Don’t Miss Gatlinburg’s Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage!

What better way to see the Smokies than during the Wildflower Pilgrimage now through May 1. As the dark hues of winter begin to fade into the vibrant colors of spring, take the chance to get outdoors and experience the unique flora and fauna of East Tennesee. Since 1951, the Wildflower Pilgrimage has offered more than 150 programs for visitors including instructional walks and guided hiking tours that focus on the endless varieties of trees, shrubs, mosses, flowers and everything in between. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend demonstrations and lectures by skilled botanists and wildlife experts. If you plan on visiting Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge this Spring, you won’t want to miss this annual event!

While in area, keep with the nature theme and stop by the Rainforest Adventure Discovery Zoo. This wonderful attraction features a simulated rainforest ecosystem with interesting animals like giant tortoises, ringtailed lemurs and venomous snakes. You will surely enjoy strolling through the rainforest and admiring the 25-foot waterfall while awe-inspiring tropical birds fly overhead.

For a more nautical adventure, head to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies where you can see more than 10,000 aquatic animals from around the world. Spend some time in one of the many exhibits, such as the Ocean Realm or Shark Lagoon. For those really adventurous souls, drop by Touch a Ray Bay where you will have the chance to mingle with these gentle, smooth-skinned creatures. On your way out, don’t forget to drop by the Cargo Hold Store for any last minute souvenirs or gifts to commemorate your trip.

Don’t Miss Cinco de Mayo in Gatlinburg!

On May 5, three local attractions are teaming up to present the first ever Hispanic event with Cinco de Mayo Celebration in the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area. Ripley’s Entertainment, No Way Jose’s and Greystone Lodge at the Aquarium are planning events ranging from musical entertainment, food and beverages, dancing and more. In the morning, children will have the opportunity to learn about Latin music, taste authentic Latin food, and work on arts and crafts. This is definitely an event you will want to participate in from start to finish. You and your family can also make lodging reservations in the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area as well.

While staying in the Smoky Mountains you will want to stop by Titanic – World’s Largest Museum Attraction for another educational experience. This interesting attraction features artifacts directly related to the legendary ship and its tragic sinking. The museum is shaped like the ship and houses an extraordinary number of exhibits that teach you all about the Titanic, from its ill-fated beginnings to its ending at the murky depths of the Atlantic Ocean. You won’t want to miss this impressive attraction!

During your vacation in the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area, you can also add a trip to WonderWorks Interactive Experience. At WonderWorks, you can enjoy a variety of exhibits that are sure to bring you jaw-dropping surprise. You can feel the surge of a powerful simulated hurricane, experience a simulated 5.3 magnitude earthquake or even lie on a bed of nails. You can enjoy hours of entertainment exploring the fascinating exhibits at WonderWorks, and it is sure to provide you with great memories of your vacation!

Enjoy a Romantic February in Gatlinburg!

If you are planning a romantic getaway in Gatlinburg, you can profess your love to your sweetheart in style at Gatlinburg’s Titanic attraction. February is Sweetheart Month at the Titanic, and you will have the opportunity to have a romantic vow renewal or marriage ceremony on the beautiful Grand Staircase. The ship’s captain will officiate your ceremony, and you will have a memorable and unique experience renewing your vows at one of Gatlinburg’s most romantic attractions! If you are not quite ready to say “I do” in the month of February, the Titanic attraction is also a romantic place to propose to your significant other! Be sure to make your reservations early because many people will want to take advantage of this great opportunity.

To add to the romance of February in Gatlinburg, take in breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains with your sweetheart with a Helicopter Ride! You will love the unique view of the Smoky Mountains from above, and there are several flight options that you can choose from. You can fly over Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a unique view of the cities, or go over the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to see the incredible landscape from above. Whether you decide to take a 20 minute ride over Gatlinburg or the incredible 40 minute Clingman’s Dome Tour, you will have to opportunity to see the Smoky Mountains like you’ve never seen them before!

After a day full of exciting activities in Gatlinburg, you will be ready to relax and be entertained, and the talented performers at the Soul of Shaolin are sure to impress you. The amazing acrobatic feats and martial arts in the show provide an incredible performance that is not only beautiful, but also heartwarming with its touching story about a young man who goes on a quest to find his estranged mother. This two-hour theatrical performance is the perfect way to end an exciting day in Gatlinburg!

Fall Enchantment at the Smoky Mountain Festival in Gatlinburg

From September 1st to August 31st, you can experience the charm of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the full swing of the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. This celebration of fall is one of the most enchanting times that you can visit the area. The beautiful fall foliage with its vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds combined with the fantastic Smoky Mountains makes for an unforgettable vacation experience. In addition to the wonderful scenery, the area comes to life with arts and crafts vendors selling their wares, adorable decorations, and tours of the Arrowmount School of Arts and Crafts. You won’t want to miss Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during Autumn!

Don’t just enjoy the scenery from afar while you’re in the area, go and be in the middle of it with the 1 Hour Smoky Mountains Horseback Ride. Enjoy the crisp, fall air while you ride and get a closer look at the amazing colors of the leaves. This tour is great for beginners who don’t have any experience with horseback riding. It will be a relaxing ride at comfortable speeds throughout the entire activity.

The peace and tranquility you experience during your horseback ride will have you wanting to spend more time out in nature. You can have another wonderful outdoors experience with the Smoky Mountain Picnic and Romantic Carriage Rides.  Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch out in the country with your significant other, friends, or family before relaxing and taking in gorgeous scenery on a carriage ride. The cozy carriage ride is a wonderful way to cuddle up or talk with those you love.

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.

Gatlinburg’s Festival of Nations Brings World Culture to the Heart of America!

This March 27 through April 26, the sights and sounds of the world will converge in the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area with Dollywood’s Festival of Nations! Throughout the month-long celebration of world culture, guests will be treated to a wide variety of activities and performances with the following acts already scheduled:

• DRUM! – A 20-person group of dancers, musicians and singers who combine a variety of world sounds for a menagerie of entertainment
• Invaders – Ensemble orchestra presented traditional sounds from Trinidad and Tobago
• Jallmay – Offers Peruvian rhythms ranging from traditional to current pop fads
• Atahualpa – Provides a native Incan feel complete with traditional instrumentation
• Imaginé presented by Le Grand Cirque – As always, the world of Cirque will amaze with its multi-cultural, fantastical performance
• Keona – An instrumental duo from Switzerland that is noted for its use of the hang drum
• Zambia Vocal Group – An a capella group that features members from a variety of tribes throughout Africa

Those interested in being a part of Dollywood’s Festival of Nations are encouraged to secure tickets and begin browsing lodging options throughout the Smoky Mountains region, and experience world travel right in the heart of the United States!

Check Out the Smoky Mountains’ Newest Attraction

Looking to add the excitement of visiting a brand new attraction in the Smoky Mountains on your next trip to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area? One of the newest attractions in the area, the ZORB, hails from New Zealand and is one of the most unique activities you can enjoy in the area.

If you liked rolling down hills as a child, this activity is perfect for you! The ZORB features a huge inflatable ball that you will roll down an 820 foot hill in. The globe is approximately 11 feet tall, and up to three riders can ride in it at one time. The ZORB also has the ZYDRO option, which is a wet and wild activity that is available even in the middle of winter. This ride option includes you, the globe, and five gallons of water (cold in the summer, warm in the winter) rolling down the hill. Kids as young as eight can enjoy this attraction, making the ZORB an activity that the whole family can enjoy. A perfect escape from the boredom of winter or a fun addition to your summer vacation in the Smoky Mountains, ZORB is the new must-do activity in the area.

Looking for other ideas for fun winter diversions? Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have many options open year round with indoor fun for all ages. At the Guinness World of Records Museum in Gatlinburg, you will see a unique collection of exhibits, artifacts, and more from the record-breaking history of the Guinness World Records. This museum contains a replica of Noah’s Ark, Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” boat, and a view of the original Batmobile. With so many fascinating exhibits, the Guinness World of Records Museum is the perfect way to spend a fun afternoon in Gatlinburg.

For another interactive activity sure to keep kids entertained, check out WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge. This engaging attraction is known as an “amusement park for the mind” and features multiple exhibits and stations that allow for interaction, creativity, and a true hands-on experience. Here you can experience how an earthquake feels, what lying on a bed of nails feels like, and what it is like to land a space shuttle. With exhibits to appeal to any age group, WonderWorks is sure to be an attraction that pleases everyone in your 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.

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

Celebrate with Dollywood During the Uplifting National Gospel & Harvest Celebration

This October 2 – 31, the natural wonder of the Smoky Mountains will be coupled with the graceful beauty of hymns as the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration returns to Dollywood theme park. Throughout the nearly month long festival, numerous nationally known acts including The Isaacs, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Riders in the Sky, The Kingsmen and more will bring praise to the already inviting setting that is Dollywood. Aside from daily concerts, the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration will also bring a variety of artisans and craftsmen to the park to work their trades; showcase Rusty’s Chuckwagon, offering Dutch oven demonstrations and campfire cooking; and host the Woodcarving Showcase & Competition (October 2 – 4).

Those from out of town that interested in attending the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration can find a variety of lodging options in the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area online.

Of course, those visiting Dollywood for the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration will still find all of the traditional attractions and activities that Dollywood is noted for. Whether your perfect day at the park includes exploring Mystery Mine and braving Timber Tower, playing with the kids in the Dreamland Forest Treehouse and watching them ride the Busy Bees, settling in to live performances such as Dreamland Drive-In and Country Crossroads, or enjoying traditional Smoky Mountains cuisine at Granny Ogle’s Ham n’ Beans or Miss Lillian’s Chicken House, there is something for one and all at Dollywood!

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