Gatlinburg TN Area Information

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Easter Sunrise at Ober Gatlinburg

Easter at Ober Gatlinburg is the best way to celebrate Easter morning, April 12. They have an early morning service complete with complimentary tram service to the top of the resort starting at 5:45am. Tram service is available in 15 minute intervals until 7:00am. Residents and tourists alike will be at the Easter Services at Ober and everyone is encouraged to come. The service will be approximately 30-40 minutes long.

There will be a breakfast buffet available as well. The breakfast includes an omelet station, French toast, pancakes, fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits, scrambled eggs, sausage gravy, cereal, muffins, orange juice, milk, coffee and tea. It’s a full breakfast and will be served from 7:00 am until 10:30am. The price is $6.95 (plus tax) for adults and $3.95 (plus tax) for children 10 and under.

It’s a great way to enjoy Sunday Easter services if you’ll be in one of our Gatlinburg cabins. It’s a truly unique experience. Everyone is welcome!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Smoky Arts and Crafts Community 2009

The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community will be holding their Easter/Spring Arts and Crafts show from April 8-11, 2009. It is hosted by the Gatlinburg Crafts community which is the largest group of independent artisans in North America. If you haven’t attended one of their shows yet or visited them at their shops it’s a great time to do so!

Their Arts and Crafts Shows offer you plenty of arts, entertainment and history for the area. You can choose from many different gifts to take home or souvenirs from your trip. There are over 100 artisans specializing in pottery, clothing, weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, paintings, candles, frames, etc. You’re sure to find something to take home with you. Many of the artisans will custom make any type of souvenir you want. They have been around for years and much of their work reflects the Smoky Mountain Heritage. Their families have been in crafts for many years and the tradition continues. The Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community is located on an 8 mile loop only 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg on East Parkway.

This show will be held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center where are the artisans will have a booth set up. You can find them all under one roof! You can explore the different booths and watch as they make their arts. The great thing about this show is that it is free. If you see them at the Easter/Spring Show and liked what you saw then be sure you visit them the next time you’re in town.

Cabins For You offers many Gatlinburg cabins along East Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg TN. Be sure you check out our cabins for your stay in the Smokies and make sure you check out the Arts and Crafts Community during their Easter/Spring Arts and Crafts Show or along their 8 mile loop!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Springfest 2009

One of the most refreshing times to visit the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg Tennessee is during Springfest. Starting in mid March to early June, Gatlinburg comes alive with beautiful spring weather. You can literally see the city transform from winter to spring. Eveything goes from being dorment to a lush greens, yellows and oranges. The spring weather in Gatlinburg will help refresh and rejuvenate your mind, soul and body.

Beside the beautiful weather and wonderful atmosphere Gatlinburg TN produces, there are several events that might spark your interest. These events are sure to help you get outside and see the quaint city of Gatlinburg. Some events in Springfest 2009 include Music of the Mountains, Arts and Crafts Community Show, Easter Sunrise at Ober, Wildflower Pilgrimage, Ribs and Wingfest and the Fine Arts Festival to name a few. Beside Christmas, this is the time to experience events and shows in Gatlinburg TN.

Another thing that might enable you to enjoy the crisp spring air is reserving the right cabin. There are plenty of cabins in Gatlinburg TN, but not all are worthy of spring and your money. A few suggestions for a cabin rental during spring include cabins with mountain views or river views. There is nothing like relaxing on the porch looking out at the Smoky Mountains or a rushing river. These two options will almost insure a great Gatlinburg vacation.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

2nd Mountain Man March

American is in a historical turning point in our nations history. From the wars in Iraq/Afghanistan to our trouble economy to our expensive health care system, we are seeing things change on a daily basis. However, one thing remains true and that is our freedom as a country. As a country, we owe a lot of thanks to the men and women of our armed forces. To help give thanks, come to Gatlinburg TN and participate in the second annual Mountain Man March to be held in downtown Gatlinburg Tennessee.

On Saturday April 4, 2009, Gatlinburg TN will celebrate the Mountain Man March. The Mountain Man March is a 26.2 mile march. The 26.2 mile trek starts in downtown Gatlinburg TN and proceeds up 321 towards the Pittman Center. The course includes stretches of highway, rural roads, rugged terrain and mountain slopes.

The event honors 1LT Frank Walkup who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in 2007. Inspired by the Bataan Memorial Death March, the concept has turned into a tribute to all military service members. The UT Army ROTC conceived this Gatlinburg Event to commemorate all those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice.

The Mountain Man March has 3 entry categories. They are military heavy, military light and civilian. The fee is $50 per individual or $200 per team of five. The entry fee covers several things including a light breakfast, water, T-Shirt and a BBQ meal at the finish line.

For more information, please visit the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce. If you are interested in our cabin rentals, please visit our Gatlinburg cabins page.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

59th Wildflower Pilgrimage

Join Gatlinburg TN as they celebrate the 59th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. It will be April 22-26 this year. If you missed out on the past 58 years and want to know what the Wildflower Pilgrimage is then continue reading! This 5 day event celebrates the beauty of the wildlife. There are wildflowers everywhere and you can take a walk, do a motorcade, take an art class, listen to a seminar or test out your photography skills on the surrounding wildlife. The habitat of the Smokies is on protected land. A majority of all the programs and seminars you have the options to choose from are held outdoors.

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage starts on Wednesday, April 22, with a luncheon at W.L. Mills Conference Center. That day over 150 programs will begin and continue through Sunday, April 26. This event will be lead by professionals that are employed by the National Park Service and many amateur naturalists.

Choose from the programs based on time of day. You have choices between morning, afternoon, evening or even all day classes! Classes are listed on their website by date and time at www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org. The classes all have different meeting areas and difficulties. The description of the programs are listed on the website. If there’s a seminar you’re especially interested in but can’t make it to all 5 days of the Wildflower Pilgrimage don’t worry. Many of the popular courses do repeat throughout the event dates. These are referenced under “similar programs”. If you don’t want to be outdoors the whole time there are classes and seminars held at the W.L. Mills Convention Center located in downtown Gatlinburg TN. Some of the programs do have an admission fee.

Sign up for the programs early or wait until you arrive in Gatlinburg TN to see which ones you want to take part in. Registration on site will be at W.L. Mills Conference Center. They will have a list of the programs available there or you can visit the website. Advanced registration is an option and you can do that via their website or over the phone. All the information will be listed on their website.

Transportation to the convention center where many of the programs will begin is not provided so be sure you have a mode of transportation. No refunds will be issues for those who are unable to make their program date. All funds do benefit the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage expenses.

Cabins For You does offer many Gatlinburg cabins. Book your cabin for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage as soon as possible. There are several cabins within walking distance of the W.L. Mills Conference Center. Leave your car parked at the cabin and walk. We also offer many cabins that have a trolley service near them so you could take the trolley to the Conference Center. If you do drive your own vehicle please note that there is limited parking at the Convention Center and many of the trail heads. Make sure you attend the 59th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Music of the Mountains

The city of Gatlinburg TN and the Great Smoky Mountains Association welcomes the fourth annual “Music of the Mountains” festival to be held on March 28. This festival reflects on the southern Appalachian Mountain music and will be full of entertainment for you to enjoy! There will be many artists playing at the National Park’s Sugarlands Visitor Center and Jimbo Whaley will also be performing at the W.L. Mills Conference Center located in downtown Gatlinburg TN.

The “Music of the Mountains” festival will begin at 10am the morning of March 28. Many different performers will be entertaining you throughout the day such as Tony Thomas, Lost Mill String Band, Boogertown Gap, etc. They will be showcasing their talents until 4pm. The Sugarland Center can only hold up to 160 people so be sure you get there before all the good seats are gone. These concerts are all free to enjoy!

Be sure you make your way down to W.L. Mills Conference Center before 6:30pm or you’ll miss Jimbo Whaley and Friends performing for the audience. Jimbo Whaley is a bluegrass and gospel musician from Sevier County. He and his music are native to the Smoky Mountains and his ancestors lived in the Gatlinburg area before the National Park was established. His music is a taste of the Great Smoky Mountain musical styling that has evolved through the years. The tickets to attend this portion of the “Music of the Mountains” festival will be $20 per ticket if ordered In advance and $25 at the door (ticket sales will begin at 6:00pm that day). All people who purchase tickets will receive gifts from Jimbo Whaley. They will be taking home his new CD, a door prize, and many other giveaways that will be announced during the concert.

If you’ll be in Gatlinburg TN on March 28 then the “Music of the Mountains” festival will be a great event for you to attend. It is family friendly and a great way to enjoy a day that is budget-friendly.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Gatlinburg Gateway Triathlon

Gatlinburg TN is welcoming the third annual Gatlinburg Gateway Triathlon to be held on March 28 this year. This is a competition testing the participating athletes in swimming, biking and running. The competition is open for anyone 15 years old and up.

If you think you are able to swim for .5 miles, bicycle for twenty kilometers and then run for 5 kilometers then you are able to register for this competition. All of these activities will be performed consecutively. Awards will be given at the end of the competition and there are multiple categories. There is a men and women’s division, and a mixed team relay event. You do have to register for this event in advance.

For more information on how to enter this event or ask any questions you may have please call 865-436-4990. The event begins at 8:15am so be sure you’re there on time! If you or someone you know will be in the event be sure you have a place for lodging. We have many Gatlinburg cabins that can sleep anywhere between one to 53 people. Don’t let this event pass you by.