8 Easy and Affordable Gatlinburg Vacation Ideas
Published Jan 26, 2022
An unforgettable vacation doesn’t have to be expensive. Use these tips to save money on your Gatlinburg getaway.
1. Eat Like a Local
For inexpensive meals, dine where locals do. Grab sandwiches at Parton’s Deli. Stop by Tennessee Jed’s for breakfast or specialty hot dogs. For a huge menu, head to Mel’s Diner. They boast they’re one of the most budget-friendly places around.
2. Stay in a Cabin
A cabin from Colonial Properties Cabin and Resort Rentals gives you more bang for the buck than a hotel. You get 24/7 use of a whole house. All amenities, from game room to hot tub to private deck, are yours alone.
Kayak.com says the average price of a Gatlinburg hotel room runs from $122 to $338 a night. The average nightly rate of our Gatlinburg cabins is $229. If you divide that by the number of guests a cabin can accommodate, the average nightly rate is only $25-$50 per person. Bonus: You save money because you don’t have to eat out as often.
3. Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Get out your camera, but leave your wallet tucked away. Stroll the uncrowded Quiet Walkways through serene woods. Visit Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park, for jaw-dropping views. Hike to dozens of waterfalls dotting the park.
4. Enjoy Free Festivals
At the Mountain Life Festival, see blacksmiths and crafters at work. Listen to Appalachian songs at Cosby Mountain Music concerts. The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival brings seasonal displays to downtown.
5. Browse at the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community
Browse in workshops lining this eight-mile loop road. Watch artisans create jewelry, woodcrafts, pottery, soaps, leather goods, glassware, and more. Just resist the temptation to buy souvenirs!
6. Visit Gatlinburg Distilleries
Moonshine distilleries show how they make Tennessee’s famous drink. Drop by Sugarlands Distilling Co., Ole Smoky Distillery, and others along Gatlinburg’s Strip. Tennessee Shine Co.'s $10 tour includes free tastings.
7. Visit Unique Attractions
Admission to the nostalgic Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is only $3. Save on admission to the Hollywood Star Cars Museum by buying tickets online at a discount.
8. Find Deals on Big Attractions
Package deals make major attractions cheaper. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is kin to other Ripley’s attractions like the Odditorium, Haunted Adventure, and Mirror Maze. Ripley’s combo tickets let you mix and match attractions to bring down your costs. Dollywood offers multi-day tickets where extra days cost as little as $10 to $15 more than a single-day ticket.
Book your Gatlinburg cabin today for an affordable adventure.
