Join the Veterans Day Celebration in Gatlinburg on November 11!

Honor America’s heroes and veterans with this tribute, featuring a wide variety of events including patriotic music, a fly-by presentation, and even an appearance by an American bald eagle from the American Eagle Foundation. This event takes place at the Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza on November 11 and it’s a great activity for the entire family to come to together and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. Area events and festivities grow larger each year and a variety of veterans and current service members will be there, so be sure to attend. Our lodging options are perfect for your stay, and there are plenty of activities to check out while you are in the area!

Step into the amazing Dixie Stampede to witness an all-in-fun look at the rivalry between North & South in this action packed dinner and show extravaganza. You’ll witness amazing performances by the cast, as well as the stars of the show – 32 amazing performing horses! Ostrich races and a fantastic patriotic finale highlight this family adventure that has made a name for itself around the country. You’ll also feast on a hearty four-course meal featuring Southern favorites like rotisserie chicken, homemade biscuits and much more.

The Titanic Museum boasts a wide range of artifacts and memorabilia as you are taken on a historical journey through the tragic events of the Titanic, as well as into the personal lives of its passengers. The museum features twenty rooms, which include a full-size replica of the Grand Staircase, actual lifeboats used by survivors and victims, the ship’s bridge, and more. Even the building itself has been built to half-scale in the image of the Titanic and sits anchored to water for a realistic effect. Inside the rooms, you will find over 400 artifacts and personal items, as well as chilling accounts, SOS messages, and so much more.

Ascend to the clouds with the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. Watch the world below grow smaller and smaller after boarding in downtown Gatlinburg and climbing above the city, mountains, trees and river for amazing views from the heights of the Smoky Mountains. You’ll end up 1,800 feet above the rest of the world where you can savor the view, enjoy a picnic lunch or take some unbelievable mountaintop photos. Try it at night for a different experience!

Check Out the Circle Yer Wagens Volkswagen Show in Gatlinburg!

September 30 – October 3, 2011 is the Circle Yer Wagens Volkswagen Show at the Sevier Country Fairgrounds in Sevierville, TN. This annual event draws Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts from around the country to Sevierville for a unique and exciting event that features competitions, showcases, activities and more. Volkswagens from across all eras compete in various classes, and owners get the opportunity to show off their pride and joy! The annual Miss Circle Yer Wagens will be crowned as Volkswagens from across the years burn rubber in several heats of burn out. Competition classes range from restored stock and custom classes to the off-road Battered Buggy competition, and kickin’ systems will blast off in the stereo contest and a unique twist on the classic car show, Circle Yer Wagens is calling on all VW owners! While you’re in the area try to stop in to these great activities of Gatlinburg.

Titanic Museum

The Titanic Museum boasts a wide range of artifacts and memorabilia as you are taken on a historical journey through the tragic events of the Titanic, as well as into the personal lives of its passengers. The museum features twenty rooms, which include a full-size replica of the Grand Staircase, actual lifeboats used by survivors and victims, the ship’s bridge, and more. Even the building itself has been built to half-scale in the image of the Titanic and sits anchored to water for a realistic effect. Inside the rooms, you will find over 400 artifacts and personal items, as well as chilling accounts, SOS messages, and so much more.

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

Back to the 50s

You can experience a blast to the past with Back to the 50s at the Smith Family Center. The show features fast-paced songs from the 1950s, Grease, and an Elvis Presley tribute. From time to time T.G. Sheppard performs live. In the 1960s, he performed under the stage name Brian Stacey, and was the opening act for groups like Jan & Dean and The Beach Boys. You can hear Sheppard singing his song from the ’70s, Devil in the Bottle, and his other oldies in the live show.

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

Helicopter Rides in the Smokies

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Smoky Mountains with an exciting helicopter ride that travels over the cities of Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, as well as the rolling foothills of the Smoky Mountains! These rides are a guaranteed thrill no matter your age. Choose from a variety of flight options ranging from quick two minute flights covering eight miles to 15 minute excursions that cover a total of 30 miles! These flights will give you unforgettable looks at the majesty of the Smoky Mountains, the charm of Gatlinburg and the Pigeon Forge area, and the natural beauty of Tennessee.

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

There Is a Lot To Do in the Gatlinburg Area!

Are you looking for a place to take a getaway soon? Check out Gatlinburg, Tennessee! There are many things to see and experience in the area, you’ll have a great, relaxing time. From shows to activities, there’s a variety of attractions that will meet the interests of anyone. Stroll the zoo as you observe an enormous variety of animals, or ride the Sky Lift to get an incredible view of the city. Don’t miss out on this outstanding Tennessee destination. Search through our lodging options to find one that is right for you, and make sure to check out these recommended attractions.

If you are a fan of acrobatics and incredible performance routines then you can’t go wrong with the Cirque De Chine Acrobatics Show. Over sixty gold and silver medalist acrobats from around the world combine to make this one stunning performance filled with talent that includes juggling, thunder drums, motorcycles and more. You will be blown away and this show will surely be a highlight of your trip.

The family and kid-friendly RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo features hundreds of exotic animal species, including venomous snakes, brilliantly-colored birds, giant tortoises, lemurs and more! A 25-foot indoor jungle waterfall and ancient ruins add to the realistic rainforest feel of this attraction, and an interactive show featuring expert handlers and plenty of animals lets the children get involved in learning about these exciting species. There’s plenty of excitement to keep the entire family entertained, so make the zoo a must on your Gatlinburg trip.

Ascend to the clouds with the Gatlinburg Sky Lift! Watch the world below grow smaller and smaller after boarding in downtown Gatlinburg and climbing above the city, mountains, trees and river for amazing views from the heights of the Smoky Mountains. You’ll end up 1,800 feet above the rest of the world where you can savor the view, enjoy a picnic lunch or take some unbelievable mountaintop photos. Try it at night for a different experience!

Go Country in Gatlinburg with these Wild Western Shows!

Many attractions are available in Gatlinburg, but if you’re looking for pure country music entertainment, the city has some of the best. If you’re yearning for the twang of the steel guitar or the quick dance of the fiddle, it’s time to plan a trip to Gatlinburg. You can attend these remarkable shows when you’re not relaxing at your luxurious accommodations. Put on your boots, strap on your spurs, and get ready for a kickin’ country time with this round-up of performances.

Step into the amazing Dixie Stampede to witness an all-in-fun look at the rivalry between North & South in this action packed dinner and show extravaganza. You’ll witness amazing performances by the cast, as well as the stars of the show – 32 amazing performing horses! Ostrich races and a fantastic patriotic finale highlight this family adventure that has made a name for itself around the country. You’ll also feast on a hearty four-course meal featuring Southern favorites like rotisserie chicken, homemade biscuits and much more. Mmmmmm.

Featuring an all-star cast of performers of all ages, this Country Tonite features current hits, country classics, gospel tunes and patriotic melodies. There’s also plenty of humor in between the stunning vocal and musical performances to keep you laughing, tapping your toes and singing along. The variety and talent of this performance will leave you speechless!

Lee Greenwood may be best known for his patriotic tune “God Bless the USA,” but he has released many other chart-topping hits over his career and now is your chance to see the great Lee Greenwood live. With Lee Greenwood’s popularity across the decades and his incredible number of chart-topping hits, this show is the ideal entertainment option for the whole family to enjoy together.

Gatlinburg Gives You Activities You Will Never Forget!

Looking to do something out of the ordinary? Spend the weekend in Gatlinburg and you’ll have a variety of unique options to experience. Not only is there Dollywood Adventure Park, where you can find those tummy-turning thrills, and WonderWorks Interactive Experience, where wacky science provides one-of-a-kind entertainment, but there’s also lots of other attractions around the area. So make sure you get out of your Tennessee hotel and enjoy some crazy fun! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Climb aboard a real monster truck, complete with 66” tires and a 454 motor, and take a Monster Truck Ride. These giant trucks can hold twelve passengers and they tear up the dirt, rocks, and anything else that gets in their way. The power and intensity of these vehicles will have your adrenaline pumping and give you an unforgettable experience. You’ll be able to tell everyone you’ve rode in a monster truck!

With the Lazer Combo, you’ll get a ticket to WonderWorks and the chance to shoot some lasers! After exploring WonderWorks, if you have this combo you’ll grab a laser gun and a laser tag vest. Then, it’s time for a laser war in the darkened laser room. Blast your gun and try to tag others out until your team wins! This is a lot of adventure with both WonderWorks and Laser Tag, so get ready to have an outstanding time.

Get yourself strapped into a ZORB (an eleven foot tall inflatable globe) and then bounce, roll, and race your way down an 820 foot hill! There’s two unbelievable ways to choose to do the Smoky Mountains ZORB Ride, the ZYDRO and the ZORBIT. ZYDRO sends you down the hill with five gallons of water in your globe, making the experience almost like a wild water ride. ZORBIT is dry and flies you down the hill at exhilarating speeds, feeling more like a rollercoaster than a wet ride. This activity is hard to come by and its uniqueness may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Dollywood’s KidsFest Kicks Off in Mid-June in Pigeon Forge!

Families can come to one of the best theme parks in the state, Dollywood, to participate in the celebration during KidsFest on June 17 – August 7 in Pigeon Forge. As a special treat, the Gazillion Bubble Show will be performing all types of tricks with literally thousands of bubbles onstage. Watch as they shape and blow bubbles in every direction. Meet some of Dollywood’s favorite characters, including the Scarecrow named Patches, Trapper, Baxter Bear, Walker and Cas, the amazing outdoorsman. You can sing along to some of the tunes written by Dolly at the Imagination Playhouse, where your kids can hear three different children’s stories, all performed by the talented Penguin Players. If you’d like to participate in this event and bring your family, be sure to book your Pigeon Forge hotel room.

You can take your kids on even more great adventures at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, which pulls visitors into a deep, watery world of aquatic beauty. Visitors can walk through the pathways as they’re surrounded by the blue reflections of aquarium glass with each step. There is 350 species of wildlife here, assuring that you’ll never be bored of viewing the more than 10,000 animals. You can lead your children along as they view special exhibits like Touch a Ray Bay, Shark Lagoon, Gallery of the Seas and Coral Reef.

If you’re looking for more discoveries on land, you can head to the RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo, which holds many of the world’s most unique and beautiful animals inside. Look for gargantuan tortoises, slithering colorful snakes and ringtailed lemurs. Visitors can walk through gorgeous environments and see animals habitats like the 25 foot jungle waterfall and lush surroundings. Be sure to come early to see some of the live animals being fed by knowledgeable handlers, and you can stop by the gift shop for a souvenir to take home with you.

Summer Brings Culture and Legends with Gatlinburg Cherokee Carnival!

Summer will be here before you know it, and the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area has plenty of activities awaiting your arrival, including the cultural Cherokee Carnival on June 6 – 10. Visitors will have a blast experiencing all kinds of great fast-paced rides and delicious foods provided by vendors throughout the carnival. Bring the whole family along and listen to some of the live music or try your hand at a few of the games that are provided inside the park. If you’re planning on staying for the entirety of this great event, feel free to reserve your Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge lodging before you get here.

You can discover even more of the outdoors with Parrot Mountain and Tropical Bird Sanctuary. View all of your favorite birds within their tropical habitat – you may even hear a few of them talk to you! Every color of the rainbow is present on these birds’ feathers, and you’ll see species such as Australian lorikeets and colorful garden parrots. Take the kids to the petting zoo within the preserve, where they’ll be able to interact with all kinds of animals. You can even hand-feed the birds.

Another great animal attractions within the Gatlinburg area is the Rainforest Adventure Discovery Zoo, which holds all kinds of fun animals within their habitats. The entire zoo is indoors, so you don’t have to worry about rain or storms of any kind. You’ll see some of the most amazing animals in the world, including ring-tailed lemurs, enormous tortoises, and slithery, tropical snakes. If you come by at the right time, you’ll even be able to see some of the animals being fed or taken care of by the professional pet handlers within the zoo.

Head to the Smoky Mountains for the Scottish Highland Festival!

Formerly held in Gatlinburg, this year’s Scottish Highland Festival will be held about 20 minutes away in Maryville, Tennessee, May 20-22. Gather around your clan tent to watch athletic competitions which include the Caber Toss, Stone Put, Scottish Hammer Throw and Sheaf Toss. Other less athletic competitions include highland dance, pipes and drums, a dog show and a clan challenge. There will be plenty of musical entertainment on hand as several bands perform traditional and original Celtic songs; you will surely be dancing a jig after hearing these bands. Food vendors will be selling everything from fish and chips to the true Scottish delicacy of Haggis. There will also be plenty of unique merchandise readily available for purchase such as handcrafted Celtic jewelry, Scottish kilts, bagpipes, and clan attire. Don’t forget to book your Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge lodging!

While in the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area, enjoy a peaceful hour-long Horseback Ride through the Smoky Mountains. Geared towards beginners, the guided tour will take you along a beautiful mountain stream, through lush forestry and by wonderfully colorful wildflowers. All of the horses used are extremely gentle and mild-mannered, due in part to the fact that they live in a pasture, not in stalls, and get the opportunity to run and play regularly. This is truly a wonderful way to spend some time in the Smoky Mountains!

For a more adventurous activity, hitch a ride aboard the ZORB, an 11-foot-tall inflatable globe that takes you down an 820-foot hill for a ride you won’t soon forget. The Zorbit, or dry ride, harnesses the rider into the globe and rolls head over heels down a straight track while the  Zydro, or wet ride, places you in the globe with five gallons of water and lets you slip and slide your way down the straight track or the more thrilling zig zag track. You and two friends can even ride the Zydro together for a really wild time. ZORB is the only one of its kind in the United States so make sure and plan an afternoon for a ride like no other!

Head to Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge for the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival!

Those that seek entertainment and excitement will want to be sure to attend the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, taking place May 14 – 15 in the downtown area. There will be plenty of crafts and paintings available throughout the area that visitors can admire, in addition to great photography, beautiful glass works, metalwork, and jewelry. The exhibits have received many awards in the past, and up to $4,500 will be awarded to the 2D and 3D film productions going on this year. Be sure to come out and visit the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival this May, and reserve your Gatlinburg lodging as well.

If you’re interested in additional entertainment in the area, be sure to reserve your tickets to the Wonders of Magic, an astounding performance by one of the greatest illusionists in the area – Terry Evanswood. Watch closely as he performs escapes that resemble those of Houdini, and keep your eyes peeled to see if you can learn the secret behind his tricks! Evanswood has performed all across the continent, including Mexico, Canada and various states.

As you wrap up your vacation, be sure to visit Lee Greenwood, an extraordinary country singer that has provided audiences with more than 35 singles that have been put in the country music Billboard charts. You’ll receive a dose of both modern and classic country as you hear great tunes like, “IOU,” “Dixie Road,” Ring on Her Finger,” and “Going, Going Gone.” You won’t want to miss this show!

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.

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