Gatlinburg, TN...Recommendations???

YES!! www.thistlebritches.com ... you'll be unable to go just once ;)

It's super close to all the fun touristy stuff (hope you like pancakes, there are pancake houses everywhere, YUM!!) The owners of the cabin keep it stocked with information for family friendly activities and must-sees, but it's just enough out of the way on the mountain where it's calm and peaceful and beautiful and gorgeous!!

PM me if you want more info, we've taken the family to this cabin quite a few times (7 hour trip) and absolutely LOVE it... have fun!! :)

@Amanda F, are you talking about Splash Mountain? (or is it Water Country?) ... that's right by this cabin I'm talking about, it's across the street from Dollywood.. SO FUN!

We used Aunt Bugs Cabin Rentals http://www.auntbugs.com/ twice and were happy. There are so many cabins to choose from. We have also stayed at the Park Vista which is a hotel but close to the tourist area of Gatlinburg. Check out the Gatlinburg website www.gatlinburg.com for plenty of ideas of what to do. We went pre-child so we spent more time hiking in the mountains than at the family-friendly places.

Inn at Christmas is an awesome hotel. I hear they are on hotwire. The pools are indoor and outdoor, Santa and Mrs. Claus are there, and it is so luxurious.

The shows are amazing, as good as Vegas with a family friendly touch.
We loved The Miracle(last year), Joseph and Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the chinese acrobats.

Also OBER Gatlinburg has the slides, indoor ice rink, ski lift, the tram.

Yes there are tons of pancake houses. IMO, Pancake Pantry is the best. There are lots of things to do there. Drive through Cades Cove, in the National Park. It is like an old settlement or something, they have old log cabins and churches preserved. You will see deer, maybe some bears, nature, beautiful mountains. Take a picnic lunch. We are going in October with some friends who have stayed in Gatlinburg at Huff's Motor Lodge. Clean and family friendly, and within walking distance of the main strip.
There is lots of shopping, outlets in Pidgeon Forge and Sevierville, which are right on your way to Gatlinburg. There's putt-putt golf, go-karts, Ripley's Aquarium is in Gatlinburg is supposed to be very nice, though I havent' personally been there. We have stayed in Chalet Village cabins several times before and they are online so you can see each cabin.

My aunt used to own a water slide down the side of a mountain there. She's sold it, but I'm sure it's still in business. I don't know the name of it - but you might try googling for that.