Start your Summer in the Smokies

Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark

Cool off this summer in Gatlinburg at Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark! The park is built in a 35 acre mountain hollow making for a gorgeous escape. Featuring more than 23 slides and thrill rides fit for guests of every size and age, one day is barely enough to enjoy this wonderful waterpark. New this year is River Rush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster. This ride artfully combines the thrill of a roller coaster with the fun of a water ride. Hop in a raft with your buddies to careen down four massive hills, shoot through dark tunnels, and, most importantly, get wet! You’ll love everything about this awesome water coaster! Next, take a scream-inducing ride on Mountain Scream! Choose between a corkscrew slide or an aggressive quadruple-drop slide on this bad boy that leaves riders begging for more. Play with little ones at Bear Mountain Fire Tower, a fun playground with super soakers, small slides, and much more! Just remember to stay out of the way when the huge barrel unleashes 1,000 gallons of water at the top of the playground. Race your friends and family down the bumpy 300-foot slides of the Slick Rock Racer. Experience the thrill of white water rafting on Big Bear Plunge, a raft ride which sends riders through dark caverns, around winding bends, and through a curtain of water before splashing into a huge pool at the end. These rides and many more await in the mountains at Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark! For more information about other rides, height requirements, and park hours, click on this link.

Comedy Barn Variety Show

No trip to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge would be complete without a fantastic show! Featuring magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, country and gospel music, and fun barnyard animals, the Comedy Barn Variety Show will leave you laughing for days. The Comedy Barn Variety Show is the home to the area’s funniest comedians so this show should definitely not be missed. Family friendly comedy makes this show appropriate for everyone, young and old! For ticket info, visit our website.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

See more than 10,000 aquatic animals at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! Upon entrance, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful Tropical Rainforest display where you’ll discover piranhas, freshwater stingrays, four-eyed fish, poison dart frogs, and much more! View the exhibit from both sides of a beautiful waterfall before moving on to see Systems Control, an awesome exhibit that shows visitors how 1.4 gallons of water circulates through the massive aquarium everyday. Next, face your fears in Shark Lagoon. See sharks from every angle in the aquarium’s awesome underwater tunnel that gives visitors a breathtaking underwater experience without getting wet! Before you leave, don’t miss out on Touch A Ray Bay, where, just like the name describes, you’ll have the chance to touch a sting ray! You’ll love learning about aquatic wildlife in this amazing aquarium! For more information, visit this link.

Enjoy a Marvelous Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Getaway!

Outdoor Adventures in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

With warm temperatures FINALLY on the way, it’s time to get outside in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge! The Great Smoky Mountains are lush, green, and filled with wildlife, so why not get out in the mountains to enjoy it?! Check out some of our very favorite outdoor activities in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area!

1 Hour Smoky Mountain Horseback Ride

Take in the beauty of the Smokies on a guided trail ride. No horseback riding experience? No problem! The ride is geared toward beginners and only stays on flat land. Your guide will narrate you through the ride by pointing out wildlife, points of interest, and beautiful flora and fauna. The ride is hosted by the smallest stable in the area, which can only mean a more personal, safe, and comfortable experience for each and every rider. Each horse is expertly trained, treated with love, and well-cared for. Because they are kept in pastures, rather than in stalls, the horses are able to stretch their legs aside from the rides so they are extremely gentle. With beautiful sights, gorgeous horses, and a calming atmosphere, you’ll want to ride all day long! For more information, visit this link.

Monster Truck Rides

After a calming ride on the mountainside, why not rev it up with some big fun? By big fun, we mean Monster fun! Your adrenaline will be pumping aboard one of these awesome monster trucks! With massive 66 inch wheels, these monster trucks tower over the track. Choose from the front seat for a smooth ride and a look at all kinds of gadgets or sit in the truck bed where there are 12 bench seats. The Wildcat Monster Trucks take 5 laps on the massive track which features four bumpy hills for a very bumpy ride. This is an exhilarating adventure for people of all ages! For more information, click on the following link.

All You Can Handle in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Shows and attractions are in full swing as the calendar turns to April. You can go see the strange and weird at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, ride thrilling coasters at Dollywood Theme Park Tennessee, or see great comedy and entertainment with the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud Show. These activities and more are all available in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Take a look at other events going on in the area.

RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo

Worked on by the same contractors that themed Disney’s Animal Kingdom, RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo is an indoor exhibit for hundreds of animal species. Come visit and wander past ancient ruins, a 25-foot jungle waterfall, and into the RainForest to discover venomous snakes, giant tortoises, ringtailed lemurs, and vibrantly colored birds. There are over 600 animals featured at the venue, all born in captivity, and over 130 different species are represented.

Lumberjack Feud Dinner & Show

Grab your best flannel shirt and your heartiest appetite for the Lumberjack Feud Dinner & Show. You’ll get to see hilarious lumberjack antics and humor and have a hearty woodsman dinner. The show follows the lives of two logging families who are struggling with the impending doom as their livelihood is being reduced by the National Park. Enjoy the educational and entertaining show and a filling dinner at this one of a kind event.

Smoky Mountain Opry

Hosting a wide variety of music from the 40s through today, lively dancing, a hilarious nationally acclaimed comedian, dazzling costumes, magic, special effects, and much more! The Opry contains a digital projection system, huge video screens, surround sound, and a stunning laser light system. You’ll hear tributes from some of your favorite artists of all time including Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and more.

These are just a few options of some of the great things to do in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. No matter what you are looking for, you’ll find something to suit your tastes and make your vacation a memorable one.

Gatlinburg: City of Fun!

Gatlinburg is in full swing and there are many attractive options for visitors. You can stay at an amazing local hotel, like the Westgate Smoky Mountain Hotel, Resort at Governor’s Crossing, or the Smoky Getaway Cabins, and then see some of the best attractions the city has to offer, such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Dollywood Theme Park, WonderWorks Interactive Experience, or the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram.

Of course the best way to experience the city is through a vacation package! We at Vacations Made Easy have many pre-made packages for you to select if you want some suggestions for your vacation, or you can create your own custom package and do exactly what you want to do! Here are just a few of the vacation packages we have to offer.

Dollywood Pigeon Forge Vacation Package

The Dollywood Pigeon Forge Vacation Package gives you three night’s lodging at the hotel of your choice, and admission into the Dollywood theme park. Dollywood is home to over 30 rides and attractions, all of which are inspired by the life of Dolly Parton and the rich history of the Smokies. You’ll be able to ride the 85-foot plunge on the Mystery Mine rollercoaster, or slide down the side of a mountain in a water toboggan on the Mountain Sidewinder. You’ll get some extra time to explore the fun of Gatlinburg with your three night stay in the city.

Gatlinburg Area Weekend Getaway Package

This great package includes two nights of lodging in the property of your choice, and tickets to see the Dixie Stampede. The Dixie Stampede is Gatlinburg’s premiere attraction. You will get to see high-adrenaline fun as the heart-pounding show features beautiful horses, stampeding buffalo, and a super-talented cast performing rousing musical numbers and hilarious, family friendly comedy. The show also includes a good old fashioned, down-home, country dinner. The Gatlinburg Area Weekend Getaway package is perfect for a weekend trip, you’ll get your two night stay and enjoy a great show with plenty of time to explore what the city has to offer.

These packages and more are available for your trip to this great southern city. Of course you can also check out our vacation package builder and create the perfect itinerary for you! So get started on your vacation today and visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/!

Links:

Westgate Smoky Mountain Hotel: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/lodging/WestgateSmokyMountainHotel.cfm

Resort at Governor’s Crossing: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/lodging/TheResortatGovernorsCrossing.cfm

Smoky Getaway Cabins: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/lodging/SmokyGetawaysCabins.cfm

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/RipleysAquariumoftheSmokies1.cfm

Dollywood: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/Dollywood.cfm

WonderWorks Interactive Experience: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/WonderWorksPigeonForge.cfm

Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/OberGatlinburgAerialTram.cfm

Dollywood Pigeon Forge Vacation Package: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/vacationPackages/DollywoodPigeonForgeVacationPackage.cfm

Gatlinburg Area Weekend Getaway Package: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/vacationPackages/GatlinburgAreaWeekendGetawayPackage.cfm

Start Your Spring in Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge

Temperatures are rising, flowers are beginning to bloom, grass is growing, and the sun is out! Spring weather is just arriving in Gatlinburg meaning your favorite shows and attractions are returning from their winter hiatus!

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede

Enjoy dinner while participating in the ultimate American rivalry – North vs. South! The Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show is a friendly competition between the two sides of the theater. The competition takes place in the 35,000 square foot arena in the form of horse races, trick riding, amazing musical numbers, and laugh-out-loud comedy. The show even features a buffalo stampede! All of this can be enjoyed while you enjoy a four-course feast. You’ll dine on a whole rotisserie chicken, a hickory smoked barbecued pork loin, creamy vegetable soup, an herb-basted potato, corn on the cob, and homemade biscuits. The food is served sans utensils making for a very unique experience. Don’t miss the comedy and bluegrass music from Mountain Rukus in the 2 level Saloon before the show! Enjoy dinner at the “Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies!” For more information, visit this link.

Dollywood Theme Park

Speaking of Dolly Parton attractions, Dollywood will open for its season on March 23! That also marks the beginning of the Festival of Nations in the park. March 23 through April 22, guests will have the chance to experience cultures from around the globe. More than 25 countries are represented though food, dance, and art in this fascinating festival including China, Scotland, Poland, France, Ecuador, India, and many more! Stop in at Atahualpa, an Ecuadorian band that plays Native Incan instruments with a bit of contemporary flair or listen to the captivating voices of the Ugandan Children’s Choirs. These shows are only available during the Festival of Nations. While you’re there, take a ride on the Wild Eagle, America’s first wing coaster, which made its debut last year. Then, take a look at the Calico Falls Schoolhouse to see what it was like to attend school in the late 1800’s in Tennessee. Don’t miss your chance to see the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a 30,000 square foot aviary which houses the country’s largest population of non-releasable bald eagles. All this and more awaits at Dollywood! The 150-acre theme park has been heralded for being the “Best of the Best.” The park won the 2012 Golden Ticket Award for “World’s Friendliest Theme Park.” Pick up your tickets for all of these attractions and much, much more! For more information about the park, visit our website.

Magic and Feuds Are in the Air in Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge

The beautiful Smoky Mountains offer romantic getaways and exciting adventures for visitors year-round. From the popular Dixie Stampede to the comedic antics at the Comedy Barn Theater, Gatlinburg offers something for everyone.

With spring break approaching in March, the busy travel season is fast approaching. Now is a great time to take a trip and catch a show before the crowds start filing in. Take a look at some of the events and shows that are preparing to open soon here in the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area.

Wonders of Magic Opening February 14^th

WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge is the sight of The Wonders of Magic with Terry Evanswood, an international star of magic. Evanswood has been performing for the last fourteen years in the pigeon forge area, amazing over 1 million guests with his magic and illusions. Sit back and enjoy magic, music, hilarious comedy, and impersonations with this world renowned show. For more information and to get your tickets today, visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/WondersofMagic.cfm

Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud Show; Tickets Available Now

This unique experience has the audience member participate in the show by being designated in either the Hatfield or McCoy sections, and cheering and jeering to keep the rivalry alive. Guests will be treated to a stunning Southern home-style feast of creamy country soup, pulled barbeque pork, fried chicken, and more. While you dine on your hearty feast you will be taken inside the legendary feud with an action-packed show that features stunt performers, talented actors, dancers, and singers who battle out their differences and encourage the audience to cheer them on. This show is fun for the whole family! For more information, visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/HatfieldMcCoyDinnerFeudShow.cfm

Of course with all of the other activities that Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge has to offer you’ll never run out of fun things to do. Take a look at our website at www.vacationsmadeeasy.com to start planning your trip today!

Happy travels!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg

Take a trip to Gatlinburg for a New Year’s celebration you won’t soon forget! This year at the 25th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show, celebrate 2013 with musical entertainment, choreographed fireworks, party favors, and much more excitement. This celebration has become a tradition over the years, and hundreds families and friends gather in Gatlinburg from all across America to welcome the New Year. Also keep an eye out for special celebrations at area attractions and restaurants!

Smoky Mountain Opry

Before the big countdown, take time to see a show unique to the Smoky Mountains at the Smoky Mountain Opry where you and your loved ones can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. See Santa and his dancing reindeer, merry music played by the biggest band in the area, a living nativity scene, flying sugar plum fairies, and special effects like sparkling snow, mysterious fog, lasers, and other effects to add extra Christmas charm.

Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Show

Combine one of the most legendary stories of the South with a hearty meal for one heck of a time at Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Show. Watch as stunt performers, talented actors, skillful dancers, and brilliant singers bring the story of the Hatfields & McCoys to life as you enjoy a Southern home-style feast of fried chicken, pulled barbeque pork, mashed potatoes, beans, cornbread, coleslaw, and Granny’s special dessert.

If you plan on taking a trip to the Smokies, browse through our list of hotels in the area to find one perfect for your travel needs by clicking here.

Spend the Holidays in the South

Gatlinburg’s streets are adorned with a little bit of winter magic lasting until February. For four months every year the city lights up the Downtown Parkway with winter snowflakes hanging on the light posts and LED lights outlining trees. The city has been decorating its streets since 1989 but this year, the city is happy to announce that they have completely converted to environmentally friendly LED lights that save the city 95 percent of their energy costs. With this significant switch, Gatlinburg is able to light the entire 120 days of the program for what it once cost for only three days of electricity. The lighting displays that Gatlinburg residents have come to know and love for the past 22 years have been converted to LED lights too. So head to Gatlinburg to check out the lights!

Biltmore Estate

Built between 1889 and 1895 for George Washington Vanderbilt II, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned residence in the country featuring 250 rooms and 178,926 square feet. The home is still owned by one of Vanderbilt’s descendants  Vanderbilt decided to build his estate in Asheville in the 1880’s after he had fallen in love with the area. So, like his older siblings, he built a massive summer house replicating the style of working estates in Europe. Because of a desire for the estate to be self sustaining, Biltmore designed forestry programs and farming programs. He also started Biltmore Industries in the area to promote local employment. When Vanderbilt died in 1914, his widow sold 85,000 acres of the original 125,000 acres of the property to the federal government to become a part of the Pisgah National Forest.

In March 1930, due to the estate’s financial situation during the Depression, the Biltmore Estate was opened to the public for tours. Family continued to live there until 1956 when it was permanently opened as a public museum. The estate is still owned and run by family, in fact, it is run by George Washington Vanderbilt II’s great-grandson. Visitors are invited to view the estate’s 70,000-gallon indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, two-story library, and much much more! In 2010,Antler Hill Village debuted with a dairy remodeled into a winery, Cedric’s Tavern, an Outdoor Adventure Center, and a museum highlighting the history of the Vanderbilt family.

Christmastime at the Biltmore Estate means miles and miles of gorgeous decorations spread throughout the 178,000-square-foot mansion. A breathtaking 35-foot Christmas tree graces the massive banquet hall. Visit the estate at night during the holiday season when all of the fireplaces fill the home with a warm glow accentuating the beautiful Christmas lights decorating the house. The Antler Hill Village is also celebrating the holiday season just a stone’s throw away from the estate. For more information about Christmas at the Biltmore Estate, visit our website.

Biltmore Estate is located 1.5 hours away from Gatlinburg. Browse through our lodging listings to find the perfect hotel for your vacation.

Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Titanic Museum in Gatlinburg

Thanksgiving is drawing near and, this year, the Titanic Museum in Gatlinburg is celebrating in style! In order to pay tribute to the 2,208 passengers, crew members, and rescuers that lost their lives on that fateful night in 1912, the museum will be filling the night sky with fireworks on November 22. This will be the largest fireworks event on the Smoky Mountain Parkway since the grand opening celebration of the Titanic Museum in 2010. Visitors will also be able to experience a light snow fall outside the museum. Yes, real snow! November 22-24 and every Saturday in December, the Titanic Museum will be blanketed in fresh snow. Inside, the museum will be adorned with hundreds of Christmas lights. So, don’t miss the magic of the holiday season at the Titanic Museum! Read on for more information about the Titanic Museum or check out our website.

Titanic Museum

The Titanic Museum’s magnificent collection of artifacts and stories began in 1987 when John Joslyn, owner of the museum, embarked on a wonderful adventure on the first expedition to the great ship buried deep in the sea. Joslyn dedicated his career to the magnificent ship and the untold stories of the 2,208 passengers and crew members who were aboard the ship that fateful night in April 1912. His team spent 44 days at sea exploring the ship 2.5 miles below. After 32 successful dives in a 20 million dollar submersible, more than 400 personal artifacts and hours of video footage was recovered. The artifacts and video footage enabled Joslyn to create a two-hour television special, which quickly became the second highest rated live TV documentary ever. Its success prompted Joslyn to build museums to hold the artifacts and educate people from all over the world. The museum itself was built to resemble the massive ship, except it is roughly half the size. The replica of the ship is anchored in water with a life size iceberg on the Smoky Mountain Parkway.

Upon entry, visitors will receive a ticket featuring the story of an actual Titanic passenger. The story of that passenger unfolds as you make your way through the museum. Walk down the iconic grand staircase, take a seat in the dining room for dinner, take the wheel on the captain’s bridge, tap out a message on the ship’s wireless, reach into 28-degree water, touch an iceberg, and, essentially, learn what it was like to be one of the 2,208 passengers and crew members on the 1912 RMS Titanic. Joslyn’s goal is to educate visitors and offer them a truly unforgettable experience. There are two museums resembling the beautiful ship, one in Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge and the other in Branson,Missouri. Visitors will experience a slightly different experience at each museum. For more information about the Titanic Museum, click on this link.

After a truly magical Titanic experience, enjoy a relaxing stay in one of the many hotels in the area. Visit our website to search for the perfect hotel with the amenities that you desire.

Christmas in the Smokies

What better way to celebrate Christmas in the Smokies than Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees from November 20 through the 24 at Mills Convention Center. At this joyous festival you can see numerous Christmas trees adorned with brilliant decorations, browse through local craft items, put your skills to the test by entering the gingerbread house contest, dress up as a present and take a picture with your favorite tree, and more! All proceeds benefit the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries, so bring the whole family to help spread Christmas cheer to everyone.

Dixie Stampede – Pigeon Forge, TN

The “Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies” is ringing in the holiday season in style this year in Gatlinburg. Christmas comes alive in the Dixie arena with a live nativity scene complete with camels, donkeys, and sheep who arrive in anticipation of Baby Jesus. Lovers of the regular season show will notice a similar format to the Christmas show. The usual rivalry between the North and South dominates the show as usual. The audience will be split into North and South Pole sides to cheer on the Dixie Stampede elves as they compete in the arena. Trick riders present breathtaking horseback riding techniques with the 32 magnificent horses in the cast. While you enjoy an unforgettable show, you’ll be served up a delectable four-course meal featuring a whole rotisserie chicken, smoked pork loin, creamy vegetable soup, biscuits, corn on the cob, herb-basted potato, and scrumptious dessert. No Christmas show would be complete without a visit from jolly Santa Claus to brighten the faces of the youngest members of the audience. Interested in even more fun at the Dixie Stampede? Don’t miss the pre-show one hour ahead featuring nostalgic Christmas music that you won’t want to miss! For more information about the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon forge, follow this link.

Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas

During the holiday season, Dollywood is transformed into a wonderland filled with everything Christmas. At Dollywood you will be surrounded by millions of sparkling lights decorating the shops and trees, admire carefully placed decorations, do a bit of Christmas shopping, enjoy a holiday treat at one of the fantastic restaurants, see one of the many Christmas performances, watch as decorated floats pass by in the Christmas parade, and much more! Christmas at Dollywood is a truly unique and memorable experience perfect for everyone. For more information about Dollywood, please visit this link.

Whether you’re looking for a rustic cabin or a comfortable suite, there are plenty of lodging options in the area that are sure to fit your needs. For a full list of lodging in the Gatlinburg area, click this link.

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