Exploring the Smoky Mountains Again

Hey yall! How was your Labor Day weekend? Did you do anything fun? Did you catch up on some needed rest?

As for me, my family and I spent our time back in the Smoky Mountains. Although Atlanta had so many different events going on around town during the 3 day weekend, I felt like I needed to get away for a bit. I have been stressed and overwhelmed lately so I just wanted to get away for a while even if it was for a day in a half. The Smoky Mountains is about 4 hours away so it was the perfect place to have a mini getaway vacation.

Remember during our spring break this year the family and I stayed at the Wilderness at the Smokies, an indoor and outdoor waterpark resort, well we stayed there again because we had such a wonderful time there.

Our room was different from the last stay; I picked a cabin style suite that had a full kitchen, fireplace with a living room, so we had plenty of space for my family of 4.

I will say that I didn’t care for the sleeping arrangements because Mr. M and I’s queen bed was a pull out bed from the wall and the mattress felt stiff and we felt like we were sleeping on the floor. The girls slept on the sofa bed and they didn’t care for how their mattress felt either. Good thing we were only staying for two nights.

For a two night stay at Wilderness of the Smokies, it cost us $501, but remember this is holiday prices and plus they have so many different amenities at their resort so the price is well worth it. If you’re looking for it to be more affordable go during their off season. Off season is happening right now so start getting your trip planned.

The girls got to do what they love which is going swimming. They played in the wave pool again, relaxed while floating down the lazy river, and splashed down the huge water slides.   

The weather was muggy and hot in the Smokie Mountains but lounging around the shaded pool area kept us cool.

While in the mountains, we did more exploring than the last time we were there. We hit the strip in Pigeon Forge that had all the family friendly attractions to do some sightseeing, a bit of shopping at the Outlets since Labor Day weekend had some good sales going on, and stopped to have a bite to eat. We even stopped by one of the largest Christmas shop in the south called Christmas Place; this place sure got us already in the Christmas spirit and ready to start decorating our home.

Mr. M wanted some home-style cookin’ so he did a Google search and found a restaurant called Mama’s Farmhouse. We went there for lunch and was served all you can eat family style southern foods and we got to choose up to 8 different food dishes. I felt like I was eating a Thanksgiving meal or eating a big Sunday dinner. The food was good but not something that was so good that I must have it each time I visit Pigeon Forge. But I wouldn’t mind eating there again.

Another place I eaten at while in the Smoky Mountains was Flapjacks Pancake Cabin. I wanted to go there on my last visit to the mountains but didn’t have enough time so I’m glad we were able to stop in one this time around. Flapjacks Pancake Cabin is everywhere! It’s like there is one on every block, sort of reminds me how it is when it comes to the Waffle House being everywhere in Atlanta.

We were seated right away but waited an hour for our food and the food was just average, wasn’t really worth the wait. My sticky bun pancakes were delicious, had my family picking off my plate to try my pancakes, but the eggs tasted like it was made of powder with added shredded cheese on top, I could’ve done a better job than that!

During the end of our trip we went to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, one of the best aquariums I’ve ever visited! (Sorry Georgia Aquarium, I still love you!) The Smokies Aquarium felt so spaced out, less crowded, and the information about the fish inside was an easy read that was straight to the point, not like if I was reading an encyclopedia.

There were a lot of hands on water pools inside for people who wanted to touch the fish to get a feel of them. Lauren was the only brave one that put her hands in a pool of doctor fish that you find in some nail salons that eats the dead skin off your body. It seems like the fish couldn’t find any dead skin on her so they would just swim away and go to other people that had their hands in the pool.

We had some time to spare before we headed back home so we spent our time walking up and down a busy street in Gatlinburg that was filled with shops, restaurants, museums, arcades, and much more. There was bluegrass music playing and Mr. M had a field day sipping on free samples of moonshine. I didn't have any because I don't drink beer.

I love the way the street looked, it’s like I’m walking in Switzerland with the Swedish style buildings, ski lifts, and mountain tram. I bet it’s gorgeous out there during the winter months with the snow on the mountains and all the Christmas décor.

We all were not ready to go home and hated that the trip ended so quickly, we are already talking about what our next trip will be. More than likely we’ll be traveling somewhere for Lauren’s birthday that is in October.

If you’re interested in traveling to the Smoky Mountains I suggest staying there at least a week so you get to do some of the attractions. There is so much to do and see that you’ll not be able to scram it all in, in just 2 days.

I’m hoping to someday rent a cabin out there since there are plenty of cabins available for rent. I would love to step outside the cabin and gaze at the beautiful views of the mountains. The mountains are breathtaking and make you feel so free and at peace, just what I need to take away all my stress.

What did you do during the Labor Day Weekend?

Subscribe to My Email List

Follow Product Review Mom on Google News!