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!

Big Time Fun in Small Town Sevierville, TN

Have you ever discovered one of those little-known towns that's just full of surprises? You know… charming, interesting, but maybe not as well known as some others? That's the kind of place you remember and visit again and again. While you may be acquainted with the Great Smoky Mountains, you may not be aware of a little gem tucked away near the Smoky Mountains known as Sevierville, Tennessee.

Sevierville's claim to fame is as the birthplace of Dolly Parton. With a population of less than 11,000 residents, Sevierville is the very essence of the saying, "Good things come in small packages."

Experience NASCAR® Up Close and Personal

If you like NASCAR®, you´ll love the NASCAR® SpeedPark™ in Sevierville. Ranked the 11th most visited attraction in Tennessee by the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, the NASCAR® SpeedPark™ has something for everyone. There are nine tracks ranging from the Baby Bristol, a 200-foot starter track for kids, to the Intimidator, a challenging track named after Dale Earnhardt himself. You´ll also find an indoor rock climbing wall, electric speed bumper boats, an interactive arcade and an 18-hole medieval miniature golf course.

Diehard NASCAR® fans will also have to try the NASCAR® Silicon Motor Speedway. This 750-horsepower, full motion NASCAR® simulator gives you the virtual spills and thrills of whipping around all four turns at speeds most people will never experience in real life.

Shop Till You Drop

If shopping is your thing, Sevierville is the place for you. Tanger Five Oaks Factory Outlet Center is the largest outlet mall in all of Tennessee. Eddie Bauer, Liz Claiborne, Gap, Old Navy, Nautica and Banana Republic are just a few of the 25 brand names you can buy. For true shopaholics, there's also Governor´s Crossing Outlet Center. Browse for bargains at Books A Million, Your Scrapbook Superstore, Farberware, Shoe Carnival and many others. Think shopping is for women only? Think again. Orvis Company Store and Bass Pro Outdoor World will hold the interest of any man for hours on end.

Is Golf Your Game?

If your idea of fun is chasing that little white ball across the green, you´ll definitely enjoy the world-class golf courses in Sevierville. In 1994, an 18-hole, par-72, championship course opened in Eagle's Landing. This challenging course is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Smoky Mountains. Eagle´s Landing will also be the home of the newest resort course scheduled to open in spring 2008.

Natural Wonders

In Sevierville, you´ll find Forbidden Caverns, one of America´s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Hundreds of years ago these caves provided shelter during winter for the Eastern Woodland Indians. In the early 1920s they provided shelter for moon shiners. In June 1967, after three years of development, Forbidden Caverns opened to the public. Now you can enjoy this magnificent sight.

View one-of-a-kind calcite formations that continue to grow, as well as rare cave onyx or dripstone. Sparkling rock formations, grottos and towering natural chimneys also await you. Try one of the hour-long guided tours through this magnificent wonder. Walk lighted paths as an audio guide describes all the intriguing sights along the way. These caves make Mother Nature proud!

Lions and Tigers and Bears… Oh My!

Rainforest Adventure Discovery Zoo is an indoor rainforest that houses over 400 intriguing varieties of animals. These creatures represent more than 130 species that make their homes in rainforests from around the world. You´ll see crested porcupines, blue and gold macaws, diamond back terrapins, Texas tarantulas and giant marine toads to name a few. What a great opportunity to view some truly unique creatures that most people only see on television.
Sevierville is surely a small town with big appeal. In addition to all the activities you'll find, you'll also be centrally located to everything offered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Plan a getaway this weekend and see for yourself what excitement Sevierville holds!

Getaway for Labor Day in the Smokies

If you’re looking to get away for Labor Day, consider the Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. These two beautiful cities are tucked into the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offer an exciting mix of indoor and outdoor activities. With a splendid selection of shopping, shows, attractions and outdoor adventures, a quick trip to the Smokies is the perfect way to enjoy your time away from work.

When you first arrive in Tennessee, you’ll notice the rolling mountains and blue skies that go on forever. You’ll also notice several signs pointing your way to shows like the Dixie Stampede, Country Tonite and Fiddlers Feast. Shows in Pigeon Forge are very popular, and with good reason. Whether you enjoy dinner and a show, a little bit of rock ‘n roll or a bit of country, there is a show to fit your style. New additions to the show line-up include Legends of China, Shaolin Kung Fu and Mulan. These Chinese productions have quickly made a name for them selves and continually amaze guests with their acrobatics, showmanship and quality productions.

Attractions in Pigeon Forge offer a mix of fast paced excitement and interesting exhibits. For those looking for speed this Labor Day, visit Lazerport Funcenter, NASCAR Speedpark and Speed Zone Go-Kart Tracks. Be sure to visit Dinosaur Walk Museum, Helicopter Whirl’d Adventures and RainForest Adventures for an inside peek into these exciting worlds. A more leisurely way to experience the area is by visiting Scenic Helicopter Tours. This Pigeon Forge attraction takes visitors up, up and away, where they soar above the clouds to beautiful areas such as Douglas Lake and the Foothills.

Gatlinburg is home to a myriad of Ripley’s Attractions, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium, Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Aquarium and Ripley’s Moving Theater. These exceptional attractions offer a little bit of something for everyone, and something no one will want to miss. Other things to do in Gatlinburg include playing a round of golf at Bent Creek Golf Course and a thrilling white water rafting adventure, courtesy of Appalachian Outdoors.

With the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you’ll certainly want to explore your beautiful surroundings. Several outdoor activities and scenic spots are at your doorstep, including Clingman’s Dome, Laurel Falls, Newfound Gap Overlook, Cades Cove and Grotto Falls. You can also go horseback riding in the Smokies and visit historic homesteads and mills.

Of course, when you get away for Labor Day it’s important to have a nice place to stay. With two great cities so close together, you’ll have your options wide open. Lodging in Pigeon Forge and lodging in Gatlinburg provide quality yet affordable facilities. There are motels, hotels, cabins and condominiums to choose from. Cove Mountain Cabins, Shular Inn, RiverStone Resort, Rocky Top Village Inn, Park Place Condominiums, Comfort Inn on the River and Quality Inn are just a few of the places to stay in the Smokies.

This Labor Day Weekend, treat your self to something a little bit country and a little bit city. With such a great combination of activities to choose from, you’ll be glad you visited the Gateway to the Smoky Mountains for your Labor Day Getaway!