Taking the Kids -- to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

AAA has just reported that low gas prices -- the lowest in 12 years -- is motivating American families to take road trips this summer. More than a third of Americans are planning to take a family vacation 50 miles away from home, AAA says.

Road trips (69 percent), national parks (49 percent) and theme parks (42 percent) are the most popular family trips and the area around Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the chance for all three.

"I think it is awesome to live in a tourist town because everyone knows where I'm from," said Gatlinburg native Sonni Rae, 10. Gatlinburg is surrounded on three sides by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are three entrances to the park right from downtown.

Even that time in the car getting here and exploring the park can be meaningful, kids suggested. "I like to ride around in the car and look at everything because I like to spend time with my mom and dad," said Summer, 10, from Mooresburg, Tennessee. Expect traffic. The 6,000 people who live in Pigeon Forge welcome 10 million visitors each year. There are even fewer full-time residents in Gatlinburg.

Take your pick of lodging beyond typical hotels -- camping in the national park, cabins, some with six bedrooms or more, The Inn at Christmas Place decorated for Christmas year-round and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort, which opened last year and is designed to help families connect, including through the oral tradition of storytelling with programs overseen by the International Storytelling Center headquartered in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Dolly Parton believes that storytelling can bring families together.

Dolly Parton, of course, is synonymous with this region and you can get a sense of her Tennessee Mountain Home upbringing at the theme park where you can visit the two-room replica of her childhood home without electricity or running water. You can also watch local craftsman -- potters, glassblowers, carvers -- work, ride the Lightning Rod, said to be the world's fastest rollers coaster, or sampling traditional local dishes.

"Eat at Miss Lillian's Chicken House in Dollywood. It has the best fried chicken!" said Andrew, 10, Knoxville, Tennessee.

The town of Pigeon Forge, in case you are wondering, takes its name from the Little Pigeon River, which got its name from all of the pigeons that once roosted on the banks. The forge part of the name comes from an iron forge built by an early settler.

Kids come from all over the country to play in baseball tournaments at the Ripkin Experience Pigeon Forge.

This area is as famous for crafts handed down from generation to generation as for the mountains and you can see artists at work in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community along the eight mile loop trail. (Take the free trolley from downtown Gatlinburg.) When was the last time you saw someone make a broom by hand?

Before you head home, treat yourselves to funnel cake. "Kids shouldn't go home without eating funnel cake here," said Matthew, 10, from Kingsport, Tennessee.

Have one for me.

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)