The Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina have been a favorite family vacation destination for years.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the heart of the Smokies, is probably the most popular tourist town in the region.
With hotel and motel accommodations in downtown Gatlinburg and cabins and chalets for rent in the mountains on the outskirts of town, you can find lodging at about any price range.
In this article, I'll tell you when you can find the most affordable Gatlinburg vacation packages.
Like any other travel destination, Gatlinburg has its peak seasons and its off season.
The peak seasons are summer and fall.
Summer is a popular time for family vacations because the kids are out of school and its warm, so families can enjoy everything the mountains have to offer.
Fall is popular because that's when the leaves change colors.
It's fantastic to take a hike in crisp mountain air surrounded by red, orange and yellow leaves.
That being said, we're talking about finding the most affordable time to visit Gatlinburg and that's certainly not in the peak season.
Instead, if you're looking for a great deal, try planning your trip in the off season.
Now January and February are certainly considered the off season in the Smoky Mountains, but you probably don't want to drive mountain roads in the ice and snow.
For that reason, I suggest visiting the Smokies in the middle or end of March.
In March, you can usually find cheap Gatlinburg vacation packages.
You'll even find bargains on cabin and chalet rentals.
Price isn't everything, of course.
You could just as easily find good deals in January or February, but in late March, you usually don't have to worry about ice and snow and the weather starts to warm up a bit.
Believe it or not, March has become one of my favorite times to visit Gatlinburg.
In town, it's usually pretty warm (for the season), but when you get to the higher elevations, you can still see frost in the trees.
It feels like spring in town, but up in the mountains it looks like a winter wonderland.
March really is a great time to visit.
Additionally, Gatlinburg and neighboring Pigeon Forge have a number of attractions you can enjoy all year long.
Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg is amazing and Pigeon Forge has dozens of shows in theaters scattered throughout the city.
And if you like shopping, there are literally hundreds of shops throughout the Smokies that are open in March.
Now, choosing when to visit Gatlinburg is only part of the equation.
If you're looking for a getaway package there are a lot of options to choose from.
It's easy to get overwhelmed, so be sure to consider what the packages include.
Most commonly, you'll find package deals that include lodging and tickets to the plays and musicals in Pigeon Forge.
If you have kids who don't like watching shows, you might want to consider a package that includes tickets to the world famous aquarium in Gatlinburg.
Spend some time looking at the different Gatlinburg vacation packages, and I'm sure you'll find something that fits your budget and your interests.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the heart of the Smokies, is probably the most popular tourist town in the region.
With hotel and motel accommodations in downtown Gatlinburg and cabins and chalets for rent in the mountains on the outskirts of town, you can find lodging at about any price range.
In this article, I'll tell you when you can find the most affordable Gatlinburg vacation packages.
Like any other travel destination, Gatlinburg has its peak seasons and its off season.
The peak seasons are summer and fall.
Summer is a popular time for family vacations because the kids are out of school and its warm, so families can enjoy everything the mountains have to offer.
Fall is popular because that's when the leaves change colors.
It's fantastic to take a hike in crisp mountain air surrounded by red, orange and yellow leaves.
That being said, we're talking about finding the most affordable time to visit Gatlinburg and that's certainly not in the peak season.
Instead, if you're looking for a great deal, try planning your trip in the off season.
Now January and February are certainly considered the off season in the Smoky Mountains, but you probably don't want to drive mountain roads in the ice and snow.
For that reason, I suggest visiting the Smokies in the middle or end of March.
In March, you can usually find cheap Gatlinburg vacation packages.
You'll even find bargains on cabin and chalet rentals.
Price isn't everything, of course.
You could just as easily find good deals in January or February, but in late March, you usually don't have to worry about ice and snow and the weather starts to warm up a bit.
Believe it or not, March has become one of my favorite times to visit Gatlinburg.
In town, it's usually pretty warm (for the season), but when you get to the higher elevations, you can still see frost in the trees.
It feels like spring in town, but up in the mountains it looks like a winter wonderland.
March really is a great time to visit.
Additionally, Gatlinburg and neighboring Pigeon Forge have a number of attractions you can enjoy all year long.
Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg is amazing and Pigeon Forge has dozens of shows in theaters scattered throughout the city.
And if you like shopping, there are literally hundreds of shops throughout the Smokies that are open in March.
Now, choosing when to visit Gatlinburg is only part of the equation.
If you're looking for a getaway package there are a lot of options to choose from.
It's easy to get overwhelmed, so be sure to consider what the packages include.
Most commonly, you'll find package deals that include lodging and tickets to the plays and musicals in Pigeon Forge.
If you have kids who don't like watching shows, you might want to consider a package that includes tickets to the world famous aquarium in Gatlinburg.
Spend some time looking at the different Gatlinburg vacation packages, and I'm sure you'll find something that fits your budget and your interests.