The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful place to visit, home to a huge variety of wildlife, wildflowers and trees, and trails to explore. It also has a rich history, with historic buildings and a lot of culture. It’s no wonder that millions of people visit this park annually. Want to know more about the park that’s such a big hit? Read on for some fun facts about the Great Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the national park system, bringing in about 8-10 million visitors each year. More than 17,000 […]
Shopping has long been a favorite activity in the Smokies. Why? Because the Smokies have shops you won’t find anywhere else in the USA! Below, we’ve listed our top 20 specialty shops, but these are nowhere close to all the fun and unique boutiques you will find during your stay in the Smoky Mountains. Auto Tags of Gatlinburg—For a fun addition to your car, check out the hand-painted auto tags in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! These unique tags are painted with durable automotive paint and make great accessories for cars, boats, trucks, and motorcycles. The Lollipop Guild—Buy personalized books, music, and cartoon […]
Fun for the youngest kids in the Smokies The Smoky Mountains are the perfect vacation destination for all kinds of families, especially those with little ones! Sometimes, traveling with young kids can be a challenge. They are not old enough for this attraction or tall enough for that one. But in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you can find all kinds of options for even the youngest visitors to the Smokies. Below we’ve listed four must-see attractions that will keep your little ones happy and entertained during their trip to the Smoky Mountains. And you know what that means—when you’re little […]
When it comes to vacationing in Gatlinburg, the possibilities are nearly limitless. Between dozens of family attractions and an ever-expanding list of upcoming events, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on all the action. But never fear! We’ve got 10 tips to keep you connected with all things Gatlinburg during your Smoky Mountain stay. Watch the Gatlinburg Visitors Channel. All of our Smoky Mountain cabins come with TVs—usually several. So keep at least one of them turned on the Gatlinburg Visitors Channel (channel 192) so you can get up-to-date info on what’s going on in Gatlinburg. You can […]
Chili Cookoff and Veterans Day Kickoff Winterfest The annual Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains, with events in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, is the celebration of the holiday season. It is the culmination of all things Christmas and winter with more than 3 million holiday lights, decorated storefronts, kids’ activities, holiday events, and more. Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a big deal, and such a big event calls for an equally impressive kickoff! That’s where the annual Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff comes in. Each year, Winterfest gets started with a fun downtown Gatlinburg event focused on a favorite winter […]
1. Peak seasons include mid-summer (June 15-August 15) and the entire month of October. If you’ve traveled to Gatlinburg in the past, your one complaint might be the heavy traffic and crowded streets. To avoid this chaos as much as possible, plan to visit Gatlinburg during its less-crowded seasons. Mid-summer and October are peak seasons, but there are plenty of things to see and do all year round! 2. Traffic can be tricky. During the peak seasons, traffic in Gatlinburg will be at its worst. You should definitely expect traffic delays, especially on the weekends. But there are plenty of […]
We added even more new cabins to our program this October, giving you even more options for your getaway to Great Smoky Mountains. Located in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, our new cabins come with a wide variety of amenities, from big screen TVs, theater rooms, and mountain views to hot tubs, game tables, and great outdoor spaces. Read on to see what’s new at Cabins For You! Splashin’ Bears Retreat Bedrooms: 8 Bathrooms: 8 Sleeps: 28 Located less than five miles from downtown, Splashin’ Bears Retreat boasts the best of mountain living and a short drive to area attractions. […]
Are you planning a big event in the Smokies this year? Maybe you’re in charge of coordinating a youth rally, a lectureship, or a corporate get-together. If so, that can be an intimidating prospect. Where is your group going to stay? Where will you find enough space for your meetings? What kinds of attractions can accommodate your large crew during your downtime? No need to panic! We’ve got all your answers right here for planning a flawless big event in the Smokies. Whether you’re coming with a youth group, a sports team, a group of co-workers, or friends and family, […]
Any fourth graders in the family? If so, your child and your family qualify to enjoy America’s natural wonders and historic sites for FREE thanks to Every Kid in a Park! Don’t know what we’re talking about? Every Kid in a Park is a program created by President Barack Obama that allows your kids to discover the wildlife, resources, and history of the United States for one full year without paying a dime. According to their website, “Our country is full of dazzling landscapes where you can play and learn. They protect our wildlife and resources. They let us look […]
The holiday season is a magical time to visit the Smokies. Starting in November, the streets of Gatlinburg will light up with $1.6 million worth of lights and displays that commemorate this special time of year. Enjoy walking the streets of downtown Gatlinburg, or you can ride the Gatlinburg Trolley to take in this amazing sight. The Trolley Ride of Lights runs at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 each evening from November 12, 2015 to January 31, 2016 and costs $5 per person. Another great way to enjoy the holiday season in Gatlinburg is to attend one or all of these […]
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