In the breathtaking state of Tennessee you’ll find the picturesque Smoky Mountains. Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are great places to visit for fantastic indoor and outdoor fun! A vacation to the Smoky Mountains is perfect too, because there are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Even better, there are plenty of FREE things to do in the Smoky Mountains!
The natural outdoor allure of the Smoky Mountain destinations of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is easy to understand. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as their backyard, these two vacation destinations allow guests to discover what they’ve been missing…refreshing, all natural fun!
1. Cades Cove: This is a great area for a scenic drive! There is an 11 mile one way loop that winds around the valley, complete with wildlife, campgrounds, bike rentals, spectacular foliage in autumn, facilities for horseback riding and historic buildings.
2.Sugarlands Visitor Center: A free 20-minute orientation motion picture provides an in-depth look at the Smokies and the enormous diversity of plant and animal life in the Park. Natural history exhibits include mounted specimens of park animals in recreations of their habitats and reproductions of journals kept by the first park naturalists are also on display. Ranger talks and slide shows are presented daily from spring through fall. You’ll also want to visit Laurel Falls, a beautiful waterfall located off Little River Road near the Sugarlands Center.
3. Patriot Park: Located in Pigeon Forge, this park is home to a big "liberty" bell, all 50 state flags, a historic patriot missile and a picnic pavilion amongst the open fields & a veteran's memorial park. Relax with the family while enjoying the beauty of Pigeon Forge.
4. Clingman’s Dome: Clingman's Dome is a short drive from Gatlinburg through the national park. There is a steep 1/2 mile hike to the top lookout, but anyone can enjoy the views from the level parking lot area. However, the views at the top of the dome are well worth the hike.
6. Tennessee Heritage Trails: Our Heritage Trails link attractions in three categories - History, Arts & Crafts and Music - to showcase the distinctive character and talents of Tennessee trails and to connect both well-known and obscure attractions under a common theme.
7. The Old Mill: Visit the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge to tour the shops, including the candy kitchen, where you’ll get a free sample of fudge or taffy. Guests will also want to tour the Old Mill to see how they make corn meal and other products. The tour is about 30 minutes and there is a small admission fee of $3.
8. Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Craft Community: This is the largest group of independent artisans in North America. This historic 8-mile loop has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Established in 1937, these artisans create unique and treasured pieces. It doesn’t cost a dime to explore the shops and craftsmen at work.
9. Newfound Gap Road: The 33-mile drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee North Carolina along Newfound Gap Road is the only route that completely traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an abbreviated experience of everything the Park has to offer, without necessarily trekking far from your automobile.
10. Hiking: Enjoy a hike on any of the more than 800 miles of trails through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With over fifty trails available to hike, you’ll discover a new treasure each time you explore.
11. Douglas Lake: Beautiful Douglas Lake extends its 33,000 lake acres and 513 miles of shoreline to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, attracting nearly 2 million visitors each year. Favorite activities at Douglas Lake include fishing, boating, rafting, swimming, camping, and bird watching.
12. Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum: This free museum teaches visitors about the history of steam logging in the Smokies. It is both an indoor and outdoor museum, with outdoor exhibits featuring a vintage caboose and portable Frick steam engine.
13. Gatlinburg Space Needle: Towering over downtown Gatlinburg, the Space Needle rises 407 feet, offering fantastic scenic views to visitors. This is a small admission fee of $7.25 for adults & $3 for children.
14. Shopping in the Smokies: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a shopper’s dream and it doesn’t cost a thing to look! There are several Outlet malls, such as Belz Factory Outlet Mall, as well as hundreds of unique shops to explore.
15. Festivals: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a haven for festivals. Many of these, such as the Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival, have free admission and concerts!
16. Plus, at Dollywood, you can get your next day FREE if you arrive at the park after 3 pm!
With so many things to see and do in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, you and your family are sure to experience the vacation of a lifetime!
Christmas Wonderland Lights Up Sevierville, Tennessee
Shadrack Watersports & RV have brought Christmas Wonderland to the Smokies Stadium in Sevierville, Tennessee located just minutes from Pigeon Forge. The lighting spectacular , which began November 6th, is one of America’s largest drive-through, fully computerized LED light shows.
Hundreds of thousands of lights are included in this perfectly synchronized show filled with holiday tunes. The entire drive-through spectacular is nearly one mile in length and lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium presented by Shadrack will continue through January 2, 2010. Hours of operation are 6pm-10pm daily. Admission is $10 per car Monday-Thursday, $15 per car Friday-Sunday, $20 per Activity Van, $30 per Limo and $65 per bus. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve are weekend rates.
Spend the Thanksgiving Holiday in Pigeon Forge, TN
Thanksgiving is known as a family holiday, with traditional feasts and sale shopping synonymous with the day as much as turkey. However, certain traditions are evolving, with many families choosing to forgo the trip to Grandma’s house and instead using the four-day weekend for a mini-getaway. That’s one reason Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has become a major destination the week of Thanksgiving.
The city will already be holiday themed during the Thanksgiving break, as WinterFest, Pigeon Forge’s four-month celebration started in early November, so the city is aglow in brilliant light displays.
Of course, plenty of Pigeon Forge shopping will be open for Black Friday sales, so getting a head start on your Christmas shopping will be a piece of cake, or in this case, pie.
AdventureCon comes to Pigeon Forge October 24 & 25, 2009. This event is best known for the dozens of celebrity and comic guests it hosts every year. It gives fans the ultimate opportunity to meet and greet their favorite stars. Celebrities in attendance participate in autograph sessions and discussion panels. AdventureCon 2009 will be held at the Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. Doors open Saturday at 10am and remain open until 7pm. Sunday hours are 10am-5pm. Tickets are $20 per day, or $30 for both days.
There are a variety of celebrity guests scheduled to appear. John Schneider, who is best known for his role as Bo Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard, will be on hand, as will the General Lee, one of the most famous cars in television history. Micky Dolenz, a famous member of The Monkees, is also scheduled to appear, along with Kevin Nash, the wrestling superstar from WWE & WCW, as are TNA wrestling stars SoCal Val & Traci Brooks. Jason Mewes, who is best known as Jay from the Jay & Silent Bob duo from movies like Clerks, Dogma and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back will also be making an appearance.
Other celebrity guests include Brian Steele (Hellboy), Doug Jones (Silver Surfer from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer), Ola Ray (Thriller Music Video), Camden Toy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), David Barclay (Star Wars), Maria De Aragon (Star Wars), Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Derek Mears (Friday the 13th), William Forsythe (The Devils Rejects) and Daeg Faerch (Rob Zombies’ Halloween). Motormaster, one of the brutal does in the first generation of Transformers, will also be at AdventureCon.
Comic guests include Scott Blair, Tom Feister, Kevin Leen, Richard Green, Tom Nguyen, Brett Pinson, Steve Scott and Joe Staton.
A costume contest is also planned at 3pm, October 24th. Guests are encouraged to transform themselves into their favorite hero or villain. Registration must be complete by 1:30pm that day. DTK will perform a tribute to Kiss on the Grand Stage at 5pm on Saturday, and that night a VIP After Party is planned for 9:30pm. Guests will enjoy karaoke, mingling with their favorite stars, music, drinks and a Guitar Hero Showdown. Terry Evanswood, star of Magic Beyond Belief in Pigeon Forge, will perform at 12:30pm on Saturday.
Located at 202 Emert Street, the hotel features 100 rooms and is just steps away from major entertainment and family adventure attractions of Pigeon Forge, yet serenely removed from the noise and bustle of the Parkway.
The well appointed guest rooms amenities include: Cable television with movie, news and sports channels, Free local calls, Free Long Distance (USA), Hair dryer, Iron/ironing board, Refrigerators, Express check-out, Complimentary continental breakfast, Copy and fax service and Free wireless Internet. After a fun filled day guests can relax and unwind in the outdoor swimming pool.
"The Pigeon Forge, TN GuestHouse International Inn has the features and designs that today's travelers want and is a great addition to our franchise family," said Terry Kline, Sr. Vice President of Franchise Development for Boomerang Hotels.
Magic Beyond Belief presents Houdini Themed Shows for Halloween
The Magic Beyond Belief show in Pigeon Forge is celebrating Halloween with a “Tribute to Houdini” during their shows from October 10 – October 31, 2009. Terry Evanswood, the star magician of the show, will recreate some of Houdini’s most amazing tricks, including Houdini’s metamorphosis trick, a Houdini inspired buzz saw escape and Houdini’s straightjacket escape.
Evanswood will also tell Houdini’s life story throughout the show, and perform some of his own spectacular tricks. A skeleton dance, dancing ghosts and several all-new tricks are planned as part of the special Halloween show.
Reserve your Magic Beyond Belief tickets online to save $2 on adult tickets. Plus, kids ages 11 and under are FREE with a paying adult.
Celebrate the Holidays at Dollywood during a Smoky Mountain Christmas
Celebrate a Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge this holiday season. Spectacular light displays and a fantastic lineup of live Christmas shows are planned to help celebrate the true meaning of the season.
The park is decorated in over 4 million lights, casting a warm glow across a winter wonderland scene straight out of a picture. Dollywood is a great place to enjoy the holidays with friends and family as they present favorite shows like Babes in Toyland and Christmas in the Smokies.
Santa’s Workshop is also a favorite of park-goers. It features larger-than-life sized toys, an 18-foot tall Christmas tree and a cast of colorful characters that bring out the kid in everyone.
During a Smoky Mountain Christmas, guests can watch the Carol of the Trees, a nightly light synchronization show located at Rivertown Lake. The Kingdom Heirs will also be at the park providing southern gospel classics and popular Christmas hymns. Appalachian Christmas, an acoustic-style Christmas show, hearkens a simpler time and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas features a family finding its own Christmas miracle with the help of a mysterious, white-bearded stranger.
The Polar Express 4-D Experience at Dollywood invites guests on an extraordinary journey based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, which inspired the animated movie of the same name.
A Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge runs from November 7 – January 2, 2010.
The Duggar Family Illuminates Pigeon Forge's Winterfest
Official Press Release from Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism:
Twenty special guests will help Pigeon Forge kick off the 20th celebration of Pigeon Forge Winterfest. Collectively, they are the Duggar family from TLC’s “18 Kids and Counting” reality show.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 18 natural-born children—plus one on the way—will flip the switch to illuminate millions of lights and start the four-month winter event that runs through Feb. 28, 2010.
The grand illumination will conclude an opening event at the city’s Patriot Park on Nov. 5 (Thursday) at 5:30 p.m.
Pigeon Forge Winterfest, which transformed winter from a quiet season to one of the city’s busiest, is a Top 100 Event in North America, according to the American Bus Association.
Expansive and elaborate Winterfest light displays are located throughout the city. More than five million lights are used, and several displays—including the celebration’s signature snowflakes along the Parkway—have been fitted with energy-saving LED bulbs.
Dollywood enhances the first two months of Pigeon Forge Winterfest with Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, a two-time winner of the Golden Ticket Award for the nation’s best theme park Christmas event. Dates are Nov. 7-Jan. 2, 2010.
Dollywood adds to Winterfest’s light displays with more than four million lights of its own and the nightly Lighted Christmas Parade. Its musical entertainment lineup includes “Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland,” “Christmas in the Smokies” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” plus the Polar Express 4-D Experience, a multi-sensory cinematic experience based on the beloved Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.
Pigeon Forge has more than a dozen theaters, and most of them offer special Christmas show segments during November and December. While some do take a post-New Year’s break, several offer their signature shows in January and February.
After the excitement of Christmas and New Year’s, the city continues Pigeon Forge Winterfest with two festivals in January and February:
Wilderness Wildlife Week, Jan. 9-16, is the first. It began the same year as Winterfest as a Saturday afternoon activity and now offers eight days of programs and activities to spotlight Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Almost 150 experts on nature and outdoor life present programs on many topics, and there are daily hikes and excursions into the national park.
Saddle Up!, a celebration of the American West, returns for its tenth year, Feb. 25-28. It brings some of the best western musicians and cowboy poets to the Smokies for a rare visit east of the Mississippi River. Events include concerts, a chuckwagon cookoff and Cowboy Church.
Pigeon Forge’s popular Trolley Tour of Lights, offered throughout Winterfest, provides a narrated tour of this Smoky Mountains resort town and a chance to see the major displays. One of the more elaborate displays depicts the city’s most significant historic site, the Old Mill. The actual mill was built in 1830 and still is in operation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kickoff at Patriot Park is scheduled for November 5 at 4pm. This event officially begins the Christmas season in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and also kicks off the Winterfest events in Pigeon Forge that run through February.
Touring the Pigeon Forge light displays is a favorite visitor activity, and with over 5 million lights to see, there is no better way to get around town than onboard the city’s Trolley Tour of Lights. The Trolley Tour of Lights runs Monday through Friday starting at 6:30pm. The tour begins at the Pigeon Forge Funtime Trolley Station at Patriot Park and costs $5 per person. The trolley, which is climate-controlled, will offer the tour through January 29.
Several Pigeon Forge Shows get into the Christmas spirit as well. When you visit the Pigeon Forge area in the month's of November and December, enjoy these great Christmas shows:
Official Press Release from Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism:
Scores of talented artists and craftsmen seem to take a cue from Mother Nature when the leaves start changing colors in the Great Smoky Mountains and appear in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for two major autumn festivals.
The Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Crafts Festival (Oct. 1-30) is one of the region’s biggest crafts events, attracting almost 50 craftsmen, artists and exhibitors from more than a dozen states. It takes place under a giant red and white tent at Patriot Park. Rotarians volunteer their time to run the festival, and proceeds benefit numerous charities.
Dollywood’s National Gospel & Harvest Festival (Oct. 2-31) complements the theme park’s regular operation with an array of traditional and contemporary craftsmen and adds scores of free gospel music concerts to the entertainment lineup. Among the featured crafts are spinning, weaving, sorghum making, fiddle making, rug hooking and woodworking.
Both events take place against the backdrop of Pigeon Forge’s Harvestfest season, which continues through Oct. 31.
During Harvestfest, businesses throughout the city erect fanciful fall displays of hay bales, scarecrows, cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, mums and other symbols of the season.
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In the breathtaking state of Tennessee you’ll find the picturesque Smoky Mountains. Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are great places to visit for fantastic indoor and outdoor fun! A vacation to the Smoky Mountains is perfect too, because there are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Even better, there are plenty of FREE things to do in the Smoky Mountains!
