Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee

Lou Martin
16
Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Pigeon Forge) via www.productreviewmom.com
 Warning:  This post is picture heavy of great awesomeness!


Hey yall!  Another epic road trip in the books!  Although our trip was just a few days, my family and I had one of the best experiences going to a place we never traveled to, the Smoky Mountains!


The Smoky Mountains was actually not on the top of the list of places to travel to for spring break, we were thinking about traveling to Orlando FL, or Savannah GA. 


About a couple of weeks before spring break I was doing my usual thing on Facebook (checking notifications and replying back to people) and seen an ad about visiting Wilderness at the Smokies, an indoor and outdoor family waterpark resort.  I went on the their website and seen all the cool things they had at their resort, of course the pools, arcade, pottery, restaurants, golf, laser tag, rock climbing, rope courses, gift shops and so much more! 


So this was a no-brainer, Wilderness at the Smokies was the right choice to spend our spring break at.   We stayed there for 2 nights and our total with tax was $596.24 (this is spring break prices so off season will be lower).


Now, you may be thinking this is a bit too much but let me break it down if we would’ve gone to Orlando instead.


Let say my family and I went to Disney World like we were planning on doing; tickets to Disney World starting price is over a $100 so with the 4 of us it will be well over $400 plus tax (1 day at Disney).  Don’t forget, we must pay for a hotel too!  So we would’ve paid in total around $700 to $800 and another thing to not forget, gas to get to Orlando since it is about an 8 hour drive.  


Going to the Wilderness at the Smokies took about 3 ½ hours to travel to.  Seems shorter since there were things to look at during our drive there like the mountains, small towns, log cabins, streams and waterfalls, old town stores, art and craft stores, and more!


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com


Once we arrived to Sevierville, TN where our resort we were staying in is located, we checked in and went to see what our room looked like.  Wilderness’s rooms have a modern mountain style décor.  Our studio suite included 2 queen size beds, a leather sofa couch, TV that has over 100 channels, counter stove top with cabinets, small kitchen sink, a small refrigerator, a coffee maker, 1 bathroom, small vanity, and small wooden table for 2.  Wilderness has several different size suites and even has lodging that can fit up to 15 people.  This place is perfect for family reunions!  Our room had a wooden pine smell that didn’t really bother me and our room was clean and comfortable.

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies) via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com


We put all our stuff down and left the Wilderness resort to see the surrounding area.  I was very impress to see all the local attractions nearby in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  There were a lot of different museums, go karts, rides, even Dollywood!  If you travel a little farther you can go to the aquarium, ride ski lifts, and go hiking in the National Smoky Mountain park.


We were getting hungry so we gotten a bite to eat at Cheddars and then stopped at a place called The Island, a place with a ferris wheel, arcades, restaurants, and shops.  This place reminded me of Pier 39 in San Francisco.


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Piegon Forge The Island)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Piegon Forge The Island)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  via (Piegon Forge The Island)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (The Sweet Shoppe Cupcake War Food Network Winners) via www.productreviewmom.com
This shop won cupcake wars on the Food Network!

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (The Island Arcade Pigeon Forge)  via www.productreviewmom.com


Michelle and I got on the ferris wheel while Mr. M and Lauren ditch us for the arcades.  We joined them later after our ride.


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  via www.productreviewmom.com


All of us stayed in the arcade for about an hour and then headed back to the Wilderness resort to call it a night.



The next morning, we had breakfast at a local diner and then headed back to the resort for all day fun at the pool!  The indoor pool is 86 degrees in there and it felt like a steam room.  They offer cold poolside drinks to keep you cool if the heat bothers you.  The pools are a bit cold but my girls had no problem getting in and joining in on the fun.  


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (The Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com


There were so many different things to do in the indoor pool like the tidal wave pool, several water slides, water playgrounds, ride the waves on a board, water sports, and more!


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies indoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com


My family and I visited the outdoor pool to see what it looked like and there were more pools, a lazy river, and huge water slides.  Due to the inclement weather, the lazy river was closed so the girls went on the rainbow water slides that were open.


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies outdoor pool)

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies outdoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies outdoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies outdoor pool)  via www.productreviewmom.com


My girls pretty much swam all day long and then we took an afternoon break in our suite.  After we were well refreshed we went to the restaurant at the resort.


I want to say that don’t always believe the reviews you read online. One of  the Wilderness restaurants has bad reviews but our food was great.  People usually only leave reviews when they have a bad experience, hardly ever leave a review if their experience was good.  So please if you had a wonderful experience anywhere you go leave a good review, this really helps the company out and help others looking to see about the company they’re interested in visiting.


The Wilderness restaurant (called The Thirsty Miner) has a choice to order from their menu or enjoy your meal from their buffet in which for each paying adult a child eats for free.  Of course we had chosen the buffet option.  There were steaks, ham, pizza, roast, a salad bar and so much you can eat at the buffet.  My food was so good that I forgotten to take a picture of it, LOL!  


Once my family and I were fueled up, it was back to the indoor pool for the rest of the night (indoor pool closes at 10pm and outdoor pool closes at 6pm).


Tuesday quickly came and it was time to pack up and check out, but before we left we enjoyed the breakfast buffet at The Thirsty Miner restaurant.  Also, I forgot to mention the buffet is $13.50 a person but since with each paying adult a child is free so only Mr. M and I had to pay for our meals.  Drinks for adults and children are not included with the price.


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wilderness at the Smokies)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Farwell Wilderness at the Smokies!  We shall see you again!


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wonderworks)  via www.productreviewmom.com


Before we hit the road home, we stopped at an amusement park called Wonderworks.  We never heard of the place before but we’re fascinated by the building being upside down.

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wonderworks)  via www.productreviewmom.com


Lines inside were like an hour long but we were glad that we stood around because Wonderworks was pretty fun, a lot of neat things to do in there.  The indoor amusement park is science based and helps to stimulate your mind.  I’m glad we done something fun, yet educational.   There are rides inside that you must have closed toe shoes so if you ever visit make sure to have tennis shoes on.  


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wonderworks)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wonderworks)  via www.productreviewmom.com


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (Wonderworks)  via www.productreviewmom.com


After Wonderworks, it was time for us to go home, but while we were driving through Gatlinburg we made a wrong turn and went into the Smoky Mountains National park.  There were a lot of winding roads and we seemed to be going higher and higher in the mountains.  My ears were starting to pop and I was getting nervous because the fog was so thick and it was hard to see while driving.  Although the drive seemed like forever in the mountains, we got to drive right next to a family of elks, how amazing!  We were so close to them that we could’ve touched them!  The elks seemed to be not bothered by us and other people that were around, so I was able to get good close up shots of them.


Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (elks on a mountain)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (elks on a mountain)  via www.productreviewmom.com

Spring Break at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee  (elks on a mountains)  via www.productreviewmom.com

What a great way to end the trip by seeing wildlife up close and being deep in a forest, I have a new found love for nature!


Make sure to add the Smoky Mountains to your travel bucket list, a great place for everyone!  Also go there during the winter months if you love seeing snow on the mountains.





What did you do for your spring break?






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16 Comments
  1. Now this looks like a fun family getaway without a long travel and I think the price is great. I love that there was so much to do. My husband would be lost in the arcade and the water park. Adding to our list for when kids get a little bit older.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep this place is awesome MJ and with a great price. My family are already making plans to go back.

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  2. I have always wanted to go to this too. It looks like fun and I know the quick turn around was a bah humbug because I would want to stay just one more day lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I didn't want to leave at all, our trip was way too quick. You and your family definitely need to visit Wilderness at the Smokies some day.

      Delete
  3. Looks like you all had a wonderful time! I want to take my kids here one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We sure did! You should take them there, they'll love it!

      Delete
  4. OMG those girls had a blast! I was smiling through the entire post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I never thought about going to the Smoky moutains, but this looks like a nice place to go for vacation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't have either Sonya, but I'm glad I found out about it.

      Delete
  6. You always take some of the best vacations! Looks like another winner. I love how your rooms had that cabin feel.

    I think I need to stretch myself and do some vacay posts! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Stacie start including vacation posts on your blog.

      Delete
  7. This looks like it was a fun spring break. I am supposed to go to Tennessee to a resort in May, I am still deciding to accept or not. But, after seeing your photos I may need to make the trip. #ProductReviewParty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Girl you better accept it! You really need to take a break and enjoy a vacation with your boys.

      Delete
  8. I want to go to the Great Wolf Lodge some day. The drive for me is about the same distance so I'll need to make plans to go there some day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful spring break! We went to that same area last summer and really enjoyed it. I'm glad you talked about Wonderworks -- I was fascinated driving by it, but we didn't stop. LOVE the elk family you saw!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely go to Wonderworks next time you visit the Smoky Mountains.

      Delete
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