Festival of Nations Brings World Culture, Entertainment to the Smoky Mountains

This March 27 through April 26, Dollywood will be holding its 25th annual Festival of Nations. Throughout the month of April, guests will find the general Smoky Mountains charm that Dollywood exudes infused with lively cultural demonstrations from around the world! In particular, steel orchestras from Trinidad and Tobago; hang drums from Switzerland; and vocal groups from Zambia will all be on-hand for a fascinating look into world entertainment complete with the traditional thrill rides, theme park dining, and live shows that annually draw millions of people to the park.

Those visiting the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area during Dollywood’s Festival of Nations will find that Splash Country Waterpark offers a perfect compliment Dollywood and its Festival of Nations. As Dollywood’s sister-park, guests will find all of the quality excitement expected from Dollywood, but with a wet and wild twist. Whether lounging on the lazy river or racing through tubes and down chutes, there are a variety of experiences waiting to ensure a fun-filled day for one and all at Splash Country!

And for those looking for a complete Dolly Parton experience while in the Gatlinburg area, there is Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. This encompassing time of entertainment combines interactive competition and equestrian entertainment with a hearty meal for a lively evening of dinner and entertainment.

This spring, explore the world from America’s backyard with Splash Country, Dixie Stampede and Dollywood’s Festival of Nations!

Grand Ole Opry Schedule of Performers for February 19 & 20, 2010

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.

Grand Ole Opry Schedule of Performers for February 19, 2010

• Dierks Bentley
• Montgomery Gentry
• Craig Morgan
• Diamond Rio
• Del McCoury Band
• Riders In The Sky
• Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
• and more

Grand Ole Opry Schedule of Performers for February 20, 2010

• Kellie Pickler
• Craig Morgan
• Tracy Lawrence
• Marty Stuart
• Connie Smith
• The Whites
• and more

Explore the Natural Beauty of Chattanooga Above and Below Ground

Chattanooga, TN offers travelers a slow-paced setting complete with inspiring views of natural beauty. Whether staring up into the open, blue sky or delving below the Earth’s surface, a variety of sights await the traveler that would rather forego the hectic city for a rejuvenating romp through the natural wonders of Southern Tennessee.

Lookout Mountain Attractions

One of the more famed attractions in all of Tennessee, Lookout Mountain Attractions is a perfect example of the many charming vistas that await Chattanooga travelers. At Lookout Mountain Attractions, Rock City offers a picturesque Appalachian Mountains setting with a 4,100 foot trail that highlights cave openings, and flora and fauna, while the Incline Railway will help visitors reach the top of the Lookout Mountain for a panoramic view of the land below. Inversely, Ruby Falls will take you inside the mountain range to experience stunning scenes including a 145-foot waterfall!

Crystal Palace Cave

Crystal Palace Cave further highlights the inner workings of the mountain range with picturesque stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and natural bridges for a wondrous journey into the center of the Earth. Furthermore, Crystal Palace’s Cave Tour will provide knowledgeable insight into the many sights seen for a thorough understanding of the beauty experienced.

Whether passing through for a day or planning an entire vacation around Chattanooga, TN, travelers will find a wealth of options to help them uncover the charming beauty of the area!

Winter Magic Carries On in Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge, TN

The holidays may have come and gone, but celebration still blankets the Smoky Mountains with Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge’s Winter Magic! Running through February 28, Winter Magic offers Gatlinburg visitors a festive winter escape complete with inviting light displays, a heart-warming Winter Special Olympics, and extreme sports excitement with Southern Exposure 2010.

In particular, Southern Exposure 2010, set to take place at Ober Gatlinburg Ski and Amusement Park on February 6, will offer adrenaline-pumping thrills as various skiing and snowboarding competitions are held. Aside from the standard competitions, Southern Exposure also features the always anticipated Cardboard Sled Classic Race, a raucous race that highlights homemade sleds comprised of cardboard, duct tape and whatever else participants find laying around their homes!

Those interested in experiencing Southern Exposure 2010 or any other events featured throughout Winter Magic can find a variety of lodging options throughout the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area online.

Aside from the many celebrations that take place during Winter Magic, Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge visitors can find a world of wonder and excitement with year-round attractions including Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and WonderWorks.

At Ripley’s Aquaarium of the Smokies, guests will journey through the depths of the sea, experiencing over 10,000 aquatic animals representing more than 350 different species. From Shark Lagoon to Sting Ray Bay, adventure awaits.

From the mysteries of the deep to the just plain curious, WonderWorks offers numerous interactive exhibits ranging from educational to just plain strange. Experience an earthquake at Quake Café, rest on an authentic bed of nails, or even get a work-out in on the indoor rock wall: you can do it all at WonderWorks.

Don’t spend the rest of your winter waiting for spring; get out and make the most of 2010 with Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge and the always memorable Winter Magic!

Grand Ole Opry Schedule of Performers for January 8 & 9, 2010

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, January 8 - Order Tickets

•  Jason Michael Carroll
• Danny Gokey
• Kyle Petty
• Chris Young
• and more

 Saturday January 9 - Order Tickets

• Rodney Crowell
• Chris Young
• and more

Rock City Offers Holiday Cheer with Its Enchanted Garden of Lights

Running through January 5, Chattanooga visitors will find a superb ode to the holidays with Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights. This amazing lights display transforms the natural beauty of Rock City into a winter wonderland complete with more than 30 meticulously decorated scenes displaying various customs and traditions of the holidays. From trails of nutcrackers and candy houses to Christmas trees and nativity scenes, a variety of holiday sights will be covered throughout the scenes - each offering its own, unique take on this special time of the season.

Those looking to experience the day-time offerings of Rock City while visiting the area will definitely be interested in the Lookout Mountain Attractions. This comprehensive package of area activities offers admission to Rock City, as well as Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway all for one price! Rock City, as the name might imply, features a variety of natural, towering rock formations that overlook the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. The Incline Railway travels to the top of Lookout Mountain, and travels at an amazing steep grade of 73%. As for Ruby Falls, it offers travelers an amazing cave experience complete with an underground 145 foot waterfall!

Another great option for exploring the area’s wondrous outdoors is the Crystal Palace Cave Tour. Along this guided tour you’ll travel through Crystal Palace Cave and learn of the various stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and other geological features found throughout the cave. Of course, even if you care nothing about the technical nature of these formations, even just experiencing them first-hand is an amazing sight to behold.

Christmas Comes to the Country Music Capital of the World

As the Winter season officially sets in much of Music City will be covered in the warmth and cheer of the season, if not necessarily a blanket of snow. From luxurious resorts to historic homesteads, throughout the area travelers will find a wealth of options for enjoying a traditional Nashville vacation coated with a touch of the holidays!

Gaylord Opryland Resort

Gaylord Opryland Resort’s encompassing A Country Christmas has all four atriums of the popular resort decked out for the holidays while the resort’s Gaslight Theatre plays host to both Louise Mandrell’s “Joy to the World” Christmas Dinner & Show and the interactive ICE!, featuring classic scenes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” through exquisite ice sculptures. Additionally, the famed Radio City Rockettes will be performing at the nearby Grand Ole Opry House as part of the festival!

Belle Meade Plantation

Throughout December, the Belle Meade Plantation will tweak its typical historical entertainment and education to provide a more concentrated look at Christmas in the 19th century. Victorian finery and a general sense of luxury and sophistication will be on display as you experience how the elite of yester year celebrated the holidays.

General Jackson Showboat

The General Jackson Showboat and Tim Watson will be teaming up this Winter season to bring Nashville visitors a historic and lively time along the Cumberland River with Tim Watson’s Tennessee Christmas. Tim Watson’s acclaimed fiddle abilities will be put on center stage as he combines his perfected style with the nostalgia of Christmas classics. Of course, dinner and stunning views of Nashville will help compliment your experience for a varied occasion of entertainment.

Grand Ole Opry Performers For November 27 & 28

If you’re headed to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, this is what’s happening at Ryman! Please note that the performances are subject to change at the last minute.

Friday, November 27 – Order Tickets
7:00 – 7:30
Jeannie Seely
Jim Ed Brown
Rhonda Vincent

7:30 – 8:00
Jimmy Dickens
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Lorrie Morgan

8:00 – 8:30
Riders In The Sky
Jan Howard
Jimmy C. Newman
Matt Kennon

8:30 – 9:00
Mike Snider
Connie Smith

Saturday, November 28 – Order Tickets!
7:00 – 7:30
Jimmy Dickens
Jimmy C. Newman
Jimmy Wayne

7:30 – 8:00
Mike Snider
Jim Ed Brown
The Whites

8:00 – 8:30
Lorrie Morgan
Riders In The Sky
Cherryholmes
Opry Square Dancers

8:30 – 9:00
Bill Anderson
Connie Smith
Brad Paisley

INTERMISSION

9:30 – 10:00
Jimmy Dickens
Lorrie Morgan
Brad Paisley

10:00 – 10:30
Mike Snider
Charlie Louvin
Jimmy Wayne

10:30 – 11:00
Jeannie Seely
Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
The Whites
Opry Square Dancers

11:00 – 11:30
Bill Anderson
Riders In The Sky
Cherryholmes

Christmas at Graceland in Memphis, TN

Celebrate this holiday season with Memphis and memories of the King with Christmas at Graceland! Running from now through December 25, Graceland will be transformed into a veritable winter wonderland through a variety of holiday lighting, exhibits and general joy. As has been done for years, Graceland will be adorned with the same décor Elvis used during his residence, offering yet another way to catch an intimate glimpse into the life of one of America’s brightest stars. Other seasonal touches are set to include a lighted Christmas tree. Whether an avid Elvis fan or simply looking for a unique way to celebrate the season, Christmas at Graceland can warm the hearts of one and all!

Learn more about Christmas at Graceland and find hotel options near Graceland online.

Of course, if you are visiting Memphis this winter, then a visit to Graceland is practically a must-do. Tours of Elvis’ legendary house will take guests through eight rooms of the actual mansion, as well as Elvis’ custom airplanes and even the final resting place of The King himself. And while a walk through this famed estate is always memorable, the addition of Christmas at Graceland is sure to make the moment all the more special.

Enjoy a Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood!

Having started November 7 and running through December 30, the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival offers travelers a wholesome, holiday outing amidst the great dining, thrilling rides and handmade crafts of Dollywood. Over three million lights brighten the popular Smoky Mountain theme park with various parades, live performances and seasonal dining adding to the festivities! If you’re looking to unlock the full magic of the season, you’re sure to find it in ample supply at Dollywood during the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.

Dollywood’s 125 acre setting is the perfect place to hold a winter festival and can certainly offer more than enough to keep the entire family entertained! 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. Aside from the sheer fun that can be found at Dollywood, visitors will also find an authentic representation of Smoky Mountain heritage and culture at nearly every turn.

Next Page »