There are plenty of great ways to celebrate on New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg, TN. The Gatlinburg Space Needle is the center of one of Tennessee’s greatest celebrations. Every New Year’s Eve is loaded with fireworks and excitement. Bring your whole family and enjoy one of the greatest New Year’s Eve parties in the United States. Gatlinburg is one of the most interesting cities in America. We are proud of our reputation. We want you to find out first hand why Gatlinburg is the most fun city in all of Tennessee.Read More
What To Do In Gatlinburg On A Rainy Day
Famous for things like ziplining and horseback riding through the Smokies, you might not expect Gatlinburg, TN to have many indoor attractions for a rainy day. But there’s more to this historic history than what meets the eye! Here are eight things for planning what to do in Gatlinburg even with stormy skies.Read More
Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway To Ski And Amusement Park
When you are looking for what to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, head over to Ober Gatlinburg, a spot the whole family will enjoy. Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park and ski resort rolled into one so it is easy to find something to interest everyone. The park is also home to plenty of shops and restaurants so you can spend the whole day there.Read More
Gatlinburg TN Weather Forecast Averages
When is the best time of the year to plan a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Well, the true answer is: Anytime! Gatlinburg is one of the most scenic vacation spots in Tennessee, and perhaps the entire eastern United States. The only problems travelers will have is deciding whether or not they want to swim, snow ski, dress casual, put on a pair of shorts, or bundle up!Read More
How To Select The Best Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals
How To Select The Best Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals
Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains can be fully enjoyed when opting to stay in Gatlinburg cabin rentals when you know what to look for when you begin planning. Cabins are highly recommended accommodation options, as they provide additional room and amenities that are not typically found in your average hotel room. A Gatlinburg cabin will truly provide families with a home away from home while making the most out of their vacation. Not only will you have comfortable sleeping arrangements, but you’ll be nearby all major area attractions and also find plenty to do right on-site without ever having to leave your cabin.Read More
Gatlinburg Chalets and Cabins Are Similar Yet Different
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The area is a popular tourist destination for those wishing to escape the summer heat or to simply experience a change of scenery in the fall or winter. The area provides scenic attractions for a range of travelers including couples and families with small children. As expected, the area offers abundant lodging options for visitors, and the most popular are cabins and chalets.
Smoky Mountain Cabins in Gatlinburg
Visitors often come to the mountains for a “rustic” vacation experience and that extends to their lodging choice. Cabins traditionally are manufactured of wood or a combination of wood and stone. Some authentically crafted cabins are constructed from materials gathered from the local woods and stone quarries. Visitors are usually greeted by exposed beam ceilings and pleasant decorations that reflect the mountain region.
Gatlinburg, TN vacations offer visitors cabins that blend in with the surrounding beauty of the wooded mountains but have many modern amenities. Some of these Gatlinburg cabins are downright decadent and include in room jacuzzi tubs, flat screen television sets, and outdoor hot tubs. Most cabins have fully equipped kitchens, cozy fireplaces, and game rooms. Visitors should check with the rental agency to make sure the cabin has all essential items before booking reservations. Cabin locations may range from highly secluded areas to ones that are just minutes away from city tourist attractions and dining options.
Comfortable Chalets in Gatlinburg
Even though the terms “cabin” and “chalet” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some differences of note. Gatlinburg chalets may not be constructed of wood unlike the building materials used to build traditional cabins. Some conventional chalets were A-frame houses built to the size of a small home or cottage. Other chalets are constructed as circular houses sometimes called “roundettes” or “roundhouses.” Chalet decorations vary about as much as their construction styles. To ensure a suitable lodging choice, visitors should request pictures and information before booking a stay.
Gatlinburg Chalets and Cabins Are Similar Yet Different
Gatlinburg chalets are more like regular rental homes or condominiums than cabins, and they are normally equipped with all the comforts of home. Fully equipped kitchens, dining rooms, laundry rooms are just some of the typical features of chalet rentals. Most cabins have fully equipped kitchens but dining space may be limited because of size. Only the larger cabins typically have laundry rooms. Both Gatlinburg chalets and cabins usually offer guests indoor entertainment options, outdoor decks, and grills.
Gatlinburg Christmas
Gatlinburg Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. Gatlinburg celebrates their Christmas with an array of beautiful lights and several exciting events that draw in visitors and residents to see, enjoy and actively participate in the many holiday activities. The Smoky Mountain area of Gatlinburg is as close to a magical Christmas place that you will find outside of the North Pole.
Gatlinburg is a lovely mountain resort retreat located by Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. The small-town friendliness that the city offers is displayed every day of the year. During the Christmas season, the city is full of several Christmas events that draw in thousands of visitors annually.Read More
Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge makes a wonderful family vacation with events and activities to all members of your family throughout the year. It is extra special during the Holidays with Christmas lights along every street and decorated buildings it is as close as you can get to a Christmas town South of the North Pole! From comedy to rock and roll oldies and country music, nothing compares to the music flowing around Pigeon Forge at Christmas! From dinner shows to musical extravaganzas, everyone will enjoy this time of the year at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Read More
Top 5 Family Attractions in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, is a small town that offers a wide range of family attractions with activities for people of all ages. Both indoors and out and at any time of the year, Gatlinburg provides entertainment venues and outdoor fun for families from around the country.Read More
2012 Winterfest in Gatlinburg
The holidays are quickly approaching, and so is Winterfest in Gatlinburg an annual tradition that transforms the city with an array of twinkling lights! You’re in luck if you’re planning to visit Gatlinburg between November and January because the calendar is packed with exciting events!
To kick off the holiday season, join the city of Gatlinburg for the annual Chili Cook-off which will be taking place on November 7th.Read More
Top Hiking Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains are filled with beautiful hiking trails, wildlife, and history. Each hiking trail has its own beautiful sites and rich history. Some hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains are longer and more strenuous than others, so finding the perfect hiking trail is key to a successful hike.
One hiking trail option is the hike to Alum Cave. This hike is 4.4 miles roundtrip. The trail follows Alum Cave Creek to Arch Rock. Arch Rock was created by the thawing and freezing of ice each year, which eroded the softer rock. About two miles into the hike, you will reach Inspiration Point, which has amazing views of Little Duck Hawk Ridge and Myrtle Point. At 2.2 miles, you will reach the Alum Cave.
The Baskins Creek Falls is 3.0 mile hiking trail. This trail offers great views of the mountains and of Gatlinburg. While on this hiking trail, you will cross two creeks and past Baskins Cemetery. At the end, you will reach Baskins Creek Falls, a 40 foot, two tiered waterfall.
Brushy Mountains is a 6.8 mile hike. This hiking trail in the Smoky Mountains has many wildflowers, especially during the month of May. There are four stream crossings on this hiking trail, and you will walk past Grotto Falls. Grotto Falls in the only waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park that you can walk behind. After checking out the waterfall, you can continue on the Brushy Mountain hiking trail to the summit.
The Bullhead Trail is a 5.9 mile hike. This hiking trail offers spectacular views of the mountains and wildlife, as well as different trail options along the way.
Chimney Tops is a 4.0 mile hiking trail in the Smoky Mountains. This trail is short, but don’t think that makes this trail an easy hike. Because it is shorter, this hiking trail is very steep. However, the reward for making it to the top is a beautiful view of Mount LeConte, Mount Kephart, and the Sugarland Mountain. The summit of this hike is bare rock, and the climb to the top is very steep, so be careful as many injuries occur here.
Huskey Gap is a 4.2 mile hike. The best time to hike this trail is in the spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom. This trail can be crowded during this time of year, but the wildflowers are the main attraction of this hiking trail, and they are too beautiful to miss.
Mount LeConte has many trails that lead to the summit, and one of them is the trail via Trillium Gap. This hiking trail is 13.9 miles long. As you walk this trail, you will pass many waterfalls on your way to the High Top, or the summit. Once at the top, there are two great locations for panoramic views. Myrtle Point is the best location if you want to see the sunrise, while Cliff Top is the best location to see a sunset.
Rainbow Falls is a 5.4 mile hike to the highest single drop waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. This waterfall was given its name because when the sun shines on the mist from the waterfall, it produces a rainbow. To reach the waterfall, hikers walk through a beautiful old growth forest.
The Boulevard Trail to Mt. LeConte is a tough trail, but you will see the North Carolina Smokies, Mount LeConte, and Myrtle Point on the way up. On this trail, you will come across and unofficial hiking trail called the Jump-off. This trail is great for panoramic views, and is definitely worth the extra hiking.
Another trail to Mt. LeConte is the trail via Alum Cave Trail. After passing Alum Cave, you will reach Gracie’s Pulpit, named after Gracie McNichol. She hiked this trail on her 92nd birthday! The next few miles you will pass several waterfalls and walk along rock ledges. Most of these rock ledges have hand rails, but they can be very slippery and icy in the winter months, so caution is advised. The top does not disappoint, though, with amazing panoramic views.
These are just some of the hiking trails that you will find in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains are definitely worth a visit, as they are filled with beautiful views, wildlife at every turn, history all the way back to the civil war, and adventure at every bend.
Vacation Packing List for a Smoky Mountain Trip
Enjoying your trip without stress of forgotten items is easy when you plan ahead with your own vacation packing list for any vacation and we have some tips for a Smoky Mountain trip vacation packing list.
The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful outdoor wonder with year round opportunities to take a vacation and see the beautiful views. However, depending on how rugged your Smoky Mountain vacation is going to be, packing might become a hassle. Here are some vacation packing lists for cabin stays and more rugged backpacking in the Smoky Mountains.
If you are staying in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, the first thing you should do is see what is already provided in the cabin. Some cabins will provide fully stocked kitchens, bed linens, and towels. If your cabin does not provide these things, then you will need to add them to your packing list. Make sure you have enough sleeping bags, bed linens, and towels for everyone. For example, if you have more people staying in the cabin than normal, you might have to bring extra bedding then what is provided. See if your cabin offers outside grills or if there are places nearby to buy charcoal, lighter fluid, and other cooking items that you might need. If your kitchen is not fully stocked, make sure you bring plates, cups, spoons, forks, knives, pots, pans, and any other kitchen supplies that you might need. Bring all toiletries, hair dryers, curling irons, bug spray, sunscreen, and other personal items as these will not be provided. Make sure you bring warm clothing no matter what time of year as it can get cold during the night. Also rain gear and broken in hiking shoes are needed if you plan to do any hiking.
Make sure to plan out each meal that you will be eating on your trip so you don’t forget anything. Sometimes it is the most basic things that you will forget, such as plates, forks, spoons, cups, knives, aluminum foil, paper towels, and ingredients for cooking. Don’t forget bug spray, sunscreen, soap, trash bags, and a first aid kit. When it comes to clothing, layers is the best way to go. One travel packing tip to always follow is to wear synthetic materials. Synthetic materials dry faster than wool, so you will be more comfortable if you get wet. Bring a couple of basic synthetic short sleeve shirts and a few synthetic long sleeve shirts to wear as layers. Bring a pair or two of shorts, but also make sure you bring long pants for cold nights. Don’t leave for your Smoky Mountain vacation without wool socks, gloves, a rain jacket, a light sweater, a warmer coat, and hiking boots that have been broken in for at least a week. Another travel packing tip is to bring along snacks for your day hikes. As this is your Smoky Mountain vacation, only you know how rugged and outdoorsy you plan to get. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so if you plan on doing long hikes into the mountains, bring a map, compass, and emergency supplies (extra food, a flashlight, extra clothes, extra water) just in case.
The Smoky Mountains is a great place to vacation, whether it is only for a weekend or for a few weeks in the back-country It is important to be well prepared for anything while staying in the mountains, and with these tips for vacation packing lists you will be on your way to a great trip!