vacation planning help

[mightybee]

So...I am itching to take a family vacation this year (end of summer/early fall). And if I want that to happen, I have to plan it. Womp, womp. I know I would do this using the Internet, but I'm just not sure where to start.

One trip idea is to visit Nashville and spend a few days in Asheville, NC on the way there (we're in VA). Um, so where do I start? I feel like such a vacation-planning virgin.

jodielyn10 you're from TN, right? Do you have any recommendations?

[britbratjf]

Hum. No beach? I have a total water baby so anyplace with a beach or pool is my first choice.

[britbratjf]

As for where to start - obviously pick a destination first Then research hotels or rental properties. I also research restaurats & activities in the area - I try & plan a rough itenerary for each day. With 2 kids a suite hotel or rental house/condo would be ideal for you so you can put the kids down & enjoy romantic evenings with YH

[mightybee]

Jun 16, 2015 20:33:22 GMT -5 britbratjf said:

Hum. No beach? I have a total water baby so anyplace with a beach or pool is my first choice.

Haha. Well my first choice was the OBX because it's a really close drive for us. Then my H said why go to the beach when we live right near one and oh, he doesn't like just sitting at the beach.

So, I guess we'll have to compromise!

[somethingcleverer]

I've had good luck using tripadvisor to research hotels.

I believe opryland is in Nashville and Dollywood isn't too far away.
I found this too

www.visitmusiccity.com/meetings/thingstodo/familyfun

Eta: Just googled some more think Dollywood is closer to the Asheville area.

[britbratjf]

How far is it to Cincinnati for you? There's a lot of fun family stuff there. Childrens museum, a train place, great zoo, aquarium, etc.

[tribute17]

Nashville is great it not sure how much there is for kids. Opryland closed years ago. I'm talking about the amusement park, The hotel is still open. The music places and tours would be pretty pointless with kids. We go all of the time hut we have family there.

[somethingcleverer]

I hear an awesome laide lives in Chicago....jus saying.


Edited for typo

[Riverdong11]

Pennsylvania could be fun - sesame place, please touch museum, crayola factory and Hershey.

[Riverdong11]

Jun 16, 2015 21:12:31 GMT -5 britbratjf said:

How far is it to Cincinnati for you? There's a lot of fun family stuff there. Childrens museum, a train place, great zoo, aquarium, etc.

Plus I don't live too far from there!

[aylafsu1881]

If you stay in Asheville, NC there are a ton of cabin rentals there. H and I go to Asheville, Bryson city a lot and rent a cabin. We love the hiking and nature activities there. The cabins are great and depending on when you go a 3 bedroom can be $150 a night.

[summergirl1211]

I would also recommend Trip Advisor to see reviews of various hotels, vacation properties, and restaurants. I just do a lot of internet searches to see "best of things"- best restaurants, best places to take kids, best hotels, etc. There may even be blogs for you to review as well. HTH!

[samelly]

I agree with checking out Tripadvisor.  I always do my travel research on tripadvisor to help find hotels and things to do.  It's all based on user reviews.  They also have a forum for all the different travel destinations.  It's a great place to go when trying to get advice on what is kid-friendly etc.

[aimeefarrahfowler]

If you don't want to go too far you could do Williamsburg/Busch Gardens/waterpark and maybe a couple nights at great wolf lodge?

[mightybee]

Jun 17, 2015 7:25:28 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

If you stay in Asheville, NC there are a ton of cabin rentals there. H and I go to Asheville, Bryson city a lot and rent a cabin. We love the hiking and nature activities there. The cabins are great and depending on when you go a 3 bedroom can be $150 a night.

Good idea! I thought I remembered you mentioning that you camp in the smokey Mt area often. Have any favorite cabin rentals?

aimeefarrahfowler I live about 10 minutes from Busch Gardens, so that would be more of a stay-cation. Haha. So if anyone needs another reason to visit VA, you can come see me, too!

[jodielyn10]

I JUST saw this...the site isn't loading in my work computer Whomp Whomp...
I am from TN. An earlier comment about Nashville is right: A lot of the cool things Nashville has to offer are for adults- like music scene, etc. if you're at all a foodie it's a great place to visit. As far as sights: the Parthenon is one that sticks out.

Dollywood is awesome and is close to Ashville. There is also a water park. Also recommend Gatlinburg for more of a touristy/kitschy kind of experience if you're into that. They are all right there in the TN side of the smokey Mountains. Asheville is on the NC side of the smokey' so it's all close.

If you're more into the nature kind of experience, then the Smokey Mountain National Parks are a must see. Gorgeous.

Finally, if you're driving from Asheville to Nashville, a nice stop off on the way for a little break (about 20 miles off the highway) is the American Museum of Science and Energy in my hometown, Oak Ridge...it gives you the history of Oak Ridge as a "Secret City" while developing the Atomic Bomb. Fascinating and they have some cool exhibits for kids.

[aimeefarrahfowler]

Jun 17, 2015 11:58:34 GMT -5 mightybee said:

Jun 17, 2015 7:25:28 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

If you stay in Asheville, NC there are a ton of cabin rentals there. H and I go to Asheville, Bryson city a lot and rent a cabin. We love the hiking and nature activities there. The cabins are great and depending on when you go a 3 bedroom can be $150 a night.

Good idea! I thought I remembered you mentioning that you camp in the smokey Mt area often. Have any favorite cabin rentals?

aimeefarrahfowler I live about 10 minutes from Busch Gardens, so that would be more of a stay-cation. Haha. So if anyone needs another reason to visit VA, you can come see me, too!

Ah! I didn't realize you were that close. :-D

[mightybee]

Thanks for all the info jodielyn10! I think we'll save Nashville for a sans kids anniversary trip or wait til they're older.

I'm now looking at cabin rentals near the Smokeys Mts on the Flip key website. This looks perfect! My H grew up in Montana, so the mountains, creeks, and seclusion will just delight him. Now I'm excited to plan!

[aylafsu1881]

Jun 17, 2015 11:58:34 GMT -5 mightybee said:

Jun 17, 2015 7:25:28 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

If you stay in Asheville, NC there are a ton of cabin rentals there. H and I go to Asheville, Bryson city a lot and rent a cabin. We love the hiking and nature activities there. The cabins are great and depending on when you go a 3 bedroom can be $150 a night.

Good idea! I thought I remembered you mentioning that you camp in the smokey Mt area often. Have any favorite cabin rentals?

aimeefarrahfowler I live about 10 minutes from Busch Gardens, so that would be more of a stay-cation. Haha. So if anyone needs another reason to visit VA, you can come see me, too!

This is the place we rent from the most. We tend to stay in Bryson city and drive to Asheville or Gaitlenburg (they are 1.5- 2 hours away).
www.greatsmokyscabinrentals.com/vacation-rentals-homes.asp

We have stayed in Native winds, Laurel branch, Just like Bearadise, High Haven, and Sky Cove retreat. Sky cove and bearadise were our favorites. We did not like Laurel Branch so I would not recommend that one (it had a metal, spiral staircase to the master).

[mightybee]

Jun 17, 2015 15:23:51 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

Jun 17, 2015 11:58:34 GMT -5 mightybee said:

Good idea! I thought I remembered you mentioning that you camp in the smokey Mt area often. Have any favorite cabin rentals?

aimeefarrahfowler I live about 10 minutes from Busch Gardens, so that would be more of a stay-cation. Haha. So if anyone needs another reason to visit VA, you can come see me, too!

This is the place we rent from the most. We tend to stay in Bryson city and drive to Asheville or Gaitlenburg (they are 1.5- 2 hours away).
www.greatsmokyscabinrentals.com/vacation-rentals-homes.asp

We have stayed in Native winds, Laurel branch, Just like Bearadise, High Haven, and Sky Cove retreat. Sky cove and bearadise were our favorites. We did not like Laurel Branch so I would not recommend that one (it had a metal, spiral staircase to the master).

Thanks for the link! Those cabins are gorgeous. I want to go right now.