Use these steps to create a smooth, stress-free vacation to the Smoky Mountains.

1. Set a Budget

Budgeting now reduces stress later. You’re less likely to overspend, so you won’t get an unpleasant surprise when the credit card bill arrives. Budget for:

• Lodging. A rental cabin can save money compared to a hotel.
• Food. Can you save by cooking some meals in your cabin’s kitchen?
• Attractions and entertainment. 
• Souvenirs and gifts.
• Transportation, or gas and parking fees. Research free parking options.
• Sales and meal taxes. 
• Pet sitting or boarding. Or rent a pet-friendly cabin and bring Fido with you. 

2. Pick Vacation Dates

Do crowds excite you or stress you out? If you want to de-stress, consider avoiding the most crowded months–July, August and October. 

Try June, September and the winter months. Don’t let winter daunt you. Daily high temperatures here average 50 degrees even in January, so you get crisp days without frigid conditions. The trade-off? Some attractions aren’t open in winter, so check before you book. Spring is popular here but lacks summer’s crowds and offers a bonus: Abundant wildflowers.

3. Choose the Location

Does being close to the action appeal to you? Look for cabins near the Pigeon Forge Parkway, Dollywood, or the Gatlinburg Strip. Do you prefer being tucked in a resort or perched next to a river? Search for cabins based on those locations. We’ve tailored our website for searches just like these.

4. Choose a Cabin

Why crowd your family into hotel rooms? A cabin lets you relax with a whole house to yourselves. All the amenities are yours, 24/7. Find a cabin with the right number of bedrooms so everyone has privacy. If being outside soothes your stress, look for a great deck, a yard and a mountain view.

5. Do Your Homework

Imagine walking up to an attraction only to find it’s sold out or you have a long wait to get in. Avoid that stress by booking tickets in advance. Look for ticket bundles that save money when you buy tickets to several attractions at once. 

Download maps and tourist information. Parking maps and trolley and bus routes are especially handy. Load a weather app, so you’re never caught by surprise if a shower pops up. Bring cabin rental details on your phone as well as on paper.

Let Colonial Properties Cabin & Resort Rentals help you find the perfect cabin for a stress-free vacation. Contact us today.