The holiday season may be coming to a close, but Gatlinburg visitors will still be able to find an enchanting time of winter wonder throughout January with the Trolley Ride of Lights. Having ran since November 7, and continuing until January 26, the Trolley Ride of Lights provides Gatlinburg visitors with a magical trolley ride through Gatlinburg’s Winterfest lighting display.

While the heart-warming display will still be offered to the public, the tours will only run on Saturdays throughout January.

However, Gatlinburg offers more than enough entertainment to make for a complete, active vacation when visiting to experience its always popular Trail of Lights.

Continuing with a theme of wonder, WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge, TN can offer visitors an entertaining and educational stroll through a variety of strange, natural and technological exhibits all geared towards interaction. From experiencing a simulated 5.3 magnitude earthquake at the Quake Cafe to lying upon a bed of 3,497 real nails, there are a variety of experiences that you’ll hopefully have never taken part in before awaiting to be introduced to you at WonderWorks in a safe and fascinating manner.

And those looking for a comprehensive view of Gatlinburg won’t find a better way to go about exploring the land than through a Helicopter Tour of the Smokies. From soaring over downtown Gatlinburg to flying alongside the majestic Smoky Mountains, with Helicopter Tours of the Smokies you’ll find an exciting, bird’s eye view of Tennessee awaiting!

The holidays may be technically over, but Gatlinburg is still featuring winter charm with its Trolley Ride of Lights, and it’s always a good time to give yourself and your family the gift of vacation.

Whether you’re looking for modern attractions and excitement or the chance to test your mettle in the wild, Gatlinburg and the Smokies can offer a variety of vacation activities that can fit nearly any vacation style. From braving the rapids of the area rivers to enjoying family fun at Dollywood, or even finding a happy medium, there are a variety of ways to for the family to relax and rewind amongst the Smoky Mountains.

RainForest Adventures

RainForest Adventures may not pack the thrilling action of a theme park, but there’s no doubt that this zoological attraction is every bit as intriguing as any theme park out there. This all-indoor exhibit contains hundreds of animal species, as well as numerous sites you’d expect to see in their natural habitats, including a working 25-foot waterall! From snakes and other creepy crawlers to exotic bird species, there’s a site to capture the imagination of one and all at RainForest Adventures.

1 Hour Horseback Ride

If you’d like to immerse yourself in the outdoors, but aren’t quite up for the intensity of a rafting adventure, then perhaps a horseback ride is more in order. Along this scenic excursion you’ll ride along the base of the Smoky Mountains for an experience that quite unlike any other in all of America. And best of all, each ride can be customized to your group’s exact skill level. So whether you’ve never ridden a horse before or are practically a professional, the 1 Hour Horseback Ride can suit all comers.

Live Shows

Of course, outdoors activities are far from the only thing going on in the Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge area. From country offerings to acrobatics, comedy and magic, there are a variety of entertainment options waiting. In fact, there’s such a selection available that if you so chose, you could spend your entire vacation just taking in shows! Start browsing today to put your plans for your next vacation in the Smokies in motion now.

October 26, 2007

This November 7th, the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area will be celebrating the upcoming winter season at Ripley’s Aquarium with the Winterfest Kick-Off & Chili Cook-Off. Serving as a perfect way to fend off the cold of the season, 20 award-winning chili cooks will square off to see who is best at warming up and winning over the crowd. Aside from the great chili, visitors will find special lights displays throughout the grounds of Ripley’s Aquarium, as well as all of the aquarium’s normal exhibits for an exciting day of aquatic discovery, holiday cheer and great chili!

Gatlinburg’s RainForest Adventures offers the chance to carry your exploration and festivities from the depths of the ocean to the tropical settings of the Rain Forest. This all-indoor exhibit contains hundreds of animal species, as well as numerous sights you’d expect to see in the Rain Forest, including a working 25-foot waterfall! From snakes and other creepy crawlers to exotic bird species, there’s a site to capture the imagination of one and all at RainForest Adventures.

And for those looking to explore nature in its full setting, there is always the option of a helicopter ride over the Smokies. From brief flights that merely take you up for a view to immersive journeys that span over 80 miles, there are numerous ways to enjoy the Smokies from the sky during your next Gatlinburg vacation.