Thanksgiving 2026 — Cramers & Snarrs

The Route

1Charlotte (game) → Blowing Rock93 mi · 1h45map ↗

2Blowing Rock → Pigeon Forge150 mi · ~3hmap ↗

3Pigeon Forge → Asheville (I-40 gorge is 1 lane each way — pad 30–45 min)96 mi · 2–2.5hmap ↗

4Asheville → AVL airport (Snarrs, Thu night)15 mi · 20mmap ↗

5Asheville → Charlotte (Cramers, Sunday)130 mi · 2hmap ↗

The Plan

SatNov 21Snarrs fly into Charlotte, on their own Sat & Sun morning.

SunNov 22🏈 Panthers vs. Ravens, 1:00 PM, Bank of America Stadium (tickets ~$85+). Drive to Blowing Rock after — dinner by 7, overnight.

MonNov 23Morning walk at Bass Lake / Moses Cone, then drive to the Pigeon Forge cabin. Dollywood evening lights if Monday wins the vote.

TueNov 24Dollywood day or Smokies day (vote below). Dollywood open 11 AM–9 PM both days — Smoky Mountain Christmas: 6M lights + drone show.

WedNov 25Drive to the Asheville house. Evening: Gingerbread display at Grove Park Inn (free) or Winter Lights (~$30–60/car, on sale Oct 1).

ThuNov 26🦃 Biltmore House in the morning (lightest-crowd day of the weekend; ~$80–110/adult, kids ≤9 free, youth 10–16 ~half). Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon (vote below). Snarrs overnight at an AVL airport hotel.

FriNov 27Snarrs fly home — American nonstop AVL→DFW (early AM). Cramers stay for the weekend.

Sat–SunNov 28–29Cramer weekend — downtown Asheville, Chimney Rock (reservations required) — home Sunday.

Houses (real listings — need a date check before booking)

Sun night · Blowing Rock

Meadowbrook Inn — downtown, book 4–5 rooms (~$150–250/room). Easiest 1-night play. live rates ↗
Paws A While — 6BR, sleeps 16, hot tub, between Boone & Blowing Rock. May have 2-night min — call about orphan nights.

Mon–Wed · Pigeon Forge area (2 nights)

Moonshine Mountain Lodge — 5BR/5.5BA, sleeps 22, game + theater room, 8-person hot tub. Wears Valley, ~20 min to Dollywood · $211–1,128/night range
The Great Getaway — 5BR, sleeps 14, game room, hot tub, minutes from Dollywood. From $191/night base; incl. free attraction tickets · 866-347-6659
Elkhorn Lodge — 5BR, sleeps 14, hot tub, game room. Cabins USA — rate shows after entering dates

Wed–Fri · Asheville (2 nights) — all include a free Biltmore daytime pass per paid night

Cool Stream Lodge — 6BR/6BA, sleeps 16: main lodge + separate 2BR guest cabin, two hot tubs. Perfect two-family setup · ~20 min to downtown
Pools of Sunshine — 5BR/3BA, sleeps 14, hot tub, fire pit. South Asheville, 22 min to Biltmore
Bobwhite Hill — 6BR/3BA, sleeps 15. Carolina Mornings · (828) 398-0712

Dollywood Prices (verified Aug 2026, from dollywood.com)

Ticket		Price
1-Day Pick-A-Day	Adult 10–61 / Child 4–9 & Senior	from $94.99 / $84.99
1-Day Good-Any-Day	works any 2026 day incl. peak	$99.99 / $89.99
2-Day Pick-A-Day	only ~$30 more than 1 day	from $124.99 / $114.99
Ages 3 & under		FREE
Parking	standard / preferred, per car	$25 / $55
Group rate (15+)	advance only — 1-888-428-6789	$68 / $58

We're 13 — two more takers makes 15, and group tickets beat regular by ~$27/each. Prices exclude ~9.75% TN tax. Thanksgiving-week Pick-A-Day dates price at the high end — check the exact day at dollywood.com/tickets.

Book-By Dates

Houses (Thanksgiving week sells out)		ASAP
Thanksgiving dinner reservations	open Sept–Oct; call direct for 13	Sept–Oct
Winter Lights tickets	on sale	Oct 1
Dollywood group sales call	2+ weeks ahead	by Nov 9
NFL flex check	kickoff could move; 12 days' notice	Nov 10

🗳️ Vote

Your name

1. Which day for Dollywood?

Monday Less crowded · afternoon rides + full evening of lights & drone show Tuesday Full 10 hours · historically the busier weekday

2. The other Smokies day — main event?

Cades Cove loop + short walks Wildlife drive, relaxed · info ↗ Alum Cave Trail 4.4-mi round trip, big payoff · info ↗ Gatlinburg day Anakeesta winter lights + SkyBridge · ~$40–75/person

3. Thanksgiving dinner?

Pack's Tavern buffet Downtown, great for big groups · $50 adult / $25 kid Omni Grove Park Inn buffet Gingerbread houses + giant fireplaces · ~$100+/adult Golden Hour at The Radical Michelin-recommended chef, smoked turkey · $65 / $40

Cramers & Snarrs · Thanksgiving 2026 · prices researched Aug 2026, subject to change