Already in full swing, the Tennessee Renaissance Festival will be taking throughout May in Arrington-Triune, near Nashville. From May 3-4 to May 24-26, and every weekend in between, travelers will find over 60 artisans and craftsmen displaying their skills and selling the fruits of their labor. Along with the large focus on crafts, visitors will find live music, specialty cuisine and even a few special events to help keep the time lively.

Those that will be planning on visiting the festival for an entire weekend, Vacations Made Easy can help in making your plans as easy as ever. Along with information on the festival, we offer a wide variety of hotel options throughout the Nashville area.

Whether you’re in need of something close to the actual event or are looking to retreat to the nearby Murfreesboro area, you can easily sort through our lodging options, find detailed information and securely make reservations.

And if you will be staying in Nashville throughout the entire weekend, why not uncover a little of Nashville’s history as well? With the Nashville Unpublished Walking Tour travelers will find an intimate look into the legends and lore of Nashville as you experience numerous historic sites with the company of a knowledgeable guide.

Nestled in the heart of the Smokies, Gatlinburg is a charming destination that captures the beauty of nature while still managing to stay conveniently modern. And while it may be hard to believe, there are numerous vacation activities throughout Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge that amazingly represent the adventure and excitement that the wilderness of Gatlinburg has offered those passing through centuries before. From shooting down a streaming flume and soaring through the air to uncovering a wide variety of wildlife, it’s all waiting wrapped in convenience in Gatlinburg!

Dollywood

Dollywood’s 125 acre setting is more than enough to feature something for the entire family! Thrilling rides, children’s play areas, live shows and a wide spread of dining options all come together for an experience that can easily last the entire day. That’s not all though, aside from the sheer fun that can be found at Dollywood, visitors will find an authentic representation of Smokies mountain heritage and culture at nearly every turn.

Dollywood’s Splash Country

If you’re looking for a fun way to beat the Smokies summer heat, then look no further than Dollywood’s Splash Country. Designed as a sister-attraction to Dollywood, Splash Country features a variety of lazy rivers, flumes, tubes and slides that can offer a wide range of experience. Whether you’re looking to languidly stay afloat under the summer sun or fly through pitch-black tubes to raucous wave pools below, it’s completely up to you how you spend your day at Dollywood’s Splash Country. And while the park doesn’t offer the same spread of live shows as Dollywood, you will still find numerous dining options to ensure that you’re energy is on high throughout the entire day.

RainForest Adventures

RainForest Adventures may not pack the thrilling action of a theme park, but there’s no doubt that this zoological attraction is every bit as intriguing as any theme park out there. This all-indoor exhibit contains hundreds of animal species, as well as numerous sites you’d expect to see in their natural habitats, including a working 25-foot waterall! From snakes and other creepy crawlers to exotic bird species, there’s a site to capture the imagination of one and all at RainForest Adventures.

Rich with culture and musical history, the Memphis area can provide an in-depth vacation experience through both its current attractions and its lasting legacy. And with the help of the many museums throughout the area travelers can quickly gain a sturdy backdrop to the fascinating tales that the city has to tell. From its musical legacy to the many societal triumphs and losses that have occurred in the area, it is all waiting to be explored with a visit to Memphis and its array of engaging museums.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Launched in 1957, Stax Records was highly influential in shaping the soundscape of southern soul with highly popular artists including Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and Booker T. And while the record label. And while the label died out for all intents and purposes by 1976, Stax Museum of American Soul Music still carries on the tradition started right in Memphis. Over 2,000 exhibits detail the golden years of soul through everything from rare video recordings to memorabilia. Whether an avid fan of soul music or just now learning of its place within American music, Stax Museum of American Soul Music is an experience any music fan can enjoy.

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum

Created by the Smithsonian Institute, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is an encompassing look at the wide variety of music that has come from Memphis, and the ways in which this special music has changed the popular culture. With seven distinct galleries housed within the museum, guests will find the museum covers everything from the down-home country sounds of the 30’s up to the groundbreaking sounds of funky soul that swept the nation in the 70’s. Music is an extremely important aspect of Tennessee, and with the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum you’ll experience how Memphis made its own mark on the industry.

National Civil Rights Museum

Housed at the exact location of Dr. King’s tragic assassination, the National Civil Rights Museum has taken the spot of a horrible event and turned it into a place of cultural learning and understanding. Our country’s history is explored in full throughout the museum as topics ranging from European arrival in 1619 to the many events of the Civil Rights era showcase just how far we’ve come, and strides that still need to be taken, in terms of social equality.

The Children’s Museum of Memphis

The Children’s Museum of Memphis offers visitors a light-hearted museum romp that can still be extremely informative. Naturally, all of the exhibits are geared towards children with topics including art, community, science and much more. And as might be expected, there is a healthy amount of interaction featured throughout the museum, offering a variety of ways to learn more about the world we live in.

The Grand Canyon area is rich with natural beauty and historical significance, and just as varied as the area itself are the ways in which you can explore the Grand Canyon. Whether hovering directly above the massive canyon, cruising along the scenic paths of the area by train or roughing it into the surrounding wilderness by way of Jeep, the only limit to how you can explore the Grand Canyon area is your own adventurous spirit. Below, you’ll find just a few of the many ways you can turn an ordinary visit to the Grand Canyon into an adventure to remember a lifetime.

Grand Canyon Railway Budd Coach

The Grand Canyon Railway Budd Coach may not be the most intensive tour of the Grand Canyon area, but it does offer beautiful sights wrapped in a nostalgic setting. Along the tour you’ll ride in famous Budd Coach from the 30’s and 40’s as the scenic sights of the Grand Canyon calmly pass by. In total, you’ll ride from the Williams Depot to the Grand Canyon Depot, be given a few hours to explore the Canyon, and then return to the Williams Depot. If you’re looking to explore the Grand Canyon in grand atmosphere, then the Grand Canyon Railway Budd Coach is for you.

North Canyon Tour

The North Canyon Tour offers a bird’s eye view of the Canyon as you tour the area by helicopter. Visitors will enter the Canyon through the famed Dragon Corridor before weaving in and out of the Northern portion of the Grand Canyon. Experiencing the landscape from any vantage point is an awesome experience, but by way of helicopter you’ll see things from an entirely different light.

Grand Sunset Safari Jeep Tour

The Grand Sunset Safari Jeep Tour puts travelers right in the midst of the beautiful southwest scenery as you travel through the Kaibab National Forest towards the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Along with the many moving views of the land, you may even catch a glimpse of natural wildlife during your journey through Kaibab.

Colorado River Adventure

Those that want to experience the Grand Canyon from a variety of viewpoints will love the Colorado River Adventure. On this epic journey you’ll travel by airplane, helicopter and boat for a thoroughly thrilling time of exploration. You’ll ride a Twin Otter sightseeing plane to the canyon, where you’ll then climb aboard a helicopter to maneuver through the expanse of the Canyon towards the Colorado River. Once at the river you’ll board a pontoon boat to cruise the river for another vantage point of the massive natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon. 

As a town of historical significance Williamsburg offers a wide array of activities to help visitors experience the culture and tradition of the area, but with sightseeing and dinner cruises in and around the Williamsburg area travelers can sail the same waterways as our nation’s first settlers for a significant and entertaining vacation activity. And whether cruising for sightseeing significance or merely to relax with a filling dinner and lively entertainment, you’re sure to find a cruise to perfectly fit your wants.

Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise

Located just under an hour from Williamsburg, a visit to Norfolk is a short drive that will lead travelers to an elegant evening of dining and entertainment. The cruise sails along the Elizabeth River, past the Norfolk skyline; though sights are only a minor taste of the entertainment aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. An encompassing buffet comprised of items including pasta, sea food, stir fry and other entrees will appease the taste buds while the cruise’s musical review awes audiences, and after the show there is even a live DJ that will help you to dance the rest of the night away.

Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruise

Located in neighboring Hampton, the Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruise offers an encompassing tour of the Williamsburg area coast. You’ll cruise along the Chesapeake Bay, experiencing Blackbeards’ Point, Hampton Roads Harbor, Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, Norfolk Naval Base and several other prominent sites. Those trying to hit the waters for a pure time of sightseeing are sure to find the Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruise to be an interesting cruise along the Chesapeake.

Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise

Much like the Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise, the Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise offers a time of elegant buffet dining and sightseeing with live entertainment and dancing. The major difference between the cruises is that the lunch cruise offers an early time slot for the early birds. If you’re looking for an encompassing activity while visiting the Williamsburg Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise can offer something to please one and all.

Please Note: The Grand Ole Opry does not release final lineups until the Wednesday prior to each performance. This list will be updated weekly as new performers are confirmed and added to the lineup.

Friday, May 16 - Order Tickets

John Conlee
Jimmy C. Newman
Josh Gracin
Jimmy Dickens
Mel McDaniel
Del McCoury Band
Bill Anderson
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Diamond Rio
Marty Stuart
Jack Greene
Connie Smith

Saturday, May 17 - Order Tickets

6:30 performance

Jimmy Dickens
Jimmy C. Newman
Chely Wright
Jeannie Seely
Jim Ed Brown
John Conlee
Jack Greene
Jamie O’Neal
Steve Wariner
Mel McDaniel
T.G. Sheppard
Opry Square Dancers
Bill Anderson
Connie Smith
The Grascals

9:30 performance

Jimmy Dickens
Jim Ed Brown
Chely Wright
John Conlee
Jeannie Seely
Jamie O’Neal
Steve Wariner
T.G. Sheppard
Opry Square Dancers
Bill Anderson
Connie Smith
The Grascals

Please Note: The Grand Ole Opry does not release final lineups until the Wednesday prior to each performance. This list will be updated weekly as new performers are confirmed and added to the lineup.

Friday, May 9 - Order Tickets

Jim Ed Brown w/ Helen Cornelius
Jean Shepard
Del McCoury Band
Jimmy Dickens
Jennifer Hanson
Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
George Hamilton IV
The White
Jeannie Seely
Jack Greene
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press

Saturday, May 10 - Order Tickets

 6:30 performance

Jimmy Dickens
The Whites
Del McCoury Band
Carrie Underwood
Dierks Bentley
Aaron Tippin
Marty Stuart
Connie Smith
Mel Tillis
Opry Square Dancers
Bill Anderson
Jimmy C. Newman
Jean Shepard
Vince Gill

9:30 performance

Jimmy Dickens
Jeannie Seely
Jim Ed Brown
Dierks Bentley
Marty Stuart
George Hamilton IV
Connie Smith
Aaron Tippin
Vince Gill
Del McCoury Band
Carrie Underwood
Opry Square Dancers
Bill Anderson
Jean Shepard
Mel Tillis

This June Gatlinburg will treat Smoky Mountain visitors to a cultural taste of the area with the Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales Festival in downtown Gatlinburg. From June 13 through August 31, downtown Gatlinburg will be filled with 14 different entertainers displaying various time periods from the 1800’s to modern times nightly. From story telling and dancing to singing and instrumentation, visitors are sure to find a wide range of entertainment focusing on the culture and traditions of the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area.

Of course, the Tunes and Tales Festival is far from the only way to find a true Smoky Mountain experience when visiting Tennessee. Those looking for excitement mixed with sights and sounds of the area’s past are sure to find Dollywood to be an engaging experience. Numerous thrill rides, children’s rides, live shows and dining options cover the park with a constant atmosphere of the Smokies providing the perfect setting.

A trip to Gatlinburg just isn’t complete without visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. And there’s no better way to take in an encompassing view of the Smokies than with an exciting helicopter tour. From brief flights that merely take you up for a view to immersive journeys that span over 80 miles, there are numerous ways to enjoy the Smokies from the sky during your next Gatlinburg vacation. 

Already in full swing, the Tennessee Renaissance Festival will be taking throughout May in Arrington-Triune, near Nashville. From May 3-4 to May 24-26, and every weekend in between, travelers will find over 60 artisans and craftsmen displaying their skills and selling the fruits of their labor. Along with the large focus on crafts, visitors will find live music, specialty cuisine and even a few special events to help keep the time lively.

Those that will be planning on visiting the festival for an entire weekend, Vacations Made Easy can help in making your plans as easy as ever. Along with information on the festival, we offer a wide variety of hotel options throughout the Nashville area. Whether you’re in need of something close to the actual event or are looking to retreat to the nearby Murfreesboro area, you can easily sort through our lodging options, find detailed information and securely make reservations.

And if you will be staying in Nashville throughout the entire weekend, why not uncover a little of Nashville’s history as well? With the Nashville Unpublished Walking Tour travelers will find an intimate look into the legends and lore of Nashville as you experience numerous historic sites with the company of a knowledgeable guide.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, now is the time to get on the ball and prepare a day to let the most special lady in your life know that you appreciate all she’s done for you. And while the last minute cards or flowers may have worked for the past few years, now is the time give mom something she will truly enjoy. From peaceful day cruises to hilarious shows, there are a variety of ways to make Mother’s Day memorable in Branson, MO.

Branson Divas

Branson Divas features hilarious laughs and great sounds as four of Branson’s more renowned female stars take to the stage with humor, song and a sense of self that could only be described as “divaesque.” Throughout the show the divas run through a wide range of music including country, blues and pop all while keeping the atmosphere light. If you’re looking for a variety show that mom will be able to relate to, then look no further than Branson Divas.

Showboat Branson Belle

A time of entertainment, dining and sightseeing await with the Showboat Branson Belle! You’ll cruise Table Rock Lake aboard an actual paddlewheel boat, and experience the award-winning variety show “Steppin’ Out” while enjoying gourmet dining. “Steppin’ Out” features a variety of acts ranging from a medley of popular show tunes to acrobatic dance numbers and comedic interludes. If you can’t decide on one particular activity for Mother’s Day, then do it all with the Showboat Branson Belle.

The Grand Ladies of Country Show

The Grand Ladies of Country Show offers just that – a grand time of country music as presented by some of the true originators and legends of the genre. Jean Shepard, Norma Jean, Wanda Jackson, Jody Miller, Leona Williams, Margo Smith and Mary Lou Turner all take turns throughout the year starring in this unique production. And for mothers who grew up on country music and television such as The Porter Wagoner Show, The Grand Ladies of Country are sure to offer a memorable Mother’s Day.