I need that Mountain Magic in my life.

Planning that last minute trip to Tennessee to see the fall foliage isn't as hard as you might think.

I am such a look at the leaves type of person. Every year as they start to change by my house, my soul starts to crave the mountain air of Tennessee. Occasionally, that whim leads to a last second weekend trip to Tennessee to see those colors at their finest. Normally, I recommend that you plan your fall trip to the mountains as soon as possible. However, I also live in the real world surrounded by teenagers. Some things are thrown together last second with a hope and a prayer. So here are my tips for planning that spontaneous trip to Tennessee.

Lodging:

Step one...where the heck are we staying?

One thing you will have to accept with last minute travel is that you are probably going to pay a little more for that hotel or cabin. It's just fact that the earlier you book the better the rate. That doesn't mean there isn't hope. A recent search I did today left me with a ton of options to choose from ranging from $500 for the weekend and up. With so many free activities to do in Gatlinburg, it's easy to find a balance on the cost.

For us, I normally try to find an Air BnB less than 30 mins from Downtown Gatlinburg. The balance between being in the mountains, but close enough for all the activities is perfect for us. Consider going smaller in size and making kids sleep on an air mattress to help cut some costs. It's just for the weekend, and a lot of places are fine with the arrangement. If you're planning on staying at a hotel closer to the city Expedia is a great place to snag last second rooms. Read through public reviews! They're going to paint the clearest picture for you before booking.

Activities:

Now that you've got your hotel booked let's plan the fun!

A huge benefit of the Gatlinburg area is the fact that most of the events don't require reservations ahead of time. A quick search for dinner theatre tickets only two days in advance left me with a ton of options for seats. Dollywood and Anakeesta also both had weekend tickets available. So there is no shortage of places to check out.

For me I am a big fan of free or cheap options when visiting Gatlinburg. Especially on whim trip where I haven't had the time to work extra hours and save. Cheap doesn't have to mean boring either. Here are some of my favorite go to activities that won't break the bank, and they're last-minute travel plan friendly!

Hiking- I could go on for days about the magic that the mountains have to offer. A quick google search will show you a huge list of hiking trails, but I love the Roaring Fork area. Gorgeous views, and stunning fall colors. Keep in mind that parking does fill up at a lot of the popular spots. Get there early and have a plan B for another hiking spot if full.

Cades Cove- This drivable loop is a must to see those gorgeous colors. Though often crowded, it's still an amazing place to visit this time of year. Pack a lunch in a cooler and make a day of it!

Shopping- There are limitless options when it comes to shopping in the area. I love me a good day of window shopping, but it's also not hard to find some really unique stuff at a reasonable cost. Set a budget for everyone. Then stick to it. Make sure to check out the artisan shops loop by The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community.

Sugarlands Visitor Center- The homeschool Mama in me really enjoyed the educational aspect of Sugarlands. It's a great starting point for some hiking too!

Planned or unplanned a weekend trip to Gatlinburg always creates lasting memories. So what are you waiting for? Get packing!