Let Springfest Put a Spring in Your Step in Gatlinburg, TN

When Springfest comes to Gatlinburg, TN the city bursts into bloom. From March 15th to June 5th, the city is filled with flowering plants, shrubs, and floral arrangements. Springfest isn’t just about the flowers though, it is also a cultural festival in which artisans come to display their creations to the public for sale and for show.  There will also be live music performed in the streets to entertain and delight both the citizens of Gatlinburg and the visitors. 

Don’t forget the other great things Gatlinburg has to offer in the excitement over Springfest. Gatlinburg also offers great entertainment with activities like the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. A panoramic view of downtown Gatlinburg would be amazing at any time but it will be especially amazing during Springfest as it will provide an excellent view of all the activities in town. The sky lift will also offer views of the mountainous region around Gatlinburg that are sure to be unforgettable. 

While you’re in Gatlinburg make sure you really get a taste of the great outdoors with an adventure like the Nantahala River Rafting Tour. On the river rafting tour, you’ll get to experience the scenery of the area as well as the exhilaration of some rapids. If you’d prefer not to get wet, then another great outdoors activity is the Parrot Mountain and Tropical Bird Sanctuary. See exotic birds and even feed some of them. It’s a great treat for the whole family.

Start Your New Year Right in Gatlinburg

If you do not already have plans for how you are going to ring in the New Year, spending the weekend in Gatlinburg is a sure bet for a fantastic vacation. Because the New Year falls on a Friday this year, you have the perfect opportunity for a long weekend of relaxation after the busyness of the holidays.

To make planning your vacation in Gatlinburg easy, we have a pre-built New Year’s package for you. The Celebrating New Year’s In The Smokies vacation package already comes with lodging, shows, and dinners for your convenience. With this package, you will have four days and three nights to enjoy everything that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have to offer for the New Year’s holiday. 

This package is full of great Gatlinburg activities and shows, including the Smith Family Theater, Country Tonite, and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. In addition, you can experience the lights of the area on the guided Winterfest Light Tour. This package also includes dinner each night. One of the dinners will be at Dolly Parton’s famous Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show. In addition, you will enjoy a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, which will make your holiday extra-special. 

With country music, delicious food, and the convenience of a pre-planned vacation, the Celebrating New Year’s In The Smokies package is the perfect vacation option for anyone looking to get away and celebrate the beginning of 2010. Whether traveling with your family or booking a romantic vacation for two, you will be sure to have a great time on this vacation.

Plan a Country Music Vacation in Gatlinburg

In addition to the beautiful backdrop of the Smoky Mountains and great family activities, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are also home to a great live entertainment scene of classic country music. Several theaters throughout the area are excellent destinations for an evening of great music and engaging performances.

Country Tonite

Perhaps one of the most popular shows in the area, Country Tonite offers a two-hour comedy and live music show. The music of this show ranges from southern gospel classics to country favorites. Country Tonite has received numerous accolades, including being named “Best Show in the Smokies” and “Best Live Country Show in America.” Starting in November, you can enjoy the Country Tonite Christmas Show, which features the same amazing live performances of Christmas and country favorites. The shows at Country Tonite feature exceptionally talented singers, dancers, and performers for a truly memorable evening.

TG Sheppard Show

For a limited time this fall, the country legend TG Sheppard will be performing in Pigeon Forge at the Smith Family Theatre. TG Sheppard has been recording since 1975 and has a slate of hits to his name. Some of his most popular songs include “Devil in the Bottle,” “Tryin’ to Beat the Morning Home,” and “Motels and Memories.” This show is only available in Pigeon Forge for a limited time, so do not miss your chance to see this legendary country performer!

Smith Family Show

The Smith brothers have been a live entertainment staple on the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge music scene for over two decades. The three brothers perform popular songs from a range of genres, including country, classic country, and inspirational music. The Smith Family is accompanied by a talented cast of musicians, dancers, and entertainers to complete the act. With the Smith Family Show, you can enjoy two hours of wonderful music and see for yourself what has made this show so popular for so many years.

Make Plans to Celebrate Fall at the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival

Due to Gatlinburg’s position at the foot of the Smoky Mountains, it is an especially beautiful place to visit in the fall. Thousands of visitors come each year to enjoy the cool autumn temperatures and vivid fall foliage. The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is an annual event that draws visitors each year to celebrate the fall season Gatlinburg.

This year’s Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival will take place September 18 to October 31, with events taking place throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. During this festival, Gatlinburg is transformed into a landscape of orange, yellow, gold, purple, red, and all the shades of fall. Storefronts are decorated in the vivid colors, and everywhere you look carries some tribute to the fall season.

This festival also celebrates the history of craftsmanship in the Smokies. The Gatlinburg Craftsman’s Fair will take place October 8 through 25 and features hundreds of area craftsman, woodworkers, leather artists, and other artisans who have come to share their skills and products. The fair takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

There is no better time to visit Gatlinburg than this season. Cool evenings are perfect for strolling in the shopping and entertainment area in Gatlinburg before or after catching a show. For select dates in September and October, guests to the Gatlinburg area can catch the T.G. Sheppard Show at the Smith Family Theater. T.G. Sheppard is a legendary country performer who has been entertaining audiences since 1975 with his classic take on country music. Due to the limited availability of this show, be sure to plan ahead and reserve your tickets well in advance.

Other fun activity ideas for fall in Gatlinburg include stopping by the Dollywood amusement park, which is getting into the spirit of the season with its Gospel and Harvest Festival that offers fun for the whole family. Also, what better way to enjoy the cool weather and beautiful scenery with the one you love than with a romantic carriage ride? The Smoky Mountain Picnic and Romantic Carriage Rides offer several ride options for you and your sweetheart that include a horse-drawn carriage ride

Interact with Wildlife in Gatlinburg, TN

From creatures that live deep in the sea to those that call tropical rainforests home, Gatlinburg offers a number of wildlife options for you to check out during your next visit. From interactive exhibits with parrots to walking under an aquarium, these activities offer unforgettable experiences in Gatlinburg.

Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies

This aquarium comes from the same people who bring you the unbelievable exhibits of the Ripleys Believe It or Not museums. This aquarium just features unbelievable marine life. Ripleys Aquarium features a number of exhibits, including the Tropical Rain Forests, Coral Reef, and the Shark Lagoon. With over 10,000 different aquatic creatures, you will be sure to see your favorite ocean-dweller, from graceful sea turtles to bright fish to fierce sharks. The highlight of this activity is the aquarium tunnel, where you can walk through the aquarium and see creatures above and beside you. The Aquarium of the Smokies also features two on-site restaurants for your convenience.

Rainforest Adventures

From under the sea to a tropical atmosphere, you will find more interesting wildlife at Rainforest Adventures, which is an indoor facility that houses a number of jungle wildlife in a variety of exhibits. You will see everything from poisonous jungle snakes to bright and vocal birds. Exhibits include ancient ruins, a 25-foot jungle waterfall, and the rainforest. This unique zoo features over 600 animals, including kangaroos in the recently opened Aussie Walkabout exhibit. While at Rainforest Adventures, you could possibly catch feeding time with the reptiles or one of the live shows that the animal handlers conduct daily.

Parrot Mountain & Gardens

This attraction offers a more interactive rainforest experience. The focus of this attraction is the birds of the jungle and rainforest, featuring parrots, macaws, lorikeets, parakeets, and more. A special feature of this attraction is a petting zoo where visitors can interact and feed animals and birds. Some birds will even eat right out of your hand! In addition, you can see baby birds in the bird nursery and maybe even buy one to take home!

Ribfest & Wings Offers an Exceptional Taste of Gatlinburg

This April 23, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will once again be hosting the annual Ribfest & Wings. Held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to sample and vote on some of the top ribs and wings in the area, with all vendors competing for the “People’s Choice Award.” Additionally, there will be live musical performances during the event, presenting a lively time of food and fun!

Of course, Ribfest & Wings not only offers a day of mouth-watering barbecue, but also presents the perfect opportunity to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Featuring over 10,000 animals representing more than 350 species, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a rich look into the variety of life found around the world. Exhibits including the Tropical Rain Forest, Ocean Realm, Coral Reef, Shark Lagoon, and Sting Ray Bay paint a vivid look into a variety of ecosystems for an interactive learning opportunity the entire family will enjoy