5 Vacation Planning Tricks & Tips for Guys – Smoky Mountains

Vacation planning can be stressful, confusing, and overwhelming. Whether you’re planning to surprise that special someone or you’ve just been handed the reins in the planning process, a little bit of help can go a long way. Maybe you’re looking to sweep that special someone away to a cozy cabin for a romantic weekend in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. Or you may be looking to surprise Mom with a Mother’s Day cabin vacation or “just because” escape. You might even be planning that big trip – your honeymoon – and want it to be absolutely perfect. Whatever your reason for visiting Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, we have 5 tips for guys that should make the vacation planning process a bit easier.

Before we get into the general tips and tricks, we need to get a little personal! Like your better half or special person in your life, our Cabins for YOU cabins have some unique personality and you’ll want to be sure to choose the right Smoky Mountain lodging. So how well do you know your special someone?

For the outdoor-loving adventurers or the laid-back, easy-to-please:
If the person you are bestowing this incredible gift upon feels right at home in the middle of thick mountain forestry, on summits surrounded by breathtaking views, or kayaking down river rapids, you are heading in the right direction perusing Cabins for YOU’s secluded cabins. For the adventurous types, more nature and less suburbia is closer to heaven than anything else. Without another cabin or building in sight, you can enjoy the faint sounds of mountain breezes drifting through the pines while resting in the deck rocking chairs and the songs of birds greet you each morning without any other sounds in earshot. For a more relaxed and romantic escape, find a cabin that’s tucked away with a hot tub, fireplace, lots of privacy, or a waterfront location. With peaceful seclusion, the incredible views of nature, and fun amenities, your simple cabin getaway will “wow” your love for sure.

For the spa-loving diva or a much-needed pampering for the hard worker:
While many of Cabins for YOU listings include cozy furnishings to lounge while watching movies and warm, jetted hot tubs to slip into during quiet evenings, Cabins for YOU offers numerous luxury lodgings for the ultimate relaxation in the Smoky Mountains. We understand a love for the finer things like HDTVs, memory-foam mattresses, and top-of-the-line kitchens. Stylish outdoor spaces in view of serene Smoky Mountain nature will rejuvenate your tired, hard-working love who’s well-deserving of a luxurious mountain escape. If you want to pamper mom, find a cabin with a fabulous view, where she can sit back with a cup of coffee and relax!

For the young-at-heart lover of all things fun and touristy:
Cabins for YOU provides hundreds of cabins within reasonable drives to the excitement of downtown Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. However, if your partner is all about spending the majority of days touring Ripley’s attractions, perusing the Smoky Mountain shops, and dining in the warm Southern atmosphere of delicious eateries such as The Old Mill, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, and The Peddler Steakhouse, book a cabin within walking distance of Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg! There are tons of things to do in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, from laser tag and go karts to and miniature golf and arcades that your playful, young-at-heart love will enjoy each day.

Not everything is about a romantic trip! If you are a best man planning a bachelor’s weekend getaway, a dad surprising your sons with a Smoky Mountain hunting trip, or just getting away with some friends for a few days of hiking and relaxation, Cabins for YOU has your perfect cabin, too! Here a few recommendations that may inspire some awesome memories with the guys depending on what brings you to the Smokies:

Bachelor Party
Book a cabin close to downtown Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg to experience some nightlife while celebrating the man of the hour! See what kind of nightlife the Smoky Mountains has to offer here. If your friends prefer board games, laughs, beers, and relaxing in the cabin opposed to nights out on the town, pack yard games like cornhole and frisbee and book one of our cabins with a yard or cabin with spacious decks and patio areas.

Hunting/Fishing Trip
Wildlife abounds in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forests! Bring your own gear or rent from Smoky Mountain Anglers after checking local hunting and fishing season postings and acquiring the proper licenses conveniently online. Visit the Gatlinburg Sportsman’s Club to practice short and long-range shots on a scenic range before hitting the hunting grounds. Numerous Cabins for YOU cozy mountain lodgings rest right along river banks, perfect during sunny afternoon cookouts while casting a line in the stream and drinking cold, crisp beers.

Singles’ Retreat
Bring your next Sunday School class or group of friends to the Smokies for some much-needed guy time and relaxation and stay in one of Cabins for YOU’s secluded cabins in the mountains. Watch movies together in the living room before hanging out on the deck to stargaze and catch up as friends. Head to the one of the South’s most gorgeous greens, the Gatlinburg Golf Club, and swing away with incredible views of the mountains in the distance and serene streams babbling nearby.

Top Tips for Planning

Don’t procrastinate.
Cabin rentals in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge book quickly, particularly during the summer and holiday seasons, and you won’t want to be scrambling to get a special vacation together. Do your research early (where you want to stay and some things you’d like to do) so you’ll be sure to get just what you want. Planning early will also ease the pressure of planning on your own, and you can take the time to save up some money ahead of time! If you’re planning a honeymoon, your spouse will definitely appreciate that you’re on the ball – sure to win you some major brownie points!

Do your research.
Take the time to really see what all Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have to offer. Don’t just show up and “wing it.” Spend a good amount of your vacation planning time looking up area attractions, events, shops, and restaurants. When you arrive and have a flexible itinerary, or at least some great ideas of things to do, your significant other will be very impressed. While you’ll want plenty of time to just relax and sightsee, plan at least one day all on your own. Need an idea of what to do? Choose a highly-rated restaurant for breakfast, get our Smoky Mountain Picnic basket for lunch and head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (cuddle up by a stream), splurge on in-cabin massages or outlet shopping in the afternoon, and then head to Pigeon Forge for a dinner show!

Balance the budget.
With cabins fitting almost every budget, you’re sure to find the one with the options you need at a price that won’t break the bank. If you’re watching your wallet, browse our budget-friendly cabins. If you’re looking to splurge, our luxury cabins will fit the bill. Either way, decide what your total budget for the vacation is and don’t spend it all on the cabin. You can still rent a fantastic cabin, but you’ll have plenty left over in the budget for food, excursions, and any special extras you decide to indulge in. If you’re planning your honeymoon, remember this is a big moment in your life. If you have the budget for it, splurge! The honeymoon is the time to really go all out for the one you love, so don’t’ be afraid to really go above and beyond.

Find the right fit. 
Just as we mentioned, our cabins come in a wide variety of sizes and offer a huge range of amenities, providing the perfect cabin rental for almost any need and type of vacationer your special person is. Are you escaping to the mountains with your whole family as a Mother’s Day weekend getaway or whisking away your wife for a surprise getaway from the kids for a few days of relaxation? We have cozy 1 and 2-bedroom cabins, as well as 3 to 5-bedroom cabins that provide some extra space. Depending on what you need or want, amenities include outdoor hot tubs, indoor jetted tubs, access to indoor and outdoor pools, flatscreen TVs, home theaters, arcade games, game tables, luxury kitchens, comfortable bedding, and much more.

Add a personal touch.
Make your trip even more special by choosing a vacation package or adding a gift basket for that special someone. If you’re surprising Mom, consider the Hearthside Basket, Java Time, Spirit of the Smokies, or a bouquet of wild flowers. For a romantic touch to the vacation with your special someone, try our Lavender Temptations, Honeymoon Basket, Princess Bath and Bouquet, or Just for Her. We also have several options for flowers (a bed of roses, a dozen roses, and rose petals around the jetted tub), along with a Romantic Dinner for Two.

All will help you show your love and appreciation, and they couldn’t be easier to add on! Just let our vacation specialists know what you want to add, and the gift will be ready and waiting when you arrive! Want to pamper your love even more? Ask about our in-cabin massages!

Now you have the full-scoop, but if you are still unsure or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to call our vacation specialists who are on stand-by 24/7 to help you plan the Smoky Mountain vacation of her dream and yours!