Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

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Bryson City, North Carolina

The highlight our our family trip to Tennessee was actually in North Carolina-crazy right! The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is a four hour trip in a working steam engine that takes you through the scenic Great Smoky Mountain National Park which runs through North Carolina and Tennessee. I went ahead and checked North Carolina off our fifty nifty family goal as state number 8 for Row-because well we were there for a good day!

We stayed in Pigeon Forge as mentioned in my previous post-which is so much fun and then drove through the Smoky Mountains across the mountain to Bryson City, North Carolina. I will say I planned and left 1.5 hours before the start of our train ride and we literally almost didn’t make it….learn from my mistake….in fact they radioed us into the Conductor while I ran with all belongings and my husband with child to locate said train across from parking. Why were we late? Pigeon Forge is only 30 miles from the railroad but you see when you drive through the National Park looking like this……

 

people like to take their time. Nothing like sweating it in the car as you wave to amazing views trying to get to your train.

 

The train has a number of different car options including dining-fancy table and chair, passenger and open gondola seating. I really wanted gondola seating but since we went in the beginning of April I wasn’t confident it would be warm enough so we went with the traditional comfy car seats and the car with the bathroom inside-important with children.

 

Our attendant was wonderful and funny and passed out snacks as soon as we got there-included! We also received a souvenir travel mug for each of us-they were actually really nice. Our ride took us through the scenic Nantahala Gorge area. The ride took about 1.5 hours up. We were entertained with stories of lore, history and singing.

 

We stopped half way at the river and were able to get out for about an hour and walk around. You can put your feet in the river, throw rocks, see the trail hikers and grab a bite to eat-but be quick about it.

We also had the chance to see a portion of the Appalachian Trail-which my husband dreams of hiking-but now at least he can say he’s been on it!

We loaded back on our train and had a pre purchased box lunch-it’s an option they provide and while it was fine I would pass and just grab a snack on the train in the food cart. They also come around and take a professional picture which was nice. We actually splurged on this trip as it’s a little pricey and I was hesitant since Row is 4 and I wasn’t sure how she would do on such a long trip but she was amazing and loved it. This trip was definitely worth every penny and the service was great! Add it to your Tennessee bucket list!

Titanic Museum

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Pigeon Forge, TN

Our family trip to Tennessee took us to Nashville,Chattanooga and Pigeon Forge. If you have never been to Pigeon Forge like me then you will be quite overwhelmed with the amount of things there are to do. Pigeon Forge has tons of water parks, mini golf and go carts but I was looking for something different and unique and then walked in the Titanic Museum.

The Titanic Museum literally looks like the actual Titanic with an iceberg hitting the back of the ship and a water feature in front. As we walked up they were playing “My heart will go on”-I couldn’t believe it. Once you enter you receive a passenger name for each guest and follow them along your tour. Children also receive a more child friendly version. You are also asked if you want an audio necklace to take with you throughout the tour to hear interesting stories along the way.

Unfortunately you are not aloud to take pictures inside due to copyright-I was pretty bummed about that because I am a family memory junkie.

The museum is really interesting and for a history geek like me I loved it. Our little was also engaged throughout the museum with interactive things for her to do. They also had period people dressed up and available throughout the museum. I will say that as we walked through the third class area they had a display of a stairwell which flicked and filled with water and it pretty much freaked me out.

The museum was created by the second person to dive for Titanic. Tons of artifacts. There was also a captains wheel you could spin and then you could walk out onto the deck and feel an actual “iceberg” on the side and you could dip your fingers into frigid water-the same degree it was when the ship went down-yikes.

The most amazing part was the exact replica of the grand staircase which we all walked up. They took pictures for sale of your family on the stairwell as well.

The end of the museum had a fun interactive part which was great for kids. The Titanic Museum was definitely a fun attraction for the whole family!

The Inn at Christmas Place

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Pigeon Forge,TN

Part of the fun family travel isn’t just going all the places and seeing all the things but it’s also about finding all the fun places to sleep too! I have learned that my husband and I tend to be adventurers over relaxers on vacay. It’s a good thing we agree on that.

The Inn at Christmas Place is an adorable hotel completely decked out in Christmas 24/7 from head to toe. This hotel did not disappoint and as a result needs to be booked well in advance. The Inn is a trip advisor pick but I found out about it through other family travel bloggers which are in my opinion the best way to find all the fun places and get really honest reviews and of course your trusty travel agent.

We drove through Pigeon Forge, TN which I had no idea was such a fun place. There is literally a million places to stay and fun things to do. We counted 10 mini car racing places and just as many mini golf places. Bring your money though because nothing is cheap. We drove up to The Inn and were greeted by a suited door man and a Bavarian hotel with Christmas lights, life sized nutcrackers and Christmas music-it was love.

The entire lobby sticks with the theme. Christmas trees and angels and lights oh my!

 

We checked in an received an ornament for our first visit. Coffee was available all day long as well as pink lemonade.

Our room was awesome complete with a Christmas tree (easy to turn off but why would you), Christmas pillows, a wreath and chocolate Hershey’s kisses for night time. I opted for a double queen room with no balcony which saved us some money and the room was actually really big, comfortable beds and the bathroom was super large. Our room also had a kitchenette.

The hotel runs specials every evening which include s’mores with Santa and Santa signing-he was really great and answered all the children’s questions.

 

The hotel also has an outdoor pool with slide and an indoor heated pool-Ro was so mad I didn’t bring suits so from now on I’ll always packs them. Each floor level has something special decorated and a complementary breakfast is included. The breakfast is not your run of the mill complementary breakfast. It has an omelet station, fruit, hot items ready made and served, fruit, breads, you name it. Each night the hotel puts out cookies and milk in the lobby as well.

I almost forgot Ro’s favorite part- a 2 story glockenspiel that rings and sings Christmas music every hour on the hour. I can’t even imagine what staying here during Christmas must be like-actually I can-awesome. #Takethetrip