4 Steps for Planning a Weekend Escape at Our Gatlinburg TN Vacation Cabins

While taking a week’s vacation in Gatlinburg is ideal, sometimes you just don’t have enough time to enjoy seven glorious days in the Smokies. Fortunately, you can still have a ton of fun in Gatlinburg if you visit for a weekend! To help you make the most of your weekend escape, Parkside Cabin Rentals has put together a convenient guide to planning your getaway at our Gatlinburg TN vacation cabins:

1. Choose Dates That Will Maximize Your Time in Gatlinburg

When it comes to weekend trips, spending as much time as you can enjoying the area is the ultimate goal. For the longest getaway possible, you will want to stay in Gatlinburg for at least two nights. If it’s feasible, try to leave work a little early on Friday afternoon so you can drive to Gatlinburg that evening. Waking up on Saturday morning with a full day ahead of you in the Smokies is totally worth it!

Taking advantage of long weekends is another way to maximize your time in the Smokies. Some popular three day weekends for traveling include:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day

If you leave on Friday afternoon and stay until Monday, you could spend three nights in Gatlinburg!

2. Pick a Cabin Near the Heart of the City

After selecting the dates for your weekend getaway, it’s time to choose the right cabin for your vacation. Since you have limited time in the Smokies, we recommend staying at one of our cabins near downtown Gatlinburg. When you stay at one of our properties close to The Strip, all of the area’s best attractions and activities will be just minutes away. Here are some of our Gatlinburg TN vacation cabins near the heart of the city:

• Lazy Bear
• Honey Bear
• Robin’s Nest
• Dove’s Nest
• Sparrow’s Nest
• Hawk’s Nest
• Hawks Crest

3. Map Out Your Weekend

When you only have a weekend to spend in Gatlinburg, it’s helpful to come up with an itinerary in advance. If there is anything you absolutely don’t want to miss during your vacation, be sure to schedule it for earlier in your trip. Obviously, some activities like hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are dependent on the weather, so it is good to have some indoor attractions in mind in case of rain. Here are just a few of our favorite things to do in the area:

• Eating the most important meal of the day at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
• Seeing all of the sea creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
• Shopping at the Mountain Mall, Outlet Stores, or the Baskins Square Mall
• Racing go karts at The Track or Bear Country Fun Park
• Enjoying dinner at The Park Grill, The Peddler, No Way Jose’s, or The Melting Pot

4. Build Some Downtime into Your Schedule

While you will want to have as much fun as possible during your weekend in Gatlinburg, you don’t want to overdo it! Be sure to plan some time for just relaxing in your cabin. Sometimes quiet moments spent admiring the mountain views from your deck or playing a game of pool with your kids end up being the most memorable parts of your vacation.

To start planning your next weekend escape, browse our complete selection of Gatlinburg TN vacation cabins!