Topping this post...

And wanted to add: we'll be going sometime in the spring, definitely weekdays to avoid crowds.

Cades Cove is an interesting place...a flat area surrounded by mountains. There is a loop you can drive and there are a few stops...old cabins and such. A good picnicing place.

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I second Cades Cove. The loop is about eleven miles with several good stopping points along the way - old churches and cabins, barns, I believe one gift shop. If you're into biking, there are certain hours (early in the morning) where the loop is closed to cars for bikers.

Otherwise, there are lots of scenic spots and picnic areas you can drive to. My parents used to take us when we were pretty little. I can ask them where their favorite spots were, but once you're in the mountains there's no shortage. We used to go wading in the river, although depending on when in spring you go it might be too cold still.

Depending on your choice of transport, you can go anywhere you would normally go. We used a backpack type carrier w/both kids that worked really well. Check out www.smokymountains.org, www.gsmnp.com & www.nsp.gov/grsm.

Laurel Falls is an easy hike with a beautiful waterfall. I've seen others do it with a child in an umbrella stroller. It's a paved trail, so I would think it's pretty feasible - and pretty close to the Gatlinburg side of the national park.

Thank you for the great suggestions!

Paved trails and/or trails where we could use an umbrella stroller are ideal. My daugher has never been a fan of the carrier things. She'll probably do a combination of walking and riding.

Will there be a lot of traffic on the Cades Cove loop? The park website said there could be, depending on day/time/season. We'll probably be there mid-week.

You could definitely encounter some traffic in Cades Cove. Just don't go there in a hurry and it'll still be enjoyable. Always fill up with gas before you go so you're not worried about that while you're inching along. Take some drinks and snacks - or we like to take a picnic and a blanket and get out along the way and escape the crowd. I've seen people pull over on the side of the road, walk into the middle of a pasture and have a picnic. A deer walked right by them while they were eating. Early morning is better for viewing animals but people know that and sometimes it's more crowded. Depending on when you go in the spring, the bears might not be active yet. Also, Wednesday and Saturday mornings (I think those are the days) the park is closed to cars for the early morning hours and only allows walkers and bicycles. On the way back from Cades Cove, there are signs advertising Tuckaleechee Caverns. This is an underground wonderland - actually a series of caves with streams and all kinds of rock formations. This was very interesting to us and our kids - 12 and 9 - but I'm not sure what your toddler would think of it. There are some steps that you have to climb so I don't know that you could take a stroller....maybe that's a bad idea with a baby but it is really beautiful.

We've been all over the US and have recently visited Hawaii, but the Smoky Mountains are still our favorite. Enjoy!

Some people think both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are cheesy tourist traps but we think it has some of the most beautiful scenery in this part of the country.

This website might be helpful:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/gosmokies/

Also, if you drive through the park to the NC border, you can drive up to Clingmon's Dome, the highest point in Tennessee.

Definitely do Cades Cove.

Thank you, JCN and Bob! Lots of helpful info here.
JCN, I'm glad you mentioned Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We're thinking of staying in one of these towns. I've heard they are touristy, but I thought there might be something there my daughter will enjoy.

Thanks again, everyone!

Pigeon Forge is full of everything you can imagine for kids....from arcades to the Dixie Stampede and Dollywood. If you go early in the Spring, you won't get the full benefit of Dollywood because the water rides won't be open. I guess I just assumed that's where you were going when you mentioned the Smoky Mountains. Also, there is a petting zoo (Deer Park, I think it's called) on the outskirts of town towards I-40. It's not much to look at but we always had to go when my kids were younger for pony rides, etc.

Please don't hesitate to ask concerning places to stay, eat, etc. We always go the weekend before Christmas with several friends and their families. It transforms into a winter wonderland when snow is covering the mountains.

To me, it's not touristy. Of course they have gift shops on every turn and arcades, but there's always plenty to do to entertain the kids and plenty of food and shopping to pacify the adults. Also, they have an abundance of shows: gospel music, country, oldies, even the Black Bear Jamboree which the kids love.

Traffic in Cades Cove is somewhat hit or miss, in my experience. Going on a weekday will help. Otherwise, jcn's advice is good: fill up with gas, take a picnic, and plan to make a leisurely time out of it.

The towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg most definitely cater to tourists, but that's not always a horrible thing. With your daughter being so young, I'd probably stay in Gatlinburg if you choose to stay in one of those two. Pigeon Forge is much more car-oriented. The activities in PF are more along the lines of outlet shopping (lots), laser tag, mini golf, etc., plus there's Dollywood. My guess is that your daughter is too young to enjoy most of that, although I might be wrong. Personally, I would only stay there on a pure shopping trip or if I were into the shows.

In Gatlinburg, you can park the car, walk the Parkway and stop in at shops whenever you like. There are at least a couple of candy shops where you can watch taffy being made (there's one in the front of the Village shopping area). She might or might not enjoy the aquarium - I sure enjoyed it though. It's geared toward kids, and you can pet sting rays and crabs and that kind of thing, in addition to the shark tunnel and other exhibits.

If you'd rather stay somewhere calmer, there are tons of cabins both around Gatlinburg and around Townsend ("the quiet side of the Smokies").

This is all so helpful! My daughter loves animals, so the petting zoo and the aquarium are both promising.

Gatlinburg has a trolley.

Link: http://www.ci.gatlinburg.tn.us/transit/trolley.htm

G & P are both very touristy, so be ready for some traffic. We live nearby and love going there.

siena, This is one of our favorite places to visit (We have been 4 times now). We always get a cabin (there are hundreds of them). Our daughter, 9yo, loves it there. Our favorite things are:

Dollywood
Picnic at Chimney tops picnic area in GSMNP (Easy to drive to, wonderful scenery).
Drive up to Newfound gap if weather is nice.
Dixie Stampede
Black Bear Jamboree
Aquarium (very well done)

The Laurel falls trail is a nice hike but it is about a 3 mile R/T. Our daughter was about 5 when we did it and it a bit much for her.

Here is a great map for the park.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Trail%20map%2008.pdf

Definitely stop at Sugarlands visitor center before going into the park.

Will answer any specific ?? you may have. Enjoy your visit.

Hi there-
I know this is an old post, but we are traveling to the Smoky Mountains with our 2 year old and are not sure where to stay. I'm wondering if you liked where you ended up staying or have a recommendation for not-to-be-missed toddler fun. We're torn between a quiet cabin in the woods or a hotel with an indoor swimming pool....