With a black bear as the town’s symbol, Gatlinburg is a family vacation spot well-known in the southeastern United States, but just beginning to gain a national reputation.
Location is near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the big draw is to see one of the many black bears that live in the Park (and occasionally visit the town.)
Other family activities include the Space Needle (an elevator that takes you up, for open-air views) ; Ripley’s Aquarium; white river rafting; and fly fishing and river fishing.
As for affordable... Fairfield Inn and Suites - a new property in the heart of Gatlinburg-- has rooms as low as $75, on the internet; brand new Jackson Mountain Homes Cabins with two bedrooms, sleeping six, costs $195/night in high season (much less in other months.) And Smoky Mountain National Park is free.
- Read more about Gatlinburg, Tennessee in a guest article at Travel With Kids.
