7 Ways to Save on your Pigeon Forge Vacation

The summer season has arrived, ushered in with warm weather days and endless play for children throughout the country. Many families choose this time of year to hit the open road and enjoy the always needed family vacation. Even though gas prices are high, and budgets are tight, there is still one vacation destination making it easy for families to get away together. The Smoky Mountains, home to both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, provide the perfect way for outdoor fun to combine with family entertainment, creating a one-stop, have-it-all type destination. So fill up the family car, stock your cooler with drinks and snacks and gear up for a vacation full of memories.

Here are 7 ways to save while visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg:

1) Use the Trolley System. The Pigeon Forge Trolley system has over 100 stops throughout Pigeon Forge and the Parkway, including Dollywood. It’s a good way to see all of Pigeon Forge’s attractions and sights, without having to pay for gas. The Trolley fare is only 50 cents. Plus, there is a new addition, connecting Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, a convenient connection making both destinations easily accessible.

2) Cut corners by cutting into Pigeon Forge Coupons. Coupons for Pigeon Forge are available, as well as Coupons for Gatlinburg, for restaurants and shopping. A few of the restaurant coupons featured are Hard Rock Café, Great American Buffet, Alamo Steakhouse and Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que. The shopping coupons include discounts at Tanger Outlet, Belz Outlet, The Old Mill and Christmas Place.

3) Discover our Direct Deals page on our websites ReservePigeonForge.com and ReserveGatlinburg.com. There are discount Pigeon Forge tickets and discount Gatlinburg attractions available, including deals on Country Tonite, The Smith’s Show, The Track, Ripley’s Museum, RainForest Adventures and Ober Gatlinburg.

4) Pigeon Forge Vacation Packages and Gatlinburg Vacation Packages are also great ways to save on your family getaway. On ReservePigeonForge.com and ReserveGatlinburg.com there are several discount packages available featuring Country Tonite, WonderWorks, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and Tennessee Shindig.

5) Reserve a Dollywood Package. The 2008 Dollywood Adventure Packages allow guests to conveniently one-stop shop. Families can book their Dollywood Tickets, Splash Country Tickets and lodging all in place and one great price! Only Dollywood and ReserveDirect offer these great Dollywood deals!

6) Explore the Great Smoky Mountains! While in the area, discover the most visited National Park in America, the Great Smoky Mountains. Full of things to do for the whole family, take advantage of the hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic views and wildlife for a truly memorable experience. It’s a free and fun way to enjoy the outdoors and your family.

7) Take advantage of discount Pigeon Forge show tickets for children. Shows like Country Tonite, The Smith’s Show and Black Bear Jamboree are offering deals where children get in free with a paying adult! With prices like that, families can’t afford not to go!

Dollywood Thrills Visitors with Roller Coasters, Family Fun

I was eager to visit the Pigeon Forge area. I knew a lot about the different Pigeon Forge shows, such as Country Tonite, and Pigeon Forge attractions, but had never visited Dollywood. Once I did, I realized why so many people enjoy the park and its many amusements.

Like any other theme park, it aims to please families. Dollywood does a great job of pleasing every member of the clan by providing elements uniquely designed for each. I visited during the Festival of Nations, a celebration of the different cultures of the world. There were great exhibits featuring Ireland, Latin America, Russia and others. The food featured was also delicious and showcased the flavors of the world.

I love roller coasters, so of course, they were my main priority. The Tennessee Tornado was my first experience of Dollywood rides, and it definitely made good on its tornado like spins! It was a great ride featuring twists, turns, spins and upside down maneuvers sure to please any thrill seeker.

While walking through the park to the next tempting ride, I enjoyed the shops and crafts displayed throughout. Smoky Mountain heritage is present in the craft-making, which includes glass blowing, woodcarving, a grist mill, and wagon makers among many others. There were also a lot of sweet shoppes, offering tasty treats like taffy, ice cream and baked goods.

I went on two other Dollywood roller coasters. The Mystery Mine and Thunderhead were both a lot of fun, with Mystery Mine being my favorite out of the two. It is a unique ride, as it features a cart holding 8 people, instead of a standard roller coaster cart which can hold upwards of 30 plus. The smaller cart made the twists and turns even more thrilling and added to the mine aspect of the ride. I also like Thunderhead. It is very fast, which is a bonus, but more turbulent than the other coasters.

It was a little too cool for me to try any water rides, but they were certainly busy with other riders. I would like to try the Smoky Mountain River Rampage and Daredevil Falls when I visit again. The all new River Battle had just opened when I visited, and it looked like it came straight out of a cartoon. I thought the interactive features of the ride made it all the more fun for friends and families and I will be on that ride as well when I return (in warmer weather)!

Throughout the Dollywood park, the rides, attractions and shops are combined with the scenery to create a Smoky Mountain paradise. The way they blended the commercial aspects of the park with the natural aspects was very impressive. An Eagle Sanctuary was also at the park, and the view of the eagles was spectacular.

I think Dollywood is a perfect fit for families and friends. Everything from the atmosphere to the entertainment to the thrilling rides was on point.

Dollywood is also situated very near to the Parkway in Pigeon Forge making it easy for visitors to get there from their hotel. Hotels near Dollywood include RiverStone Resort, EconoLodge Riverside Pigeon Forge, Grand Resort Hotel and Red Roof Inn. Cabins in Pigeon Forge Tennessee are also available at great prices. They are a great choice for larger families and guests who prefer the extra space provided.

After you've had your share of Dollywood fun, be sure to check out the other great attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The entire town is full of activities fun for the whole family.

Play and Stay in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is a vacation destination encompassing great outdoor fun and exciting indoor fun the whole family can enjoy. I got to see how much fun Pigeon Forge really offers when I recently ventured there. The Parkway running through Pigeon Forge is lined with entertainment, including everything from live shows to thrilling attractions. Plus, there are plenty of unique Pigeon Forge restaurants to try along the way.

The great thing about Pigeon Forge is how it manages to maintain its small town atmosphere while also offering big time fun. Both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country are conveniently located just minutes from the parkway, and both maintain the natural beauty of the area throughout their locations. One of the best things about Splash Country is the way the water attractions blended with the earth, to create a true paradise of fun. Even Dollywood, with its outrageous roller coasters and new-fangled shops, wraps itself around the scenic allure of Pigeon Forge.

Visiting Splash Country and Dollywood is good old-fashioned fun, and something I believe everyone can enjoy. They both cater to families, with the Safe-T-Kid systems, which allow families to monitor the exact location of their child. Splash Country even has retreats for rent, which are cabanas with first class service, shade and televisions which are great for visiting families. My favorite part about Dollywood was its roller coasters. They were thrilling and definitely provided the fun it promised. The absolute best was the Tennessee Tornado. It loops around, goes upside down, and is very fast!

A few of the must see shows in the area include Country Tonite, The Smith Family Show and Cirque de Chine. They’re a great way to end a day of hiking or a day at Dollywood.

While I was in the area, I also got a chance to dine in a Pigeon Forge Restaurant. Johnny Carino’s, an Italian eatery, won me and my dinner companions over! There delicious food was plentiful and unique and the service was excellent. I would recommend any Pigeon Forge guest to try it!

Lodging in Pigeon Forge is also plentiful, with cabins, hotels and condominiums to choose from. A few of the options include The Resort at Governor’s Crossing, Grand Resort Hotel and The Water Resort. Cabins in Pigeon Forge are abundant, with properties like Bear-Foot Cabin Rentals, Mill Creek Cabin Rentals and Bluff Mountain Rentals to choose from.

March Events in Pigeon Forge

Winter Carnival of Magic

March 7-9

Country Tonite Theatre

Winter Carnival of Magic is held the first weekend in March at the Country Tonight Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Each year the three day convention features several lectures, a dealer's room, a close up competition, a stage competition and two public evening shows.

North American Country Music Awards

March 10-16
Country Tonite Theatre

14th Annual “A Mountain Quiltfest”

March 12-16
Music Road Convention Center & Smoky Mountain Convention Center

Drawing more than 20,000 quilting enthusiasts each year to the Great Smoky Mountains, A Mountain Quiltfest welcomes the best quilters and crafters to Eastern Tennessee to compete in the multi-category quilt show. Learn from the world's top quilters teaching more than 60 instructional sessions and master classes for quilters of all levels.

6th Annual Pigeon Forge Springfest
March 12-June 8
Springfest marks the beginning of springtime in the beautiful city of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is a celebration packed full of nearly three months of home-spun fun. Some of the events included are: A Mountain Quiltfest, the annual StringTime in the Smokies, The Dolly Parade, The Spring Grand Rod Run, and Dollywood's Festival of Nations.

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations
March 21-May 5
(Closed Tuesdays)
An international rhythm comes to life as Dollywood presents the world’s most popular dances, from Latin America’s spicy salsa and fantastic flamenco to Russia’s captivating Cossack. And see Ireland’s sensational stepdancing in the highly anticipated return of Rhythm of the Dance, the show-stopping centerpiece of Celebrate Ireland featuring Irish dining, crafters, entertainment and more. Daring dance steps are just the beginning of Dollywood’s seven-week celebration of music, artistry, foods and crafts from around the globe during Festival of Nations.

Tennessee Tax Free Weekend

March 21-March 23
All Shopping Venues

2008 Concert Schedule for Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge

First Class Productions, LLC is proud to bring you great live entertainment. The concerts listed below are all held at Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS WILL GO ON SALE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008, AT 9:00 AM. Thank you for your interest in First Class Productions’ Concerts!

LORETTA LYNN
Friday, May 30, 2008
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Price: $43.95 + Tax

CHUBBY CHECKER
Friday, June 20, 2008
Showtime(s): 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

RONNIE McDOWELL
Friday, July 11, 2008
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

GEORGE JONES
Friday, July 25, 2008 & Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday & Saturday: Showtime 8:00 pm
Price: $43.95 + Tax

MICKEY GILLEY
Friday, August 22, 2008
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

CRAIG MORGAN
Friday, August 29, 2008
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Price: $35.00 + Tax
Note: This concert with Craig was added after the mail out was done, so it does not appear on the postcards

B.J. THOMAS & BILLY JOE ROYAL
Friday, September 26, 2008
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

MEL McDANIEL
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Showtime: 3:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

GENE WATSON
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Showtime: 3:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

JOHN CONLEE & JANIE FRICKE
Friday, November 14, 2008
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Price: $30.00 + Tax

CHECK BACK LATER FOR UPDATES IN THE SCHEDULE!
TICKETS AVAILABLE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008 at 9:00 am!

Pigeon Forge Celebrates the Cowboy Way during Saddle Up! Festival

Saddle Up!, a Pigeon Forge celebration of the American West, returns for the eighth year, February 21-24, 2008. The event brings some of America’s finest western musicians and cowboy poets on a rare visit east of the Mississippi River.

Wylie & the Wild West have performed on stages around the world, fronted by yodeler, rancher and world-famous “Yahoo-er” Wylie Gustafson. Sons of the San Joaquin are a trio of singers who share their love of western history and sweet harmony.

Yvonne Hollenbeck is one of the most published cowgirl poets in the West, while Jean Prescott has been honored by the State of Texas for contributing to the preservation of Texas music and history.

In addition to singing cowboy music, Jeff Gore is a rancher and the founder of Jeff Gore Ministries. Sourdough Slim combines singing, yodeling and comedy with accompaniment on accordion, ukulele and more!

Chris Isaacs and Kent Rollins will lend their storytelling talents and be the head wranglers of a Dutch Oven Cooking Competition.

A Cowboy Symphony returns for a second year on Thursday, Feb. 21, and will feature the Sons of the San Joaquin at Country Tonite Theatre.

Additional Saddle Up! activities include a Saturday night Western Swing Dance to the music of Wylie & the Wild West; and Sunday morning Cowboy Church followed by an authentic chuckwagon lunch.

Concert venues are Country Tonite Theatre and American Jukebox Theater. The dance will be at Pigeon Forge Middle School, and Cowboy Church will take place at Stages West.

Weekend passes, excluding the Cowboy Symphony, are $50 plus tax. Day passes are $30 plus tax. Tickets for Cowboy Symphony are $20 plus tax. Ages 17 and younger are admitted free.
Weekend passes and Cowboy Symphony tickets will be available in advance at Country Tonite Theatre, 1-800-792-4308, or onsite on Thursday, Feb. 21. Day passes for Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be available onsite at American Jukebox Theater.

Admission to the dance is $5 per person age 18 and older (17 and younger are admitted free) with proceeds benefiting the Pigeon Forge Middle School. Cowboy Church is free and will be followed by the chuckwagon lunch where a $5 minimum donation will benefit Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

During Saddle Up!, on Feb. 21-23, visitors also can enjoy the Chuckwagon Jamboree at Fiddlers’ Feast in Pigeon Forge, with dinner show performances by the Colorado Wranglers, Roy Rogers Jr. and the High Riders. Information and tickets are available at 888-908-3327.
Saddle Up! has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Information provided by Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Pigeon Forge is Wintry Blast of Activities

Where in a single weekend can you enjoy millions of holiday lights, take in great shows, play mad scientist, and careen downhill inside a Zorb?

Tennessee's Pigeon Forge, on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, offers all the above and more. (But what's a Zorb you say? Stay tuned.)

With Winterfest's holiday productions in high gear, now's a great time to go. More than 5 million lights blaze throughout town with another 3.5 million at nearby Dollywood. This family-oriented place promises a variety of activities for all.

"Getting there is half the fun - with the beautiful drive, especially if you go through Maryville," said Barbara Eubanks from Boaz. "We usually go with friends and always find something in Pigeon Forge that appeals to everyone."

Soon after arrival, make reservations for the evening's Trolley Tour of Lights ($5) to see themed displays at Patriot Park then the "Twelve Days of Christmas," spaced along the Parkway's median at verse-singing intervals. The driver and guide will lead you in a spirited rendition of this old favorite as the trolley advances from one lighted exhibit to the next. Other displays depict nursery rhymes and a blacksmith forging snowflakes. Also, the one-hour ride offers a chance to scope out the main attraction venues and learn about local history.

For a mind-boggling upside-down adventure, visit WonderWorks. At this white-columned mansion, handsome in an eerie way, you can let your imagination run wild. To prepare yourself, try to get in the mind-sets of mad scientists from a mythical research lab in the Bermuda Triangle. Then proceed through the challenges of a gravity-defying chamber, an earthquake, and over-the-top bike ride. For relaxation, how about stretching out on a bed of 3,500 nails?
"This place brings out the kid in you," said Rich Benjamin, whose job it is to play here each day.
Evening visitors can take in the site's Hoot 'n' Holler dinner show, which combines a tasty Italian menu with a vaudeville-style show of music, choreography, magic tricks and homespun humor.

With so many shows in town, whittling down the choices requires strategy. First, decide on a category such as a musical, variety or dinner show. Then break that down further and follow your bliss. Now in its 11th year, "Country Tonite" presents both country hits and favorite Christmas songs. Other options include "Black Bear Jamboree," "Comedy Barn," "Smith Family Theater," "Memories" (which salutes Elvis and other musical legends), and the list goes on.

Dolly Parton's "Dixie Stampede" promises a finger-licking good time with its popular dinner and action-packed show. The award-winning "Smoky Mountain Christmas" puts the spotlight on heart and soul, and Dollywood's "Babes in Toyland" features a surprising finale. The talented cast's team of acrobats lend a "Cirque du Soleil" flavor to the production. Wandering through Dollywood's pedestrian village on a recent goose-down-jacket kind of evening, we experienced the season's first teasing snowflakes. But frosty air just made hot chocolate at Santa's Workshop more tempting.

"This place is not so much about Dolly Parton - it's about her mountain heritage, her values," said Trish McGee, introducing us to a sampler of the 130-acre park's myriad offerings.
Watching blacksmiths, glass blowers, wagon makers and wood carvers at work instills an appreciation for craftsmanship rare in today's high-tech climate. The park's magical light exhibits enhance a stroll past museums, eateries, and attractions.

Dollywood also offers exciting entertainment options. Not for the faint-hearted, the Mystery Mine Coaster, named best new attraction of 2007, features a ride through inky blackness with steep plunges, and The Thunderhead - voted the world's No. 1 wooden roller coaster in 2005 and 2006 - continues to offer its own brand of thrills.

"We enjoy the malls and Christmas shops, the off-the-beaten-path crafts stores, and the shows," Eubanks said, "but my absolutely must-go-to place is Pigeon River Pottery near the Old Mill. There, you can buy one-of-a-kind pieces and even watch pottery being made." Sooner or later, you'll gravitate to the picturesque Old Mill with its large water wheel, a site that demands a photo. Tour the mill, which dates to 1830, and buy a bag of corn meal, flour, grits or pancake mix to take home. Browse around Old Mill Square, and stop by Pottery House Cafe. Here, you can dip into hearty homemade soups and yummy sandwiches with breads made from the mill's stone-ground products. Your meal arrives on serving dishes crafted at the pottery next door.
For a family-style breakfast, lunch or dinner, head to the nearby Old Mill Restaurant. Specialties include sugar-cured ham, chicken and dumplings, fresh vegetables, biscuits, fritters and pecan pies.

If shopping's your favorite sport, Pigeon Forge offers several malls with some 300 outlet stores. At Walden's Landing, patrons can check out the nearby shops or work on their short game at Firehouse Golf.

Need a new Santa, caroler, or other item for the family holiday collection? Maybe an ornament designed for a special occasion? Then head for The Incredible Christmas Place at 2740 Parkway. "We work on building lifetime business relationships," said Carolyn Fairbank-Biggs, chief operating officer of the nation's second-largest Christmas retailer. "People come here to shop, hear the Singing Santa, and then return - year after year."

Also an incredible business success, the Yuletide shop has evolved from a small store, opened in 1986 by Marian and Hurshel Biggs, to occupy its own mall at Bell Tower Square. Just across the Parkway from the store, the owners opened The Inn at Christmas Place in June, a handsome base for guests. And it's not just beginning to look a lot like Christmas here, it always looks that way. Rooms and suites boast amenities galore plus holiday touches. The lobby's 25-foot cuckoo clock entertains visitors hourly with different holiday songs, and a lifesize Nativity scene overlooks the lobby. The hotel showcases original paintings by prominent area artists.
"We're striving to become a four-star property," said Keith Biggs, president of Christmas Place Properties.

If you're a repeat visitor (like 70 percent of folks in town), you'll want to know what else is new.
Enter the Zorb! The Zorb sounds like something from outer space and actually looks like that, too - a giant pearlescent orb. The concept originated in New Zealand, and Pigeon Forge boasts the only Zorb experience in North America.

Just what does a Zorb do? Nothing - except roll down a steep hill with you inside. Gravity provides the suspense, and you supply the screams. If you're a candidate for this unique adventure, visit the Zorb Smoky Mountains site, declare your intention, and choose between a dry run (Zorbit), where you're harnessed in place like an astronaut, or a free-floating wet ride (Zydro) comparable to something you might experience via roller coaster merged with water slide. Should you choose the wet run, you change into a sporty blue Zorb suit of shirt and shorts (which you keep), ascend the hill, and dive (or slither) through a small opening into a ball 11 feet tall. Then relinquish all control.

"Oh, man, this is cool," said Doug Jones from Birmingham, emerging from the Zorb after his wet and wild downhill ride. "My son would love this."

Information courtesy of The Huntsville Times

Eddie Miles to perform at Country Tonite Theater

Entertainer Eddie Miles presents an intimate solo performance of the music of America's most beloved entertainer, Elvis Presley. This uncanny tribute also includes an opening show saluting the legends of country music, featuring the songs of Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty and others.

Screams, cheers and standing ovations are common at this nationally known artist's concerts. Eddie Miles headlined in Collingwood, Canada in 2001 at the World's Largest Elvis Festival. He also headlined at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis in a tribute show commemorating the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death. A veteran entertainer with bookings across the country, Eddie Miles has headlined in his own theater in two major resort destinations: Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach. Miles was invited to headline in Memphis, TN for the 25th Anniversary of Elvis International Week and recently headlined on August 16, 2007 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Elvis's death.

Eddie Miles will be performing December 21, 2007 at the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN.