Shagbark resort community in Wears valley is off of Highway 321, located 7 miles from Pigeon Forge. It’s a gated community with spaciously placed cabins that share resort amenities such as a pool and tennis courts, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and park-like, wooded views for the more secluded cabins. In the area are streams and scenic walks, and the terrain is fairly steep, offering a true mountain feel.
When visiting the south, the down-home flavor of juicy barbeque is a tradition. If your travel itinerary brings you to the Smoky Mountains, you’re in for a delicious treat at the 2017 Big BBQ Bash in Maryville. Scheduled for Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, 2017, this free festival of food and fun takes place at historic Founder’s Square in the heart of downtown Maryville.
For Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge fans who may not know, Maryville is about 40 miles to the west – if you’ve been to Townsend on your way to Cades Cove, you were already halfway to Maryville. This historic town on the “quiet side of the Smoky Mountains” also loves a festival, and it keeps throwing parties to prove it!
Image courtesy of the Bash
There’s nothing quite like summer in the Smoky Mountains, and every year Gatlinburg attracts families eager for adventure and down-home charm. The city has never skimped when it comes to welcoming guests. That’s why, for the seventh year in a row, Gatlinburg’s popular Free Trolley Service on Parkway is joining the ranks of its other color-coded routes.
Yes, this special summer-only trolley service is free! If you’re visiting Gatlinburg between June 17th and August 12th, you can leave your car parked and relax as you and the family are shuttled around downtown. The trolley is handicap accessible and bike-friendly, and route maps are available in English and Spanish.
Image courtesy of City of Gatlinburg
Where to Find the Trolleys (more…)
Summer in Gatlinburg means that the hugely popular Tunes and Tales has begun, running from June 9 through August 12, 2017, and now in its 12th year. Highly talented musicians, performers, actors and artisans offer live music, storytelling and interaction in small performance groups at unknown spots along Parkway, starting at 6 pm each evening.
Image courtesy of Barbara Weibel video footage of Tunes and Tales
The annual peak viewing of the Synchronous Fireflies at Elkmont in Great Smoky Mountains National Park begins May 30, 2017 and runs through June 6. This annual event is unique in North America and very rare in the world, matched only in southeast Asia. A species of firefly flashes its light in sync with thousands of its fellow fireflies.
People come from all over the world to see it, and viewing space is very limited, and controlled by the rangers of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which holds the premium location to view this event. This year more than 18,000 people applied for one of the 1,800 parking spaces, and on May 10 the lucky winners were notified. For 8 days, by car, van, bus and city trolley these people are allowed into this very special event.
It’s that time of year, again, when beautiful weather, festivals, food, and fun are on the calendar of events in Tennessee. One upcoming event has the winning combination of barbeque, bluegrass, and the excitement of Dollywood added into the mix. For non-stop fun, entertainment, and palate-pleasing barbeque, make plans to attend the food and music fest May 26 through June 4, 2017.
Image courtesy of Dollywood
Pack your dancing boots and a healthy appetite and cruise over to Sevierville, TN for the town’s yearly Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival! This two-day fest is a great street party held on Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, 2017 in downtown Sevierville, just a few miles up the road from Pigeon Forge.
The festival is packed to the brim with family friendly activities and great tasting food. And music – as you stroll past the participating booths, you can enjoy some of the best traditional and modern bluegrass and country music the Smokies has to offer.
Images courtesy of the Festival
The Townsend Spring Festival fills the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” with bluegrass music for 2 days on May 5-6, 2017. The air also fills with the smell of food and the sights of arts & crafts, children’s attractions, and a super friendly and relaxed crowd of happy families and friends celebrating this beautiful area at the gateway to Cades Cove.
May gets underway as usual this year with a grand event in Pigeon Forge, as Dolly Parton returns as grand marshal to lead the 32nd Annual Homecoming Parade, on May 5, 2017. The free parade starts at 6 pm at Traffic Light #6, and proceeds – with maximum fanfare, color and spectacle – north along Parkway to Traffic Light #3.
Image courtesy of Dolly Parton
If you’re heading to the Smoky Mountains for a mini vacation, a quick weekend getaway or an extended stay, and you haven’t decided where to unpack your suitcases, consider the comfort and quiet of a rental cabin. While hotels are nice, there are many reasons why reserving a private cabin is the best bargain in town – and with the beauty of the mountains as close as your own back deck.
Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, celebrating a special event, or just wanting to get away for a relaxing and romantic weekend, consider the reasons to choose a luxury rental cabin in the mountains.
We are the one of largest cabin rental agencies in the Smoky Mountains and have been recognized by Southern Living as the Best Family Resort in the Smokies. We manage over 340 cabins in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee areas. Visit us today and get over $700 of free attraction tickets with your cabin rental.
