No Money, No Problem: Eleven Penny Pinching Plans for Your Gatlinburg Vacation

Vacations can be a chance to splurge on the most extravagant things if you have more than enough set aside. On the other hand, the mountains are always calling, so sometimes you want to make an impromptu visit when you don’t necessarily have the funds for fun. Help is on the way! Here are a few penny pinching plans to ease your financial obligations in Gatlinburg and The Smoky Mountains.

1. Wine and Moonshine Tastings

It’s not everyone’s bag, but moonshine and wine tastings are fun if you keep it responsible. As of this writing, the wine tastings are free, and the cider places are too, except if you want to explore a few more exclusive flavors. The moonshine experience comes with a $5 price tag, but you get it back with the voucher. At Sugarlands Distilling, you can use as many as you want for any purchase in-store, but Ole Smoky Moonshine has a limit of 2 per purchase. Advantage: Sugarlands.

2. Free Samples

Many places still offer samples of their products. I don’t want to list them all so I’ll let you do a little surprise shopping in the snack and dessert places to light up the sweet tooth. I know a few places got a little uneasy with COVID and put a halt to the “anything goes” approach, but Gatlinburg still has a strong reputation of being sample happy.

3. Hiking in the Smokies

In a few months it’ll cost to park in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but it remains admission free. You can explore some of the hundreds of miles of available hiking trails as often as you like for no money at all. I always recommend getting out into the fresh air of the great outdoors for at least a day no matter what the weather is like. Always prepare by checking conditions of roads and by wearing the appropriate attire for a day or days of mental resetting.

4. Window Shopping

No one says you have to buy anything when you’re exploring Gatlinburg. I find it just as enjoyable to window shop as buying that one-of-a-kind item. You’ll uncover some gems, also, just as much as you’re to find cheap souvenirs that are replicated in multiple shop along the Parkway. Look carefully and don’t be tempted by anything you see.

5. No Parking Fees for Hotel Stays in Town

What some people that haven’t visited Gatlinburg don’t know is that, to my knowledge, nobody charges for parking at their hotel. That’s right, if you’re okay with tons of walking during your stay, you don’t have to deal with the migraine headache of finding a parking spot if you stay in town. It’s as much as $20-25 to park in certain lots, so keep that at the top of your list when it comes to saving money.

6. Coupon Books

They have them inside and outside many businesses along the Parkway, and they can be valuable for saving a few bucks on your trip. Sales tax here is 10% minimum, and it sure can add it quickly. Grab as many as you can to take advantage of offers that many businesses make available to customers.

7. Hotel Breakfast

I would never tell anyone to stay away from some of the delicious breakfast restaurants in Gatlinburg, but a few days of eating at your hotel can easily save you $100 or more, depending on your family size. Some places even give you a full all-you-can-eat Southern homestyle breakfast. The historic Gatlinburg Inn comes to mind, and you may not be tempted to dip deep into the wallet for breakfast out after this day starter. Heck, it might even save you another meal you were planning for the day.

8. Pack Your Own Snacks

It sounds convenient, but it’s also easy to forget when you’re packing other necessities for your trip to Gatlinburg. We always pack snacks, and that can also include cold meat sandwiches, chips, and crackers for an easy and light meal replacement that might otherwise be spent in town at a not-so-cheap restaurant. There’s no shame in doing this, and your waistline might thank you, making it easier to resist the many temptations that line the Parkway.

9. Purchase Tickets for Attractions Online

I don’t do the coupon apps, but this is an option you can research when it comes to saving dough in Gatlinburg. If you plan to do Ripley’s attractions, they have special bundling values for visiting multiple attractions on your visit, so that may help. Also, doing this in advance means less money you need when you’re here. If you already have your dates set, ordering online gives you the option of buying without necessarily dipping into the vacation account if the finances are good at that current time.

10. Save Leftovers for Later

This is a popular thing for us to do, and quite easy when you see the portion sizes at many restaurants in Gatlinburg. Never refuse the styrofoam to-go container unless you absolutely hated your meal, but this won’t happen often at all. I’m disheartened every time I see tables with food barely half-eaten when we visit a restaurant here. So much good food that will be trashed and wasted, but hopefully not meant for a wandering bear, but that’s a topic for another post. Anyway, it obviously will save you another meal that comes with a hefty cost to your purse, wallet, or bank account.

11. Go During the Winter

Yes, we’re heading into the off season in Gatlinburg, and that means cheaper prices for hotels, condos, cabins, and whatever you need for the comforts of your home away from home. Of course, we’re heading into what’s known as Hell Week (the period from Christmas to New Year’s Day), so after that, you’ll be able to take advantage of much more affordable options, and more manageable crowds in town during the months of January, February, and the early part of March.

I hope you gained some knowledge about how to save money on your Gatlinburg trip! If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing for free and upgrading to a paid one to help boost the content quality of my work. You’ll be updated via email every time I publish a new article. Thanks a bunch, and happy holidays, everyone!