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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
NDR: Smoky Mountains and Nashville
Hi ladies! Our family vacation this summer will be camping in the Smoky Mountains with our final destination being Nashville. We are driving from Philly with a toddler and an infant. Any recommendations? I have been researching Dollywood, but besides that I am at a loss. Thanks!!
Go Phils!!
Re: NDR: Smoky Mountains and Nashville
If you are coming through Chattanooga, I would recommend the Aquarium there. They have a really nice aquarium. Many great attractions in Chattanooga as well that are kid friendly.
In regards to Nashville, there's a great list I could look up and send you.
If it's not too much trouble, that would be awesome!!
Go Phils!!
I used to live in Nashville and I'll confess it's not my favorite place, so take my advice with a grain of salt. It's pretty hard to navigate, there's bad suburban sprawl, and it doesn't offer much to do if you aren't interested in the history of country music. It's mainly lots of generic shopping centers and chain restaurants that you can get anywhere in the nation.
On the other hand, I LOVE Chattanooga! The aquarium is fantastic for adults and children, the Lookout Mountain incline railway is FUN, and Rock City and Ruby Falls are both totally worth the price of admission. Seriously, skip Nashville and take the family to Chattanooga!
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Thinking of doing cosmetic updates to a dated home? These were our costs.
Come on out to NoVA and DC, traffic is 100x's worse
We have family in Nashville and I enjoy it as long as I don't have to go to WalMart. The Opry is nice, Opry Mills mall is reopening soon (been closed since the floods).
FI's cousin and his family (3 children) went to Dollywood last memorial day when the youngest was just 1 yo, they were miserable. There isn't much shade, it was horribly hot. They said in the end it would have been better for one of them to stay at the hotel with the baby.
Go Phils!!
I'm assuming you'll be visiting the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area if you are researching Dollywood. I grew up visiting the Smoky Mts and our family still goes from time to time. Just in case you didn't know...Pigeon Forge is a very tacky tourist trap (I've heard only GOOD things about Dollywood, though). We try to avoid everything else in Pigeon Forge at all costs, mainly because there is so much else to do nearby that is related to the natural beauty of the area.
The things that we always make sure to see are:
1. Laurel Falls Hike - I've done most of the hikes on this website, but Laurel Falls is one that anyone can do and it is so beautiful. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm This one is the one I'd recommend the most if you're bringing along a toddler and baby. It is a really beautiful short, paved hike. It is about 1.25 miles each way, so 2.5 roundtrip. It's easy to push a stroller on this trail, and my elderly grandparents have done the hike with no problems. I think we've packed a picnic on this hike before too. You can see some other opinions and views of the falls here. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g143031-d207106-Reviews-Laurel_Falls-Great_Smoky_Mountains_National_Park_Tennessee.html
2. Grotto Falls - off of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, you can actually walk behind the falls. What I remember about this hike is how breathtaking the falls are when you are standing behind them. So beautiful. You'd have to carry your kids in a backpack carrier since it is kind of steep and is not paved, so that's something to consider. http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/grotto.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g143031-d1382990-Reviews-Grotto_Falls_Trail-Great_Smoky_Mountains_National_Park_Tennessee.html
3. Cades Cove - a beautiful protected area where you can drive slowly with your windows down and appreciate its beauty. We always see wildlife including tons of deer and usually a few black bears. There are old churches and old still- operating grist mill along the drive with places to get out and explore. Kids and adults love this area. The drive is an 11 mile one way loop through a valley. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm. Here are some others' opinions on it. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g143031-d1193258-Reviews-Cades_Cove-Great_Smoky_Mountains_National_Park_Tennessee.html
4. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - a beautiful 6 mile drive through some of the most beautiful, green, mountain areas you'll ever see. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm
5. And then there's Gatlinburg. http://www.gatlinburg.com/experience/ ...People tend to love it or hate it. Most of my friends from up north love it and see it as a cute, endearing Bavarian style mountain town. Some of my friends from the south see it as tacky, mostly because they remember it before it had so many tourist type attractions (like Old Time Photos, laser tag, and Ripleys attractions). I've never met a kid who didn't love that town, and most adults like it too. If you decide to go to Gatlinburg, I recommend playing a a round of mini golf at Hillbilly Golf (I'm really not joking, this is always everyone's favorite because you ride an inclined railway up the mountain in between holes). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60842-d292825-Reviews-Hillbilly_Golf-Gatlinburg_Tennessee.html
If I were taking my toddler on the trip you described, I'd definitely hike Laurel Falls, drive through Cades Cove and let her run and explore there, stop in Gatlinburg, take her through town, and make sure to let her splash around in the stream that runs through town.
Enjoy your trip!