Gatlinburg TN Area Information

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Travel On A Budget

In possibly the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, America has found itself cutting back and desperately searching for ways to save money. All across America people are riding bikes, using coupons and cutting up credit cards. Frugality has become a “cool” epidemic sweeping the United States. While all this is great and probably needed, it can become very tiresome and difficult to maintain. Although vacations can be the first discretionary spending to be cut, if planned well, they can add a lot of stress relief to a hectic time period in American culture. I can here you now. How can I take a vacation when all my money goes to bills and debt? Well, listen up. There are several places that you can travel to on less than a few hundred bucks. One destination not to over look is Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Gatlinburg Tennessee is less than a day’s drive from over half of the US. This means that you might only have to spend about $60.00 for a one way trip to Gatlinburg. This beats the heck out flying to Hawaii or the Florida Keys. Plus, a scenic drive through Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains will add some fun to your vacation.

One large expense of your vacation can be finding the place to lay your head at night. Gatlinburg is full of cabins. Definitely hundreds, and possibly thousands of Gatlinburg cabins are available for rent. If you are willing to spend the time and research, you should be able to find a cabin for less than $100 a night. In fact, most Gatlinburg cabin rental companies offer budget cabins. Most are still nice and very comfortable, but they might not come equipped with a big screen TV or several game tables. You might have to sacrifice some amenities, but remember you really need a vacation not a few added amenities.

Food can also be a large vacation cost if you do not plan properly. You are going to eat and spend money for food regardless, so what is the difference on whether you are at home or in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Take some food and save some of the weekend’s grocery money to spend in Gatlinburg TN.

One last thing that can eat up money is attractions. Here is a helpful hint. One of the most visited attractions in Gatlinburg and the United States is the Great Smoky Mountains. There are over 800 miles of hiking trails. This wonderful attraction is free and can be very fun for the entire family. In fact, the Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in America.

This vacation will not fix all your problems or make life perfect during this rough trial America is going through. However, this short weekend getaway will help revive your energy and remind you why you are working so hard.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Trolley Ride Of Lights

Although not the most heavily visited season of the year, winter might be the season with the most active schedule. Gatlinburg TN offers numerous of activities including Winterfest, Arts and Craft, Winter Magic, Fantasy of Lights, Special Olympics and Trolley Ride of Lights.

The Trolley Ride of Lights is a guided ride through Gatlinburg's spectacular Winter Magic lighting displays. This guided tour is in operations from November 5, 2008 - January 31, 2009. Departure of the Trolley Ride of Lights is at the Mass Transit Center at Ripley's Plaza. Tours leave nightly at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The tour is not in operation during certain dates including December 5, 24, 25 & 31. The Trolley Ride of Lights runs only on Saturdays during January. For more information or reservations please call 865-436-0535.

For more information regarding reservations of our Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge cabins during December, please call our office at 1-800-684-7865.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Christmans on Ice

During December 6-7, Ober Gatlinburg will be hosting is annual Christmas on Ice Show. This Christmas show features local amateur skaters performing ice skating routines. These local performers will be skating to traditional Christmas. All ice skating routines will be choreographed by rink instructor Devon Harman. Show time on Saturday evening is 7 P.M. and show time on Sunday is 5 P.M. For more information contact Ober Gatlinburg at 865-436-5423. Admission for this event is free and will be entertaining for the entire family.

The ice skating rink at Ober Gatlinburg is the center piece of the 62,000 square foot upper Tram Terminal and Mall. This ice skating rink is open year round.

For more information regarding our Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge cabins, please call a reservation specialist today at 1-800-684-7865.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ski Saftey 2008

There has to be a large possibility that some of the almost 11 million annual visitors to the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountain area like to ski. I would have to make an assumption that most of those visitors don’t know that there is a ski slope at Ober Gatlinburg. Yeah, I know that it is not the same as Jackson Hole or Aspen, but it is still skiing. Ober Gatlinburg is worth checking out once if you like to ski. You might find that it is well worth your money and time. With the winter months approaching, give Ober Gatlinburg a call and make reservations today.

With so many possible skiers at Ober Gatlinburg, there are few tips that to ensure you and your group stays safe on the slopes. These guidelines are listed below and can help you in any emergency situation.
  1. Stay in control, always! Know how to stop and/or avoid objects and other people on the slopes. If you feel as though you are not ready to ski on the slopes then do not. This activity can endanger yourself and others that are around you.
  2. It your responsibility to remember that the people that are ahead of you always have the right of way. You have to be able to avoid these people on the slopes. Remember, they cannot see you coming.
  3. If you are on a trail and you have to stop for any reason make sure you are out of the way of others on the slope. If you cannot see people above you then they probably cannot see you. Remember, this rule can help protect you and others from injury.
  4. When you are skiing down a hill, look around and use caution to the other skiers in your area. This rule is also used when you need to merge onto another trail.
  5. Always be sure to use each piece of equipment properly. Anything that prevents “runaway” equipment is useful in keeping yourself and other’s out of harms way.
  6. Look around you and read the posted signs and warnings in the area. If a trail is closed, you must to stay off of it. The signs, warning and closed trails are posted to protect you.
  7. Be sure you understand how to properly load and unload yourself and your equipment from a ski lift.

If you follow these seven simple guidelines then your skiing experience at Ober Gatlinburg in Gatlinburg Tennessee will a be success.

Please keep in mind that even though winter is not the busiest time of the year, the slopes and more popular Gatlinburg cabins are booked. If you are specifically looking to reserve a cabin in Gatlinburg during the winter, please book ahead. For more information, please call our reservation specialists today at 1.800.684.7865.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Thanksgiving at Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg isn’t just for skiing. You can find snowboarding, ice skating and shopping as well. However, if you’ll be in the area on November 27, 2008 (Thanksgiving Day), you’re invited to a Thanksgiving Dinner at Ober Gatlinburg! It’s true. Go ski to your hearts content and then retire to the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant to eat your Thanksgiving Dinner with your loved ones.

If you’re not having a traditional family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner, or maybe you just don’t feel like cooking, then this is ideal for you and your loved ones. Reservations are not required but if you have questions you may call Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant at 865-436-5423.

This is an actual Thanksgiving dinner. You can choose from roast turkey, honey glazed ham, delicious dressing, whipped and sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, buttered rolls, and even pumpkin or pecan pie! It will be a warm meal and best of all you won’t have to do the dishes!

This will occur between 11am and 6pm on Thursday, November 27, 2008. There’s no need to settle for anything less than a great Thanksgiving meal. Who else could say they got to eat Thanksgiving dinner at Ober Gatlinburg? The price for adults will be $12.95 plus tax (per person) and children 12 and under will be $7.95 plus tax (per child). Join Ober Gatlinburg as they celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Fantasy of Light Christmas Parade

For some fun anyone in your family could enjoy, be sure you’re near the streets in downtown Gatlinburg TN for a parade! The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be held on December 5, 2008 this year. This is the 33rd year in a row that Gatlinburg TN has held this winter celebration. It is part of the Winterfest activities, so you’ll be sure to see plenty of wintertime scenes depicted during this parade. The floats will have over one million lights blinking at you and your loved ones as you watch over 100 floats pass by you. Local shops are entering their floats into this parade and will have some colorful advertisements for you to see. Everyone in your family would love to see this parade from young to old.

As with every parade you will get to see many Christmas time characters as they ride or walk by you in their floats or on foot. All of the floats will be colorful and elaborate so you won’t be disappointed. There will be a marching band serenading you as it walks along in the parade. There will also be huge helium balloons floating by as well.

Don't worry, Santa will be in Gatlinburg for this parade. All of the believers will love getting to see Santa and Mrs. Claus as they ride by in their float. Later you might even see them as they walk along the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg going in and out of stores visiting and finding out who has been naughty and who has been nice. Take pictures, give gift requests and have a talk with Santa while he visits Gatlinburg TN.

If you’ll be in town on December 5 of this year then this is definitely something you won’t want to miss. This parade will begin at 7:30 pm so bundle up and head downtown to claim your spot and get ready for the parade.
Our Gatlinburg cabins in Gatlinburg Tennesse book relatively fast, so please give us a call if you are looking to visit Gatlinburg Tennessee during december! You can reach our reservation specialists at 1.800.684.7865.