It can be tough to keep everyone entertained all the time on vacation. After a full day at Dollywood, in the national park or on the Parkway, you just want to get back to the cabin and wind down. The good news: a cabin gives you plenty to do, so you’ll never hear those dreaded words, “I’m bored!” Here are 10 ideas for making the most of the in-between time, with how we’ve set up Firefly Hollow Cabin for each one.

1. Go for a nature walk

Take in the sights and sounds of the forest with a slow stroll near the cabin. Look for wildlife, listen to the birds and breathe the mountain air. It’s a great way to bond as a family and stretch your legs after a day in the car or the parks.

2. Take a soak in the hot tub

Relax after a long day of sightseeing and swap stories about the day. Try the “best part, worst part” game: everyone shares the high and low of their day. Our hot tub sits on its own screened deck with privacy walls and a view of the woods.

3. Cuddle up by the fireplace

Enjoy the warm glow of the fire and some quality time with the people you love. Put on some music and turn down the lights; bonus points if it’s snowing outside. Firefly Hollow Cabin has two gas fireplaces, one upstairs and one downstairs, so there’s no wood to haul.

4. Family meals

Fire up the grill for your favorite dinner, or start the day with a big breakfast before the adventures begin. Meals around one big table are the best time to catch up with everyone, and the full kitchen means you’re not fighting for a restaurant table on the Parkway at 6 PM. That’s three generations of our own family above, around the cabin’s dining table.

5. Family game night

Gather around the table for board games, card games, poker or a puzzle. Without the distractions of home, it’s a great chance for quality time. Our Infinity touchscreen game table has the classic board games built in, and there’s a shelf of boxed games too, so there’s always something to play.

6. Share a movie night

Pop some popcorn, make snacks and snuggle up. If bad weather keeps you in, or you just need a day to unwind, a family movie is a great way to spend it together. Downstairs, there’s a 4K TV, a Blu-ray player, a soundbar and a gas fireplace, with sofas for the whole crew. It’s just as good for the big game.

7. Arcade competition

Who can set the high score? Retro arcade games are back, and even the grown-ups can’t resist a classic. Our 4-player arcade lets the whole family play at once, so keep an eye on those high scores and crown an arcade champion before you go home.

8. Relax

Read, nap, or just enjoy the quiet on the deck. If you don’t relax now, you’ll need a vacation from your vacation. The porch or deck is where everyone ends up; ours has rocking chairs looking out over the wooded ridge, plus a screened-in porch.

9. Ping-pong, foosball and more

A little small-stakes competition goes a long way. Kids love ping-pong and foosball, and not everyone has room for those tables at home. In our game room they’re side by side, so you can run a tournament.

10. Go outside and stargaze

Grab a blanket and some hot chocolate (or something a little stronger) and head outside to watch the stars. Listen to the night sounds of the forest, and in early summer, enjoy the twinkling show from the fireflies. It’s a great way to end the day.

The fireflies are where Firefly Hollow Cabin gets its name. Every summer they light up the woods at dusk, and in the national park, the famous synchronous fireflies flash in unison for a couple of weeks each year.

The in-between time

There’s no shortage of things to do around Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville; there’s so much that you’ll need a return trip to see it all (start with our 15 best things to do with kids). But don’t forget the memories made before and after those big days out. That’s the real benefit of renting a cabin: everything to do between visits to the attractions. The in-between time at the cabin just might be the most memorable part of your trip.

Every bedroom at Firefly Hollow Cabin has its own en-suite bathroom, it sleeps 11, and it’s minutes from Soaky Mountain, the convention center and the Parkway. See the cabin or check your dates below.