Wilderness at the Smokies: Spring Break Family Fun

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family fun

Our family loves to create experiences, memories, and traditions. It’s important to us to not just give our kids “things” but instead to invest in nurturing relationships within our family. One way to do this is by getting away as a family just to focus on spending time together. A couple of weeks ago we went to Pigeon Forge on a mini getaway for Spring Break and had an absolute blast. One of our favorite places to stay is Wilderness at the Smokies. With kids of varying ages, it’s not always easy to find a place that offers fun for the entire family. However, Wilderness at the Smokies offers fun for everyone with an indoor adventure park and an indoor/outdoor waterpark. Plus, with a family of 6, the accommodations are roomy for our entire family.
wilderness at the smokies pictures of rooms

We stayed in two adjoining rooms. The first part of the room was a hotel room, with a pull-out couch, a full bathroom, and a mini kitchen area with a stovetop and mini-fridge. Both of the big kids got their own beds, and a portal crib was provided for our two yr old.

wilderness at the smokies Murphy bed

The hotel room is adjoined to a studio-type suite complete with a full bathroom, full kitchen, fireplace, couch, and a Murphy bed. I can’t believe I missed getting a pic of the sofa area and fireplace. Chalk it up to getting a lot of people settled who was itching to get to the waterpark. This accommodation was a great option for our family since everyone had their own space to sleep, and we weren’t right on top of each other.

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Although we had vacationed at Wilderness at the Smokies before we had never taken advantage of the 25,000 sq. ft. indoor, dry family adventure centerAdventure Indoor Forest. The Adventure Forest provides unlimited admission with All Day, and All Stay passes.

Activities Include:

  • Tree Top Towers – a 3 story ropes course
  • Fury in the Forest –  laser tag in the black light, multi-level arena
  • Mount Wild – a climbing wall with an area for all skill levels
  • Copperhead Lazer Maze – twist, duck and dive through all the lasers
  • Daredevils Drop – a ride for the little ones that lifts off and descends
  • Moonshine Run – 9 holes of black light mini-golf
  • Howlin’ Hound Dog Alley – mini bowling
  • Cubs Climbing Den – the largest climbing, playing, and interactive playhouse in East Tennessee
  • Mega Arcade – is filled with over 100 games, for all ages

Here are some of our favorite activities in the Adventure Forest. It is definitely a must-do!

kids playing in pigeon forge

While I fed the baby and the two yr old took a nap my hubby, and the big kids played mini-golf at moonshine run. It was a little too dark inside to get a good pic, but he was able to capture this fun pic of the big kids.

little girl sliding down slide smiling

I just love this look of unabandoned joy on her face. The Cubs Den is the perfect indoor playground that is full of climbing ropes, tube slides, and more.

adventure forest ropes course

My hubby is afraid of heights so I knew he’d sit out the ropes course. I, on the other hand, love the thrill of a ropes course. However, my equilibrium is out of whack from my ruptured eardrum, so I had to sit out. It’s amazing how much my big kids have conquered their fear of heights. They took the ropes course like a boss.

climbing wall with kids

The Mount Wall Climbing wall was no easy feat. Even with different levels of difficulty, it was still challenging.

dad helping little girl bowl

After spending time in the climbing areas, it was time to settle down on the ground for some bowling fun. Our toddler has never been able to bowl, but the bowling area is a mini bowling lane with small bowling balls that she could hold. Can you tell by the look on her face how much she enjoyed it? We each had a bowling lane since it wasn’t crowded and bowled to our heart’s content.

kids playing at an arcade at wilderness at the smokies

The Mega Arcade is filled with over 100 games for all ages. Of course, my son loved anything interactive, and an old favorite is always ski ball.

wilderness at the smokies water park

Wild Waterdome Indoor Waterpark is a new state-of-the-art 66,000 square foot facility with a see-through roof that makes you feel like you are outside. My eardrum had ruptured the week before. Therefore I wasn’t able to get close to the water. I was so disappointed as I LOVE water slides. The Wild Waterdome Indoor Waterpark is very versatile for all ages. Here, my big kids are playing with our two-year-old in the kiddie area.

water park with dad and kid playing

Washout Mountain is a multi-leveled water play feature that my toddler loved with two slides, lots of spraying features, enormous tipping bucket, water cannons, and water soakers. My hubby stood by as our baby girl climbed up and down and up and down and up and down.

dad and kids at wave park

One of my kids’ favorite areas to play is the Great Wave. You can ride waves, jump on an inner-tube, or sit by the shore.

waterslides

Pure exhilaration is what you see here. Since my hubby took care of the toddler, and I had the baby, our big kids got to ride waterslides to their heart’s content. Then the toddler wanted to be like the big kids and sit on the inner tubes.

mom holding baby and dad holding toddler

I missed getting to ride water slides with the big kids, but I’m so glad they had fun. Last time we were at Wilderness at the Smokies we only had two kids. It’s crazy that we have doubled that number to four. This is what a large part of our day looked like, and I’m okay with that as I know this season will end all too quickly.

retail stores at wilderness at the smokies

In addition to retail stores, paint your own pottery, full-service restaurants, jet boat adventure, and golf, you’ll also find a fitness center and area attraction tickets. We took full advantage of the Krispy Kreme donuts because we love donuts (who doesn’t) and it was a vacation, which means we can splurge a bit. There are several restaurants, snack bars, vending machines and Wilderness Indoor Dining available.

schedule of activities at wilderness at the smokies

If crafts and activities are your thing, there is plenty to choose from at Molly & Monty’s Kraft Korner. Some items require a nominal charge. I’ve included the March schedule above to give you an idea of the wide variety of crafts and activities that are available.

smokies splashing getaway

And the question I receive most often…..are there specials and discounts available? Of course! Simply click here to find all available discounts. Make sure to note if you are military.

All in all, we absolutely loved our trip to Wilderness at the Smokies. It is a perfect getaway for my family chock full of fun and activities to keep us busy without ever having to leave the resort. If you visit when the weather is warmer, there are also two outdoor waterparks. Overall it’s a destination that my kids ask year after year if we can visit.

eating in the restaurant at wilderness at the smokies

My favorite part of getting away as a family is spending time with those I love the most. My hubby and four kids (the baby is in the carrier beside me) are the absolute joy of my life, and nothing warms my heart more than to create traditions and memories together. Memories from vacations or just a night or two away last a lifetime. It’s so worth investing in my family.

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2 Comments

  1. I enjoyed reading about your spring break vacation, I sent it to Mindy, They were talking about going there, Your post opened up lots of ideas for adventures,

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