It’s easier than ever to connect with nature when you fly nonstop from BLV
With stunning foliage, peaceful waterfalls, and sweeping views, mountain vacations offer the perfect chance to relax and reconnect with nature — and flying from BLV makes planning your getaway easier and more affordable than ever.
Allegiant offers seasonal nonstop service between BLV and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee, placing vacationers right in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains and about 45 miles away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Named by the Cherokee people after the iconic blue fog that rises from the trees above the peaks of the mountains, it is the most visited national park in the country, ahead of Zion National Park in Utah.
Here are some of the best affordable mountain vacation destinations for families that are accessible from BLV when you fly into TYS.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee sits about an hour away from TYS and serves as one of the most popular gateways into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While entrance to the national park is free, parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. Parking tags are offered both at a daily rate ($5) and weekly rate ($15), so vacationing families can pick the most budget friendly option. Cell reception and wifi tend to be spotty within Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to its tower locations and the high volume of trees, so keep that in mind when planning activities within the park. 
Once inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find a wide range of free outdoor activities to enjoy. Cades Cove is one of the most popular scenic drives offered within the park, taking visitors on an 11-mile, one-way loop road with hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities and various historic sites, including homes, log cabins, cemeteries and churches available for visitors to stop and explore. Kuwohi (formerly Clingsmans Dome) is another great sightseeing opportunity available in the park. It boasts the highest point in Tennesse and the park itself, in addition to being the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi River. On clear days, hikers can visit the Kuwohi Observation Tower to catch a Smoky Mountain sunrise or sunset, with views that stretch for more than 100 miles.
If you’re looking for more outdoor adventures outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Panther Creek State Park offers beautiful sights steeped in historic charm. The State Park sits just about an hour north of Gatlinburg and is a significant landmark associated with the early European settlement in the region. Families can hike, bike, fish, swim, boat, go horseback riding, or play disc golf on the park’s 18-hole, championship disc golf course.
Gatlinburg has plenty to offer beyond its national parks — from scenic adventures to adrenaline-pumping fun. For a splash of adventure, families can enjoy thrilling whitewater rafting experiences on the Pigeon River suitable for all skill levels. Gatlinburg Skypark is home to the #1 lookout in Tennessee with the record-setting SkyBridge, which is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. Visitors can ride the iconic yellow chairlift up the side of a mountain and take in the stunning mountain views at the very top. Other attractions include Gatlinburg Moonshine Mountain Coaster Ride, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ober Mountain Aerial Tram, world-class golf courses and more. While planning your trip, be sure to check out travel websites and coupon sites as they often have unbeatable deals and discounted entry to popular Gatlinburg attractions.
Pigeon Forge
Located just 15 minutes from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is often mentioned alongside its neighbor — but it offers a unique lineup of family-friendly attractions all its own. Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, one of the most popular amusement parks in the U.S. Dollywood sits about 38 miles (or an hour drive) from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville. Due to its unique location in the heart of Tennessee, Dollywood offers classic theme park attractions with a Southern twist. The theme park hosts more than 50 rides, Southern-inspired dining experiences and award-winning live entertainment sure to encapsulate the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. 
Pigeon Forge is also home to The Island, a 23-acre entertainment, dining and shopping district. Parking and admission to The Island are free, making it the perfect destination for families and tourists looking to window shop or get a taste of Southern fun. Attractions within The Island include laser tag, arcades, rides, bumper cars, ropes courses, two Ferris wheels and more. It also features 48-hour unlimited ride wristbands available for purchase, helping families keep their mountain vacations budget-friendly. Other attractions in Pigeon Forge include Hollywood Wax Museum, Titanic Museum, Legacy Mountain Ziplines, various themed dinner shows and more. Similar to Gatlinburg, it’s worth checking out travel and coupon websites for deals or discounted tickets to popular Pigeon Forge attractions.
Another great thing about Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is the wide selection of vacation rentals. The area hosts its fair share of cabin rentals, mountain resorts, chalets, vistas and hotels, ensuring there’s an option for every family at every price point. Some lodging accommodations even offer exclusive vacation packages when you stay with them, offering discounted or free tickets to a number of different attractions when you book directly with them.
Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina, is situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. The popular mountain town sits just about two hours and thirty minutes away from Knoxville, connected by a scenic highway boasting a picturesque mountain landscape. While some parts of the area are still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s flooding, the community is open for visitors and eager to welcome tourism back to their beloved mountain vacation getaway.
Asheville is located in between Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Linville Falls and Pisgah National Forest, making it an ideal destination to visit if your family loves the outdoors. Pisgah National Forest is one of the best locations for mountain biking, covering more than 500,000 acres across western North Carolina and the southern Appalachian Mountains and offering fully customizable mountain bike adventures for every skill level. Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures offers half-day, full-day, multi-day and nighttime bike guided tours customized to individual taste and ability levels, perfect for families who want to enjoy a leisurely pace or for those seeking a challenge. Other notable free attractions in Asheville include Craggy Gardens, French Broad River, The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville Urban Trail and Botanical Gardens at Asheville.
Lake Lure, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the perfect day trip from Asheville at just an hour drive away. Lake Lure is known for its scenic beauty and hosts a variety of outdoor activities, including boating, hiking, ziplining, swimming, kayaking and more. Hot Springs, North Carolina, is another popular day trip destination from Asheville. Home to the only naturally occurring hot springs in North Carolina, spas in Hot Springs allow for vacationers to relax and refresh with natural hot mineral waters jetted into modern outdoor hot tubs.
Planning a mountain getaway doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Every trip should be unique, designed around what brings you and your family joy and relaxation. With convenient nonstop flights to Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and Allegiant make it easy and affordable to reach your ideal mountain vacation destination.
When you fly from BLV, you can spend less time stressing over travel and more time making unforgettable memories.
