for Christmas. This was a great time of year to go to Dollywood.

Two days spent at an amazing amusement park, two days spent hiking, two evenings set aside for comical entertainment, and one rainy day spent in the pool. This vacation was one of our favorites. The Smoky Mountains truly do have something to offer everyone. Spend some time in the Smokies with your family this year. Plan your vacation today by visiting http://www.myinnontheriver.com to check out the great hotel we stayed at in Pigeon Forge. The dinner shows can be found at http://www.hatfieldmccoydinnerfeud.com and http://www.comedybarn.com. Dollywood and Clingmans Dome can be virtually explored at http://www.dollywood.com, and http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm.

The post Time Well Spent in the Smokies appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Dreaming about taking a dip? Are the kids still sporting their floaties wishing they could get in one last swim? Don’t fret… just because Jack Frost has arrived doesn’t mean you can’t catch a wave! Check out Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, this resort offers year-round entertainment with 700 acres of both outdoor (check out the Wild Vortex, their outdoor thrill slide) and indoor attractions. Your family’s winter blues are sure to melt away as they throw on their favorite swim suits and head to The Wild WaterDome, their 60,000 square foot indoor water park!

It can be hard to plan a vacation that the whole family will enjoy.  At the Wild WaterDome, there is truly something for everyone. The kids will love Washout Mountain, the interactive water playground complete with slides, water cannons and plenty of ways to get soaked!

Your teens definitely won’t roll their eyes when you tell them about the Smokies Surf Rider, the Southeast’s only indoor surfing simulator. You can watch on as 19,000 gallons of water go rushing under their surfboard each minute, giving them a realistic 5-foot wave to practice their shredding! 

While the kids are off playing, you can relax in the Magnolia Grove Hot Spa, which is a part indoor, part outdoor hot tub that is open year round. There is nothing like feeling the chill of the air on your face as your body is submerged in toasty warm water! Finally, you can all meet back up to go down one the indoor tube slides together, or even plunge down the 55-foot tunnels of the Storm Chaser if you are feeling brave! 

If you need a break from the water, just head over to Adventure Forest, the indoor “dry park” at the resort. This dry park, which just opened in March, offers all sorts of activities including: a three-story ropes course, a multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, mini-bowling, black-light mini-golf, more than 100 arcade games, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 25-foot tall spring ride, a 23-foot climbing wall and more. With this many options, your family will never want to leave!

When it comes time for meals, you won’t have to look far! The Wilderness at the Smokies has six on-site restaurants available to you.  There is one for every situation, ranging from delis and snack shacks, if you are looking for a quick meal on the go, to full sit down restaurants and a buffet, for a nice family dinner. Find your favorite and become a regular, or mix it up and you will never run out of yummy dishes to sample!

When the kids are all exhausted after a long day in the water, you’ll be happy to know that a warm bed (and even a fire place!) awaits you near by at the Stone Hill Lodge and the River Lodge. These two hotels in the Wilderness at the Smokies can accommodate your group, regardless of size.  From a cozy room for a family of four to one of the multi-room suites that can sleep up to18!  This would make the perfect setting for a family reunion or a birthday getaway.

Finally, prepare to make your co-workers jealous when you return home with a nice summer glow. The Wild WaterDome indoor park features a see-thru, energy efficient, Foil Tec roof, which allows UV rays permeate through it so that you can get your tan on year round! Stress free vacation planning, a happy family and getting some vitamin D? It just might be enough to get you through the rest of the winter!

And you never know who you might run into!

For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies or to book your vacation, call  877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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